This figure is based on this 1918 newspaper photo taken at a Seattle training camp.


I still giggle when I see that photo! :lol: Hey - we're dealing with the era before electrical sound amplification, folks. Whaddidya think they did, eh?

Here's the WIP on the sailor. As you can tell - no bugle yet and no arms, etc., but I'll get to those later. If you've seen USN types wearing the white cap, you probably have seen some of them 'square off' the corners of the cap. I tried to do that with the bugler's cap and I think it turned out kinda nice.

Hey, I'm easily amused!

The base is simple - just a tear drop shape - the narrow end holding the bugler and the larger end intended to hold the megaphone.







I'm very pleased to be working with Phil May on this one. He has agreed to make the megaphone, mount it, put some grass down on the base and paint the whole thing. Phil is a great painter and much more experienced and skillful model builder than yours truly, so I'm sure this will turn out superbly even in spite of my amateur status sculpting.

All the best,
Dan

This is a good idea Dan, sometimes I see photos on magazines, news paper and want to make it, Hope one day I could make my own project from one of the photos

Looking forward to see your next step

Best Regards

Eduardo

Many thanks, Eduardo! This was actually a pretty easy sculpt. The navy whites uniform is simple. The top is very "sack-like" and shapeless. Lots of wrinkle opportunities. The bell bottoms, when tucked into gaiters like in this figure, are also pretty simple.

I forgot to thank my younger son, Kyle, for posing for me so I could get the fabric folds more or less right. He's not a sailor and we don't have the uniform, but we faked it - close enough. He forbade me posting the photos of him striking a pose on penalty of being struck soundly with a blunt object. And he's a big guy, so I don't EVEN want to go there. :lol:

There are several sculptors on pF that use period photos for projects. I'm currently working on another one also - The Belgian Cavalry at Work.

All the best,
Dan

Hi Dan...I remember you showing the picture some time ago...good to see you getting around to it. You can't go wrong with your choice of painter either.
Looking forward to seeing how this guy shapes-up. Is he going to be in the same pose as the picture.?..I was just wondering about the posture of the right hand as you've already started some putty work on the arm.

All the best...Roy.

COOL PROJECT, Dan !!!! I assume that it's 120mm in scale ? If so, MAN, is the megaphone ever going to be HUGE !!! Looking forward to the next step, Dan. Cheers !
Kenneth.

Oh no?

Ta much Roy - I owe you one! :lol:

Yes Kenneth - it sure is!! I'm going to vac-form it. I thought of using a traffic cone but it's a tad too big :lol:

Cheers

Phil

Roy - I'll probably have to re-do those parts. The putty that's on them now is just meant to hold the hands on and secure the arms in more or less the right position. We'll get that fixed after I get the bugle. I bought a cheap kit for the bugle and the supplier is being a bit tardy in delivery. Otherwise, I'd have this finished!

To answer the two questions - it is roughly intended to be the same pose as in the photo and the scale is 120mm. I think I unintentionally made the figure a little 'slimmer' than the bugler in the photo. I think the chubbier look in the photo is just a function of the 'potato sack' looseness of the tunic, not the sailor's anatomy. Should I change it? Any thoughts for improvement?

All the best,
Dan

I know exactly what you mean Dan...I bet you are waiting on the postman now, hope it arrives soon.

The only bit that I think is noticeable is the lack of thickness or volume in the trousers at the front of the thigh area..the legs look a little too thin at the top. It looks like it could do with a little building out, up until the trousers disappear under the front lower edge of the jacket...what do you reckon Dan..??

All the best...Roy.

Roy - Many thanks! I see what you mean. Hadn't noticed that and I'll fix it. What are you working on?

All the best,
Dan

As long as it's do-able Dan...I'm sure you'll sort it out..

I'm working on some busts at present...I was just about to post a few pics.

Good luck with the trousers..

Roy.

Except for a little more primer, some touch-up sanding, etc., etc. the seaman-bugler for 'toot' is finished plus a simple tear-drop shaped plaster base. I apologize for the quality of some of these photos. I spent the day correcting a few mistakes and changing this and that on the figure and almost ran out of daylight. If you see my finger in one of the pics or some shadows or the figure seems to be leaning a lot - sorry! Same reason. I'll try to take some better photos in a few days.

I should be able to put the figure in the mail to Phil May next weekend. Phil is making the megaphone and stand, doing groundwork and painting the whole shebang, or, should I say, the whole 'toot'?!

Hope you like it!





All the best,
Dan

That's a nice looking fellow Daniel.

I think that Phil is gonna get the best out off him.

marc

Dan, It's neat to see the project take shape. i remember when you initially posted the picture a while back.~Gary

Marc & Gary - Thanks! This was a relatively easy figure to sculpt. Simple - I like simple! Phil's doing most of the heavy lifting on this one. He's going to make and mount the megaphone, do some grass and dirt on the base and paint it all.

Can't wait to see what he does with the USN summer white uniform. Yes - I did say WHITE. At this point, I can feel all the painters cringing, yelling, thrashing and calling me names, so I'd probably better get out of here quickly. Sorry Phil! I promise I'll never inflict another "white" figure on you!

I'm going to try to post some better pics shortly.

All the best,
Dan