Need someone who could help me to convert a WWI fi

[Markus Lack]

Hey Guys,
i planned to make my Mum a Dio about her grandpa who served in WWI.
As I don´t know much about the market for WWI figures, i wanted to ask here if you know which figures i could use to convert them.
Or, what even would be better, maybe i can find someone here who could build the figure for me as I´m not the best sculptor around (Ok, to be honest, my sculpting sucks :lol: ).
Here are two pics from which i want to choose one scene.
The first one was taken during his trainig, the secon one on the front (somewhere in france as far as i know).
The pics aren´t the best, as i don´t hava a scanner at the moment.
It would be very cool if someone could help me!

I will post the scanned pics when i can lay my hand on a scanner.

Thanks in advance!
Markus

 

[MSzwarc]

Markus,

Metal Models makes a figure close to the first pose. It would require some reposing, but I don't think it would be too difficult. The figure is billed as a 54mm figure, but measures out closer to 60mm. As you can see from this photo, all the equipment is included, but you would have to repose the arms, add the spike to the Picklehaube, and remove the gas mask which is molded to the chest. You'd have to scratchbuild the table and the photographer's backdrop screen. It would make an interesting scene.

Mike

 

[Manfred]

Markus,

schreib mir mal eine persönliche "message".
Vielleicht kann ich helfen.

Manfred

 

[Colin_Fraser]

The two pictures shure show the aging effects of total war. Should be a great model Markus.

Colin

 

[jaime]

I don'nt know if this can help you. (S3-F01. 54 mm (1/30) Andrea Miniatures )

Jaime Gil

 

[Markus Lack]

Hey everybody,
thank you so much for your help!
You are the best !!!

If there is some interest, i could post some more pics of him.
I got 5 or 6 pics of him and they go from training until he was a POW.

Greetings!
Markus

 

[jaime]

Hello Markus, have a look this picture (I know you are trying to find a figure like the picture you have posted but is a very good vignette)

 

[yeo_64]

Hi Markus :lol: ! That's an interesting pair of photos that you've posted there. Yes,if it's not too much trouble,please post the rest of the photos that you've got of your grandpa during the Great War;I for one would be interested to see them. Scalelink from England makes a rather extensive range of 54mm WW 1 German figures in white metal.Check out their website at www.scalelink.co.uk for the complete range. Their casting is exceptionally crisp and the prices are reasonable. Perhaps you'll be able to find a suitable "candidate" there.HTH. BTW,I might be able to help you sculpt the figure if you are keen on it.Do let me know,won't you ? Cheers !
Kenneth

 

[Dan Morton]

Everybody's given you really good ideas so far, but they're all 54mm. There are larger scales available. Check out The Fusilier - 75 mm. About 95% of what Steve Warrilow does is WWI white metal figures and equipment. Very extensive line and lots of accessories at reasonable prices. In Germany, how about JonSmith Modellbau? Jon works only in resin, mostly in 120mm and has a couple nice 54mm pieces also. You might also want to look at Verlinden, a Belgium/USA company that does a number of German WWI figures, 4 or 5 in 120mm. Internet searches will find the sites easily and then you can go from there.

Question: Do you know the branch in which your great-grandfather served? From the photos looks like infantry or possibly Jaeger or Pioneer. Do you know the regiment(s)/battalion(s)/company(ies) in which he served? He looks too young for Landsturm. Do you know his age at the time the pics were taken? Do you know where and on what date(s) the pics were taken?

Once you know that info there are specific uniform details that would make the figure more accurate.

If you don't know what branch, etc., there are several excellent commemoration web sites in Germany and Austria [working in English if that's needed] that can help you identify that info.

Can't see rank insignia in either pic. Can't make out the regiment number. This is usually in red script on the coat epaulets. If he was in a Reserve regiment, there would be a large R above the regiment number.

The first pic is a type of photo that was usually taken just after the recruit finished training and before he was due to report to his regiment in the field. It's called a 'carte de visite'. They were commonly taken by photographers near the training location. In the first pic, it looks like he's wearing an M1910/15 bluse or tunic coat. The M1910/15 had slanted hip pockets on the coat. The coat doesn't appear to have either Saxon or Swedish cuffs. Mostly Wurttemberger and Bavarian regiments wore those, although not all of them. Probably wearing black shiny leather M09 Patronentasche (ammo pouches). Compare these to the scuffy brown leather ones shown in the 54mm figure picture. He's armed with the standard Gewehr 98 rifle, can't see what kind of bayonet.

In the second pic, I think I can just make out a bayonet knot about half way down his left side on his hip. Bayonet knots were wound around the leather or ersatz material bayonet sheath. The bayonet sheath is visible just below the knot in the second pic. The knots were made of heavy cord and woven in colors representing the battalion and company. The wooden club-looking thingie near the bayonet sheath is a shovel handle.

Can't help you with the painting or sculpting as I'm a novice, but I'm fair at the research and would find it interesting to help if you'd like.

All the best!