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Completed Midshipman, U.S.S. Kearsarge, 1864 - 90mm Series 77

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by KenBoyle, Dec 15, 2017.

  1. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    I have returned to my "collection" of Series 77 figures for my latest effort. Midshipman, U.S.S. Kearsarge, 1864 - 90mm Series 77

    As I mentioned in the past, Pat Bird named most of his American series of 90mm figures after friends and associates in the hobby. No offense to Pat but I typically, if at all possible, prefer to try and represent an actual person from the period.

    That said, Edward E. Preble was serving as a Midshipman on the U.S.S Kearsarge at the time of her battle with the C.S.S Alabama off the coast of France in 1864. While both sides put up a hard fight, the Kearsarge sunk the Alabama dealing a severe blow to the Confederates, especially in the area of morale.


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    U.S.S. Kearsarge

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    The Figure:

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    The figure represents the Midshipman a few months prior to the battle. Edward Preble is wearing a civilian Straw hat and civilian waistcoat typical of many of the officers of the period. The only change I made was to add a bit of hair to his forehead with greenstuff to make him look a bit younger.


    Interestingly, Preble carries a "Battle Rattle" in his right hand. This is similar to a current day party noisemaker. According to sources at the time, when spun in the hand, the Battle Rattle made a noise like that of rapid musket fire and was used to call the crew to battle stations on smaller ships.


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  2. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    The Base:

    The base is representative of the deck of the U.S.S. Kearsarge with a little artistic license thrown in due to size limitations. He is standing near the deck rail where the large Dahlgren guns were located. The rail was designed to "fold away" to allow clearance for the gun barrels, which is why it appears short. The Dahlgrens were moved on metal rails to allow them to swivel and fire off either side of the ship as required. A part of one of the rails is shown on the base.

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    Finally, I was able to find a copy of the battle report submitted by Midshipman Preble to Captain Winslow after the battle with the Alabama. Preble was Navigating Officer during that action and the report makes interesting reading.

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    Report of Midshipman Preble, U. S. Navy, commending the conduct of the division under his command in the action between the U.S.S. Kearsarge and the C.S.S. Alabama.

    U.S.S. KEARSARGE,
    Cherbourg, France, June 22, 1864.

    Captain JOHN A. WINSLOW.

    SIR: In the late engagement between this ship and the Alabama, I would call to your notice the cool and effective manner in which the crew of the master's division conducted themselves during the action. As no acts of personal prowess were called for, those men who were especially noticed for their courage, coolness, and ability in their different positions I will recommend to receive such reward as may be awarded by the Government.
    Henry Cook (captain of afterguard) and Charles Butt (quartermaster) fought the 12-pound howitzer with much spirit, and delivered shrapnel to the enemy with great rapidity.
    James Saunders (signal quartermaster) was prompt in reporting damages done to ourselves and to the enemy.
    William B. Poole (quartermaster), stationed at the helm, steered the ship during the engagement in a cool and most creditable manner.

    Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
    EDWARD E. PREBLE,
    Midshipman, Acting Master.


    This was a simple but interesting figure to paint.
    Thanks for looking,
    Ken
  3. Viking Bob PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    Hi Ken,
    Another period of history that fascinates me. Having signed up as a 're enactor' here for 10 years in the Union army of the Potomac.
    The back ground info is 1st class and what makes this figure so interactive. You can believe he is telling you the story.
    Series 77 were a good range and you have done him justice. Very nice painting.
    Regards.
    anstontyke, KenBoyle and clrsgt like this.
  4. clrsgt A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Well done painting Ken and a excellent background essay as well. I have many of the old Series 77 figures that I vigorously collected in my younger days. I really should put the newer figures on the shelf for a while and go back and do some of the old classics by Pat Bird and others, but I think I am like many figure painters and am always smitten by the new figures that come along while those we already have find their way to the back shelf.
    anstontyke, Viking Bob and KenBoyle like this.
  5. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Bob! Didn't know you were a re-enactor. Fascinating!!!

    I love the research part of a figure, as you can maybe guess :) , and I appreciate the comments.
    Ken
    anstontyke and Viking Bob like this.
  6. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Mike! Sometimes it is hard to not buy the latest figures since they are constantly getting better and some are outright unbelievable.

    And in all fairness I do pick up a few now and then. However, there is just something about the older figures, like Series 77, that makes me feel good when painting them. A little bit of nostalgia, I guess. :)

    Ken
    anstontyke, Viking Bob and clrsgt like this.
  7. arj A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    A very nicely painted figure Ken, and the excellent base (+ the associated history) really sets the scene.
    Very well done.

    Cheers,
    Andrew
    anstontyke, Viking Bob and KenBoyle like this.
  8. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Andrew! Much appreciated.
    Ken
    anstontyke and Viking Bob like this.
  9. MoboSchreuder A Fixture

    Looks great , beautiful painting ,a. Nice piece

    Mobo
    KenBoyle and anstontyke like this.
  10. swralph A Fixture

    Lovely painting and base Ken:).
    KenBoyle and anstontyke like this.
  11. megroot A Fixture

    Country:
    Netherlands
    Beautifull work on this figure.

    Marc
    KenBoyle and anstontyke like this.
  12. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks guys! Color scheme wise this was a pretty simple figure but I really enjoyed bring an old series 77 figure back to life.

    Ken
    anstontyke and swralph like this.
  13. anstontyke A Fixture

    Country:
    United-Kingdom
    a really nice figure and a great historical background.

    tony
    KenBoyle likes this.
  14. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Tony!
    Ken
    anstontyke likes this.
  15. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks for the history lesson and wonderful figure.
    Cheers
    John
    anstontyke and KenBoyle like this.
  16. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    anstontyke likes this.
  17. oldtrousers PlanetFigure Supporter

    Excellent work and interesting history, Ken!

    Scott
    anstontyke and KenBoyle like this.
  18. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States

    Thanks Scott! Much appreciated!
    Ken
    oldtrousers and anstontyke like this.
  19. Joe55 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Its awesome to see these old classics so beautifully painted and displayed. You did a fine job on this guy Ken and thanks for the background information. I always enjoy that aspect of our hobby.

    Joe
    anstontyke and KenBoyle like this.
  20. KenBoyle PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    Thanks Joe! I appreciate the comments!

    There is something about the "classics" that makes me feel good painting them. Could be that I'm somewhat of an "old classic" myself. (At least according to my wife. :))

    Cheers,
    Ken
    anstontyke likes this.

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