Airframes
Benevolens Magister
As my hands are still stiff and numb, I'm unable to do any fiddly, scale modelling, so I'm going to try some full-size model work.
I'm in the process of assembling items to complete a life-size mannequin of a WW2 British paratrooper, in Normandy, June 1944. This will utilise genuine and reproduction uniform and equipment, along with a couple of very realistic replica weapons, so it'll mainly involve dressing and equipping a 6 feet tall dummy, but there are some areas where modelling techniques will need to be employed.
One of the items to be modelled is a No.36M Grenade, which will be visible in the top of a webbing ammo pouch.
There are real, de-activated 36 Grenades available, but they are horrendously expensive these days, and not that common. Consequently I've obtained a 3D printed plastic replica, and painted it to look like the genuine article, as shown below in "Before and After" photos.
The lever (spoon, for our US cousins) is as provided with the plastic grenade, but I have a genuine, steel example which I'll fit once retrieved from its hiding place of the past forty odd years.
The grenade body has been painted in metallic black enamel, and then given a coat of Tamiya clear yellow acrylic, to replicate the brown/bronze finish of the Shellac waterproof coating of the real grenade.
The red "X"s around the top, deliberately crudely painted, indicate a live grenade (4 second fuse), with the green band identifying a Baratol filling (and also the earlier Amatol explosive).
The base plug is lacking the Type and Batch numbers, as well as two countersunk holes where the closing tool would would engage, but this area won't be seen when on display.
I need to go over the red "X" markings with a further coat of gloss red enamel, which I'll do shortly.
Some other items need some modelling attention, including a plastic replica Fairbairn - Sykes dagger and, not least, the face and hands of the mannequin itself.
The latter are shown below as they look now, and will receive some tonal additions, a bit of "ageing" to eliminate the fresh-faced youthful look, and some grime, grazes and "cam cream".
I'll post further up-dates once I have more to show.
I'm in the process of assembling items to complete a life-size mannequin of a WW2 British paratrooper, in Normandy, June 1944. This will utilise genuine and reproduction uniform and equipment, along with a couple of very realistic replica weapons, so it'll mainly involve dressing and equipping a 6 feet tall dummy, but there are some areas where modelling techniques will need to be employed.
One of the items to be modelled is a No.36M Grenade, which will be visible in the top of a webbing ammo pouch.
There are real, de-activated 36 Grenades available, but they are horrendously expensive these days, and not that common. Consequently I've obtained a 3D printed plastic replica, and painted it to look like the genuine article, as shown below in "Before and After" photos.
The lever (spoon, for our US cousins) is as provided with the plastic grenade, but I have a genuine, steel example which I'll fit once retrieved from its hiding place of the past forty odd years.
The grenade body has been painted in metallic black enamel, and then given a coat of Tamiya clear yellow acrylic, to replicate the brown/bronze finish of the Shellac waterproof coating of the real grenade.
The red "X"s around the top, deliberately crudely painted, indicate a live grenade (4 second fuse), with the green band identifying a Baratol filling (and also the earlier Amatol explosive).
The base plug is lacking the Type and Batch numbers, as well as two countersunk holes where the closing tool would would engage, but this area won't be seen when on display.
I need to go over the red "X" markings with a further coat of gloss red enamel, which I'll do shortly.
Some other items need some modelling attention, including a plastic replica Fairbairn - Sykes dagger and, not least, the face and hands of the mannequin itself.
The latter are shown below as they look now, and will receive some tonal additions, a bit of "ageing" to eliminate the fresh-faced youthful look, and some grime, grazes and "cam cream".
I'll post further up-dates once I have more to show.
