This is a conversion from a bust to full figure, the bust being Steve Kirtley's latest release of a Confederate Tiger Zouave of the American Civil war, sculpted by Carl Reid.
I have decided to change him into a 114th Pennsylvania volunteer "Collis's Zouave's" (see enclosed pic) This unit I believe were formed in 1862 & they fought at Gettysburg in 1863 where they suffered very heavy casualties, after which I think they were used as a provost unit for the remainder of the war.
I picked this up off of Steve at Bugle call in Bath last month so I've been working on him on & off for a couple of weeks now, it has been a lot of work so far as legs & pelvis area were constructed in milliput over a wire armature, the trousers of this unit were no where near as baggy as many of the other Zouave Regiments.
Some straps across the body had to be removed and I wanted to reposition the left arm to be holding his musket in the upright position shown.
Boots/ Gaiters and a new left forearm was sculpted using magi-sculpt, there's still some work to do on the jacket decoration such as piping etc, also gaiter laces need to be added and a waist sash under his belt, bayonet & scabbard, musket & canteen straps will be also added
Hope you like it so far and I hope you think it's added to this nicely posed bust from Carl Reid.
Cheers
Jim

Hi Jim,
A very nice conversion really suits the piece, but what will Mr No Legs say?
cheers
Richie

Well Done Jim!!!!
Very nice conversion.I did one recently and I discovered that it is not easy at all...............................
My congratulations!
Fokion

Thanks Richie, glad you like him, legs an all!
Cheers
Jim

Thanks Fokion, glad you like him,
Yes it's a lot of work to take on but I have trouble saying no to these half figures, I still have a lot of detail to add to him
Cheers
Jim

looks good

Thank you Swralph,
And thanks Kev much appreciated, does this mean your finally coming round to being a leg man rather then a bust man?
Cheers
Jim

Jim great conversion job on one of Carl's best , you haven't wasted anytime on this one mate. Following.

Cheers Ken

Excellent work on this leg-bust.

Marc

Thanks Ken, I couldn't resist it mate started as soon as I got back from Bugle Call Ha!
Cheers
Jim

Thanks Marc, glad you like it so far.
Cheers
Jim

Most excellent leg sculpt. Like "old Abe", this cries for legs. I only wish I had more sculpting talent

Brilliant job, makes a great full figure...well done.
Love the wooden base too and the log, nice piece.

Mark & clrsgt, thanks for your comments very much appreciated, the log is just a piece of old root that I found a while ago in the woods near me, & the base is a piece of flat hemlock that I took the mini grinding tool to.
Cheers
Jim

Now I have finally figured out why you and Nap are such good mates. He cuts the legs off his figures to makes busts and gives them to you to turn a bust into a figure. The perfect partnership!!
Seriously though, I can see that a lot of work went into those legs and it looks all the better for it. I just hope you have a lot of room to display these large figures. I know that I am running out of room with just my 54mm`s.

Hi Jim
I agree with all the others and have been fortunate to see this conversion in the flesh so to speak and it looks fantastic
And in that famous Nancy Sinatra song ...
" these legs are made for walking and that just what I will do coz every time I get a bust aim going to stick on two "
Cheers Chris

Thanks your comments Jazz, looks like you've rumbled me & Kev out mate! Yes I must admit space is getting tight in the cabinets & I may have to sell some to make room for new ones! is it a hobby or an obsession? I've been asking myself that a lot lately!
Cheers
Jim

Thanks Chris glad you like him mate!
I'm now going to have Nancy Sinatra going around in my head all day!.....Those boots were made for walking.......Stick on two!!??..superb!
Cheers
Jim