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Completed Airfix 1/12 Napoleon worth a second look?

Discussion in 'Sculpting' started by Wings5797, May 20, 2014.

  1. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Guys,
    I know that many of us took our first steps toward this great hobby (?) of ours using the Airfix 1/12 historical figures. For me the Coldstream Guardsman formed the basic framework to many a conversion…..everything from a Guards fifer to a Drum major of the Gordon Highlanders. I have just counted eleven SMLE rifles with fixed bayonets in my ‘will never use but don’t want to throw away box’. To get to my musings, sitting in my cave looking at various Napoleon events and seeing the Delaroche painting of Napoleon at Fontainbleau in the flesh, I considered a “quick” Airfix 1/12 conversion. This would be in the manner that I would have used forty years ago using a junior hacksaw and an Exacto craft knife.
    A few words on the great Paul Delaroche canvas
    Napoléon à Fontainebleau. 31 mars 1814. Veille de son abdication - par Paul DELAROCHE

    463509_1.jpg


    Artist
    DELAROCHE Paul (1797-1856)
    Date1840
    Technique Oil on canvas
    Dimensions
    H. 1.81 m; W. 1.37 m
    Where held
    Paris, Musée de l'Armée, inv. 11931, Ea 90/1

    Often described as showing Napoleon at Fontainebleau after his first abdication, this icon of the imperial legend in fact shows the emperor several days before he performed that political act, indeed at the very moment where he realised that the wheel of fortune had turned.


    ….and the nerdy bit about the Aifix kit

    1-12 scale Napoleon Type 2 bag.jpg





    Airfix Kit M4F/M208F/02508-5
    Napoleon
    1/12 scale.
    Available as M4F from 1960 to 1963.
    Issued as M208F from 1964 to 1972.
    Issued as 02508-5 from 1973 to 1977.
    Reissued as 02508-5 in 1979.
    Not listed on 1979 1st Edition Kit Price List (90077-3).


    Finally; my modus operandi
    I found this kits quality to be far short of the other subjects covered in this series.
    Given this the parts I used from the kit are;
    Bicorn hat
    Head
    Back of the greatcoat
    Boots
    Just to keep the tradition alive the hands were modified from the Guardsman.
    The remainder of the figure is sculpted from standard Milliput.
    The chair is from plasticard and standard grade Milliput.

    After all of that here is the result………………..


    IMG_8524.JPG IMG_8525.JPG IMG_8526.JPG IMG_8528.JPG IMG_8529.JPG IMG_8531.JPG IMG_8536.JPG
    I think it was worth a second go, what do you think?
    All the best,
    Keith
  2. Eludia A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Good job on the conversion Keith, you gonna slap some paint on him?

    Billy :)
    Wings5797 likes this.
  3. garyhiggins A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    The quality of the kit is immaterial, the whole point of nostalgia is something else. the only thing that matters is, did you enjoy it?
    Best wishes, Gary.
    Wings5797 likes this.
  4. garyhiggins A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    P.S. My first Airfix Historical was Joan of Arc
  5. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Thank you Billy,

    I am pleased that you think the job is a good one.

    At present I have no plans to paint this one, There are three other sculpts that I am working on. Nap was a slight aside to see if it would still hold water.
    Cheers Billy.All the very best,
    Keith
  6. prhayes68 Active Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Keith,

    Ah. Airfix nostalgia - the good old days. Buying a Spitfire with pocket money and finishing the whole thing in about 2 hours. Very nice work on Napoleon here. He'd look good with some paint if you change your mind. However, I'm still waiting to see the finished Roll Call bust :)

    Pete
    garyhiggins and Wings5797 like this.
  7. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Gary. I totally agree with you. I am a bit of a softy when it comes to nostalgia.

    Did I enjoy it? I wish that you could see if the width of my grin when this was coming together, Happy days.
    The Joan of Arc was a real cracker of a figure. Do you still have Her?

    Kidest regards,
    Keith
    garyhiggins likes this.
  8. Helm A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    My first one of these was either the Black Prince or Richard the Lionheart I forget which both have long gone to the Army in the sky alas. Lovely job on him Keith (y) You really ought to sling some paint on him though
    Steve
    Wings5797 likes this.
  9. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Pete,

    Good too hear from you Mate,
    He will see if hairy end of a brush at some point, its just that I get distracted far to easily when I get a sculpting idea. I must be more controlled in the number of half finished projects I have on the go.

    I am pleased that you like Nap, even if it is only in grey and the Roll Call is progressing quite nicely.Should not be too long before completion.

    Best wishes Mate,

    Keith
    prhayes68 and garyhiggins like this.
  10. MCPWilk A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    I've done a number over the recent (not too distant.....) past, and converted Princess Anne into a Light Horseman:

    Airfix 1 12 Australian Light Horse 1.jpg

    Airfix 1 12 Australian Light Horse 2.jpg

    Airfix 1 12 Guards 1.jpg

    I've still got a few in the 'white' (plastic) army for when the feeling of nostalgia gets to me!"

    Mike
  11. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Cheers Steve,Two fine kits Mate.

    I remember painting the coat of arms, of trying to, using high gloss Humbrol Enamel.

    All the best Mate, speak soon,

    Keith
  12. Helm A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    S

    Same here Keith I was so proud of it aged about 7 dread to think what it really looked like :eek:
    Steve
    Wings5797 likes this.
  13. badger Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Scotland
    i like it very much. its a pity that airfix dont release the joan of ark again. i would love to have a go at it/badger
    Wings5797 likes this.
  14. housecarl Moderator

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Excellent work Keith.(y)
    Wings5797 likes this.
  15. Bassman Well-Known Member

    Country:
    United-States
    Keith,
    You did a great job on the sculpt. He really looks worn out!. Too bad he won't see the paint. Anyway, I first discovered Airfix and their HO figures back in the 60's Then on to the larger kits. Still have a few in a drawer somewhere.
    Oh! when things were simple.

    Rod
    Wings5797 likes this.
  16. captfue Active Member

    Country:
    United-States
    nice work
    Wings5797 likes this.
  17. garyhiggins A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    I wish I did still have her, but like so many things, she got put away for safety and then lost??? How true it is that if we'd known then what we know now...............
    The other day, I went into the local model shop and the first thing I saw was the first Airfix kit I ever bought- a 1/72 scale Tiger Moth. Fifty years apart, same shop, same yellow plastic kit, price then 2/-, price now £7.99--- oh wello_O
    Best wishes, Gary.
    Wings5797 likes this.
  18. Nap Moderator

    Country:
    England
    Keith .

    Nap like Nap

    Nice work mate ..looks great ...don't forget the medals and Star;)

    I remember taking Joan down the garden putting her against the fence then shooting her with a air rifle .....silly really ..a bit of a looker ..her not me!!!!

    Thanks for sharing

    Nap

    Mike ,
    Really good use of the PA model ..looks great
    garyhiggins and Wings5797 like this.
  19. fanai Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Australia
    Yes I still have the Scout in box - want to build it but others keep telling how rare they are
    Wings5797 likes this.
  20. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Hi Mike,
    I remember seeing your Light horseman beauty when you first went public with it. Great work Mate.
    The show jumper AKA Princess Anne was a very popular kit for conversion. Here is the only one I still have from the very distant pass. He has had a rough ride over the years and has lost a few of the more fragile parts....but we still love him. The head is not that of HRH but another great kit of Cromwell.
    All the best,
    Keith
    ith IMG_8548.JPG IMG_8545.JPG IMG_8542.JPG IMG_8541.JPG
    napoleonpeart and blaster like this.

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