Wednesday 28 September 2016

28mm Captain Haddock

You Wait For Ages...

I'm annoyed.  I've just gone to the trouble of converting a figure to use as Captain Haddock.  For anyone who doesn't already know, the Captain is Tintin's best friend and sidekick (after Snowy, the dog) and you can't really have one without the other.  I previously built Copplestone's excellent Tintin and Snowy and needed a Haddock to go with them.  So, here's my model:


Haddock is a perpetual and extreme drunkard, but is fiercely loyal and has an impressive command of nautical-themed invective.  He is usually dressed in a blue roll-neck pullover, captain's cap and a black blazer, but I couldn't find any model quite like that.  There were the occasional U-boat commanders or similar models that just about had these elements, but they really looked too thin and fit to be the past-his-prime Haddock.

In the end, I used a figure from Black Cat Bases - a seaman with gun and pipe - but I've removed the pistol and replaced it with a whisky bottle.  Haddock is sometimes seen without the blazer, so I think this is acceptable.  I'd have liked my model to have less in the way of sideburns, but that's perhaps a bit picky.

Then Two Come At Once!

So, if you have read this far then I bet you're wondering why I'm annoyed.  After all, this is a pretty good figure, right?  Well, I had just finished this figure and was wondering how to model Professor Calculus, Thomson & Thompson and possibly other members of the gang.  I'd even gone so far as to inquire on The Miniatures Page after sources of 28mm umbrellas (basically, there aren't any available as separate pieces).

Then I discovered that someone else, with rather more sculpting talent than I have, has done this.  Not only has he worked out Pulp Alley stats for Tintin and his mates already, but he has made his own figures for at least some of them!  And there's more: reading down the thread, there's an intimation that these models will soon be available from 1st Corps Miniatures (note that there is no mention of this on the 1st Corps website, though - and this would seem to be a bit of a departure from their usual offerings).

So, maybe if I'd just waited a month or so then I wouldn't have needed to make my own conversion or spend long hours pondering how to make the other models needed for a game...

16 comments:

  1. Ha, well at least he looks good! The bottle with label is a work of art!

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    1. Thanks, Lee. I've been experimenting with painting of glass and other transparent objects; my efforts are getting better, I think.

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  2. I think yours is awesome Hugh and you can certainly see who it is supposed to be. Great conversion work too!!

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    1. Well, the conversion is really limited to a hand swap, so nothing too complex. Still, thanks!

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  3. As soon as I saw the name and the figure I KNEW who it was. SO the conversion definitely works. And works well. Will you do the Thompson Twins?

    Not a Tin Tin Fan but it is easy to appreciate the skill and workmanship you have achieved.

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    1. Thomson and Thompson are very much on my "want" list. However, if you thought that finding a seaman in a cap was hard then finding city-type gentlemen in bowler hats, carrying umbrellas is nigh on impossible!

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  4. Absolutely brilliant what a great conversion, instantly recognisable too - love it!

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    1. Thanks, Michael. If other people find hi very recognisable then there is hope for my plans yet :-) ...

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  5. Very good, love the whiskey bottle!

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    1. Thanks, but that would be "whisky", not "whiskey". Haddock's favourite tipple was the Scotch "Loch Lomond" brand rather than any Irish or American spirits :-) .

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  6. Excellent job he is obviously in full on party mode and therefore he is not as groomed in the facial hair department as normal :D

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    1. Hmm, I hadn't thought of that. Now that you mention it, the captain rarely/never shows signs of extreme slovenliness, even though his face is somewhat depicted as suffering the ravages of drink.

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  7. Very good conversion piece of Captain Haddock! Don't be annoyed ... be angry and paint the hell out of the next Tin Tin related mini and make it a good one ... paint job that is. ;) :)

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    1. Oh, I'm not really annoyed, you know :-) . I just find it ironic that I've waited so long before tackling my own Captain Haddock, just before finding out about a possible commercial release of a figure designed specially for that purpose.

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  8. Good looking version of the Captain C6; would it anooy youeven more if I said that I think that there is an Old Glory figure that would also be suitable ?
    On a similat theme, any luck with the Thomson twins search for suitable minis ?

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    1. Thanks, Joe. I am aware of the Old Glory figure ("Captain Josiah", right?), but when I last enquired of Old Glory UK, I was told that there weren't any copies in the UK. I wasn't prepared to wait for (or pay for) a special order.

      Thomson and Thompson are very high on my want list, but I haven't found an figure that is remotely suitable yet.

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