After consideration and the advice of others Ive decided to go with using the JPz IV in this scene..
the tree was made from Super Sculpey over a wire armature.

I havent yet decided on what commander to use for the tank..Id like to find a nice cmdr looking through binoculars any ideas?
and for ground troops. would these be proper for late war?

Great build with the Jagdpanzer IV so far, really like the way the paint looks. The Alpine troops should fit just fine, but I maybe would "rough" them up a bit. LIke for the guy on the left maybe an MG with an ammo belt round his neck, or a camo covered helmet(just an example). You know stuff like that. Cant wait to see more on this one, it will look good all tied up! Keep it up!

Johnathon

I like the addition of figures.
Two things to think about, German armor uniforms were black and you should swap out the helmet for a soft hat.
Not sure of the pants on the figure with binoculars, not sure if they fit an armor cmdr.

thanks scott, Im not using those as the tank crew, there will be a commander, plus the infantry

The set in question features early war infantry (1939-41).

The Panzer IV/70 (V) (the shortbarrelled version was called Jagdpanzer IV), was issued to Panzerjager companies of Heer and Waffen-SS Panzer- and Panzergrenadier divisions. They were also issued to s Heeres Pz Jag Abteilungen.

For a suitable figure set I'd look at fe these:
(Waffen -SS)
http://www.alpineminiatures.com/imagepages/35077.html
(Heer)
http://www.alpineminiatures.com/imagepages/35038.html

thanks Marc, thats exactly what i wasnt sure about. I appreciate that info.. Do you have any idea of a tank commander that would be suited to go inside the tank and looking through binoculars? Id like to have a couple of figures on the ground (like the ones you show) plus the commander in the JP..

Looks as though you are off to a great start Tim. I particularly like that scratch built tree - very nice. I also like the paint on the IV, the primer under the bow MG port cone is a realistic touch.
Well done,
razorboy

hey thanks Dave, I appreciate that. heres a pic of the final model..it was part of the tank killer campaign

Oh - I missunderstood, I thought you wanted to use the boxed figure as a cmdr.

If you are under a time crunch and can't wait for different figures, I have read and seen images of Later war units with all sorts of uniforms. Late in the war units were put together with guys from dfferent areas. If you want a rag-tag 'look' these would work, if you want a more put together unit then go with the other Alpine figures suggested.

Maybey the figure in this new Zvezda set would work?
http://www.militarymodelsandaccessories.nl/p-15447-german-tank-crew.aspx

Hey Scott, its cool.. I appreciate the help. No time cruch really..so I think I'll use one of those sets...
Marc, I see the figure your refering to.. I'll have to look into it never seen that brand of figures in person, but he might work..though looks rather early for the period since he's on an early Tiger I.

Heres some more progress ..still have ALOT of vegetation to add not to mention the leaves on the tree.

Regarding German infantry uniforms, it's possible to see an occasional soldier in 1939 uniform later in the war, but not common (perhaps he's a rear echelon soldier recently transferred to the front). Early war uniforms were Field Gray (gray-green) with dark, bottle green collars, and pleated pockets, and troops were issued with the traditional jackboots.
The 1943 uniform eliminated the pocket pleats, and the collar was the same material as the rest of the uniform. Pure wool gave way to shoddy wool/rayon blends, and the color was often less green (it was unpopular--rayon was a new technology, and the early stuff tended to shred when wet). Low boots with canvas gaiters supplanted the tall jackboots.
The 1944 uniform jacket was similar to the British type, a waist length garment with no skirts. Insignia on late garments was less ornate, with cheaper embroidery.

thanks for the info Gerald.. very useful.
Im beginning to get these thing moving along now with more and more foliage. Still have more to place and also some smaller trees/bushes along the front to help conceal the JP .

I found some usefull plant stuff in my stash thatll make great limbs for the oak tree. I figure around this time period the oaks begin to show signs of blooming.. these will be painted later to match the tree better. also waiting to get some dead oak leaves vendor.

and heres more sticks and old limbs layin about

The ground work is coming along well, love the multiple shades of grass.
On the oak, the 1st image looks like you are overlapping the branch wire and foliage and gluing, the second looks like you have used a drill and insert method. I like the later, not sure how the formeris going to work on its own. Try to make the joint as seamless as possible, or as naturally flowing as possible.

hey Scott, your right ,my initial attempts didnt fare well.. was trying to use CA glue..but it took to long with not so good results.. then I tried using the hot glue gun..now that worked just fine, plus the glue helped to blend them in..next time I'll add holes in the clay before baking and forget about leaving out wire for the smaller branches..that just didnt work in this case. so..heres the budding branches so far...I think now it wont be necessary for any small trees up front..just maybe some small shrubs or bushes should do it

The final results are nice. Great tips too.

The ground work looks great, especially for your first diorama!

zaltar

Tim,

Nice dio, I really like the Jagdpanzer IV.

Darryl

I really love your groundwork, it looks very realistic. Pretty amazing for a first try.

thanks guys..I appreciate that! but its not done yet..still have figures to add

That is excellent !!!

Hi Tim,
Fantastic job so far, you've an excellent eye for detail.
Ive always loved the JagdPanzers shape and form..kinda like a tortoise with attitude!
Your groundwork is very impressive, what did you use for the vegetation?

Regards Paul

Tim, your tree looks better each time I see it. Painted up, I had tolook twice. Fantastic job on it.