"Wardaddy"

When I saw Fury the other day, I immediately wondered how long it would take for someone to release a bust of Brad Pitt's character. Little did I know that there was not one, but two(!) busts available.

I picked up Young Miniatures' "Hell on Wheels" (YM1852) at the Show this weekend. As a side- bar note, it was the only figure acquired at the Show. If you like what you see on YM's site, you will not be disappointed: this is a very simple, impeccably cast, 2-piece bust (+ pedestal). It should also be noted that since my last YM acquisition, Young has switched resins: the current bust is in a cool (as opposed to 'warm') ivory (not buff)-colored resin that retains detail BEAUTI- FULLY!!!

There are two significant "marks" against this figure, and one is a potential deal-breaker:

• The proportions of the division insignia are ever so slightly off. It is arguable whether it is sufficiently noticeable to even bother, but it is to me. Since the patch itself is "clean" (read: blank), it will be easy enough to make the corrections--IF so moved.

• Depending on your vision for this piece, this one is a bit more serious. In order to include the grips of the revolver (see below) and maintain the overall length of the torso, Young "compressed" the vertical axis: the grips are effectively in the subject's armpit, and the SSI placement has all been pushed upward. There is but one decision to be made: lose the grips, OR extend the torso. The former is the quickest and easiest solution, though you may still have to modify the placement of the rank insignia. As to the latter. . . well, you will be essentially redesigning the bust. . .  

I do have one more "grip[e]", but this is in no way directed at YM. In the film, SSG Don “War- daddy” Collier carries a S&W Model 1917 revolver with "sweetheart grips". As best as I can tell, Young--or the boxart artist--was certainly aware of this. However, no matter how good of an artist anyone might be, it would be impossible to recreate a transparent piece of acrylic with a "picture" behind it with paint on an opaque, 3d canvas. So the "special" challenge of this project--should you decide to keep the grips--will be to carve a set of clear replacement grips for the sidearm. More on the image beneath the grips when--IF!--the time comes. . .

The overall challenge of this piece will be the painting. Young has provided a VG+++ canvas, but the team at YM can't paint it for you. It will be up to you to imbue life into the lifeless resin!

More to follow. . .   

“When the cost of a hobby exceeds the fun and doesn't attract new people, the game is over.” -
Oscar Koveleski, August 2003