Here we are looking at Summer and I am just NOW finishing up a figure set in late Fall-early Winter. I had posted him earlier as a work in progress, after
WEEKs I figured out where I wanted him and how he should look. My first look was during the Ardennes Offensive, went back did some more research and read about
the unit during their tour in the Hurtgen Forest. I was moved by the conditions, the history of this unit during both campaigns and opted to pursue the
Hurtgen Forest as the Ardennes seems to get a lot more "press"...
Here are some "test shots" as I was sorting out just how he would look during the Ardennes Offensive, the headsculpt is DML Mike Walker's and is versitile to lend itself to various "looks" or attitudes. The HS was stripped and repainted using acrylics and pastels...by the way, was it just me or did the original HS seem to have "green" hair?
The photo above is attributed by many as the 28th INF DIV in the Hurtgen Forest and was one of many photos used as the basis for changes made to my figure. The reading I did showed that the 28th INF DIV suffered more casualties in this battle than any other unit sent into the "meat grinder". The German artillery barrages, tree burst took their toll physically and mentally. I kept that in mind as I made my changes.
I did some experimenting with a more translucent quality to the skin, and I think I got it...During this time I added some minor injuries to his face. In one account I read where a unit moving into replace another in the Hurtgen commented on how the GIs there had scratched up faces from flying splinters or debris from the frequent shelling.
I changed out the DML overshoes for the rough outs and
leggings, one of the accounts made mention how despite the fact it was November, no cold weather gear had reached the 28th INF DIV. I kept the Newline
Miniature wool cap (a real gem!) under the helmet.
The boots are Newline Miniatures and it was a pleasure working with them, I dubbed them like I would a 1:1 pair and was impressed with the results, the leggings are DiDs.
Rear view and better view of some of the gear...His cartridge belt and e-tool, e-tool carrier are DiD. The e-tool was fun to work, the wooden handle is oversized so I whittled it down and painted it. Weathering it was easy enough after that. I liked the "heft" the metal portion gave it in the carrier. OK, I confess to being "lazy"- I was going to grind down the metal portion of the e-tool to size it to a DML version (used for reference) but thought since it isn't coming out of the carrier-why bother? His canteen is by BBi', many of you know I am fond of their canteens for the cups and working LTDs.
His wools are Newline's, again if you haven't
tried them yet you are missing out. Great right out of the box, the fabric weight, the weave-texture allow for a realistic look and drape that I haven't
found in anywhere else yet. His M41 jacket is DML's, tailored, weathered and distressed. His M1 is DML's as well. Despite the lack of detail it is a
nice piece to work with. I used oils and a mix of acylics to include Tamiya's acrylics. They required a new set of skills working with them but very good
paints to finish up this type of project. The sling is BBi's, coming off the "Vince, D-Day" figure, the hardware is off of a DML sling. I know
the sling in the photo above doesn't look convincing with the way it drapes, just wanted a chance to show the M1.
Some final photos... Another thing I have started doing (picked up from Tony Barton) is having a selection of hands available as suits the particular pose. He has available 3 sets of hands, 1 gloved pair. The gloves, again, are a modern pair modified to be a good model for the WWII US version.
Thanks for looking, any comments or critiques welcome, several sets of eyes are better than one....
For those interested, a good on-line site concerning the Hurtgen;
http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/HuertgenForest/HF.htm
http://hurtgen1944.homestead.com/
Here are some "test shots" as I was sorting out just how he would look during the Ardennes Offensive, the headsculpt is DML Mike Walker's and is versitile to lend itself to various "looks" or attitudes. The HS was stripped and repainted using acrylics and pastels...by the way, was it just me or did the original HS seem to have "green" hair?
The photo above is attributed by many as the 28th INF DIV in the Hurtgen Forest and was one of many photos used as the basis for changes made to my figure. The reading I did showed that the 28th INF DIV suffered more casualties in this battle than any other unit sent into the "meat grinder". The German artillery barrages, tree burst took their toll physically and mentally. I kept that in mind as I made my changes.
I did some experimenting with a more translucent quality to the skin, and I think I got it...During this time I added some minor injuries to his face. In one account I read where a unit moving into replace another in the Hurtgen commented on how the GIs there had scratched up faces from flying splinters or debris from the frequent shelling.
I changed out the DML overshoes for the rough outs and
leggings, one of the accounts made mention how despite the fact it was November, no cold weather gear had reached the 28th INF DIV. I kept the Newline
Miniature wool cap (a real gem!) under the helmet.
The boots are Newline Miniatures and it was a pleasure working with them, I dubbed them like I would a 1:1 pair and was impressed with the results, the leggings are DiDs.
Rear view and better view of some of the gear...His cartridge belt and e-tool, e-tool carrier are DiD. The e-tool was fun to work, the wooden handle is oversized so I whittled it down and painted it. Weathering it was easy enough after that. I liked the "heft" the metal portion gave it in the carrier. OK, I confess to being "lazy"- I was going to grind down the metal portion of the e-tool to size it to a DML version (used for reference) but thought since it isn't coming out of the carrier-why bother? His canteen is by BBi', many of you know I am fond of their canteens for the cups and working LTDs.
His wools are Newline's, again if you haven't
tried them yet you are missing out. Great right out of the box, the fabric weight, the weave-texture allow for a realistic look and drape that I haven't
found in anywhere else yet. His M41 jacket is DML's, tailored, weathered and distressed. His M1 is DML's as well. Despite the lack of detail it is a
nice piece to work with. I used oils and a mix of acylics to include Tamiya's acrylics. They required a new set of skills working with them but very good
paints to finish up this type of project. The sling is BBi's, coming off the "Vince, D-Day" figure, the hardware is off of a DML sling. I know
the sling in the photo above doesn't look convincing with the way it drapes, just wanted a chance to show the M1.
Some final photos... Another thing I have started doing (picked up from Tony Barton) is having a selection of hands available as suits the particular pose. He has available 3 sets of hands, 1 gloved pair. The gloves, again, are a modern pair modified to be a good model for the WWII US version.
Thanks for looking, any comments or critiques welcome, several sets of eyes are better than one....
For those interested, a good on-line site concerning the Hurtgen;
http://history.amedd.army.mil/booksdocs/wwii/HuertgenForest/HF.htm
http://hurtgen1944.homestead.com/
....and you're gonna have to pay for it."
