As I mention, I dropped the Kubelwagen for a new concept terrain wise. Figures are still the same or very similar. But found new inspiration by finally getting my copy back of “Enemy at the Gate” - ( Always be careful who you lend to... particularly if they are related) – and popping it in the VCR while I worked.

New concept puts my Germans in a trench inside Stalingrad, next to a destroyed building. I took pixs while I worked, but the OM Gremlins* ate my first set of pix, so all I have are the 80% finished... need to detail and finish painting







Thanks for your input,

John
www.johnneill.com

* OM Gremlins-Operator Malfuntion Gremlins

Neill

Looks mighty down and dirty! I love it. When you first showed the cut in the wood a few days ago I dreamed it would look like this. Great work.

HastyP

Looks great john, nice and dirty. Like the use of the balsa for the trench wall and floor.

Hey Neil!

That is simply looking excellent! I love the base and how you have it cut out, Ive been mauling something like that around in my head.

Its going to look really good once finished, keep up the great work!!

Using the bowl was inspirational John. And i love the idea that the hole in the wall allows the viewer to see the trench from both sides. Great trench .. very realistic. The use of timber on the sides and flooring and corrugated tin on the sides makes this look like a scaled down version of the real thing. What did you use .. corrugated cardboard? Nice rubble and colouring also! Shaping up well!

John, looking awesome my friend. I love the rubble and the opening in the wall. Can't wait to see the rest of it.

Very nice!!

I've been using Celluclay and plaster of paris for years --- I think it's high time I tried Durhams Water Putty. What's it like to work with?

That looks great, Neill

That trenchworks look fantastic

Thanks everyone forthe postive comments!

"What did you use .. corrugated cardboard?

Plasticbattle: I used metal foil I salvaged from the left over SUPER Glue tubes – Clean & flatten. I next made a guide/mold out of wire wrapped around a piece of use - evenly spaced on one side. It hen just pressed the metal foil on the mold and burnished it with pencil. Lift up and scale corrugated metal.

"I've been using Celluclay and plaster of paris for years --- I think it's high time I tried Durhams Water Putty. What's it like to work with?

Hollowpoint: I have used Durhams for years. It work just like plaster but dries harder. It can be sanded and drilled. I usually pour it like plaster then after about 20 minutes it hardens to a leathery consistency. This is when I sculpt/carve out the bricks, rocks etc. NOTHING is ever thrown away. What ever is left I ether form into bricks or simply let dry and toss into a plastic bag, to be smack with a hammer, and tossed into my rubble bin. Check out my article on building walls, “Hunter or Hunted” for more details or drop mea line nad I can get you more info.

Thanks again for the kind words...

John
www.johnneill.com

Neil I just noticed that your original sketched showed a car stuck in the trench with the crew shooting it out. There was no building wall. What are you going to do now?

My Grandfather, fine Scot that he was, once told me

"A woman, an artist and the man holding the gun on you, all have the right to change their mind"

Next dio I may use the Kubelwagen.... Artistic License

My thoughts are toward a German MG crew being out flanked.

Neill

I can't wait to see what evolves from the original idea!

You re going very good my friend seems very ..real. i like it a lot , the idea and the built up.

Durham's is good stuff to work with. I add a little tile grout powder (brown or green depending on the cover material, dirt or grass). Then the original gold color won't show up whne I drill holes, etc.

Sealhead (Kansas Sunflower)

Me too!

John
www.johnneill.com




Thank you! Now I must get the figures and details done in time...

John
www.johnneill.com




Great advise. I tend to drop in some appropriately colored acrylic paint into the batch. I will have to check out the tile grout colors.

If you ever get a chance check out the old FSM articles by Ray Andersen (USA). He's a true Master, ala Shep Paine or Bill Horan. He completed the FSM series and put it, plus some extra into soft back book by Kalmbach Pub. He converted me from a Celluclay guy to a Durham Fanatic.

John
www.johnneill.com