Oliver Cromwell

[Ettienne]

A while ago I asked a mate of mine if he had any figures that he thinks needs relocation. And when I received the parcel, among some Histrorex figures and some 54 mm Airfix figures (remember those?) was a classic (also read ancient) Airfix kit titled "Oliver Cromwell". Now I am not going to claim to know a lot about this gentleman other that he caused a few royal individuals to experience bouts of existential anxiety. Neither did I know the following, and yes this figure actually has something to do with ships. I read on the instruction sheet " ... he was largely responsible for establishing English maritime supremacy ..." So here we go. I made some reasonable progress today. A lot of dry fitting, sanding and filing is involved.

 

[Ettienne]

There is some slow progress on Mr Cromwell. A lot of filling, sanding and filing is involved. I am really looking forward to completion of the building aspect of this project, as I do not have much experience when it comes to painting larger scale figures. Loads to learn. It seems that I am putting of working on the helmet and the face .. oh dear. Painting faces ... oh dear again.

 

[pugwash]

Is that man wearing a skirt?

I always found that range of Airfix figures to appear 'stiff'.
Being plastic, that's hardly surprising.

I will be keen to see how you breath life into the little fellow.
No doubt a plethora of sensitive paint techniques will animate him.

Good luck with this one, Ettienne (who ever you are).

 

[AllanKP69]

Now I am not going to claim to know a lot about this gentleman other that he caused a few royal individuals to experience bouts of existential anxiety. Neither did I know the following, and yes this figure actually has something to do with ships. I read on the instruction sheet " ... he was largely responsible for establishing English maritime supremacy

Existential anxiety? Cromwell is a historical figure to be sure, but a gentle man????? Estimates of Irish deaths of men, women, and children during Oliver Cromwell's campaign in Ireland range from 200,000 to 600,000. Reading about just Drogheda and Cromwell's order for no quarter will make most people cry. Too bad Miles Sindercombe did not succeed.
A representation of the massacre at Drogheda, 1649

 

[pugwash]

Sadly, it was (and is) the assumed prerogative of those in power to have the right to terrify and murder at a whim.

At least Cromwell's 'misdeeds' are long gone.
The results, like all the others are rarely forgotten.

I had the vaguely disturbing experience (many years ago) of seeing a genuine 'death mask' from the man, displayed at Warwick Castle.

 

[AllanKP69]

The results, like all the others are rarely forgotten.

While Cromwell was a murderous despot, he was not alone in causing despair in Ireland. On our trip first visit to Ireland last year (hopefully the first of many more to come) we learned a lot about the history as it is, as you say, far from forgotten. Our guide who became a friend told us of the travails from beyond the pale to the ambush of Michael Collins. And I am not embarrassed to say we never knew the derivation of the term beyond the pale before our trip last year.
Allan

 

[Ettienne]

Well, thank you for the contributions gentlemen. In the end I am working on a "stiff" plastic Airfix plastic figure. It will probably evolve into a "cavalary figure from the English civil war".

 

[3rdJerseyman]

The murder or regicide of Charles the First was a crime. Most folks have little idea of the connection between the American Puritans and the English Civil War. The English regarded the native Irish Catholics as subhuman and had little compunction over destroying them. These "wars of religion" are the basis of the ideas of tolerance that culminated in the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.

 

[Stuart Little]

Sadly, it was (and is) the assumed prerogative of those in power to have the right to terrify and murder at a whim.

At least Cromwell's 'misdeeds' are long gone.
The results, like all the others are rarely forgotten.

I had the vaguely disturbing experience (many years ago) of seeing a genuine 'death mask' from the man, displayed at Warwick Castle.

There's 2 or 3 like that in power today (I won't name them)

Sadly, it was (and is) the assumed prerogative of those in power to have the right to terrify and murder at a whim.

At least Cromwell's 'misdeeds' are long gone.
The results, like all the others are rarely forgotten.

I had the vaguely disturbing experience (many years ago) of seeing a genuine 'death mask' from the man, displayed at Warwick Castle.

What goes around comes around, the way 2 or 3 'certain' persons are behaving nowadays.

 

[Stuart Little]

The murder or regicide of Charles the First was a crime. Most folks have little idea of the connection between the American Puritans and the English Civil War. The English regarded the native Irish Catholics as subhuman and had little compunction over destroying them. These "wars of religion" are the basis of the ideas of tolerance that culminated in the 1st Amendment to the US Constitution.

Just wondering how long that constitution is gonna last.

 

[pugwash]

I feel Ettienne's post is being miss-used by association with those wishing to vent their spleen on socio-political issues.

It's unfortunate that any of the old Airfix range of historical figures could provoke unintended interpretation.

As a figure modeller, I'm sure Ettienne is looking at his subject in the abstract, to have a platform to display his modelling and painting skills.
Like many of us he is applying what he has learned to re-live his childhood hobby experience.

Being a member of the same generation I recognise the study and context of historical figures has matured somewhat since the 'innocence' of our childhood in the '60's and '70's'.

Old 'Cowboy and Indian' movies must justifiably enrage the feelings of what we now respectfully refer to as 'Native Americans'.
Now there is a guilt trip if ever there was one.

So can we find room for Ettienne's enthusiasm to simply build an old model kit.

Most ship builds are warships which could also have similar connotations.
My pet 'hate' are models of Whaling Ships, for what I think are reasonable 'Ecological' reasons.

This is a hobby.

 

[Ettienne]

Thank you Pug very kind of you and much appreciated. You bring calm where it is needed.
Let's focus on what is happening here. A build lof of a plastic Airfix (Classic) figure.
(And I agree with your sentiment regarding the "Cowboy and Indian movies". )
Here in my country (South Africa) it is winter. In the Cape Penisula in particular we have a very wet winter. Everything takes ages to dry, filler glue, acrylics and then the ... the oils. Oh my that takes forever. But ... I did get some bench time in.
So far Mr Cromwell/English Civil War Cavalry figure has found his legs and I did some work on the helmet. The latter still W.I.P (Like the rest, I suppose).
The progress on the figurer is slow yes, but then I have the time to dream about all the ships that I would like to build ... so we saty with the nautical theme.

 

[Stuart Little]

Thank you Pug very kind of you and much appreciated. You bring calm where it is needed.
Let's focus on what is happening here. A build lof of a plastic Airfix (Classic) figure.
(And I agree with your sentiment regarding the "Cowboy and Indian movies". )
Here in my country (South Africa) it is winter. In the Cape Penisula in particular we have a very wet winter. Everything takes ages to dry, filler glue, acrylics and then the ... the oils. Oh my that takes forever. But ... I did get some bench time in.
So far Mr Cromwell/English Civil War Cavalry figure has found his legs and I did some work on the helmet. The latter still W.I.P (Like the rest, I suppose).
The progress on the figurer is slow yes, but then I have the time to dream about all the ships that I would like to build ... so we saty with the nautical theme.

View attachment 530191

View attachment 530192

At least he did create a democracy, that's one thing to his credit.

 

[Stuart Little]

I feel Ettienne's post is being miss-used by association with those wishing to vent their spleen on socio-political issues.

It's unfortunate that any of the old Airfix range of historical figures could provoke unintended interpretation.

As a figure modeller, I'm sure Ettienne is looking at his subject in the abstract, to have a platform to display his modelling and painting skills.
Like many of us he is applying what he has learned to re-live his childhood hobby experience.

Being a member of the same generation I recognise the study and context of historical figures has matured somewhat since the 'innocence' of our childhood in the '60's and '70's'.

Old 'Cowboy and Indian' movies must justifiably enrage the feelings of what we now respectfully refer to as 'Native Americans'.
Now there is a guilt trip if ever there was one.

So can we find room for Ettienne's enthusiasm to simply build an old model kit.

Most ship builds are warships which could also have similar connotations.
My pet 'hate' are models of Whaling Ships, for what I think are reasonable 'Ecological' reasons.

This is a hobby.

I'm with you there, Cap'n, especially with whaling ships. My comments were totally tongue-in-cheek, just picking up on 'vibes', no disrespect to anyone's choice of model subject. I'm afraid, I do find WWII ship models with a 'bent cross' emblazoned on them offensive.

Stuart

 

[Ettienne]

Update. More work was done over the weekend and today. I have completed the face ( I may add some detail, but that is still under review ... ) and fixed the head to the torso. I have also started some paintwork on the leather coat.
I am moderatley disappointed by the "mannequin"-like appearance of the basic figure. Pugwash mentioned earlier that the Airfix figures appeared a bit "stiff". I do suppose that the medium of plastic imposed its own limits on what was possible. But I will push through. Working on this figure gives me time to think about the next nautical or nautical-related subject (which will be inbetween doing some figures representing the South African Armed forces during WWII and WWI).
I am also using this project to get some painting practise on larger scale figures. Quite a change from the usual 1/32 to 1/12 or 1/16.