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My First Snows of the Year
Dioramartin
Joined: May 04, 2016
KitMaker: 1,476 posts
Armorama: 1,463 posts
Posted: Tuesday, July 28, 2020 - 10:05 PM UTC
The best aspect of these forums is the collective brain, & anyone who says they never made a similar mistake’s a liar…I’ve made more than all my 6 fingers & toes…enough with the banjos. Look on the bright side, wasn’t it the Hubble telescope where someone transcribed a Euro metric-measurement component into imperial without converting it? Only cost a billion or so to correct…in orbit. Thanks for the rap but seriously there are dozens of others ahead of me in all aspects & you’re rapidly joining ‘em. Looking forward to seeing your…wait for it…more modest erections
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 04:28 AM UTC
Quoted Text
The best aspect of these forums is the collective brain, & anyone who says they never made a similar mistake’s a liar…I’ve made more than all my 6 fingers & toes…enough with the banjos. Look on the bright side, wasn’t it the Hubble telescope where someone transcribed a Euro metric-measurement component into imperial without converting it? Only cost a billion or so to correct…in orbit. Thanks for the rap but seriously there are dozens of others ahead of me in all aspects & you’re rapidly joining ‘em. Looking forward to seeing your…wait for it…more modest erections
Hi Tim,
6 fingers and toes, hmmmmm!
, is that per hand and foot, or the total for all limbs, 
?I think I read somewhere that we learn by our mistakes, that must make me a learned person...not,
.As for the compliment, thank you, but methinks not,
.Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 04:44 AM UTC
Hi all,
Today I managed to 'bed' the façade to the base, and fill the gaps between walls and snow piles.
I have also added various hinges and other hardware to the doors and such like. These were cobbled together mainly from odds and sods left over from the churchill build (see images below).
I still need to add a covering of snow to the gap filling and a shutter to the one window, but otherwise I think the base is pretty much done.
The Churchill too is pretty much completed (see images below). I think that all I need to do is 'bed' it in to the base.
Apart from those aforementioned odds and sods the only thing left is the dreaded figures,
. I had toyed with the idea of it being an abandoned Churchill with no crew to be seen...just kidding, 
...
...or am I,
.
Cheers,,
G
Today I managed to 'bed' the façade to the base, and fill the gaps between walls and snow piles.
I have also added various hinges and other hardware to the doors and such like. These were cobbled together mainly from odds and sods left over from the churchill build (see images below).
I still need to add a covering of snow to the gap filling and a shutter to the one window, but otherwise I think the base is pretty much done.
The Churchill too is pretty much completed (see images below). I think that all I need to do is 'bed' it in to the base.
Apart from those aforementioned odds and sods the only thing left is the dreaded figures,
. I had toyed with the idea of it being an abandoned Churchill with no crew to be seen...just kidding, ......or am I,
.Cheers,
,G
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 05:23 AM UTC
Impressive update. That red door looks the biz! It all looks very convincing as I have said before,it make me want to don my coat!
No worries about the figs buddy,just drive on!
I think I wrote before how I used to build a tank kit,glue the hatches shut and throw the figs away! Then one day,after seeing Shep Paines' pamphlets,I decided,what the hell,give it a try.
Now I through the tank kit away and paint the figs! LoL
J
No worries about the figs buddy,just drive on!
I think I wrote before how I used to build a tank kit,glue the hatches shut and throw the figs away! Then one day,after seeing Shep Paines' pamphlets,I decided,what the hell,give it a try.
Now I through the tank kit away and paint the figs! LoL
J
Dioramartin
Joined: May 04, 2016
KitMaker: 1,476 posts
Armorama: 1,463 posts
Posted: Thursday, July 30, 2020 - 01:39 PM UTC
Cool factor’s way, way up in the red zone now, if you’re fixing “odds & soda” make mine a double with plenty of ice. I share your figure-phobia but maybe you’ve got an advantage here – it’s so cold it wouldn’t be surprising if the crew had scarves wrapped round their chops. Balaclavas even, the ultimate get-out-of-jail card for face-painting 
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2020 - 04:35 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Impressive update. That red door looks the biz! It all looks very convincing as I have said before,it make me want to don my coat!
No worries about the figs buddy,just drive on!
I think I wrote before how I used to build a tank kit,glue the hatches shut and throw the figs away! Then one day,after seeing Shep Paines' pamphlets,I decided,what the hell,give it a try.
Now I through the tank kit away and paint the figs! LoL
J
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the feedback,
.Well I, for one, am glad you said 'hell' and gave it a try, and I'm absolutely certain that many others are pleased you changed direction too,
.As for my painting figures, I'm sure that when I was last building in my teens...a long time ago in a life far, far away,
...I seem to think that I could paint them okay. But I guess memory plays tricks, especially now I'm old and decrepit, 
.Thanks again, and cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2020 - 04:44 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Cool factor’s way, way up in the red zone now, if you’re fixing “odds & soda” make mine a double with plenty of ice. I share your figure-phobia but maybe you’ve got an advantage here – it’s so cold it wouldn’t be surprising if the crew had scarves wrapped round their chops. Balaclavas even, the ultimate get-out-of-jail card for face-painting
Hi Tim,
Thanks for the positive comment, and would sir like ice and a slice with his odds and soda,
?You having figure-phobia must be a nightmare considering the number you probably require for some of your larger projects,
.Although your idea of wrapping up faces might just come in handy if I can't get a handle on painting them, especially faces,
. Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2020 - 05:08 AM UTC
Hi all,
Not relishing this phase, but thought it best I bite the bullet and start on the Churchill crew, otherwise I'll never get this build finished,.
I decided to start with the tank commander, he's supervising the rest of the crew. I had to rebuild his jerkin around the shoulder as the arms and torso were from two different figures. I couldn't find a suitable left hand so had a go at making one with the leftover milliput (see images below).
I have also started to block-in the face and uniform colours, they look a tad rough, but hopefully will soften when I blend them together (see images below),.
I still need to finish the eyes, and add insignia, etc, but will wait until I've toned down the general painting.
Cheers,,
G
Not relishing this phase, but thought it best I bite the bullet and start on the Churchill crew, otherwise I'll never get this build finished,
.I decided to start with the tank commander, he's supervising the rest of the crew. I had to rebuild his jerkin around the shoulder as the arms and torso were from two different figures. I couldn't find a suitable left hand so had a go at making one with the leftover milliput (see images below).
I have also started to block-in the face and uniform colours, they look a tad rough, but hopefully will soften when I blend them together (see images below),
.I still need to finish the eyes, and add insignia, etc, but will wait until I've toned down the general painting.
Cheers,
,G
Dioramartin
Joined: May 04, 2016
KitMaker: 1,476 posts
Armorama: 1,463 posts
Posted: Monday, August 03, 2020 - 11:57 PM UTC
Interesting technique with the under-highlighting, taking notes. This fig seemed seriously vertically challenged in the first 2 images but somehow assumes better proportions when painted. Not a criticism in any case, I long for the day when a manufacturer produces a set of figures that aren’t all identical height/weight. There are a few civilian sets where that’s the case but as soon as a uniform’s required they all seem to go…uniform. Your commander’s face looks fine so far, he’s got that “how did I end up in charge of these idiots?” look
(Re my own fig-fobe it sure is a nightmare, multiplied because with the two assassins I have to make them look good…in up to 10 different poses
)
(Re my own fig-fobe it sure is a nightmare, multiplied because with the two assassins I have to make them look good…in up to 10 different poses
)jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 01:37 AM UTC
Well I think the initial pics prove that your trepidation was ill founded. Looks great to me! Even taking a stab at making a hand! Very gutsy.
I think in the future you would be helped with your painting ( not that it is bad ) if you prepped the plastic fig a bit more with undercutting and etching the demarcations between things like the bottom of the jerkin,etc.
Also,looks to me like the Hornet head ( wise choice ) still sits a tad high and could use some neck removed?
That being said,once again,GREAT start!
J
I think in the future you would be helped with your painting ( not that it is bad ) if you prepped the plastic fig a bit more with undercutting and etching the demarcations between things like the bottom of the jerkin,etc.
Also,looks to me like the Hornet head ( wise choice ) still sits a tad high and could use some neck removed?
That being said,once again,GREAT start!
J
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 03:06 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Interesting technique with the under-highlighting, taking notes. This fig seemed seriously vertically challenged in the first 2 images but somehow assumes better proportions when painted. Not a criticism in any case, I long for the day when a manufacturer produces a set of figures that aren’t all identical height/weight. There are a few civilian sets where that’s the case but as soon as a uniform’s required they all seem to go…uniform. Your commander’s face looks fine so far, he’s got that “how did I end up in charge of these idiots?” look
(Re my own fig-fobe it sure is a nightmare, multiplied because with the two assassins I have to make them look good…in up to 10 different poses
Hi Tim,
I know what you mean about proportions, the Hornet head does seem on the big side a tad when compared to the Miniart body,
. I guess it could be an optical illusion, e.g. camera angle, or it could be as Jerry suggests and I've made the neck too long, .I totally agree with you about uniformity of shape and size of military figures when compared to some of the civilian options, Miniart is a classic example of that.
Hope you don't get frustrated building the assassins and assassinate them,
.Thanks for the feedback, and cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 03:13 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Well I think the initial pics prove that your trepidation was ill founded. Looks great to me! Even taking a stab at making a hand! Very gutsy.
I think in the future you would be helped with your painting ( not that it is bad ) if you prepped the plastic fig a bit more with undercutting and etching the demarcations between things like the bottom of the jerkin,etc.
Also,looks to me like the Hornet head ( wise choice ) still sits a tad high and could use some neck removed?
That being said,once again,GREAT start!
J
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the positive feedback,
.I suspect you're right about the neck, it might account for Tim's observations, though I have to say the Hornet head did look slightly larger than the Miniart one. I also found it was difficult drilling a hole wide enough to take the neck without chewing up some of the clothing detail,
. Of course it might be down to my inexperience and/or my reticence to start trying to thin out the neck.What tools do you use for undercutting elements of clothing?
Thanks again, and cheers,
,G
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 03:18 AM UTC
A good general rule to remember is to have the bottom of the chin level or slightly below the line made by the top of the shoulders. There are,of course,exceptions to every rule but this tip will help your fig look more natural,specially when the Hornet head in this case,looks a bit overscale for the fig you chose. No worries there either,because some of us have enormous noggins to begin with!
I will try to retrieve my quick tutorial I posted here about using aftermarket heads.
Only trying to help. Not trying to offend mate.
J
I will try to retrieve my quick tutorial I posted here about using aftermarket heads.
Only trying to help. Not trying to offend mate.
J
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 03:23 AM UTC
Hi all,
Had a stab at softening the shading on the clothing and face of the Churchill commander (see images below).
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Only another four to go,, but I think it's an improvement on my attempt last year at crewing the Amusing Hobby Conqueror (see image below).
Cheers,,
G
Had a stab at softening the shading on the clothing and face of the Churchill commander (see images below).
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
Only another four to go,
, but I think it's an improvement on my attempt last year at crewing the Amusing Hobby Conqueror (see image below).Cheers,
,G
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 03:30 AM UTC
Yes,a thousand percent better!
J
J
Dioramartin
Joined: May 04, 2016
KitMaker: 1,476 posts
Armorama: 1,463 posts
Posted: Tuesday, August 04, 2020 - 12:52 PM UTC
Thanks G & J this is how we learn stuff (me included) & Commander’s coming to life even more, great 5 o’clock shadow & a scarf could always cover any scar tissue. Incidentally weren’t all (Allied?) tank crews below a designated height for practical reasons or was that a myth? Hey I like the Conq.C.O. that’s exactly how I felt when I woke up this morning
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2020 - 03:52 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Yes,a thousand percent better!
J
Hi Jerry,
Thanks for the kind words, much appreciated.
Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2020 - 03:57 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Thanks G & J this is how we learn stuff (me included) & Commander’s coming to life even more, great 5 o’clock shadow & a scarf could always cover any scar tissue. Incidentally weren’t all (Allied?) tank crews below a designated height for practical reasons or was that a myth? Hey I like the Conq.C.O. that’s exactly how I felt when I woke up this morning
Hi Tim,
I feel sorry for Mrs. Martin if that's what you look like first thing in the morning,
.As to smaller folk for tank crews I'm not sure, but maybe someone out there can provide us with an answer,
?As always, thank you for the positive support, much appreciated,
. Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Wednesday, August 05, 2020 - 04:12 AM UTC
Hi all,
I decided to check the size of the Hornet heads against those of the ones from Miniart that came with the chosen bodies.
As you can see in the images below I have tried to get two similar heads, both figures wearing a beret, for comparative purposes and, imho, the Hornet heads do seem a tad larger.
This might account, along with my leaving the neck a tad too long, for the sense of the figures having a vertically challenged appearance...what say you all?
Cheers,,
G
I decided to check the size of the Hornet heads against those of the ones from Miniart that came with the chosen bodies.
As you can see in the images below I have tried to get two similar heads, both figures wearing a beret, for comparative purposes and, imho, the Hornet heads do seem a tad larger.
This might account, along with my leaving the neck a tad too long, for the sense of the figures having a vertically challenged appearance...what say you all?
Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2020 - 04:16 AM UTC
Hi all,
Today I decided to roughly construct the crew of the Churchill (see images below).
The five figures are the:
Commander, he's just about finished, he'll be standing on the tank supervising.
One guy will be wrapping some white sheeting around the gun barrel. I've started to paint him.
Another chap is pulling a small handcart through the snow, the cart will be full of white sheets and a few other liberated goodies. I will need to fill gaps, etc, resculpt his right leg and arm as they're not from a tank crew set, and then paint him.
A fourth crewman is in the process of pouring drink into a cup...ideally I need to find a kettle. He needs filling, etc, and painting.
The final fellow is smoking a ciggie, he will probably have a sten gun draped over his right shoulder as if he's standing guard. He needs filling, etc, and painting.
Get these done and dusted and the build is finished, bar tidying up the edge of the base.
Cheers,,
G
Today I decided to roughly construct the crew of the Churchill (see images below).
The five figures are the:
Commander, he's just about finished, he'll be standing on the tank supervising.
One guy will be wrapping some white sheeting around the gun barrel. I've started to paint him.
Another chap is pulling a small handcart through the snow, the cart will be full of white sheets and a few other liberated goodies. I will need to fill gaps, etc, resculpt his right leg and arm as they're not from a tank crew set, and then paint him.
A fourth crewman is in the process of pouring drink into a cup...ideally I need to find a kettle. He needs filling, etc, and painting.
The final fellow is smoking a ciggie, he will probably have a sten gun draped over his right shoulder as if he's standing guard. He needs filling, etc, and painting.
Get these done and dusted and the build is finished, bar tidying up the edge of the base.
Cheers,
,G
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Thursday, August 06, 2020 - 05:33 AM UTC
Nice set-up and compilation. All the figs readily look the part and fill the assigned roles. Well done!
J
J
Golikell
Joined: October 25, 2002
KitMaker: 1,757 posts
Armorama: 914 posts
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2020 - 01:10 AM UTC
You can almost hear the guy with the kettle-to-be shout: "Brew Time, fellas!"
Nice task dividing. The commander is coming along very nice... Maybe some glazing to blend the colors of the uniform together?
Nice task dividing. The commander is coming along very nice... Maybe some glazing to blend the colors of the uniform together?
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2020 - 04:31 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Nice set-up and compilation. All the figs readily look the part and fill the assigned roles. Well done!
J
Hi Jerry,
Thank you for the supportive feedback, it's greatly appreciated,
.Cheers,
,G
G-man69
Joined: October 17, 2017
KitMaker: 944 posts
Armorama: 928 posts
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2020 - 04:42 AM UTC
Quoted Text
You can almost hear the guy with the kettle-to-be shout: "Brew Time, fellas!"
Nice task dividing. The commander is coming along very nice... Maybe some glazing to blend the colors of the uniform together?
Hi Erwin,
Good to hear from you, where have you been hiding,
?I thought I was going to be stuck with a wine bottle in hand, but managed to find a kettle in a Asuka/Tasca Firefly kit I'd forgotten I had, so used it (see images below), think there's also a stove to go with it, and I'm sure I can rustle up four more cups for the rest of the crew.
Can you please explain what you mean by 'glazing'?, it's not a term I recognise...other than for windows and pottery,
.Does anyone know whether sets of kettles, pots and pans,and suchlike that AFV crews accumulate are made by anyone? I know Miniart does a set for Russians, but I'm thinking more for British/Commonwealth and US WW2 crews.
Cheers,
.G
jrutman
Joined: April 10, 2011
KitMaker: 7,941 posts
Armorama: 7,934 posts
Posted: Friday, August 07, 2020 - 04:51 AM UTC
Brilliant fig. Fits the part to a T.
Did you put the web on his helmet yourself ? If so,what was used.?
Glazing is a painting method where you add successive thin layers of color in order to build up the shading. It also helps to preserve surface detail from being obscured by too much paint.
J
Did you put the web on his helmet yourself ? If so,what was used.?
Glazing is a painting method where you add successive thin layers of color in order to build up the shading. It also helps to preserve surface detail from being obscured by too much paint.
J
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