British Lewis Gunner, 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 29th Division, WW1

Continuing with my 1/6 WW1 projects for 2023, here’s my refreshed Sideshow Toys British Lewis Gunner, of the 1st Battalion Lancashire Fusiliers 29th Division. 

I was inspired by Charles Sargeant Jagger MC (Military Cross, ARA (17 December 1885 – 16 November 1934) a sculptor who, following active service in the WW1, sculpted many works on the theme of war. He is best known for his war memorials, especially the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner and the Great Western Railway War Memorial in Paddingron Station Many of Jagger’s British military sculptures had figures draped in rain capes or clutching greatcoat so that was a great direction to proceed from. Jagger designed several other monuments around Britain and other parts of the world.

Bearing that idea in mind, I reused the SST uniform as most of it would be covered by a rain cape but had to paint it as the colours had faded over time. The original elastic band straps and waist belt were replaced with skived leather discards, painted to simulate weathered canvas webbing. SST’s excellent box-gasmask bag was also painted and weathered as it was too bright in tone. Helmet, rain cape, sleeve insignias are DiD, while the corporal chervons and Lewis Gunner sleeve badge were hand painted in acrylic paint. The Lewis machine gun is original SST with painted web strap.

The British leather jerkin with shoulder overhangs was scratchbuilt out of leather, glued together with Uhu glue (honestly I’ve forgotten how to thread the bobbin thingy on my sewing machine; damn senior moments … having neglected it for years!) and painted/weathered with acrylic paint and powdered pigments. The display stand base is a mixture of mud, earth and balsa wood. All in, I enjoyed this project and am very pleased to have it as a centerpiece in my WW1 collection. 

Category : WW 1
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