Hi Joe,

Thank you very much for the link to the article on floor finishing materials, it's much appreciated, .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

I'm about 90% done with the Cromwell (see images below), this is my second attempt at getting a kit almost to completion, i.e. built, and with the painting almost finished.























There are some minor bits and pieces still to be added, e.g. track, and the searchlight lens. I also need to think about adding the dreaded figures, , but I'm probably going to start on the base next and then finally complete the Cromwell when I try and blend the two together. I'll continue the 'base' build in here.

As previously mentioned, this build is more of a testbed in developing a style, one that I'm not totally happy with and has some way yet to go, . I have definitely made a few mistakes, and there are a number of things I would do differently, and a number of new things I'd try.

But hey, every day is a school day, and there are so many talented people in here whose work both inspires and informs, and drives us to hopefully improve our own attempts at the hobby.

Maybe we should have a TV show called 'The Great British (add your own country as applicable) Build Off', .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

I've started to rough-out the base using foam board, a material that I've not used before, so not sure how well this will work out, .

To be honest, this base is being built a little on the hoof, so I'm not 100% certain of what the finished article will look like, . Again, it's a sort of experimental testbed, a chance to try various methods I've seen and/or read about in here, .

Having cut out the base (A4), and the lengths that will make up the walls, I glued two pairs together using contact adhesive to make two lengths of suitably thick wall.

I then 'damaged' one length and added an opening for a door in the other, then cut them to fit the base. I've cut the door aperture oversize as I will need to line it with something suitable.

I then realised I would need to raise the wall up slightly as I want to have an uneven floor to the 'courtyard', (see images below).











Any advice, and/or suggestions, will be more than welcome, .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi Gareth,

Am I right in assuming you've abandoned the railway/England early '44 scenario? I'm assuming you have not that it matters very much.

You have marked up your Cromwell as a Headquarters Troop tank from the Divisional HQ so I'm assuming you'll have to depict that as necessary stooging around one of the Sabre Squadrons' Fireflies of one of the constituent armoured regiments (of the respective Brigades of the Div). That shouldn't be a problem but you'll have to devise your markings accordingly. Don't forget that if you have revised your project that the "When, Where, Why" etc may still be useful in identifying what needs doing.

11th Armd Div is recorded as having only Shermans within its Brigades but did have Cromwells in its integral Armoured Recce Regt - it is possible that the HQ Troop had its Cromwells from there but I recall that the markings allocated by Tamiya as one of the options was based on a photograph so I'm assuming is therefore accurate.

This is not to carp; stowage and finish look just fine and my comments are purely that "comments" not "brickbats".

Keep it up!

Brian

PS I also hope this doesn't come across as too "preachy"(!)

Hi Brian,

First off, not 'preachy' at all, your input, as with anyone else's, is always appreciated and valued, . As you know from my Conqueror build, I will try to take onboard advice, so please keep it coming. However, there will be times when I can't...usually when I've gone too far to correct things, .

You're absolutely correct about the 'railway/England' issue, I'd sort of lost track (no pun intended, ) as to how this post started out, . It's now become more of an experiment in methodology.

You've caught me out on 'markings', , it's one of the reasons I tend to prefer it when you get options for 'an unknown unit or, dare I say it, leave markings off, that way one isn't fixed to accuracy relating to a point in time and space...hums the Dr. Who theme, .

Unfortunately, my modelling limits/knowledge, both historically and visually, are never going to lend themselves to accurate representations of 'real' vehicles, as can be attested by the Cromwell paintwork, .

I think my approach to modelling could be classed as 'comic book' as opposed to 'history book', . The images and stories in 'The Hotspur' were always pleasing to my eye, but never as accurate and realistic as those in 'Picture Post or Time magazine), .

Thank you again for your feedback, and cheers, ,

G

Well, there is really nothing to be ashamed for... The Cromwell does look stunning. (only ythe white blob on the fender does look a bit out of place...

I was also surprised that you veered away from the railway theme...
Yet, I will patiently how this new concept will work out...

Hi Erwin,

Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated. Which fender is the white blob on, front, back, left or right? I might pass it off as bird droppings if I can't easily remove it, .

I'll revisit the railway idea in the future, but need to do some research as I've been told that the Miniart track that I'd hoped to use was really suited to German railways.

Thanks again, and cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

Not had much chance to get any modelling done today, . However, I've decided that a small part of the farmyard will be cobbled and have been giving some thought as to how I might achieve this.

Initially I thought I would simply indent the foamboard surface, but the results were too uniform, and the recesses between the cobbles not very deep.

I also considered buying one of the miniart cobbled street sections, but decided against it.

Eventually I decided to cut 4mmx4mm squares of thin card to represent the cobble sets, and stuck them to the foamboard using white glue. I left a suitable gap between the sets, and I can add single and double layers to create and uneven surface.

On top of the 'cobbles' I stuck the same rough tissue that I used on the 'tarpaulin', soaked it in diluted white glue and teased the tissue down into the gaps left between the card sets (see images below). The good thing about doing this is that it helps conceal any slight difference in the size and shape of my cut squares, .

On the first image you can see an untreated piece of the rough tissue to the left of the cobbles.







Once I've finished laying the sets I'll 'grout' between them and, hopefully, they'll make a reasonable cobbled yard, .

It should be a relatively cheap, easy and quick way to create paved areas.

Cheers, ,

G

I meant on the left rear fender.

For the cobbles, they honestly do not really look like the. More like tiles...

Hi Erwin,

Thanks for the feedback, .

Think I've worked out what you mean by 'white blob', that's a basket of goodies covered in a white sheet, , I wanted to add a splash of different colour, but maybe I need to work on it, .

I appreciate your comment regarding the cobbles looking more like 'tiles', , it's early days of experimentation, and only a tiny area. Below is an image of the sort of thing I'm aiming for, along with a couple of shots of a slightly larger area that has been roughly 'grouted'.











By-the-way, that's not the final colour of the cobbles, it's just my attempt to show what I'm trying to achieve. I'll also clean more of the grit off of the surface once it's dried.

Cheers, ,

G

Nice cobbles, & I’ll see you in the Cobblers Anonymous secure facility real soon

Gareth,

If Tim says your cobbles are up to spec then simply rejoice! (see his Anthropoid project).

I'll come and visit both of you at the aforementioned secure facility.

Brian

Right. The white goodies certainly stand out. Otherwise I wouln't have mentioned them

I guess I was a bit quick, hitting the reply button. :O
The cobbles did look a bit large initially. I like them better now that you've made progress

Hi Tim,

Thank you for the positive feedback, though I have to say it's a miniscule cobble undertaking on my part compared to the amazing task you've taken onboard, .

As to 'Cobblers Anonymous (CA)', I certainly feel like checking myself into the secure facility but, based on the ratio of my cobbles to yours, I suspect I'll be allowed out sooner than you, .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi Brian,

I have been following Tim's build, it is truly amazing. The quality and vision Tim brings to our hobby is truly awe inspiring, .

You'll have to check on visiting hours, but don't forget the grapes and a bottle of brandy when you come a visiting me and Tim, .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi Erwin,

Feel free to mention things, it's always good to be pushed if something looks strange, or wrong, .

Glad you think the 'cobbles' look a tad better second time around, .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

Today I was able to find time to get all the 'cobbles' cut and glued down on the base (see images below).





It looks a tad odd at the moment, but I'm trying to achieve a 'look' that says 'old', hence the 'cobbles' not being laid nice and square and even, . Hopefully it'll all come together when it's finished but, if it looks awful, I can always position the Cromwell to cover the majority of it, .

There was also enough time today to cover the 'cobbles' with tissue soaked in diluted white glue and sculpt the resulting mush in to the grooves (see images below).







Hopefully, tomorrow, I'll be able to get it 'grouted' and then begin to build up the groundwork around it.

Cheers, ,

G

Have you thought about giving some colour variation to those cobbles? Some are a little darker and some are a little lighter than the average grey rock.
If you plan on doing this then it might be wise to do it before the grout ...
Looks good!

Claims to be from London:


From Paris

/ Robin

Hi Robin,

As usual, thanks for the sharing of images and ideas, . I hadn't thought as far ahead as the painting of the cobbles, so the images will be very useful in helping me add a touch of colour variation to the groundwork.

Cheers, ,

G

Hi all,

Have started forming the groundwork within the courtyard. Initially I built up the area using bits of polystyrene packing (see images below).







On top of which I added brown tinted plaster, into which I pressed fine sand to give a textured finish (see images below).









I am awaiting some material to construct the wall, once the walls are finished I'll blend the groundwork up to the base of the wall. Then I'll form the groundwork outside of the walls, and then begin to detail the ground properly.

Cheers, ,

G

"Sorry darling, we really NEED that new big shiny new flatscreen TV, other wise I can impossibly finish this fantastic diorama!"

You make nice progress...

Hmm the brandy has to be smuggled into CA facility, my Rioja gets through in Tamiya acrylic pots but sometimes I get confused & have a technicolour yawn. Thanks for the rap, your scene’s shaping up great. I too have been meditating about painting the c***les (see I’m that far gone I can’t bring myself to type the word anymore), with yours I’d go subtle - besides surely they’ll be semi-concealed under debris & general dust? Unfortunately I don’t have that get-out…

G , first off , excellent job on the armor .
Second , your cobbles look just fine . Once you add the broken wall debris , grasses, ground scatter the cobbles will be a non issue .
They'll look just like what you made them to look like .

Hi Erwin,

Thanks for the kind words, .

As to the TV, you must be a mindreader, I have been looking at the possibility of a new one, but it's just so confusing...so many options and brands, . It's a bit like modelling, once upon a time it was Tamiya and Italeri, and rarely did they duplicate a vehicle. Nowadays it's a half dozen or more often offering the same vehicle...so confusing...and as for paints... .

Cheers, ,

G

Hi Tim,

I certainly do not envy you having to paint all those 'cobbles'...yesss! I can still bring myself to speak the word, .

Had one attempt at painting mine and was not happy with it, so it's back to the drawing board for me and, as you say, subtle and hide them under the Cromwell and debris, .

Cheers, ,

G