You're doing a great job with the figures and they do add so much life to the models of the vehicles.

Keep up the great work.
Cheers,
James

@ Peter – Thanks! As you can see, I've suffered one of my cases of extreme indecisiveness, and this guy almost became permanently "invisible!"😖 However, with a fresh outlook, I decided to piddle on.

@ Cheyanne – Really glad you like the morphing! — one of my favorite parts of modeling ... until it's not. Lol!

@ James – Thank you! I occasionally try to build OOB, but find it difficult to omit some sort of figure — even if it's only a driver!

More body carving, rifle repositioning, approximately four right hand swap-outs — the BAR is now slung to the side. An over-the-shoulder sling to be added at a later date.

Thanks to all for having a look!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

So I got a little lazy, and instead of hacking another helmet liner, thought I’d tryout these little beauties from Shapeways: US M1 Helmet (set of 10) 1/35 scale. Nice overall detail ... however, three out of the ten helmets received had marginal liner details at best. ... Still, pretty happy with this one I’ve painted up.

There's even a bit of nice texturing on the outer surface.

This helmet will go to the BAR gunner, but I may leave the liner I scratched earlier for the seated figure (Page 2).

In addition, I've been painting and attaching ABER PE swivel-buckles to the rifles. Now I'm sweating the mere thought of threading slings through those tiny slots! ... And chinstraps ... lots of chinstraps! 🤪

Cheers!🍺
—mike

These figures look great Mike, and as mentioned b4 nice and simple.
Look frwd to the layout and scenery, bc the vehicles are perfect too

Cheers
Dave

Hi Dave,
Thank you very much for having a look and for the nice comments!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Hi guys, Here’s another small update.

Didn't think I’d go this far, but once again I found myself threading rifle slings through ABER PE buckles with strips of Tamiya masking tape. … Did I mention how much fun that was?🤮 … Actually, it was kinda’ satisfying once the tweezers were tamed!🤪


Two more to go. ...

Cheers!🍺
—mike

I Lurk Therefore I Am – breaking cover at last. Great figure work & surgery, Mike – what kind of base/scenery have you got in mind - are ya gonna take it to the bridge? Not Remagen apparently, and testing your music knowledge with that one…two tracks come to mind by very different artistes.

And just because I know you like a laugh, the guy in the coat seems to have a slightly oversized helmet (?) & reminded me of someone…you be the judge:

Welcome back Tim! Glad to see you’re breaking cover!

You comment, therefore I respond. … I would say: ”Maceo, take it to the bridge!🎷🎶 🎶🎶🎶… HEHHH!” … but he’s not.😅

Best case scenario: ‘The Hürtgen Forest’ on a narrow tree-lined road. The M21 Half-Track and the GPW idling in close proximity to each other. Officers step out to conduct a map check, while the GI’s are allowed a brief smoke break.

Here’s one of my image studies. I kinda’ like how the passing vehicles lean toward each other. Maybe snow … maybe no snow — anyway, not this much. ... And oh man!... would I love to build that entire convoy!


At this time, it's all just nuts ’n bolts rattling around in my head while I build stuff. However, I can say that the groundwork will feature some very nice ‘Distressed Pine Tree’ kits from The Scenic Factory, along with some of their other fine products.🌲


D’oh!!! … That helmet was driving me “nuts!” Here’s Homer sporting his brand new soup bowl. Lol!


As always, thanks to all for having a look!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Wow that snow-convoy image is unbelievably sharp…almost looks like a dio already. Sounds like a great er fluid plan – yeah the stressed trees, I tried some and all they did was whine “I’m a Douglas Fir get me outta here”. Nailed it - so much better with the de-Homer’d GI’s helmet…bet now someone’ll tell you it’s too small DOH!

OK in the quiz yo’ sco’ 5/10 yep that was one of them – the other was (@ approx 3.00 onwards…not their finest hour it has to be said):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsndjqplSOY

Hi Mike, another lurker loving your work. Not sure how cold it’s going to be in your dio, but one of the tricks of staying warm in an old Jeep is to remove all but the seven o’clock bolt on the brake inspection plate so that it could be flipped over to the outboard side allowing exhaust heat up from the manifold, which lives just on the other side of the firewall. The driver then wraps a blanket over the pedals and around his legs to keep the heat in. I heard this from both of my grandfathers, heard a similar story from a famous military vehicles book author and I’ve done it myself in my ‘46. Build on!

Hi Phil, Any ingenious little idea in order to keep warm and survive must have felt like a true blessing. One can only imagine what conditions were like for those guys.

With weather the way it's been in the Northeast lately, I hope you're not having to resort to that method now. Stay warm out there!




@ Tim – Yup, saw that one coming and addressed the matter post-haste. I shaved a bit off of Homer's HUGE cranium at the back and neck areas — way better proportions now. ... "Just a little off the sides please.✂️ ... D'oh!"

Cheers!🍺
—mike

Yes, Mike, soldiers and sailors tend to be a very creative bunch when confronted with adversity, peril or pleasure. It’s been a splendid winter for me in spite of a week without power and record snowfall and I am starting to feel some mojo again.
Cold is good for the soul but it’s easy to say that with a radiant heat brick floor under me. I saw your question about the rear axles too late to go get you a picture. I recall something about a couple of different rear axles used on early jeeps. But I am not a Jeep scientist, I just ride them. (Sorry, Oddball, Dr McCoy and Kenny Boucher). I will take some pictures of each type next time I am over there in Jeep country.