Yup, much easier before hand. But I think I've got them just about cleaned up. My heads should arrive via USPS Wednesday (What's in the box!?), so until then I'm looking at something to put on the road. I tried building my Italeri panzer 38(t), which is probably older than Jesus himself, but I would need an expert's help to make it look decent. I don't want an extensive kit, but just something simple to use. I'm looking at probably a Panzer III or 38(t), if I go the way of armor.

In terms of softskins, I'm trying to make up my mind. Probably going with either a Krupp Protze or an Opel Blitz. I'm happily willing to blow $30 for a truck, and Tamiya's Opel comes with some cargo, which would be great to toss about the road.



Initially, I had wanted to put a wrecked panzer or Russian tank on the side of the road, but by now that's unlikely. However, it would probably look cool. If I go with the Opel I'd probably flip it onto it's side with the front wheel(s?) blown off. Apparently Tamiya's kit has a detailed suspension and would be eye-catching if it were shown. We'll see.

-Conor

I wouldn't put it on it's side as then you would have to make a crater or something. A reason for it to be on its' side.
I would go with the hood open or maybe a blown tire? Bullet holes in the windshield? Less is more. Of course,that's just me! It's your dio so whatever floats your boat is the correct answer. Have fun!
J

Hmm. Good point. I'll have to see once I get that far into this mess. If a crater is doable I'll give it a shot, if not then I'll go as per your suggestion. Thinking of scattering the stark remains of a 38(t) along the roadside using the Italeri mess.

Anyways, my heads came in the box Tuesday afternoon.


That reference never gets old. Actually, it's irrelevant, they came in a bag. But I digress. Look't this!







You'll notice I've got to really smooth out the putty on the guys' chests. I did a bit after taking the pictures, but not too much. I'm open to any and all suggestions on that issue. Found a seam line again as well

And, a group shot:







This is the next WIP, a fallen comrade. I'll either place him with the runners as one of them who got hit, or just ahead of the attacking Russians. We'll see. He was the assistant gunner to the dude on the MG-34, but since he's getting a drum magazine, I cut off and re-positioned the forearm, and am giving him a different head. The pant leg came torn, which gave me the idea to make this guy a casualty, but I went at it with my knife to make it stand out a bit more. It's deep in some parts, but after painting it should be lessened. I've learned that over-scribing some things can be a good thing in the long run.





So for now that's all I've got. Gonna see what I can do with the 38(t) and hopefully grab that Opel. Also the Amherst Railway Society's annual Railroad Hobby Show is Saturday, so I'll be going with my Uncle, and hopefully Ian from AK Interactive, which is now "Ammo" I guess, will be there with some weathering goodies. Above all, I'm going for the scenery stuff. ...and because trains are awesome.

I've got a good feeling about this one...


-Conor

Hi Conor,

you are absolutely right in having "a good feeling about this one"!

Full of action...that's what I like best!! (at my age...!! ).
I think Jerry might have a point with the crater, let's see!

Oh, regarding the torn pant around the knee....don't forget to add the shredded/torn material...or else it looks like a zombie has taken a bite including the pant.
A little greenstuff o.s. should easily do the trick!

Oh, and you are getting great at spotting mould lines too!

Thanks for letting us watch!!

Cheers

Romain

P.S.: you mentioned a telephone pole at the beginning if I'm not mistaken!?!? Be careful with this, we are talking soviet pampa in the 40es here. Infrastructure in the country had hardly evolved from 19th cent (or even 18th) yet, so electricity and telephone....??!???
Maybe you should put a tree in..!? They had trees..!!

I'd better get me coat....!!

Cheers

Romain

Dems sum great heads for sure. Gotta luv Hornet. I learned my lesson though and leave those helmets off until I paint the face!
Your prep and build work alone has gotten light years better. I found out the prep work makes the painting easier as well. I love when I get to paint an outstanding resin fig like Alpine stuff. They seem to almost paint themselves.
"Your guys" here are really shaping up. The guy with the shovel in his belt has a very nice grip on his Kar98K and the shovel itself is well done(maybe should be down in the belt more?)as I think in real life sticking that far up would make it bounce way too much. I speak from experience.
Nice update!
J

Thanks guys, I'm really happy with how they came out. I did get ahead of myself by attaching the helmets hahaha. But I think I can work around it. Actually, it doesn't matter what I think, because I've got to do that now regardless. The heads actually seemed a bit too small at first, but I don't think so any more.

Romain, that did cross my mind about the telephone poles. Technically they're telegraph poles...but, technically, I don't know if that makes a difference. I know that the telegraph was 19th century technology for the western world, but I haven't the slightest idea about finding them in Western Russia. We'll see. If I do trees I think I'll go to the Scenic Factory for some.

Small update today, just added the head to that one guy and started tearing up his pant leg a bit more. Had to add a scarf, since the MB necks make it a real pain to add a replacement head.





That pic kind of reminds me of a day long long ago in kindergarten playing tag with my friends. I fell, but they didn't wait for me. I'm sure that figure feels the exact same way.

The helmet hasn't been permanently fixed. Here you can get a better look at the head, post-lobotomy. There's evidence of where he used to have a full head of hair. Just super glue and baking soda!



Haven't decided if the scarf needs more work. After all, a soldier knee-deep in that kind of hell wouldn't have a perfectly maintained scarf.

Thanks for looking!

-Conor

Hi Conor,

the scarf is just right IMHO. Those faces are really nice. It adds tremendously to invest in after market heads, doesn't it!

For the torn pant you can always refer to Vlado (Bravo6). He's got a few in his range!

This is still looking good Sir!!!!!!!

Keep up the great work!!

Cheers

Romain

YES!! For the heads...you chose wisely grasshopper.
J

Thanks guys, I was skeptical in regards to the heads, i.e. how they would fit or how to fix them in place, and if they would be too big or small. The runners' heads looked WAYY too small at first, but I think they look fine now. Colorado Miniatures has finally sent the other head sets, so I should get them in the coming days.

I assembled the turret of the 38t the other day, as I might scatter some remains of it along the roadside, making it a tank that suffered a catostrophic blast. Victim of a fighter bomber or KV perhaps. I'm still plotting over the Opel as well. You guys have made a good point over the extra work that goes with flipping it. My only hesitation is that I'll be having a couple guys using it for cover, and if it's still upright there would be a fairly large gap between the bottom of the truck & the ground. That, and it would look pretty cool I think I'll come to the decision on that once I'm a certain way through it's construction.

Might grab a resin figure from First Legion to fiddle with while I do this. Just as a little distraction and to keep mmyself from bogging down in this. But! Resin kits cost a good amount more $$$ then these plastic figs! We'll see.

-Conor

Been a while, eh? I haven't abandoned this quagmire. On the contrary, I'm working on a Krupp Protze to put in the road. I always slow down a bit with the vehicles, but not too much.

The Hornet heads are tentatively glued down on some of the figures too. Mainly to get a feel for how I'm going to position them when they're ready for painting. One issue I've noticed is that the Masterbox necks are not very good for applying AM heads, as unlike Dragon, where the head and neck are a separate piece, these figures have the neck/collar area built into the torso. As you can see, that's a problem for me hahaha.



I wanted a more terrified face for that fella, but no others would have worked. So! Now he looks a tad sadistic.



These two are my favorites, they really "click" as a pair. The neck on him is messy, but that's okay, since you won't be seeing it with the German's hand covering it. Unfortunately I've noticed that the paint came off at the end of his sleeve though. I'll be handling that dude quite a bit so it probably was unwise to begin painting him.



And this is their feet arrangement. Since they'll be on a bit of an incline this won't be an issue down the road. Unless I find a way to inadvertently make it one. Which is very possible.



And finally, I threw together the turret of the Italeri 38t. The figure is just there for the photo, I haven;t figured out where I'll put it just yet. Probably on the roadside with some other debris.



So that's all for now! I hate to slow things down a bit, but I'm doing a side project as well. A little vignette...

-Conor

Hi Conor,

storywise it's not too much progress you are showing, but I would say you are still on track!
The old Italeri kit is not that bad, although the barrel and mantle sport a seamline, etc.
"Foreign" heads on necks is always a tricky business!
Be sure to look at the figures from all different angles (incl. in the mirror!) to spot possible flaws! Take pics with your phone cam too! Costs nothing!

Good luck

Cheers

Romain

I like the progress. The guy with the hand on his throat maybe has too much neck? But you are correct in that it can't be noticed with the hand covering it. For figs like this I hollow out the neck area with my dremel rounded cutting tool. It makes things a lot easier,believe me.
J

So after sort of stalling out with this one for a couple weeks, I've had an idea. As Romain said much earlier, "there are trees in Russia." That being put ever so elegantly, I decided that an environment like this:



...would be a tad dull. Maybe some other time?

Instead I like the idea of throwing the scene into something like this:



I know that rules out some of the aspects I already planned (and bought), but that may help in two ways: 1) it'll probably reduce the size of the scene 2) it makes it easier to attain, hence, I'm less likely to bog down like I've kinda just done.

Right now I still want to use a vehicle. Maybe not the Protze, but probably still the Protze. I got 2 second hand, partially built early war StuGs, Which may or may not look cool sunken into the swamp. Naturally, only an idiot would try to negotiate a wheeled or tracked vehicle through swamp or marshlands, which means I still need a road of sorts. So instead of a lone dirt road, I figure I can make one of those corduroy roads. Like this:



The basis for changing the environment was this scene here. It's from Unsere Mutter, Unsere Vater, a gruesome and depressing, but amazing, German miniseries about 5 friends during WWII.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYqVp1DVp6I

It's only a short clip, but that's basically the type of landscape I'm going for. Apologies for the slightly sadistic or offensively blunt title, I looked for something under a different name. I'm emailing back and forth with John from The Scenic Factory over how to really nail this environment, and it's been a great help. I'm considering putting signs up along the roadside reading "Minen!" but, then again, how would the Russians stage an ambush in the middle of a minefield?

Finally, progress:



Primer! This new landscape will obviously change the whole layout of things, so I'm more or less back to the drawing boards for the time being.

Thanks for looking!

-Conor

Conor, I like your thinking in the planning stage of your projects!! It pays off!!!
Russian (or ukrainian) pampa is sometimes slightly featureless, but you can find interesting spots (or "build" one incidentally).

The pampa has certain advantages (Stug no problem f.ex.), but the northern front is definitely more interesting terrainwise.

You will make the right choice surely!!

Cheers

Romain

interresting twist in here... I´m following for shure
I´ve watched the entire series, and had instinctly thought of this scene... Not shure if the syncronized Engish version has already aired, but I think there is already one with enlish subs... both are called "Gerneration War" and should be really worth watching...

What I´m wondering, is the usage of the bayonetts realstic? Well, I was thinking that nobody would put them on, while riding on a lorry through a swamp while not expecting an ambush, or would you be (mentaly) able to attach them while beeing shot at?
... but as a "wretched civilan" I might be wrong about this

Figs are all turning out mighty fine. I see that the grips on the rifles are much tighter as well! Good job!
I like the refs you are consulting too. I am also grateful for the reminder about this great German mini series. Very very well made show. I wonder if anyone here saw the movie"Hanne"? Also thoroughly well researched stuff in that one.
J

Thanks guys, the feedback means a lot. I've got a few goodies from Mr. Hoenig of the Scenic Factory, and I'm dying to start building up the environment. I want it to have a sort of eerie feel to it, but without making it look like somewhere Steven King would write about. Initially, I wanted to finish this in time for AMPS Internationals in the beginning of April, but I doubt that'll happen. Hopefully I'll finish my Korsun project or something by then.

Anyways, all the talk of a Krupp Protze has not been a load of ambitious rubbish:





And once flipped...





I don't think I'll flip it like that, though. Instead I might have it driven over the side of the road, half in the water and muck of the swamp, half more or less on the ground.

The miniseries really was great. I stayed up til 3 in the morning watching it online. Not a good idea when you've got work the next day... Anyways, one great aspect of it is that I can finally get a good look at uniforms. Not many other movies or shows have had the sort of up close look at the colors, fading, and wear and tear that the uniforms had. Really helped out when painting. On that note, I've actually done some painting...

First off is the figure with the Splinter smock. I started with shadows (splinter base mixed with black) and put it where it looked appropriate, then followed up with gradually lighter coats in the "middle ground" between the normal base coat and shadows. Once finished with that I heavily thinned down the splinter base color and began doing a few washes, then began painting the plain base color. Tomorrow I'm hoping to do the highlights and blend things together before starting the camo.







The 2 fieldgrey tunics were painted with none other than German Tank Crew no. 2. That color seemed to best match the one in the series, so I went with that, followed by highlights and shadows by mixing the base color with actual fieldgrey, flesh highlights, and other similar colors before getting the look I liked. May go back for more highlights or shadows, or simply blending things together. Maybe a wash? I've noticed some shadows are too sharp.





@Jerry, I did attempt to move the spade down a bit, but I saw a horrible catastrophe on the horizon if I went any further. So! Looks like it's going to stay in that "about to fall out" position. Poor little figure. These next to are a bit blurry, I guess I rushed through taking my pictures.





And from the top, it kinda shows what I'm going for with shadows and highlights. I picked one side that the sun would be on, thus that side is a tad brighter.





I don't much like the little recesses where the arms meet the shoulder, but by now I'm going to let it be. Got a few touch ups to do, but you get the idea.

Anyone have tips for building a corduroy road? That's the ambitious part of the groundwork.

Thanks for looking!

-Coonr

The best way to see your improvment in painting is to look at the guy with the slightly open mouth. Nice job on the teeth,etc.
As far as the road goes. The best logs for that project in real life were straight,IE pine trees were best. Simple dowels of slighty varied sizes would work. Because the real deal was almost always covered in a layer of dirt to improve the ride,it makes it easier for you because you can add groundcover over most of the roads' surface.
J

Yes the teeth did come out a bit well. One might call them a bit too white, but I read in "Eastern Inferno" that their teeth were always white from the bread they ate. Or something like that. I think the arms may be a bit too tanned. Then again, it is summer. Regardless, I've got more blending to do- and to clear up some of the tunic colors that I sloppily got on the arms hahaha. Oh well. I'm thinking I may leave the eyes as they are on these three? I might do more shadowing in the eyes themselves, but actually going in and doing the whites and the pupils may be more trouble than it's worth.

I'm glad to hear that info regarding the road. I'm going to get a couple packs of pine sticks form the Scenic Factory to use. I already have one, but I'd rather have too much than too few. Hopefully I'll start cobbling a base together soon. However, I haven't even taken my Russians out of the plastic... Much to do, and I mustn't rush.

-Conor

Not much of an update, due in no small part to not having too much time except evenings here and there. I've painted the Splinter smock, and it's my best so far (which does not say much hahaha). I don't think I'll ever master painting spinter in 1/35...however I'm itching to give it a shot in 1/16. Anyways I used Vallejos specific to that scheme, except the green, which is made up for lots of stuff. You'll notice the green in particular doesn't have that hard edge. Not sure if that's a side effect of washes or something I simply missed until seeing it now.

I attempted the actual "splinters" but stopped, as is evident in the photos. Other than that, I started the rifles as well. I've got no regular wood color, so I improvised and mixed things around for a while, which was frustrating to say the least. I'm still not pleased with it, but maybe after a bit more work, it'll work out. Finally, I put a base coat on the bread bags, but more or less washed the colors off after the pics were taken. Didn't like how it went on.





Mixed the base color with field grey to darken things a bit, and that helped a lot. It's very subtle, probably not noticeable here, but I saw the difference. Should have done before and after pics haha.





For some reason, I really like the last pic even with the sub-par painting on the bread bag. My sister borrowed the camera and somehow changed the settings to widescreen. I was angry because I couldn't fix it at first, but I kinda like it now

This was more of a rant than an update, but it's been a frustrating build over the past 2 days. Next time I should have more. Still gotta do a quick mock up before I buy a base too!

Thanks for looking!

-Conor

Hi Conor,

don't despair m8!! Days like that will regularly show up, but there is sunshine just around the corner!!!

Now to your figures.....CONGRATULATIONS!!

Your colours are great! Look at that arm (holding the K98)!! There were times...but these are over now!!!

The splinter camo is absolutely perfect tone-wise!! What could be a problem is the shape of the colour patches. Go google and type:

wehrmacht tarnmuster

and have a look. You'll see what I mean. No round edges!!

Don't forget to play with different tones that are just similar, not identical...and your figures will always look very much alive!!

Thanks for keeping us posted!! (I like that pic too!!!)

Cheers

Romain

I agree with Romain here and not much else to add. You always show some kind of improvement with your updates. Which is a great thing.
J

Thanks guys, progress is progress after all. Unless you're the 6th SS Panzer Army in Hungary during March, 1945. Part of the book I'm reading now covered that. Interesting stuff.

Ever get tired of endlessly fitting, applying putty, refitting, and gluing over and over? Me neither. But I did want some quick figures after a lot of that work, so I invested in two Stalingrad figures:







There's a few air holes (I think that's the right word) in the legs here and there, but I'm going to prime them first so I can really pick out where they are, as they're very subtle. Overall I really like them. Basically I'll use them and one or two more to signify that there's been a firefight raging for a while, and the 3 running Germans and group of Russians are just getting into the fray.

I've also been working on a bit of a Frankenstein figure. He started life as a Masterbox figure with an MP-40, but after some rethinking and what not he looks like this:


(Those big hands are an illusion, trust me, I checked )

Personally, that photo is my favorite of the update.

Using the dragon hands I hollowed out the sleeve. First time I've done that, and I like the result.

I added Dragon ammo pouches and manipulated them to conform to his torso a bit.

This is just a mock up of the wounded soldier and an NCO. As violent and unforgiving as the war in the east was, I've seen plenty of pictures similar to this:

I think it's a little unlikely that a wounded Russian would receive any help from a German or vice versa, in the middle of a firefight, but who knows...


So right now I've got to rebuild the Frankenfigure's left arm, around the little piece of sprue that's sort of acting as the bone for now. I really want to get primer on the Stalingrad figures as well, but this project will be taking the back burner for the next couple weeks before AMPS and ValleyCon up in Chicopee. I've ordered 3 Alpine figures to use with a Panther that's been sitting on the bench for almost 2 years.



I'm putting down a bit more plaster tinted with earth colors, then using some Scenic Factory mud and trees. We'll see how fast I can pull a diorama out of two weeks

I work best under pressure!

-Conor

Great update with a lot of cool stuff. I also like the look of the guy with the russian burp gun. You improved him a lot with the sleeves and hands,etc and the PE shoulder boards. The shoulder boards are on backwards though. The buttons go next to the collar and not the sleeve. Small thing though.
I may also actually be going to AMPS this year.
J

Thanks Jerry,

I was wondering about those myself. I suppose I should've taken the 10 or so seconds it would have taken to glance at some box art hahaha. Believe it or not I almost scrapped this guy after not liking the result the first time around. I guess it pays to resvisit things eh?

I'm looking forward to AMPS. I'm probably going on the 5th, so I don't miss school, even though I'd love a few days off again. Hopefully I can bang out the 3 Alpine figs in time. Shouldn't be too hard, since better detailed figures seem easier to paint.

-Conor