Modifying a 1/16 Dragon British Airborne Figure

[rtfoe]

Thanks Guys,

Steve B, thanks. The original details were a bit soft. Painting soon this weekend.
Jimbo, thank you too...it's either the Peleliu figures or this for this weekend. Tossing a coin to decide.
Alex, :tears-of-joy::tears-of-joy: I meant as a model. I remember Captain Pridday having a fixed bayonet at Horsa bridge on D-Day.
Guy, yup...decided to put it...pictures coming up.

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I have added the buckles and toggle rope...lucky for me I had the right thick cord for it. Below you will notice I covered the existing face veil with gauze as the detail was so soft and nearly negligible. A bit of clean up needed under the straps. I purposely let the left shoulder flap unbuttoned and draped down to reveal the double stitching on the shoulder of the smock.

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The bayonet frock was drilled out and then stuck onto the belt webbing as above. Below the bayonet fixed onto the Sten barrel made from wittled plastic rod. The one peace sight was hollowed and gun barrel drilled.

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Now it's only the scrim and hessian for the helmet then I'm ready for priming.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

...and how much I like it !!!

[Jon Heptonstall]

This is looking first class.
Jon.

[Guest]

Fantastic work Richard. I too like the attached bayonet.

[rtfoe]

Thanks Guys,

Guy, the bayonet turned out pretty ok.
Jon, glad you like it.
Peter, it was touch and go for the bayonet keeping the putty from clogging the barrel opening.

Mean while I have primed the figure. So far no seam or joint lines between the putty and plastic surface so modifications are hard to see.

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I am happy to have managed to capture the weight of the smock and packs.

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Only an area of the seam behind the left boot was over sanded and needs rounding off. Other than that only needs a light highlight from the top.

Cheers,
Richard

[Jon Heptonstall]

Now that he's all primed up I can see what an excellent job you've done.Good to see that you've removed the chevrons from his left sleeve too. Every bit as good as a quality resin figure.
Jon.

[Jim R]

Hi Richard
Looking excellent with its coat of primer. No remedial work revealed :thumb2:
Jim

[Guest]

Beautifully done Richard - looks like a very expensive kit indeed.

[Steve Jones]

Stunning!! Look forward to the colour.

[Fernando N]

Hi Richard, the modifications truly look great.:thumb2:
Looking forward to see him in his colours.:hungry:

Fernando

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys...much obliged with all the lovely comments.

Jon, yes the reference on the missing chevron was repeated everytime the left shoulder of the smock was shown saying it was practised by both the divisions to only have rank and markings on one side of the sleeve.
Jimbo, that minimises the work and I can go straight to painting.
Peter, yup...priceless for me and it has gained some weight literally. :smiling3:
Steve, soon I'll change the fliter from B/W to colour. :smiling6:...my palms are already perspiring thinking of the painting ahead.
Fernando, I'm hoping the mods can't be seen and need picture reference of a pre-mod state to see the difference when judged.

I'm cutting pretty close but hope to finish this by competition time end of June. The Penang show is the only time to compete with international judges and looking forward to show this to Calvin Tan and get his feedback.

Cheers,
Richard

[Mickc1440]

This is top work Richard, you've certainly transformed this one.

[BigGreg]

SPLENDID.... the look and the "movement" of the figure are stunning...also you placed the gear in a very accurate/natural way....u are portraying DDAY paratrooper or Arnhem??

[rtfoe]

Thanks Mick and Greg,

The paratrooper can either be DDay or Arnhem as the equipment and Mk V Sten were used from DDay onwards. There is a distinct difference as the toggle rope was seen used on DDay by 6th Airborne Division where else the leg holster was particularly a favorite of the 1st Airborne Division and highly prized by other units. As you know the 1st Airborne took part in Arnhem. Both Divisions at this point would have been issued the second pattern Denison smock although the 1st pattern would still be retained by some old salts from the 1st Airborne and would have been faded with tapered sleeves , knit cuffs and lack of wrist tabs. Dragon has given the figure a mix of both. It has the 1st pattern half zip but no knit cuffs, a new entrenching tool fit for Arnhem or DDay.

I'm more of a DDay buff so its a DDay paratrooper from 6th Airborne with a self acquired leg holster. Squadron & Signal back page features a lieutenant wearing one.

Cheers,
Richard

[Guest]

Hi Richard stunning modification work and the pistol pics on page one have answered a nagging question I've had for a while :thumb2:.
Pete.