Well, the Bergepanzer is over and forgotten and now a start on the 1/9 Mitch's Models D-Day Para Officer bust! The model has only three parts; the bust itself, the chin cup and the strap that secures the chin cup. In terms of moulding the detail and personification is superb with only a couple of moulding stubs on the base and a seam on the rear of the collar to tidy up - not a problem by any means. I sincerely hope my final effort is worthy of the men of the time and the sculpt itself - this is going to be quite a challenge I suspect!
I've placed him on a couple of my berets to show (a) the amount of difference in the base colour over time, and (b) the badges - one silver and the other in subdued brass. They are not strictly relevant as the subdued badge is a later production and they carry the Queen's Crown when, strictly speaking,it should be the King's Crown. Although he's wearing a lid I have plans forming for a base that may involve one or both of these elements. I've also shown a little of my reference material; the Key Uniform dates from 1974, the Osprey Elite title from 1984, and the Sir Huw Weldon title from 1982.
The author of the latter title is an interesting character; he was a well-known BBC presenter and latterly the Managing Director of the BBC. He also has been author, director, and producer of many programmes and series (including 'Epic Battles' with General Sir Brian Horrocks). After commissioning into the Royal Welch Fusiliers he transferred to 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles to gain access to Airborne Forces. With 1 RUR he served with 1st Airborne and then 6th Airborne Division; he arrived in Normandy on D-Day as a Captain before being promoted later to Major and placed in command of a Company. For activities on 7th June '44 he was awarded the MC (Military Cross).
So, photo's of the model follow - there are no assembly instructions ( :anguished: ) or colour call -outs and the model is presented in a plain black box. Incidentally, this was a present from SWMBO who thought the GB and the bust were both very fitting and appropriate for such a momentous period of our history. Thanks Geoff for the GB and forcing me to consider my painting skills in a new light!
Steve
I've placed him on a couple of my berets to show (a) the amount of difference in the base colour over time, and (b) the badges - one silver and the other in subdued brass. They are not strictly relevant as the subdued badge is a later production and they carry the Queen's Crown when, strictly speaking,it should be the King's Crown. Although he's wearing a lid I have plans forming for a base that may involve one or both of these elements. I've also shown a little of my reference material; the Key Uniform dates from 1974, the Osprey Elite title from 1984, and the Sir Huw Weldon title from 1982.
The author of the latter title is an interesting character; he was a well-known BBC presenter and latterly the Managing Director of the BBC. He also has been author, director, and producer of many programmes and series (including 'Epic Battles' with General Sir Brian Horrocks). After commissioning into the Royal Welch Fusiliers he transferred to 1st Battalion Royal Ulster Rifles to gain access to Airborne Forces. With 1 RUR he served with 1st Airborne and then 6th Airborne Division; he arrived in Normandy on D-Day as a Captain before being promoted later to Major and placed in command of a Company. For activities on 7th June '44 he was awarded the MC (Military Cross).
So, photo's of the model follow - there are no assembly instructions ( :anguished: ) or colour call -outs and the model is presented in a plain black box. Incidentally, this was a present from SWMBO who thought the GB and the bust were both very fitting and appropriate for such a momentous period of our history. Thanks Geoff for the GB and forcing me to consider my painting skills in a new light!
Steve
