German / Italian Topolino 2025-01

[locomotive]

... so I'm putting down some base colours on my figures, sitting at a different spot, the light hits it differently and I spot the San Andreas fault running up his leg to his waist!
I'd spent so much time tweaking the seated chap that I never noticed...
FIAB: Fix It Again Brian

View attachment 141964

And the rifle and fingers too!

Yeah but hang on… who's going to see unless they're up this close and peering all over it to find fault?
If the finished article pleases you, then don't give yourself work. Because that's what it is. It's passed being fun when you go back and do it again.
It's looks totally acceptable to me.

 

[BarleyBop]

totally acceptable

True.

Strange fellow that I am though, I just happen to like the process: iterating, refining, enjoying little challenges that pop up to keep me sharp.
And probably no one will notice the fix either, if I do it right.
I can't help but think that practicing on the back of his leg will save my bacon, somewhere down the line, when it really does matter!

Besides, can't have him sporting what reminds me of these now, can I?

 

[BarleyBop]

...better: passes the naked eye test for me; tried different scrapers, then a scoring tool to put thread seam back into cuff. Some shading and highlights will help too.

 

[BarleyBop]

First daub of oil since 1982!
Burnt umber. From Umbria.
Fitting, as I attempt to finish up my Italian figures.
This could take a while.
And thankfully, I have my Italian horde to practice on!

 

[BarleyBop]

Goodnight.

 

[BarleyBop]

For the next little while, will be posting figure painting progress along with the rest of the Italian mob (no pun intended).
Once they are complete, back here for reunion with little mouse and other accessories.

Cheers

 

[BarleyBop]

... some action down on the street today.

...still some gear to paint for inside the vehicle, but looks like the door and lunging driver are working out okay.

 

[Jakko]

They look pretty convincing, though if you can, it would be a good idea to make the figure in the door hold his weapon more firmly. It looks like it's slipping from his grasp right now

 

[BarleyBop]

slipping from his grasp

Yup, a tough one. I may have to settle with this one pose...
I had also noticed in the photo that he seems to be tossing it through the air, not quite in control.
I could always claim that it's the result of the freeze frame action pose!

Will have to think some about it.
How to visibly tighten his grip or make the gun look more stable...?

It is already a bit of a stretch, getting him and his weapon out of little mouse in a hurry...

Rotating his body, ducking below the door frame, lunging from the seat, getting the first leg out out and about to transfer his weight to it, getting that awkward gun past the steering wheel, pushing the door open at the spot of the open window with the other hand and extended arm, all while yelling at his buddy to get out, because a DAF Kittyhawk has spotted them and started to bank around!

 

[GCB]

Amazing job and, I learned quite a lot following all the steps you did to build it.
Planning a diorama to install it?

 

[Jakko]

How to visibly tighten his grip or make the gun look more stable...?

Is his hand wide enough that you can turn the gun by about 90° so it's effectively on its side? If there is, that would put his fingers much more around the stock than they are now, and so make it look like he's actually holding it.

 

[BarleyBop]

Amazing job and, I learned quite a lot following all the steps you did to build it.
Planning a diorama to install it?

Thanks! Me too!

I've never done a dio, or even a base...
Seeing stuff on here gives me ideas though...

I'm mostly concerned that I'll dissappear down a huge all-consuming rat hole!

 

[BarleyBop]

Is his hand wide

Luckily, he fits so snuggly in there, that he's not glued in. I may extricate him and see if there is anything I can do, otherwise, he'll just have to grab hold in the next moment!

 

[John Waller]

another couple of recent ebay pics. I like the seat covers!

Foto: "Fahrt nach Grado", Fiat 500 Simca 5 Topolino, Luftwaffe,Norditalien 2.WK

 

[BarleyBop]

seat covers

Nice! Looks like they're out for a round of golf!

 

[Jakko]

Those are Luftwaffe troops, judging by the huge trousers they're wearing.

 

[Edbert]

From Norway to North Africa!

 

[BarleyBop]

Mighty Mouse!

 

[Jakko]

Not that it helps here, but I came across a Topolino in the wild this afternoon. Not in desert camouflage, though, but red all over. I was taking a walk, slaloming between tourists as it turned out, and just as I reached the main road through the village, I noticed a car with a (by now) familiar shape driving past, with its canvas roof folded back. Even if I had had something to take a picture with, I wouldn't have had time to do so, though.

 

[John Waller]

.... Even if I had had something to take a picture with, I wouldn't have had time to do so, though.

Do you have CCTV cameras in town?

 

[Edbert]

Speaking of small, okay...tiny, motorcars.

I have opened the bags of a 1/48 Tamiya Ki-61 "with Kurogane" or something like that.

It is sma-aaaaa-ll. If you want it. PM me your address and I'll send it off.

I think China and the Philippines, even in the 1930s-40s, are as different from North Africa as one can imagine. But looking at the kit, in its own bags, it still reminds me of your subjects.

 

[Edbert]

Mighty Mouse!

View attachment 143997

He used that magic dust, or was it a pill? wait, that was Under Dog not Mighty Mouse, or was it?

No sir! I am not the victim of childhood TV promammiimmmmings...

...never happened.

 

[Jakko]

Do you have CCTV cameras in town?

Where do you think I live, the UK?

Yep, pretty much like that one, with red body and wings. Not sure if the rosette was also on it, though — I only saw the car from behind

 

[Aya]

Hi Barley.
Just read through your Topo build . If i had anything like your skill I might call your thread Inspirational ( but alas I will have to be content with OOTB builds). Great work on all the extras and additions. Folding roof part was a masterclass. Nerves of steel cutting the hole in the car roof, plus the folding mechanism, well done indeed. Looking forward to seeing the finished article with your scratch built cast list. Brilliant stuff .

 

[BarleyBop]

Folding roof part

Thanks for the nice comments...

To me, skill is when you can predictably repeat a process, and be confident of the outcome; so far, I'm learning as I go and it seems every project has some new twist.
I tend to agree with my wife though, in that I must have got a second helping of patience!

Taking my time, (trying) to keep a cool head when things start to go sideways, and keeping options open as I go, which often means changing tack while keeping an eye on the destination are strategies that have worked well for me.

Let's see if I can get this one in the can, relatively soon!

Cheers

 

[John Waller]

A couple pics of a Das Reich Topolino/Simca

 

[BarleyBop]

couple pics

Nice! I'd love to see the actual colours, camo almost looks sponged on!

 

[BarleyBop]

End of the production line.
Topo ready for action.

 

[BarleyBop]

Arrivederci Libya!

 

[GCB]

Great job! and with the background picture, looks so real.