Hello all, I haven’t posted any of my work in quite some time; the usual stuff just keeps getting in the way — excuses. Though I haven’t been totally slacking, I have been struggling with motivation. Anyhow, here’s a little something along the way — one of the DAK theme soft-skins and some figures that I’ve been working on.

I tend to get my ideas from reference images, so here's a screenshot that I pulled off of a YouTube clip.


The base kit is the Italeri 1/35 scale Kfz.15 Horch (No. 6215) with some AM added and some minimal scratch-building.

Here’s a rundown of the AM parts:
DEF Model Horch Kfz.15 (sagged) resin wheels
Minor canvas side windows
Value Gear stowage
Tamiya Jerry Cans
Alliance vehicle dials

Scratch-building:
Left windshield (cut-out)
Interior door handles
Left fender Jerry Can rack
Fuel filler guard


Vallejo Primer: German Panzer Grey (73.603) with a touch of White (74.600) added.

PE Canvas side windows in primer: Tamiya Fine Grey Surface Primer (rattle-can).

Started Franken-figuring and dry-fitting the figures.

Canvas side windows WIP ... gotta' use your imagination for now.


Cheers!🍺
—mike

Finally got the airbrush hooked-up today — first time using it since I packed it up and moved five months ago.
So here’s a small update on the Horch.

Painted the canvas window frames with Vallejo German Camouflage Beige (70.821). Next, it was on to installing and trimming the clear film. I used Gator's Grip Hobby Cement (thin blend) for this assembly.


Cheers!🍺
—mike

Look excellent so far, I really like it.

Great work here Mike. I can't wait to see what the finished model looks like.

Robert

Thanks guys, I appreciate the comments!

I was able to get some airbrushing time in today, so here’s a quick update. Base color: Vallejo Desert Yellow (70.977)



Hope I'll get around to hand-painting the tires soon.


Thanks again for having a look!

—mike

Today's Horch update.

Clear film was added to windshield frame.
Tires: Vallejo Dark Rubber (70.306).
Weathering: A little restrained chipping using an X-Acto blade and sanding stick, etc. Vallejo Dark Rust (70.302). Pin-wash: Vallejo European Dust Wash (76.523).


I also dug-up a briefcase and a map case from the spare parts box.


The photos are very damning — not quite there yet — more touchup to follow!
In the meantime, I hope to work on the figures some more.

Thanks for having a look!

—mike

One of the few really good Italeri kits, and maybe my favorite by them. Good job!

@ Biggles2, Thanks! Yeah, nice kit and it’s been a fairly easy build so far, even though I did get carried away with the AM and a little scratch-building. I call this one a warmup for the Bronco ‘Mittlerer Einheits PersonenKraftwagen Kfz.12 (m.E.Pkw)’ that I have on deck — way more complex. Even the name is a mouthful!

Meanwhile, here’s an update.

Decals applied and some piddly detail & touchup here and there.


Oops, no pic of the dashboard gauges ... they did turn out well though.


Cheers!🍺
—mike

Hi guys, here’s tonight’s update.

Figures are primed with Vallejo Grey Primer (73.601).


I actually wound up reworking the General's coat and left arm — just didn't look right. Before (DML box art), after (middle & right).


In addition, the left arm on the backseat guy has been swapped out; he'll be holding onto the window frame when finished.


Big figure painting session ... base coat applied! My Hornet Heads order hasn't arrived yet, so I just kept going and painted the DML heads for now.





Later!🍺
—mike

The Hornet Head shipment arrived today, so I'll be replacing the remaining DML heads with these guys.

Aiming for some bench-time tonight and tomorrow but this is it for now.

—mike

Today's small update. ... Hornet Heads in place.

The General's coat flap has been modified (split and refitted) in order to bring the left arm forward — that was tricky but I'm pleased with the result. Note: The seat-cushion has been permanently attached to the figure for some time now; this was really helpful in fitting him to the vehicle.





A few more tweaks and this one will be done. Can't wait to get some matt varnish on this to make the dreaded shine go away!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Looking good Mike, me thinks of getting one!

Tat, Thanks for looking in!

Yeah, grab one of these kits and enjoy!

Fantastic work Mike , exceptional canvass side windows and the figs turned out great !!!

Really nice work. I like the windshield. That two piece design threw me for a loop on the SDKFZ 7/2 I am working on. Ended up wrecking my windshield.

Thanks for the comments!

Cheyenne, Unfortunately, there’s no “public pool” for these guys to relax in … just a vast, dry, dusty, boring desert!

Marc, The windshield just required a good eye, a steady hand, some Evergreen, and a very sharp (brand new) No. 11 X-Acto blade. Well ... Evergreen and a box of X-Acto blades ... I've got those two, anyway! Note: The original windshield frame in this kit is Styrene and not the brittle clear plastic type — much easier to slice ’n’ dice.

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Thought I'd give these mats a try:
DioDump (DD082-A LARGE (20 x 30cm) 'Desert Terrain Mat'

I just plopped the two vehicles onto one of the mats for a quick test.



Cheers!🍺
—mike

Mike – well it’s about time! & that base looks great too. Is this at all related to “Weapons ID” & the longed-awaited homecoming of the touring Supremes?

Thanks Tim!

This is merely a medical experiment General's staff car Horch I've been picking away at. I'm not really into the vignette-style for this one, so more real-estate and more traffic is planned for what I have in mind. I'm sure you can relate. Haha!

And no, this is not related to the “Weapons ID” Supremes Horch — like so many others, they are still in the queue impatiently waving at me to finish the job.

Meanwhile, here's a little tune for you guys: 🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶🎶... 🎶🎶🎶🎶

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Aha OK understood, guess you’ll be taking out a mortgage for 20 or 30 more of those mats then! And thanks for the anonymous-equine track - can’t top that, always been in my all-time top 10 track list since the first day I heard it