discussion Richards Dragon Donkey Modification

[rtfoe]

Hi, now animals get to have a section of their own.

Incidently I am modifying a donkey from the Dragon Fallschirmjager set. It was quite stiff looking and wanted it to look as if it was forced to move forward. Also I was going to burden it with a heavy load.

It starts out like this...with the one on the left with neck down...

View attachment 320341

I cut the neck at two points, positioned the head upward and filled the spaces with plastic scrap.

View attachment 320342View attachment 320343

Checking with a figure that will eventually be a Bedouin was correct, I proceed to putty and sculpt.

View attachment 320344

I searched for an appropriate picture to reference a defiant cheeky donkey and arrived with this which meant a major surgery on the snout and lower lip which I cut at the mouth and a wedge across the top of the snout just behind the nostril...

View attachment 320348

The empty space where the teeth is was built up with putty and sculpted.

View attachment 320345

The neck around the jaw needed wittling down and the putty cleaned up and shaved down.

View attachment 320346

His left cheek looks better than his right.

View attachment 320347

Latest I've done is to add the load...these are the basics, fine accessories like water bags and rifles will be added.

View attachment 320349

Notice that the neck has been defined and there is a pronounced jaw line.

View attachment 320350 More to come later.

I might feature a post of localising kit dogs for my village rest area when time permits.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[papa 695]

Great work so far Richard

 

[Gauge1TrainsDK]

:smiling5:

 

[dave]

Nice work so far

 

[Guest]

Great conversion Richard:smiling4:.

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks Ian , Christian, Dave and Ralph for actually watching a donkey making faces. :smiling6: Sincerely thanks. I may have to add texture to the body of the donkey with Mr Surfacer as they're hairy.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Guest]

Hi Richard very nicely done:thumb2:
Pete.

 

[Guest]

Great work Richard.
Think the scratchery on the neck is superb.
John.

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks both of you...I'll leave the Bedouin to wrestle with the donkey while I show some dogs in another post...

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Mini Me]

Richard, Small suggestion if you please. I did a quick study of the prototype photo and the model and it appears to me that the ears on the former are a noticeable bit longer than those portrayed on the model.
Otherwise, I think you've captured the "cheeky donkey look extremely well.:smiling5:
Cheers Rick H.

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Rick, you're right about the ears...someone else mentioned it while I was doing the modifications. I might just extend it with putty since its the second time someone has pointed it out. The present ears would fit a horse. The funny thing was when I asked some friends about donkey references, one pointed to the donkey in Shrek...hhmmm perhaps a future build. :smiling6:

Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys, the donkey ears have grown a lot these past 2 years and may need cutting back a little. As it is I've made them look like they are flopping with the wind. Also they are kind of thick and will need parring down plus the inside of the ear needs grooving or carving out.



Starting to look pig like. :smiling6:



The load still needs some water bottles and an old rifle. Perhaps a French Colonial make or one of those Afghan type long muskets.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Neil Merryweather]

this is looking excellent, Richard

 

[Tim Marlow]

The load is looking great Richard, as is the pose of the neddy. Unfortunately I think the ears are a bit too “bugs bunny” at the moment.

 

[rtfoe]

Yup, going to tone it down a little. I was doing it without referring to images. Will make sure I have them in front of me when I carve.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Dave Ward]

Richard,
amazing work with the donkey - I remember making the 1/35 Italeri Breda 20 - with servants and horse ( although it looked more like a mule to me ). Yes- a horse drawn AA gun! Can't find any pictures of it made up, but the sprue shots give the impression

I often wondered if that would be useful in a conversion. Sadly, I think the model may be discontinued, but it may be worth a search......................
Dave

 

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Well this is a blast from the past. Donkey is looking great with his load. Agree the ears need a trim.
Jim

 

[rtfoe]

Thanks David, that is one stubborn looking horse/donkey by looking at the pose on the sprue.
I've got these images to help me...



Cheers,
Richard

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Richard
Well this is a blast from the past. Donkey is looking great with his load. Agree the ears need a trim.
Jim

:tears-of-joy: Sounds like he needs to go to the barber.

Cheers,
Richard

 

[Mini Me]

Just a wee bit Richard..........unless of course you are going for the "Mule" look Rick H.