Playing Around with an idea for a Vignette

[Brad Cancian]

Hi all,

I've had this photo on my computer for a little while and while flicking through some other photos I stubled upon it again. Whilst thinking my thoughts, it made me think that animals were quite prevalant as unit mascots back in the great war (we all know of Richthofen's dog, Moritz, and the Lafaette's lions, Whiskey and Soda).



As usual, thoughts strayed back on to modelling and it made me think that this could make a cute little vignette (mini-diorama). My thoughts were further fuelled when I remembered that Eduard included a nice little resin Dachshund with their 1/48 Bf-110 kit. I thought that I could add a suitable pilot figure next to the aircraft, and perhaps only include the rear half of the aircraft in the vignette to keep the focus on the relationship between pilot and dog. The idea would be that the pilot has placed his goggles (and maybe a small scarf) on the animal for some fun, placed him on the aircraft just as in the original photo, and is leaning back against the fuselage of the aircraft to admire his handywork. So I rummaged through the spares box and found a reasonably nice figure from Jager of a relaxed pilot (with no goggles!), and had a play with some set ups with some of my models. Below are some pics of the experiment:





I am not sure if it will get the idea across, but it may do so by basic simplicity (just imagine the dog with some goggles and a little scarf). Thoughts? Any ideas on how it could work better?

I am not sure whether to go the Albatros or Pfalz tail (obviously I would use a spare kit!). I am thinking that the Pfalz tail seems to work better with the pilot's lean.

I was also thinking maybe the name for the vignette might be "Fliegenhund" or "Blitzhund" or something similar.... Maybe I could add a bullet-ridden SE5 rudder next to the fuselage and call the vignette "Gute Arbeit!"...

Just ideas at the moment folks, but I would welcome any input before I decide whether or not to progress!

BC

[Frentzen]

I think you have a terrific idea for a vignette. When I first opened it all I saw was the original picture of the dog and immediately was thinking Eduard dachshund. Then I scrolled down and there it was. I believe Eduard sculpted three versions of the dogs included in the 110 kit. Mine is seated just likem in the picture and might be better suited to your idea (let me know if you want to exchange dogs if the position matters to you. I think you are right to consider just the rear of the aircraft. A full build may overwhelm the feel of the vignette.

Dan

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

". . .I am not sure if it will get the idea across, but it may do so by basic simplicity (just imagine the dog with some goggles and a little scarf). Thoughts? Any ideas on how it could work better? . . ."

The idea is a good one. especially if you use the image as a support feature to judges in a contest. Animals are an interesting addition to a vignette / diorama it catches the viewer's eye. I am going to discuss this with the idea tht I would judge this piece at a contest.

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

". . .I am not sure whether to go the Albatros or Pfalz tail (obviously I would use a spare kit!). I am thinking that the Pfalz tail seems to work better with the pilot's lean. . ."

The dog is on an Alb. C type and we understand he is on the leading edge. The concern you have is in the perception of a judge / viewer that says "you can not put an animal in the middle of a real tail plane. The fabric would be damaged." We know for the Pfalz tail plane it is not a concern as the stabilizer was built integrally with the fuselage. It is plywood skinned where the Alb. D type is a fabric covered on a skeletal frame.

1. A simple cure is placing your animal figure on a map case or a simulated piece of plywood.

2. Or placing your animal figure closer to the leading edge.

3. Or placing your animal figure on the spine of the fuselage.

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

'. . .I was also thinking maybe the name for the vignette might be "Fliegenhund" or "Blitzhund" or something similar.... Maybe I could add a bullet-ridden SE5 rudder next to the fuselage and call the vignette "Gute Arbeit!"...

The story line should be described in the title. I remember one a/c diorama with a cat walking across the leading edge of a machine undergoing repairs and the maintenance crew were noting its presence and one figure was at attention the title was "The little general." Other possibilities might be;

A. Fliegerhund reporting for duty! (one human figure)

B. He is your new chauffuer. (for a two seater display & two human figures)

C. He is your new Kette leader. (two human figures.)

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

". . .Just ideas at the moment folks, but I would welcome any input before I decide whether or not to progress! BC"

I would stick with a whole aircraft vignette. Unless you are going with a limited view shadow box. These scale builds come off better as complete objects. Remember the Figure set that sold some years back? The pilot was leaning on the rudder of his machine that displayed all of his kill marks. The large gripe was that in scale it would have been better to do the whole machine. Otherwise you have a half a diorama. There is nothing challenging about doing 1/3 of a kit. Anyway I am off my soapbox. Good Luck with the build.

[Frentzen]

Originally Posted by StephenLawson

There is nothing challenging about doing 1/3 of a kit. Anyway I am off my soapbox. Good Luck with the build.

Right, nothing challenging except doing it well. There is such a thing as way overthinking a project. Brad has a choice of either doing an aircraft model with a few figures or a vignette highlighting a pilot and his dog. If the completed figure and dog come out well painted (ala Mike good) then they will be able to stand alone with a well done aircraft section. However, if the intention is to just paint the figures with one color and apply a wash, a full aircraft will be needed to distract attention from so-so figures. Knowing the top notch quality of Brad's work, he should go with the partial vignette.

Dan

[MerlinV]

I agree. Brads skills will do just fine on the tail end of the aircraft only.

I look forward to seeing this one in prgress.

How's the scratch building going Brad?

Cheers,

Hugh

[Brad Cancian]

Thanks for the input there guys, looks like this little idea may work with some tweaking (although it may be a challenge as figures are not really my speciallty...)

Stephen - as always you have used a very clinical eye and have pointed out a few things I would have missed Many thanks!

I would like in this case to try and have a crack at some decent figure painting, so I would like to emphasise the figures and the light hearted moment more than the aircraft. As such, I would really like to do this one as a small vignette - however, I do know that I am very much not a figure painter yet... so... to that end, before chopping up a nice model, I will try and paint the figures first. If they come off ok, I will stick to the vignette idea, if not, they will make a nice complement to a model at some stage.

So, assuming I can get the figure painting right...

Based on your logic regarding the tail plane, I think I will use the pfalz as the "platform" for this vignette (pardon the pun). As well as getting around the fabric tailplane issue, it seems to work better with the figure and doesn't dominate the scene like the larger Albatros tail does.

On the title, I do like your idea of telling the story through the title, and I agree that it will help tell the story. I would like the German phrase to be used as the main title (but my German is very bad...).

I am thinking perhaps of titles that imply a teacher / student role, with a cheeky question as to which of the figures is really in charge:

1. "Der kleine Lehrer" ("The little teacher" - based on Stephen's suggestion)
2. "Der Lehrer" ("The teacher" - simplification of the above)
3. "Lehrer und Kursteilnehmer" ("Teacher and Student")
4. "Wer unterrichtet, wem?" ("Who's Teaching Who?)

Or, some others:

5. "Lernen der neuen Sachen" ("Learning new tricks")
6. "Der neue Flieger" ("The new pilot")
7. "Der neue Wiedereinbau" ("The new replacement")
8. "Folgendes Mal, bedecken mein Endstück!" ("Next time, cover my tail!" - I quite like this one as it ties in with the pilot theme, the fact that the dog is actually resting on the tail, and the fact that the dog also has a tail... ok, simple things....)

BC

[Frentzen]

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

5. "Lernen der neuen Sachen" ("Learning new tricks")
6. "Der neue Flieger" ("The new pilot")
7. "Der neue Wiedereinbau" ("The new replacement")
8. "Folgendes Mal, bedecken mein Endstück!" ("Next time, cover my tail!" - I quite like this one as it ties in with the pilot theme, the fact that the dog is actually resting on the tail, and the fact that the dog also has a tail... ok, simple things....)

BC

#8 really is good, but I'd like to suggest a slight mod to #5: "Teaching a new dog old tricks." If you want to see the other Eduard dachshund figure, I can send you a picture.

Dan

[Brad Cancian]

#8 really is good, but I'd like to suggest a slight mod to #5: "Teaching a new dog old tricks." If you want to see the other Eduard dachshund figure, I can send you a picture.

Thanks Dan, if you have a pic could you post it here?

Also, just thought of an addition to title #8 - well, more to the vignette - maybe the addition of a couple of bullet holes and some torn fabric may help to add a little bit of spice to the "next time, cover my tail" idea!

BC

[Frentzen]

Originally Posted by Brad Cancian

Thanks Dan, if you have a pic could you post it here?

Also, just thought of an addition to title #8 - well, more to the vignette - maybe the addition of a couple of bullet holes and some torn fabric may help to add a little bit of spice to the "next time, cover my tail" idea!

BC

Here it is...

[bobs_buckles]

Brad,
Great idea.
I look forward to seeing the end result.
Cheers,
Bob