The Great Escape

I seem to have been somewhat  remiss with my posting of late, here we are in the second week of January and not a review of the previous year in sight!*   So in a manner familiar to Blue Peter fans everywhere, here’s one I prepared earlier - my entry to the ‘Nostalgia’ bonus round of the  'VI Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge' with a couple of additional photographs!

*Fear naught gentle readers there will be one coming before too long!

Nostalgia is a multifaceted and curious thing; it is about happiness, recalling a person, place or event with a fondness that time has shaped to a perfect ideal, regardless of the small matter of factual accuracy.

For me nostalgic memories can be triggered by the smallest thing and most recently that has been whilst thumbing through the, now legendary, Christmas edition of the Radio Times.  I was instantly transported back to boyhood as I eagerly sought out what marvels of celluloid entertainment were in store for the Awdry family over Christmas holiday.  In the those days there were staples that were as important to the festive period as Brussels sprouts and mince pies – I refer, of course, to ‘The Great Escape’.

This 1963 war time drama tells the story of Allied Prisoners of War and their attempted mass escape from Stalag Luft III. This is a film that is infinitely watchable, boasting a stellar cast, stirring soundtrack and Triumph TR6 Trophy motorbike!

So to my submission, five 28mm 'eBob miniatures' on a scenic base designed to instil a sense of nostalgia in all of us that love classic war films.  The miniatures themselves are interesting insomuch that there is enough detail to suggest cast members without slavishly replicating them and although not the most dynamic of poses there is a quality to them, giving me an opportunity to interpret them in any way I chose.  The three main characters were based on a ‘Fenris Games’ planked floor to tie in with the theme of the submission.

The base was initially conceived as a small set to showcase the miniatures with elements from ‘4Ground’ all constructed on a ‘Warbases' 120mm MDF disc,** but why stop with one floor when you can have two? Devotees of the film, and for that matter history itself, will know that the Allied Airman, had planned to start a series of tunnels to make good there escape and it only seemed fitting to try and incorporate that into this build. Scraps of blue form, coffee stirrers and cooks’ matches formed the basic construction and them came the detailing.  The tools, littered around to show evidence of industry, are from ‘Essex Miniatures’, whilst the timely rediscovery of part of an ‘Ainsty Castings’ ore cart was pressed into action as the trolley system used to transport the dirt and men through the tunnels.

I have actually run out of old blank CDs!

The final addition of some photographs of sweethearts and flickering LED lights just seemed to help bring the whole thing to ‘life’.  This was a hugely entertaining diversion to work on and I couldn’t help but hum the theme tune whilst I tinkering away on it, all helping to reinforce those feelings of nostalgia that this film evokes.

 Just when I start to think that I'm getting into my stride, painting wise, the school bell tolls and I can safely say that my next entry is unlikely to be so ambitious!  That said if you get a chance, do pop over and cast a vote for your favourites, just click the link here.