Brad Cancian Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 “The sound of bullets tearing through canvas, wood, and metal; the young pilot’s heart thumps in his chest. That last burst missed his goggled helmet by mere inches. He desperately throws the control column left and right, presses the rudder bar with all his waning strength, but his attacker is in a far better machine and is far more experienced. The enemy stays doggedly on his tail, hurling more lead at his machine. As the fight gets lower and lower, he prays that his luck holds out. Tearing canvas, water pouring from the holed radiator, a stuttering engine and the smell of fuel indicate that his trusty steed is mortally wounded. The fight is over. Finding the nearest clearing, the young pilot throws the groaning machine to the earth. It rumbles along the rough ground, now under its own control. Knowing he is now a passenger along for the ride, the young pilot tightens his shoulder harness in preparation for the inevitable sudden stop. His craft lurches of the bank of a small river, it’s shark-like nose ending its days unceremoniously dumped into the muddy water. The young pilot is dazed, but alive. What was terror now turns to anger with the release of the tension. He tears of his goggles, throws his harness off, and climbs onto the spine of his machine to take stock of his luck. As his victor flies over the scene, waggling his wings, the young pilot hurls his fist at the enemy; “You win this time”, he screams. He may have been vanquished, but he has lived to fight another day”. Hi all – I hope you don’t mind the melodramatic start to the post! This rough idea is the back story behind my latest completion, a small crash diorama based on the 1/48 scale Eduard Albatros DVa. This is a project that I’ve had in mind since way back in 2006 when I first saw Stan Stokes’ painting called “Gotcha”: This was my first time at modelling terrain, and modelling water. I made plenty of mistakes (many of them are obvious) but it was a good learning experience. The aircraft itself was modified to incorporate battle damage, in order to help tell some of the story.! The aircraft personal and unit markings are fictional, but broadly represent markings of the mid 1918 period. I included a four-leaf clover motif on the fuselage to help with the idea that the pilot’s luck has held out. The pilot is a modified figure using various bits and pieces I had in the spares box. I gave him a set of goggles that he’s holding in his left hand. I am definitely NOT a figure painter, as you can see Progress pictures of all aspects of the build are in the following threads: https://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=10149.0 https://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/235052386-vanquished/ Anyway, here are some more pictures: I welcome all feedback – as I said, this was my first time tackling terrain and water effects, so I’m sure there are plenty of tips out there that you all can give me. Cheers! BC 53 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bhouse Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 I like the back story. And the result is very fine indeed with a believable level of weathering. Did you coerce a trained spider to do the rigging? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spitfire31 Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Great dio with excellent detail work – really convincing (including the terrain). And a very good basic idea. Excellent, and inspiring, modelling! Kind regards, Joachim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rabbit Leader Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Unbelievable Brad!! Actually I think I’ve mentioned that to you on far too many occasions. The level of detail captured within this fine diorama is truly astonishing. It just looks so right. Cheers and well done.. Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 That's exceptionally good! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Really impressive, you've done a cracking job on that, my only qibble & its a maybe, is the pilots get up, I'd have thought a double buttoned leather jacket or coat might have been more the look. Have a look here. http://thevintageaviator.co.nz/uniforms?page=0%2C1 Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toryu Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Such a wonderful idea and execution. Water, grass, damage - all looks so realistic, not to speak of the excellent Albatros. When you carry on building a figure with every model you will soon not resent your figure building skills anymore 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hairtrigger Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Outstanding piece of work ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nachtwulf Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 You nailed it!! As for the water, it looks so good I want to go fishing! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 Many thanks everyone for the kind words! Hi Steve - great point on the flying suits. From what I have seen, there were many variations as often these items were private purchase pieces of clothing. Leather coats seem to have been prevalent earlier in the war, but wool lined suits became more common as the war progressed due to the increased flying and fighting altitudes. The British introduced Sidcott suits in the last year or so of the war which the German's prized whenever they could get their hands on them. I figured that the pilot's choice of garb might have been based off something like that which he'd privately purchased. That's my story and i'm sticking to it Cheers again! BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matteo44 Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Great work! Very nice... Congratulations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Work In Progress Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Wonderful job. So much more meaningful than "just another model standing on its wheels". It's a joy to study. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sprue Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 Master modelling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mick Drover Posted May 27, 2019 Share Posted May 27, 2019 I said it in the WIP thread and I'll see it here too. That's fantastic story telling. Cheers, Michael Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JWM Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Very nice presentation, I like especially the surface of wing with holes, looks really fragile A bit hidden due the name of thread, if you would add at least some tags you will get more visitors, I belive. Cheers J-W Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted May 28, 2019 Author Share Posted May 28, 2019 Thanks all - and thanks J-W, I’ve now worked out how to add tags :) cheers BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
invidia Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Great looking model and diorama. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 Outstanding on all count's,beautiful dio base add's to a quality build. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted May 28, 2019 Share Posted May 28, 2019 That's a stunning piece of work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 As mentioned elsewhere; stunning work, Sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan P Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 That's a wonderful diorama, loved the build thread. Alan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greg Law Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 First rate and interesting project. The figure is good too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzby061 Posted June 7, 2019 Share Posted June 7, 2019 Truly excellent, can't believe I've missed this one. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted June 8, 2019 Author Share Posted June 8, 2019 Thanks again everyone! Cheers BC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Poultney Posted June 8, 2019 Share Posted June 8, 2019 Wow... That is.... Amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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