U.S. Navy Pilot, 1/6th scale Naked Army bust

[Wayneb]

Borderline museum material......Wayne......

 

[tonydawe]

Borderline ... I'll have to try harder Wayne. Thanks mate, still a long way to go on this.

 

[Carlos Figure Art]

I love a huge bust Tony! that is big ... a lot of brush work! a great start, the face looks really well done and the clean flesh area where the goggles sat looks impressive, not easy to pull off the sculpt looks great also, love the realistic sit of the drapery.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Carlos,

Yes, I too love handling a big bust The sculpting on these Naked Army busts has to be seen to be believed and the crispness of the casting means every little detail is just perfect. The one thing I am very sure about is that the uniforms are based on historically accurate and very well-researched original clothing and equipment. The sculptors do a magnificent job in capturing not only the seams in the cloth but even the weave of the fabrics. Of course it requires a lot of brushwork and patience, but the results are usually well worth the effort. Thanks very much for your comments.

 

[Adrian Cowdry]

I echo your comments about handling a big bust!

I am looking to get a couple of these from Naked Army.

 

[Mark S]

And what better busts to handle but naked army ones.
Great painting so far Tony, love the goggle outline looking forward to the finished piece.

 

[Carlos Figure Art]

Hi Tony, I had to Google 'Naked Army Bust' I had some interesting finds! : )

These are new to me so thanks, they have some really nice pieces and in a scale you rarely see in military subjects, at a good price also given the amount of gear they must use during casting. I wouldn't want to pay the shipping on one though!

 

[davidmitchell]

Hi Tony a bit late seeing this one ,but going on what you have done so far ,think it will be a cracker.


Cheers David

 

[tonydawe]

Hi Adrian, as someone who has bought and painted quite a number of Naked Army figures over the years, I can personally vouch for them. You wont be disappointed.

Hi Mark, you old shit-stirrer you Thanks for your comments mate.

Hi Carlos, in addition to the Naked Army range of figures there is also a US specific site www.khaki-army.com which has a range of figures and busts in slightly smaller scales which would definitely appeal to former US servicemen and figure painters. I have googled Naked Army before, and some of the search results have caused a loss of blood flow to the head I think when you consider the cost of buying and posting a Naked Army figures when compared to a 90mm mounted Pegaso figure, you start to see the value in going large scale.

 

[tonydawe]

Hi David, thanks for your comments mate. I'm glad you like how its progressing.

I've been beavering away the last few nights to create the fabric weave on the QAS harness straps and also defining the stencilled lettering on the front of the Mae West life preserver. Both are still WIP but I thought I was a good time to post some new pics to show everyone where I'm up to.

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Darn fine mate!
One my favourite busts & your version has a elevated this.

Especially like detailing like the weave in parachute harness, which is something I've struggled with.
Tone of his suit & helmet also looks spot on.
On the home strait now?

Stay safe,
Mike

 

[Adrian Cowdry]

Yeah...see that's enough to piss me off! - Bloody good work on the stencils and the weave.

 

[Mark S]

This will no doubt be another classic dawesomized bust.

It's coming along beautifully....I'm always surprised to see comments from members who are still unaware of the Naked Army range.
Your work on the many busts and figures you've done here certainly helps to make members aware of the Naked Army products but perhaps an entire thread showing off all the Naked Army pieces on the forum would also help to let people know what terrific pieces are out there.

I'm sure they'd have the courage and maturity to appreciate all comments good or bad,...although I'm sure they'd all be positive.

 

[Adrian Cowdry]

I think that the Naked Army models are not so well known here in the UK - certainly we are being made aware now!

And I don't want to sound xenophobic but I get the impression that the majority of Planeteers are from the UK...no offense to outside of the UK but we are a little insular when it comes to figures being produced away from these isles and across Europe.

 

[Mark S]

I think that the Naked Army models are not so well known here in the UK - certainly we are being made aware now!

And I don't want to sound xenophobic but I get the impression that the majority of Planeteers are from the UK...no offense to outside of the UK but we are a little insular when it comes to figures being produced away from these isles and across Europe.

Perhaps it would be a good idea then to start a thread to demonstrate their catalogue here.
Does seem odd in these days of global globality that pieces like the Naked Army figures should remain unknown to so many enthusiasts.
Tony certainly brings the catalogue alive here on PF, but perhaps a dedicated promotional thread wouldn't go astray either.

Anyway, back to you Tony.....Sorry to distract from your SBS, it's just something that I noticed popping up in each of your Naked Army SBS's.

 

[Bootneck]

No intention to high jack Tony's thread but between Mike the Kiwi & himself they have put the Naked Army firmly in the spotlight, as probably like a lot of commentators I had not heard of the range before these two awesome painters gave us all a treat.

Probably like many others,I have looked at the "Naked Army" web site and like what I see but the P&P from Australia is prohibitive.

My question is, would it be viable for a UK/Europe outlet to carry the range or part of? We already have Andy Cairns available from SK. Their May of course be a very good reason why we don't see them in the UK/Europe.

Peter.

 

[tonydawe]

Thanks to everyone for your comments. I've posted an example of some of the other Naked Army figures and busts that I've painted on Adrian's thread under the Figure News forum, in the hope that I can re-hijack this thread back and get on with completing this bust.

Mike, home straight?? Seriously mate, you should know better. There's no such thing as that. At some point you just decide to stop painting because you can't do anymore. I'm a long way from that point and there's still so much to do. I'm pleased you like my progress so far and I always appreciate your comments.

Adrian, thanks for your comments mate. The stencils still need some work and the QAS harness straps will need to be shaded and highlighted before I'm happy with them, but I'm pleased you like the weave pattern. That too needs some tidying up, but I'll get to that on the weekend.

To Mark, Adrian and Peter, thanks for your support for the Naked Army range of figures. Hopefully someone will see an opportunity to import these figures into the UK/ Europe and make them more accessible and affordable for UK/ European modellers.

 

[Adrian Cowdry]

Yeah - even more pissed off - can't wait to see the finished article not sure how you are going to better those stencils - talk about OCD!!!

 

[tonydawe]

OK guys, here are the final pics. I'm calling this one done.

As I've said before, the problem with these Naked Army busts is knowing when to stop. You don't finish them so much as you just decide to stop painting them, and I've reached that point now. Painted in Jo Sonja acrylics and washed with oils.

Thanks to everyone for your support and encouragement on this thread. This has turned out to be another very enjoyable Naked Army bust and I'm looking forward to starting another one very soon

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

... You don't finish them so much as you just decide to stop painting them, ...

Know just what you mean mate!
Still got to admit you're an animal when it comes to chopping through these guys.

Beaut finish & photos - have you got a new camera?
Mike.