Doggy-Style!
Several people, when commenting upon my recently completed 1/32 Spitfire Mk.II, said that the pilot figure looks lonely and needs a dog to keep him company. These people were preaching to the choir, though. From the start, I wanted my pilot figure to have the company of a dog, problem was, I could not find a decent dog in 1/32. Recently, I picked up Masterbox’s !/32 RAF figure set (highly recommended) which includes three figures and a dog. The box art shows an Irish Setter, but the actual dog looks more like a Setter/Lab mix. Nevertheless, I went for a n Irish Setter look. The dog came in four parts, two halves for the body and two halves for the head. Body went together flawlessly, the head had a slight gap with was filled with plastic rod and sanded. I never painted a dog before so I tried an old trick. I painted my mutt an overall coat of Model Master enamel’s “Wood”. When dry I applied a reddish-brown acrylic wash, letting a good deal of this wash pool in the crevices. When dry, I took a large soft brush, moistened in acrylic thinner and lightly dry-brushed the beast. The brushed removed some wash from the high points, thus lightening them. A sort of reverse drybrushing. I am happy with the results but my dog still needs a name.
2 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on November 16, 2013
A name you say….”Winnie” popped into my head for some reason (England, Spitfires, etc.). Nice job by the way – I can’t paint figures [convincingly] to save my life. Maybe I should try animals.
Joe Caputo said on November 17, 2013
That model’s a dog ! I’ve been waiting month’s to tell someone that. Keep up the good work Seamus. !
Dan DeSilva said on November 17, 2013
Nice job on the finish! Could you post the box top of the Masterbox kit? would love to see what they offer in their figure set- I have a 1/32 Spit that I would like to display with what you have described in the Masterbox kit.
Do they have any 1/32 USN/USMC figures?
Simon Whitney said on November 17, 2013
Nice one Seamus, as for a name , how about ” Stuffy” after Dowding the Air Chief at the time. One more thing is he/she house trained?
George Williams said on November 17, 2013
Just wants me to say ‘walkies’. Anyway, it looks more like a Springer Spaniel to me? You’ve captured that kind of sad look in its eyes.
Simon Whitney said on November 17, 2013
It could of been a Skye terrier or an Airedale ?
Frank Cronin said on November 17, 2013
Seamus,
How about “Corky”? But then again you would have to hail from County Cork. “Finnigan”‘, how’s that for a second choice? Great job on the little mutt and you don’t have to feed it or clean up after him.
Mike Maynard said on November 17, 2013
How ’bout “Spot”?
Only kidding, “RORY”, red or rust colored, “BRENDAN”, prince, “SEAN”, Irish form of John meaning “God is Gracious”, “SEAMUS”, as good as any Irish name…. If I had a dog I’d call it “Com-mear”. Nice job on the pup, I don’t see his photo etch dog tags….
Alan Rush said on November 17, 2013
Very realistic, Seamus and will add a nice touch to your display.
Jaime Carreon said on November 18, 2013
Tarfu. It’s sort of between SNAFU and FUBAR. He is an aviation dog, after all!
I painted a dog once. My black Lab got underfoot during a painting session and ended up with yellow and red overspray on his back. I couldn’t find any references in Koku-Fan, so I couldn’t enter him in a contest….:-)
Craig Abrahamson said on November 18, 2013
So…….what’s the dog’s name, Seamus….?
Seamus Boughe said on November 18, 2013
Well, lotsa good name suggestions here, but I decided to go with my daughters suggestion and call him “Brannigan”. Wow, an English aircraft, a Polish pilot, and an Irish dog. Sounds like the makings of an off color joke.
Simon Whitney said on November 18, 2013
There was this English plane , a Polish pilot and an Irish dog out side this pub……
Frank Cronin said on November 21, 2013
Go on………….
Frank Cronin said on November 21, 2013
I like Brannigan. Go with that