Franco Prussian War Piece (3 Viewers)

[blaster]

I finally decided to embark on yet another improbable quest.

I wont tell you which ptg this is based on. It will become obvious as I plod on.

I gathered all the obvious headdress kepis and pickelhaubes from various sources, all backed by another tray of spares for French 1870-WWI periods and a few more on general WWI periods. Notice the various size differences which should help me.

 

[blaster]

I also found an old ICM kit with 3 intact pickelhaubes. Very suitable for this!

I also found an old WWI conversion just fallowing away. He will be used here.

 

[blaster]

Started on the first few figures. I really enjoy working with various spares and free sculpting.

 

[blaster]

I took out a suitable box and fitted a base into it.

 

[blaster]

I built up the base a bit more. Decided that I need to increase the box depth to accommodate the base. So I added an insert (white) that came with the IKEA frame.
Added some putty to these figs.

 

[blaster]

I changed the orientation of the side wall structure and raised the base elevation to angle it downwards towards the front. Then added some putty.

I also added a pistol to one of the figures and shaped them a bit.

 

[blaster]

Added wires and hands to some of the key figures and starting to shape them.

 

[blaster]

Worked mostly on developing the base proportions.

 

[blaster]

Ive worked more on the base. Now cutting down the wall heights.

 

[blaster]

Some progress on the figs. Ive also taken a pic of the two shadowbox dioramas stacked on top of each other. My new modus operandi for mass production...

 

[blaster]

these 3 fig poses are nearly done.

 

[aujj65]

Hi Victor.

This is coming along nicely. I presume this is based on the Cemetery of St. Privat at The Battle of Gravelotte?

Keep up the good work.

Jeff

 

[blaster]

Hi Jeff,

An amazing deduction for which you win an all-expenses paid lifetime ringside visit to all my threads.

My limited reading of this event was that it was the Church of St Privat la Montaigne. Sadly the original was destroyed during the battle and newer buildings were erected around 1875.

Ive focused on sculpting the key figures in this scene, starting with the figures breaking down the door into the cemetery.

Three figs were more or less completed and undercoated in Prussian Blue. They were posed within the scene.

 

[blaster]

Then I sculpted the shot French soldier and his epaulettes. I used an Airfix US GI legs for his legs and also shaped more figs.

Then these figs were pinned to each other as a group.

 

[blaster]

adding another 3 figs.

Now that we know which ptg I am doing, I thot it would be fun to identify the figs in the ptg as I model them.

 

[blaster]

creating the iconic gate structure

 

[blaster]

I resized the gate and have started to work it into the scene.

 

[blaster]

Now focusing on the bkgd. I made some cardboard cutouts for the bldgs. I created a prussian grouping with good old airfix figs

 

[blaster]

Ive ptd the bkgd piece. Also undercoated the bkgd figs.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Victor,

It's really starting to come together! I love the choice of subject (I had TM Terrain make me a church and graveyard based on the same painting.