Tribute Display at Chicago Show to BILL OTTINGER

[Nap]

Hi I just had to share this to superb tribute to the Historex Master on Social Media

Text by Rod Curtis

At the Chicago show last weekend there was an outstanding display of Historex conversions by the late Bill Ottinger. A brilliant artist of the medium and great ambassador of the hobby. He was a good friend and an encourager to me. He is missed.

Fantastic modelling , Bills book is a must and in my bookshelf

Nap

 

[clubcat]

Simply stunning, one of the legends I looked up to when starting out and still inspirational now.
Melanie

 

[fogie]

Superb post. Kev.......perfect tribute to a venerable Master. For me there will be just three
true Historex virtuosos - Lamb, Conrad, and Ottinger - whose artistry was, and will remain,
inspirational.

Mike

 

[Nap]

Saw more wonderful pics from t.j. Hamilton

Text by t.j

Last post from the Chicago MMSI show from me. This one was rather special, a tribute display to the late, great Bill Ottinger, a master of the "History conversion". For those of you not familiar with some of the lore of the figure hobby, Historex was the French (originally) manufacturer that specialized in plastic Napoleon figure kits. The plastic was soft enough that a modeler could easily chop the figure up and reposition it, adding parts from other kits to create new poses and subjects. There was a time when a "History Conversion" was THE apprentice figure enthusiast's right of passage. And Bill Ottinger was one of the early masters, whose quality of work stands the test of time so well. It's not an exaggeration to say that I, and many others, would not be where we are in this hobby without people like Bill's inspiration being made available in books and magazines we collected as kids. Keep in mind as you enjoy the pictures that these figures were crafted in the 1980s and 90s, before there was the internet for reference, 3-d printing, after-market add ons and other advantages we modern artists enjoy. It was a real treat to see them in person after looking at them so closely in print for so many years.

 

[Blind Pew]

What a joy and privilege it must've been to see those gems in the flesh. Some of my all-time favourite figures there. Bill's book has been a fixture on my shelf for years, and has been my companion. My thoughts and condolences to Bill's loved ones.

 

[Briggsy]

Fantastic thread, he really was a Master of the art and an inspiration to countless modellers myself included. I would have loved to see them in the flesh.

Cheers Simon

 

[sd0324]

It was a great display. I spent a lot of time looking at it. Bill will be missed.

Steve

 

[MCPWilk]

Truly wonderful artistry and an inspiration.

Mike

 

[ometz]

A truly great artist.

 

[Redcap]

For me, the standout piece is the 9th Hussars trumpeter. I have always liked that one.
Gary

 

[NigelR]

Classic works and all still stunning. He really was up there with the greatest.

 

[Edorta]

Beautiful works, I like them all.

Military miniatures painted by Eduardo Garcia

 

[Jaybo]

Bill was not only a World Class figure painter but was a real old school gentleman. He indeed will be missed.

 

[blaster]

An inspirational Historex modeller. His book, the Historex catalog and spares list were my staple reading for several years.

 

[dmcHobbes]

Great work and his book became one of my first and still one of the best to get me going on figures. Saw some of his work at the Atlanta show many years ago. Impressive then and now.

 

[Oda]

A legend! Nothing more to add....

Oda.