French WWI Hornist (1 Viewer)

[blaster]

Just doodling on this piece. Started a couple of years back, this piece was in limbo until I came across it the other day. I am trying model an older soldier of the Great War wearing a greatcoat. I am trying to use old 1/35 Heller legs to represent a short man with a girth. The third picture shows that I have added Historex arms to this piece.

 

[blaster]

readjusted the length of the arms and cleaned up the tunic front.

 

[blaster]

Just been ploughing thru all my WWI references. I have decided that this figure will represent one of the Chasseurs Alpins regts wearing a distinctive dark blue tunic and tartare (beret). He will be wearing an unbuttoned greatcoat and will be holding a horn and trumpet as well. This piece is based on various photos of these tough (and I think short stature) soldiers. I will try to represent one of the more colourful costumes that were worn prior to the introduction of the universal grey horizon blue costume.

 

[blaster]

Based on my readings, there were numerous greatcoat models with variations. Generally, they all look alike except that there were single and double breasted versions. Due to shortages, all types were in use during the Great War. I have decided to model a double breasted greatcoat onto this piece. Unbuttoned, it would expose the tunic and breeches. Thus I would be able to detail and paint some contrasting colours. The tunics had stand or fall collars. I have decided to model fall collars on this piece.

Rolled out putty was used to represent the greatcoat skirts.

 

[blaster]

Interestingly, my short stature figure with 1/35 legs is the same height as a standard Scalelink 1/32 figure.

The tunic collars were remodeled with fall collars. I have also decided to model the greatcoat with back buttons undone so that the greatcoat is billowing. I have puttied over the rear central pleat as the greatcoats did not have them.

The front of the greatcoat and collars have been added. I see another autumn vignette developing here.

 

[blaster]

As can be seen, I've focused on this figure more in this round of sculpting. These things happen. One concept suddenly takes over. In this case, the basic shape of the greatcoat probably sparked the creative juices here. I dug out my very comprehensive Schiffer and Springer-Verlag WW1 French uniforms for references and the wife is starting to make noises as Xmas/New Year is approaching so I have to keep things under control...

I added buttons to the tunic, pockets and a belt. The folds in the greatcoat are being finalized and I have added the back belt left undone. Historex supplies two French horns, a smaller and larger version. All pics that I have seen of Chasseurs are that they used the larger horn. I added a hand to the horn. I have also selected a trumpet to be slung on the figure. Will also add a cloth bag to the figure.

 

[blaster]

Hi All, Happy New Year!. I was away on hols. But I did get in a lot of serious modeling.

On the hornist, I have decided on a proper French horn as I assumed that my figure has classical aspirations. It would not be a big deal to convert this to a hunting horn if necessary.

I sculpted a beard and have added a lot of accessories to make this figure interesting. Musette cloth bag, tin cup, drink bottle, and a cooking pot from Phoenix miniatures! This is a veteran who knows how to live off the land. Look at the Historex horn badge which I have also added to the beret.

 

[blaster]

There's more.

 

[blaster]

Starting to add paint to the figure. Noticed some areas for improvement.

 

[blaster]

More work in progress. I glued the French horn to a suitable hand and when dried, inserted the hand into the right arm predrilled with a piece of wire.

 

[blaster]

Following the painting of the tunic, a trumpet and cords were added to the front of the figure.

 

[blaster]

More views of the figure. I am enjoying myself here.

 

[blaster]

Matted the colours of the figure.

Now working on the base display. A homemade resin casting of a rock face was epoxied to the wooden base.

 

[blaster]

I selected a gnarled root and cut it to fit onto the base. This was epoxied together with some rocks to the base. I have test-fitted the figure on the base.

 

[blaster]

Holes in the resin casting were filled with putty and worked on to simulate rocky surfaces. More putty was added to fill out gaps between rock and tree stump.. Small rocks were epoxied on the scene. This was all painted. Then ground litter, ferns and leaves were added with white glue. The figure was removed and added after sprinkling the litter to relocate the position. The tree stump was eventually drilled out and painted to represent a hollow trunk.

 

[blaster]

Shadows were painted into the recesses and I signed off on the back. This represents a French Alpine scene in autumn. Finally a poilu figure in my collection. I now have a small and unique WWI group theme.

 

[Norman508a]

Very nice Blaster.

Matt

 

[blaster]

Hello Matt,

Thanks for your nice compliment.

As he is a chasseur, I think I'll subtitle this piece Chas, The Gaul.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

I took better pics. Enjoy.

Rgds Victor

 

[blaster]

Hi All,

Just found out that all my WWI figures have been featured as an article inthe latest Toy Soldier Collector magazine 78. Hope you like it.

Rgds Victor