sorry that i just noticed this post, this is one sweet piece of model makin, nice seeing someone actually put fig inside the vehicle

and the trench looks the part , reaaly digg this

followin' this one

Great progress Dave, this is really shaping up now.

The trench work is just brilliant!

I didn't care for the way that "Fire Step" log looked so after researching a few more photos, it was removed and a handmade ladder added - I think it "Fits" better:


As you can see, the log roof is completed - eventually it will be covered with a scale canvas, then dirt and sod, leaving only the log ends on the front side visible:


razorboy

I agree...... Awesome work!!!

that russian is sure in for a nasty surprise
that trench is really coming along nicely!

Thanks Guys, back to work on fine-tuning the Stug and maybe shooting a little paint on it before the day is over.
Thanks,
razorboy

Lookin great Dave..cant wait to see that Stug complete..I like the fact you have the crew 'inside" the model.

I finished the Stug construction today(except the tracks) and now she's ready for some paint - dunkelgreb oversprayed lightly with rotes braun:

I also added the loaders MG 42 with ammo belt stowed and visible:


rb

Nice job Dave, nice touch with the MG.

Thanks Martyn, it'll stand out better once it's painted.

I got two of the grenadiers "Kitted-Out" with all of their gear today. There is still a bit of filling and seam removal to be done on these fellas and the others but it is fast approaching paint time. The standing figure will be MG 42 ammo carrier #2 and the kneeling figure in this set of pics is flammenwerfer guy's assistant and I thought that title justified a fixed bayonette.




I will do this for all of the infantry figures prior to painting then paint all of them assembly line style, doing all of the smocks and helmet covers at the same time. This will insure greater continuity in colour and pattern as I usually mix my own paint.
rb

I realized today that "Flammenwerfer's Guy's" assistant had not only a bayonette fixed on his KaR 98k but one also "Fixed" in his bayonette scabbard.

I have since altered his scabbard to appear "Bayonetteless"........
Sorry!
rb

I worked on the "Squad Leader" last night and got all of his equipment attached (except for his binoculars and MP40) and today will give him the once-over for any needed filling and additional seam removal. I will work on the "Grip" appearance of his hands prior to permanently affixing the binoculars and MP40. The kit shows him with a stick grenade in his belt and I have forgone that and substituted a signal (flare) gun instead.




I am almost ready to shoot some paint on the Stug. -


but at this point I am undecided as to wether I will use a canvas cover on the gun mantlet or not. If I do, it needs to be done prior to spraying. I'll decided on that sometime today.

razorboy

I got the base coat down on the Stug and inside of the road wheels last night.



Some touch up here and there on the hull and rear, paint the other side of the wheels, paint the fighting compartment roof section, then shoot some camo..

rb

Hi RB,
Excellent work as always!

Matt

That russian is going to be in a world of hurt shortly. That trenchwork is looking awesome. The modification of the figures must have been a headached but they have all come out fine. The Stug is just an awesome piece of machinery.

Thanks Matt and Mike, I need to do something with that MG belt, rounds are too big and spaced to far apart. I've got some coming from Verlinden that should look better.
rb

I've applied my camo pattern to the Stug. and have the ladeschutz about 75% finished:








rb

Dave, This dio is very impressive. The trench is awesome as is your idea for this scene. I've enjoyed following the WIP and the way you have photographed and explained your progress. Looking forward to the next update........Vince

Thanks Vince. I'm going to try and complete both crewmen today and place them permanently in fighting compartment. I think I'll leave that MG 42 out of the interior and replace with some smaller crew item like a holster or water bottle. As far as the Stug goes, I have her painted and decals on, now comes the 'fun' wheel painting and weathering of the lower hull, then the tracks, then the overall final weathering.
I'll finish the figure construction this weekend and hopefully have them painted completely (except the fleshy areas) with a base coat on the smocks and helmet covers before I finish the camo patterns (all in one session to better insure continuity). I'll finish the groundwork as soon as the figures and Stug are completed and although I'll be using celluclay as my groundwork base, I am trying a different "approach" this time ... we'll see how it works out.

Thanks for following,
razorboy

Dave,
This thing is looking awesome! Looking forward to seeing more!

Just for poots and giggles last night I put the ladeschutz in his position inside of the StuG.. I took a couple of close-ups with the old Nikkon and man .... I gotta start using a magnifier or something. I missed the piping on the epauelettes and and some of the camo pattern looks really rough up close. I guess my prescription requirements have finally outrun my current lenses!

Well anyway, I guess better the eyes than some of the other mechanics of nature so here is a 'not so close' shot until I can get him properly attended to:

... oh and he still needs shading and blending on his face and fliegermutz as well.

rb

I finished the StuG. crew today - the headphone wires are made from copper wire.




rb

The thing about doing interiors is that only a little will be visible, even if you shine a huge light down the hatch. It's a shame that this will be out of sight. If you ever take this to a contest, make sure that you put in that last picture of the completed interior next to the model! Outstanding work!

SCOTT

Thanks Scott! I could have left the interior undone and the crewmen largely unfinished but knowing that the crew and compartment are done for some reason brings me joy.(?)
Thanks for following,
rb