WIP USAB2 120mm

[pixelhead]

I appreciate the title of this thread sounds like a Star Wars character, but its not, In fact its just an attempt to stay consistent with my previous threads.

Here is a progress rapport on my second, drum roll,,long awaited 120mm figure which Ive been working on these last weeks.

After a lot of experimentation and frustration with different materials I have finally settled on Aves Apoxie. The advantage is that it forces you to concentrate and make decisions about the figure within the limited setting time, nothing like a deadline to concentrate the mind. After it sets you can always go into carving mode to get the crisp edges for fabric folds etc.The only other material I use is wax, for the more intricate features of the head.

This figure will have a removable helmet, like the last one, and a suitable short haircut to accommodate it.

Though this isnt the brutally hones critique section, I look forward to any advice/observations you may have regarding this new figure. You know how it go's, when you spend to long staring at the damn thing, you tend to lose objectivity, and my GF only has nice things to say, bless.

Oh yeah,,My website,,duhhh! www.mikel.fi

 

[Colin_Fraser]

I like his posture. The face is cool and good on you for using wax. I never would have thought of that even if I had the nerve. It sounds like a difficult and unforgiving medium to me. I prefer Magicsculpt to Aves but whatever works for you. I preserve Aves for groundwork these days. His weapon is outstanding.

If you can should us how you go about sculpting his hollow helmet I would be grateful.

Colin

 

[JasonB]

I like it. It should go well existing 120mm paratrooper figs. The good points:
The mouth is open. One of my (many) nits is pointing poses with the mouth closed.
Shoulder is raised as it should be when the arm is raised. Too many figures have the magic trick shoulder that pivots independently from the rest of the body.

The right arm at this point looks a little anemic
The fully stocked M1 Carbine was not the usual weapon of paratroopers. They used M1 Garands, Thompson SMG's, and M1 Carbines with the paraptrooper metal wire folding stock. Glider troops would use the full stock carbine though. I look forward to seeing how this one progresses, nice work.
Cheers
Jason

 

[pixelhead]

Thanks for the responses, I think I will post a thread explaining how I did the hollow helmet, as it was quite a tricky thing to work out, requiring a cup and male 2 part mold with tricky vents.
And JasonB, I think I may well try and make the folding stock version, since I have gained in confidence the last months with hard surface sculpting. Its this kind of in-depth knowledge about equipment that I appreciate from this forum.
Thanks,
Mike

 

[JasonB]

Heres a pic from a quick google search on the stock. Just be aware, that in this scale, casting it can be more than a little difficult. In resin, its REALLY fragile (S&T did theirs this way, I broke it more than a few times) and in white metal its a little chunky and "bendy".

 

[Sturm Grenadier]

Like how this is turning out Mike, great looking face. Looking forward to your equipment additions. Best of luck with its completion. Regards, SG

 

[taff edwards]

Hi Mate
This is going really well , and very interesting to see how this is developing
Cheers Chris

 

[T50]

Nice work so far. If I were you, I would pay more attention to the
volume of the uniform.

 

[amcairns]

Yay,nice to see a raised shoulder which so many miss.
Andy

 

[lopee]

I like it. Only the collar looks strange - it looks like there should have been another neck. And - it's hard to know from picture - is every arm the same?

 

[taff edwards]

Hi mate , I agree with T50 , regard volume of uniform I have put a pic up of Forrest Guth from Easy Company 501he was my wife's uncle , and this pick Gives a real good indication of the uniform volume kit ,and additions he sewed extra pockets on the sleves used parachute silk for scarves , obviously the helmet was not his lol ,but I feel this picture is indicative of what an infantary soldier looked like on the sharpe end and also to remember this was not long after they had dropped in .
Just thought this might help
Cheers Chris

 

[garyjd]

Very nice. I like both Magic sculpt and Aves. I do like Aves a bit more because of it's carving abilities. I'm looking forward to your future works.