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Mike's RNZAF Battle of Britain Pilot for Wings Cockpit

Discussion in 'vBench (Works in Progress)' started by Mike - The Kiwi, Jan 19, 2014.

  1. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Mucked around with some backgrounds on this little fellow guys.
    What do you think?

    Will share full figure shots once edited up over coming days...

    Thanks in advance,

    Mike

    P.S. Work in Progress articles here:
    http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/mikes-battle-of-britain-rnzaf-pilot.61519/

    Further completed images here:
    http://www.planetfigure.com/threads...ot-for-wings-cockpit.61680/page-2#post-625890

    Commissioned by Wings Cockpit Figures
    Battle of Britain Pilot
    1/32

    03RNZAF.jpg
    04RNZAF.jpg

  2. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Couple more shots...

    01RNZAF.jpg
    02RNZAF.jpg

  3. ACCOUNT_DELETED A Fixture

    Country:
    Canada
    Excellent rendition and super photography. Very BoB to me.

    Colin
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  4. Adrian Cowdry Well-Known Member

  5. swralph A Fixture

    very nice
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  6. FigureLover A Fixture

    Country:
    Australia
    You have brought out the best in this figure, Mike. Great work. The yellows and Kiwi on the life vest are excellent
    Ben
  7. Wings5797 A Fixture

    Country:
    France
    Good work Mike,
    Cheers,
    Keith
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  8. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Thanks Colin.
    Photographing this was good fun, especially as I'd just spent day with some WW2 RNZAF crew.
    Very special hearing their stories.

    Stay safe
    Mike
  9. MalcC A Fixture

    Country:
    England
    Nice work.

    Malc
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  10. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Thanks to each of you for adding your positive comments :)

    Mike
    Wings5797 likes this.
  11. bwildfong Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Looks great Mike - now I want to get at my own version even more - c'mon Royal Mail!

    Cheers,

    Brian
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  12. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    A super little guy Brian with some good scope for detailing.
    Value your feedback mate!

    Mike
  13. bwildfong Well-Known Member

    Country:
    Canada
    Mike,

    Forgot to mention how much I like the lettering (and the Kiwi!) on the Mae West. I'm always afraid of making these look hokey and so I hardly ever attempt them - any advice, techniques or "trade secrets" (aka tricks) you wouldn't mind sharing to make such small lettering look so natural? Thanks for any input and again, fantastic job!

    Cheers,

    Brian
    Mike - The Kiwi and John Bowery like this.
  14. John Bowery A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    Mike,
    That is an outstanding paint and the photo's are superb.
    Cheers,
    John
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  15. Mariobusta A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Crikey Mike , your photos are almost as good as your painting !
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  16. Joe55 A Fixture

    Country:
    United-States
    From the photos I can pick up numerous well executed details, but I bet there loads more that I'm missing because I don't have this dude in my hands to scrutinize. This pilot is another fine example demonstrative of your superior work! Well done Mike (y)!

    Joe
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.
  17. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Hi John & Neil

    Nice to get your feedback guys especially on photos as it is an area I'm working hard on to improve.
    I do have some conventional images I'll add when I've had a chance to edit them.
    This will help explain techniques to Brian, Joe etc.

    In meantime wanted to create a 'feel' for the era, the young men involved & how this little guy could help tell their story.
    I do hope in a small way that's what I've achieved.

    Gotta admit it has nothing on Life Minatures's new bust which I'd like to get a commission for & treat in a similar way.

    Sound ok?

    Mike
    John Bowery likes this.
  18. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Hi again Brian,

    "Trade Secrets" :) Not sure on this mate, nothing really special I don't think...

    Some steps I use:
    1. Good clear reference of font size, style & colour
    2. Thin "off colour" e.g Raw Umber for black with Vallejo Glaze medium. Helps create a thin outline image.
    3. Darken with progressive layer or two
    4. Be careful with symmetry, same height, width & gaps between character
    5. Tidy edging with overcoat yellow colour

    Depending on size of font, less than 1mm, aim for representative shape only, not actual detail e.g. Shoulder flashes
    Over 1mm actual detail possible. Replicate look & detail - on Mae West lettering is printed on therefore can find flooding of ink & not fully printed, so you have some latitude there.

    For the front of the Mae West not this little chap, it is over painted with chrome yellow.
    I therefore painted "FRONT" on one side only based on image of Peter Townsend, albeit opposite side, the over coated this with Jo Sonja/Games Workshop yellow mix heavily thinned with Glaze medium.

    Other printed detail was left off as this was well painted over:
    image.jpg

    With ref hand written "official" Mae West number on back panel & "unofficial" Kiwi graffiti on front.
    This was again built in couple of layers as above but with looser feel than printed font.

    Other Research for Mae West & other detail came from following:

    http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/...erbox-raf-fighter-pilots-but-with-chest-pack/
    http://ww2talk.com/forums/topic/31946-mae-west-not-yellow-enough/
    http://www.historicflyingclothing.com/archive.php
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Non-British_personnel_in_the_RAF_during_the_Battle_of_Britain

    Was any of this of help mate?

    Mike
    John Bowery likes this.
  19. Mike - The Kiwi A Fixture

    Country:
    New_Zealand
    Joe, your positivity on this blows me away once again - thanks!

    Yes there are lots of tiny details added in the main with careful build up in paint.
    Acrylics have some wonderful properties if used in a semi dry & can replicate e.g. Fur poking out of top edge of boots & zipper tab on earphone zips.

    Hopefully when I have final images edited these will become clearer.

    Perhaps one day we'll meet at a show so you can study this or maybe you travel down under ;-)

    Stay safe

    Mike

    P.S. Thought you might like this Mockup of a period poster...

    image.jpg
    Eludia, samonac, Joe55 and 2 others like this.
  20. Steve Ski PlanetFigure Supporter

    Country:
    United-States
    That certainly came out very well, love it!!

    Cheers, Ski.
    Mike - The Kiwi likes this.

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