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WIP Over the Top , Somme 1916

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Cannonball, Jun 30, 2020.

  1. Cannonball A Fixture

    Another project I’ve recently started is this super vignette depicting British/Empire troops going over the top in WW1. Sculpted by Carl Reid for Gordon Mitchell it depicts seven figures in the process of leaving their trench to go into battle. There have been two super renditions of this already on the site by Rob (Ventress) and Tom (T34/85). Rob depicted the 11th East Lancs on the first day of the Somme in their ill fated attack on Serre and Tom depicted Canadian troops launching an attack. I have decided to depict the Lancashire Fusiliers on the opening day of the Somme launching their attack at Beaumont Hamel. The Lancs Fusiliers featured heavily in Geoffrey Malins film record of that fateful day and there are iconic pictures of them forming up in a support trench and footage of the two companies waiting in the Sunken Lane prior to Z Hour. The first three figures attached to the base are almost complete-just need to finish off the boots and some items of kit before moving onto the remainder. I’ve adapted the cast on diamond motif battle patches on the arm to represent the red triangle divisional badge of 29th Division in which the 1st Battalion Lancs Fusiliers served. On the back of the soldier carrying the rifle is the company badge halved red and primrose (although I’ve a feeling the colours should be the opposite way round) and I’ve tried to depict the regiments yellow hackle on the left side of the helmet although weathering the helmets has covered these quite a lot. I’ve visited the Somme on a few occasions and stood in the Sunken Lane and on Hawthorn Ridge next to the mine crater featured in Malins film and tried to picture what the scene would have been on that morning. What never fails to impress is the great care taken in looking after the countless cemeteries dotted across this area.
    Thanks for looking and any comments/critique are welcome.

    Neal C63CB20F-5649-4765-9094-25618904ECE8.jpeg DF590656-7CEC-4397-BD7A-931CA6368F65.jpeg 2785A16E-D0A2-46B3-9AB9-26D0E4B8F207.jpeg
  2. misfit151 A Fixture

    Cracking sculpt Neal....and great finish....(y)...Mike
  3. Cannonball A Fixture

    Many thanks Mike.

    Neal
  4. Ventress Well-Known Member

    Country:
    England
    Nice job, following with interest.
    Cannonball likes this.
  5. captnenglish Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Nicely done. Ironically, I was thinking a I was thinking about this kit last night, with the intent of portraying the Lancs
    Cannonball likes this.
  6. Cannonball A Fixture

    Many thanks Ventress.

    Neal
  7. Cannonball A Fixture

    Many thanks captnenglish. I would have gone for the East Lancs at Serre but Ventress had done that one so being a proud Lancashire lad I opted for the Lancs Fusiliers. Y Company 11th (Service) Battalion East Lancs Regt were made up of men predominantly from my home town and surrounding villages and there is generally a trip organised from the town each year to the battlefield to coincide with the anniversary of the first day of the Somme.

    Neal
    captnenglish likes this.
  8. housecarl Moderator

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Looking good Neal.(y)
    Cannonball likes this.
  9. Cannonball A Fixture

    Many thanks Carl.

    Neal
  10. David Spencer A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Looking good..!!
    Cannonball likes this.
  11. Cannonball A Fixture

    Thanks David.

    Neal
  12. housecarl Moderator

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Company ID badges Neal.(y) Lancs Fus Batt.jpg
    Scotty, Nap and Cannonball like this.
  13. JABERWOCKY Active Member

    great diorama, love your groundwork and how youve grouped the figures together to tell a story .
    Cannonball likes this.
  14. Cannonball A Fixture

    Really appreciate the help with this.

    Neal
  15. Cannonball A Fixture

    Many thanks Jaberwocky. Just starting on the remaining four figures now.

    Neal
    Nap likes this.
  16. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Cannonball likes this.
  17. TERRYSOMME1916 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I have this one myself waiting for a slot so that I can get it onto the bench and its great to see this piece popping up fairly regularly on PF providing the inspiration to get at it, today being the 1st July when the lads went over the top the kit certainly provokes thoughts of what we now know about the Carnegie that they faced and the pointlessness of the tactics.
    You are doing a great job with it and I look forward to seeing the end result. Lest We Forget.
    TERRY
    Cannonball likes this.
  18. Cannonball A Fixture

    Nap likes this.
  19. Cannonball A Fixture

    Really appreciated Terry and couldn’t agree more with the sentiment.

    Neal
  20. Scott Sheltz Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Great looking work!
    Cannonball likes this.

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