Hi Guys
This intends to be a very simple homage to those six brave guys....
The kit is the classic Esci, reboxed by Italeri, and the scale is 1/72.
The figures are not that good, with a large ejection pin mark on their back, and some other minor problems and imperfections.
First of all I made a new flag pole with some evergreen rod, and put it in place.
Then I started adding the figures. The arms of some of them should be assembled with the figure in the final place, to put them in a more natural pose. Obviously some putty will be needed to fill some gaps.
Finally I made some rifle straps with tin foil glued with CA.
The first result was this (in a kind of romantic way):
With the figures glued in place, it was time to add some details to the terrain.
I added a coat of a mixture of plaster with very fine sand, and on top of that I added some small pieces of cork, to simulate rocks, and small pieces of wood (form a match stick), to simulate the debris that we can see in the original photo, and finally some copper wire atatched to a small pole, also to simulate a similar item found on the original photo.
And the result is this:
Now I will add some vegetation (minimal) and itis ready for painting.
I will worry about the flag and ist odd positioning only after having everything painted!!!
Nice start.
When you do the flag, you might want to download this 48 star flag and make a reverse image in your photo editor, combining them canton to canton.
Then resize it in your word processor as you would clip art. Print it on high resolution (File/print/properties) on white paper. Fold carefully in half. Apply thinned white glue inside and fold it closed. The paper will be softened so you can set the furls as needed. Note that the original was attached at the top of the canton and at teh base to the pole without a lanyard.
Hi ajlafleche
Thanks for flag and the tip!
The kit comes with a 48 star USA flag decal, and I was plannig to make a "blank" flag with some thin metal sheet and then applying the decal on top of it.
But I am not sure about the outcome of that task, so if that option fails, I will try what you suggest.
The problem is that my printer is old, and not very good at handling very fine printing, so I will try to use the decal first.
barruel,
I'd suggest going with the paper (or even using tissue) for the flag as mentioned above. In my experiences, trying to use thin metal, even aluminum soda can, for folds in material doesn't come out as clean and natural as using paper/ tissue. Metal tends to fold to a point and then it bends sharply. I'd say try it out, but don't apply the decal unless you're ABSOLUTLY sure its perfect.
Just my 2.
Hi
Thanks for the tip. I will try the paper option first, then!
In the meanwhile I finished addind the debris, and gave it a coat of primer.
It is ready for painting now!
looks fantastic Barruel, I do have a very bias opinion, anything that involves the Corps is OK by me! Of course this was great day in history, I think you are doing it justice...Looking forward to more!
Hi guys
Thanks for the nice words.
Yesterday I made some advances in the painting, done with Vallejo Model Color acrylics.
Here is the current status:
Some more advances on the base painting, almost completed:
Well, with the base painting done, it was time to start the flag.
For the first attempt I used thin metal foil.
Now I will try a paper with white glue version
2nd attempt at th flag - I replaced the metal flag with one made of printed paper. Much better!
Thanks for the tip!
And a last minute modification - I found out today that John Bradley, the only US Navy Corpsman in the group, was wearing a cap, and not an helmet like the rest of the guys, all of them US Marines
So I changed the head of one of the middle figures, accordingly!
Now it is time for the final "lights" and "shadows"!
I hope yoyu like it!
I am not a detail freak myself but I have learned something that one of men didn't wear a helmet. GRIN It was fun watching your process.
Panzer,
I am sorry to nit pick but all of the Marines and Doc Bradley had on helmets.
Here is a still cap from the video that was shot at the same time as Joe Rosenthal's photo was taken.
Gotta agree on the helmet issue. Doc Bradley is the guy just behind Harlon Block who is stabbing the pole into the ground.
A diagram of the photo indicating the six men who raised the flag: Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley (†), Michael Strank (†), Rene Gagnon, John Bradley and Harlon Block (†).(†) = Killed on Iwo Jima
ah yes the flag raising on Mt. Suribachi. That photo is one of my favorite photo's of all time and it always sends a chill down my spine when i see it. I must say you did a very good job. Love it!
Go Marines!
Thanks for the comments!
Finally I got some time to finish this project:
1 - A new flag, printed with some distortion to simulate the wind.
2 - Some lights (base color + light sand) and shadows (base color + dark brown) on the figures clothes
3 - A touch of Burnt sienna oil on the flesh areas.
4 - A touch of Raw Umber oil for highlighting volumes and lines
5 - Some pigments to simulate dirt on the mast.
5 - A coat of flat varnish to remove some the shiny areas and seal everyhting.
I hope you like it!