Again, WIP, although much further along. A BAR-toting North China Marine. The period is sometime in the mid-1930s. The hat and boots are from Alan Ball's superb Marine lieutenant. The helmet, BAR and canteen are from (I think) The Lost Battalion. The head is D.J. Parkin. The pose comes (partially) from Osprey 327, G3, one of Darko Pavlovic's outstanding illustrations in that book.

I need to add buckles and complete the rifle strap at the back and there are one or two places that need to be revised.

The ground will be changed completely. I'm going to grind most of the detail off and lay square paving stones. I'd like to do something to set off the groundwork, but can't think of anything - suggestions?

Comments and critique welcome!

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan,

It's really cool mate.

I love the way the brim of his hat curls at the back.

Cheers

Another good 'un.

Roger

Thanks Tony and Roger!

All the best,
Dan

What scale is this? Looks great, especially the animation and fine details.

Stretch - sorry about that - 1/16th scale! Thanks for your kind remarks!

All the best,
Dan

This how the paintjob looks so far.

Roger

Nice painting Roger, he's looking good mate.

Cheers

Cheers Tony. I'm not quite happly with the trousers yet.

Roger

Very cool figure.

Thank you.

Updated photo's.

Roger.

Looks great, Roger! Hey, where's his helmet?

All the best,
Dan

What helmet? There wasn't one!


Only joking, I've lost it.

I haven't painted it yet, don't worry

Roger

Hi Roger and Dan,

Very nice figure. How did I miss this?

Dan, to set off the base, you light a match....


Rgds Vic

Vic - Well, the base is rather plain, I admit, but Roger has some ideas for improving it. This figure is for a collector, so I was a bit constrained by his "vision" for the figure, etc. Not that I'm complaining!

I did have another idea involving a red dragon - a red Chinese dragon being one of the symbols the Marine regiments in China of the '30's all seemed to favor and use in their battalion flags, etc. But when I tried it, it was totally "over the top", as the Brits say.

And now...back to my current project, the Landsturm. I'm finishing a rather wicked-looking bayonet, the Pionierfaschinenmesser M1871. This is the one issued to NCOs and Pioneer troops with sawtooth on one side and the bayonet blade on the other. I've also almost finished the M1860 shako and the alternate head. Still have to do the hand supporting the chin.

All the best,
Dan

Hey Dan, this figure is coming along nicely, looking forward to seeing more.

Cheers
Roc

Thanks Roc! I think Roger has done his usual expert job!

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan,

I was just teasing you on the groundwork... There are collectors who like simple basing and others who build whole estates around the figure. I presume that Roger and you would be putting the figure onto a wooden base.
One query, does/doesn't the marine hat have some tassels around the brim?

Rgds Vic

Dear Vic,

The Marine hat should have tassels at the front. The actual figure is with Roger now, so I can't be 100% positive that there are or aren't any on the hat. Frankly, I don't remember. My reply about the bare base was based on an e-mail exchange between Roger and myself.

All the best,
Dan