¹⁄35

Retreat in Normandy

21st Panzer-Division May-August 1944

Introduction

When I first saw this Revell 1/35 Kit, of the RSO/03 towing a Pak 40, I knew this was the one for me to build. It’s a funny tractor, with a good look. The RSO/03 was an improved version of the 1st series, and includes a diesel engine, improved gearbox and some others features. The RSO/01 was a German solution to the traction difficulties of wheeled transport on the Eastern Front, when the Autumn came in 1941/42. The Rso/03 was also used in the European theatre. This Revell RSO/03 comes with decals for the German 21st Panzer Division (1944 Normandy), so I decided to use these, because I like the Normandy Theatre.

The model Builds

The construction was broken down in 3 steps; Chassis, front cabin and rear cargo cabin. After each step was completed, they were painted with my Badger 150 in the Revell sand colour (That colour was also used to paint the Pak 40 and the motorcycles). After that, I began the chassis, painting behind the wheels and the chassis with acrylics, blending two tones, Burnt Sienna and Earth colour. Dry brushing the wheels with Humbrol Metallic in order to give a very used look, and for the exhaust of the RSO, the Humbrol Rust colour, followed by rust coloured Mig pigments.

The camouflage was done by airbrushing Revell Black Green colour, and Humbrol German Red Brown camouflage colour (H160). The 3 parts were assembled and a dark wash (oil Burnt Sienna) was given to the entire model. Decals were applied and then Mig pigments (European Dust) were used.

I decided to go for the Friulmodel metal tracks, linking 75 tracks for each side. They are fantastic, and looked very good. After that, they were painted in Humbrol Chocolate colour and a wash of oil Burnt Sienna, followed by Mig European Dust and placed on the model.

All of the rusty areas of the model were made with a fine brush and raw umber oil, some of them followed by a brush dipped only in spirits to make it a stain of rust. At this stage the roof was left off, in order to put the crew inside.

The Pak 40 was very good to build and fitted together well, the only thing missing was the texture on the tires. The whole model was painted in Sand colour, followed by the same wash of oil Burnt Sienna. After that, chipping was applied with dark grey colour, and when dry, painted with very diluted Humbrol Rust colour.

The main models now made, I had to do the Mk35 Wooden Telegraph Post, the Mk35 Sign Post, the Farm Wall from Plus Model(007), the Tamiya motorcycles, the RSO stowage (Royal Model),and all the figures(Warriors RSO crew, Tamiya Machine gun crew, Dragon figures (Battle of the Hedgerows) ).

The telegraph post was painted in Humbrol paints (110) and finished with a Raw Umber oil wash. The electric wires were made using thin copper wire. The motorcycles were build and brake and throttle cables were added with black thread. The sign post was painted using Vallejo White, and was then dusted with Mig pigments (European dust).

All the figures were painted using a Humbrol green colour, followed by a Dry-brushing with a lighter green. The motorcycles guys were painted in two grey tones, in order to create contrast. All of the other colours used followed the paint guide. After that the leather rifle straps were made in thin brown paper and painted, as was the strap for the goggles around the helmet of the motorcycle man. The wall was painted in Humbrol colours (Pale Stone, White and Brick Red). After gluing, the wall was given an overall wash of the Raw Umber oil, and then dusted, and stained with diluted pigments. Culinary herbs were glued using PVA (White Glue) to make the climber plants.

Diorama Build

Everything was measured and a piece of Styrofoam was cut to the desired size, the entire base was then covered with modelling clay(DAS), and the figures ,models and wall, were put in place in order to mark the clay and work out the layout of all the pieces and then removed.

When the base was dry two types of stones were added with the help of white glue. Natural lichen was glued in the bank and behind the wall, in the farm place. The Wall was glue in place and some fine lichens in the ground near the wall. On the top of the lichen hedge, artificial mousse, were glue to make the hedgerows. All of the lichens and mousse were blended in colour with the use of Humbrol (102) colour.

The tree inside the farm and the foliage branches on the RSO and PAK, were made using natural dry plants, and also blended in green shade colour. The ground was painted in two tones of acrylic (light mocha and raw umber) to blend the perimeter of the two colours I used a bit of raw sienna colour. I finished with wash of raw umber oil to fill the texture and to give the shadows of the ground.

The motorcycles were glued in place, passing by the stopped RSO. The figures were also glued in place, the position of the figures were calculated for a confused retreat, and at the same time to be able to make eye contact with the crew of the RSO, who were asking if they wanted a lift.

Conclusion

This was a diorama that gave me a lot of pleasure to make, always at night during 6 months. The kit was made straight from the box, with easy instructions and good fit. The only problem were some injection pin marks, overcame with some putty, and very bad latex tracks.