Hello...

It is with great proud Thai I will share the first WIP´s of Lieut. George Cairns...

During the attack Cairns was attacked by a Japanese officer who with his sword hacked off the lieutenant's left arm. Cairns killed the officer and retrieved the fallen sword before wounding several other Japanese. He subsequently collapsed and perished the following day. Calvert wrote... "In front I saw Lieut. Cairns have his harm hacked off by a Jap, whom he shot. He picked up the sword and carried on."
Lieut. Cairns died in next day, but before die, ask to his commander if they win, and teh commander said "Yes, we win (...)"... Because of the fight Lt. Cairns wins the Victory Cross, the most Distinghish British Condecoration...






This will be a 1/9 Scale bust and 75mm full figure... we are studing the possibility to develop this one in 54mm, but we have to do soem studies first...

All comments, tips, ideas are welcome...

Thank you for BELIEVE in RPmodels...
With best regards
Hugo Pereira

Hugo - another lovely piece, beautifully animated! If I might comment on one detail, though, he looks a little long in the torso, which has led to the two revolver ammo pouches appearing too high on the webbing. They are usually seen in contact with the waistbelt and holster. The mapcase also looks a little thick, too.

just my thoughts..!

Steve

looks like another nice release!
Stefan

This is definatly on my list. Well done Hugo & the team.
I also think Steve's comments are valid.

Peter

During the attack Cairns was attacked by a Japanese officer who with his sword hacked off the lieutenant's left arm.

Errrrr?
Steve

My thought precisely!! ..... ??

Great looking figure the medal he received was the Victoria Cross not the Victory Cross

Hi Steve.
The pose is taken from the Osprey book "Chindit" 1942-45. The commentary for the plate of Lieutenant George Cairns VC states that he had his left arm nearly severed and the arm was hanging by a few strips of muscle.
The plate in the book depicts a very deep wound which probably for sensitivity reasons the model does not show. But then again this is Hugos 3D mock up and he could depict the wound or at least damage to the shirt sleeve in more detail leaving it up to the modeller to apply the gore as they see fit.

Peter

I also thought about him having one arm too many, but just noticed the cut in the clothes on his left arm. So the gory part is hidden by the clothes and the painter can decide how much blood will be visible. I must say I find it a smart solution Hugo.

By the way this reminds me of an old figure, sculpted by Calvin Tan, of a Japanese officer with katana in 1/16. Could be a companoin piece (except for the scale).

Cheers,
Adrian

Hi Planeteers,
I've been lucky enough to very recently view the Cairns archive at the Staffordshire Regiment Museum and can only throw some more doubt into the 'arm' debate. Of the two eye witness accounts, Brigadier Calvert describes seeing Cairns 'have his arm hacked off by a Japanese officer whom at the same time he shot. He picked up the sword although his armpit was spurting with blood and carried on hacking away among the Japanese around him until he subsided on the ground.' Lieutenant Durant's version is ' it was only when I got near that I saw that he himself had already been bayoneted twice through the side and that his left arm was hanging on by a few strips of muscle.'
What is clear is that Cairns suffered a horrific wound but continued the fight until unable to do so. His VC and medal group are on display at the museum.

Cheers
Mat

Nap, there are a few grainy photos of Cairns in the Regimental archives. I think Hugo's WIP is a reasonable likeness. I agree that this is a sensitive subject and difficult to reproduce if you are depicting an actual 'VC action'. Personally I would have gone for the moment beforehand, prior to the injury. Interestingly, this was the last awarded VC of WWII. Whilst a recommendation was made for the VC, the citation was lost in the plane crash that claimed the life of the Chindit leader, General Wingate and for some time it was only marked as a posthumous 'Mention in Despatches,'

In 1948 the incident was mentioned in a BBC broadcast on the South Staffords and his father approached the Regiment to see if the case could be re-opened. Fortunately, Brigadier Calvert and Major Degg who had commanded the 80th column, were both available to produce fresh citations and King GeorgeVI agreed to the award of the VC.

Great! I'd like 54 mm.

Hi Hugo!
I'll be interested in a 75 mm scale. Maybe you could make also the Japanese soldier from that ilustration.It will be a very impressive vignette. Definitelly, on my list too.
Warm congrats for such wonderfull project!
Nicolae

Hello Mr. Steve...

Thank you for your comment... I will change the ammo puches and we will check the torso... The pack isnt a mapcase. Its a utility pack... I will put a photo...





This is the pack that we are using...

Thank you for your support and help... Your comment will allow us to improve some aspects...

With best regards
Hugo Pereira

Hello Mr. Stefan

Thank you for your comment... In fact people love the piece, and send me more photos of equipment and weapons... This photos will allow us do some changes and improve some details and pormenors that are wrong... So the final result will better...

Thank you Sir.
With best regards
Hugo Pereira