Hi Erwin,

Thanks for the feedback on the IBG kits, I suspected that might be the case having read through the instructions of the two kits of theirs that I have.

How goes your build?

Cheers, ,

G

The build goes ok. I found out the steering column was too short to fit a figure, so I had to replace it with a piece of wire and Somehow, during moulding a chunk of the fram was not filled in, so I had to create something from plasticard. Also I want to create a tilt, something I started with yesterday.

The base is ready, the gun is in place and so are the figures.
Also piled up a bunch of empty shells. This leaves only the supply truck to be added.

The introduction of figures never fails to double the impact & provide a sense of scale, with a gun this big the effect is trebled. I really like how you kept the weathering & wear on the gun restrained, it looks just right. My only concern is that a couple of those guys either didn’t make it to the bathroom, or the glue around their boots needs some retouching

Indeed, it is a pretty big gun... This is why I always find it very important to add figures to a gun/vehicle. To give a sense of size...

You've got a keen eye, my friend. I already took care of their apparent bladder issue with some mat varnish and a quick dusting of pigments.

Hi Erwin,

Love the grass, in a way it's a shame that the gun base hides so much of it. Was it cut from a sheet, or did you make it from your own static grass mix?

Cheers, ,

G

Thanks. It came from a sheet, from the firm Model Scene. Their products are really good. Only a quick spray of Matt varnish to remediate the unnatural shine of the fibers.

I like the "discreet" paint and wear, I like the natural setting of the figures, I also like the feeling of weight (I think that's why you dipped the base in the grass)and the metallic feeling
Cheers
D

Gee, I do not know where to start... Ofcourse: thanks for the compliments...

The weight was a combination of CA and the pressure of the frontlegs

The rest is mostly a case of the right mix of intuition, logic and sheer luck

Just finished the driver (yes, the shoes have been painted too by now  )  . A pity to cover it up in the cab...

Hi Erwin,

How do you hold your figures when you're painting them, is that a crocodile clip clamping him whilst you paint?

Have you any update pics?

Cheers, ,

G

Wow! Just...wow! Nice work!

That depends... If the figure will be straight on the base, I drill pins in their legs, which also gives strength to their placement. The driver was indeed clamped, but not with a crocodile clamp, as this will damage the plastic. This one has no teeth at all.

As fort the truck, it feels as a spoiler, but here you go

It is ready for weathering and to add the last minor details:


The hood is created from square plastic (holders), Metal wires, alu foil (straps for the "windows") and tissue paper.


Driver in place, with rolled down window.


Rearflap of the hood


Overall view. The cargo body is still separate.

Thank you so much. I feel humbled...

Hi Erwin
the truck job is good ,i think that the the "highlights" on the hood are α litle intensely,maybe i am wrong,although the construct with paper tissue is hard now you've done it brilliantly.
good continuity in the project

D

Thanks... I see what you mean. Thought the colors on the pictures are a bit more harsh than if you look at it, I will apply pigments (it has driven over a dusty road) that will tone down the contrast... Thanks for the head up anyway. I also will add a tie down strap to the hood...

Hi Erwin,

Thanks for the spoilers, , the truck looks excellent, and the tarpaulin is a work of art...how long did it take to create prior to painting?

I know from what you said previously that you'd had problems with the scale of the driver, but no one will guess so...ooops! they will now I've let the cat out of the bag, , or should that be chap out of the cab, .

Joking aside, it really is looking a treat, .

Cheers, ,

G

I thank thee once more for the kind words.
The creation of the tarp took me generally 3 nights: 1 to create the hoops, 1 for the main tarp and 1 for the windows.

Well, without legs he can't get out of the cab, now can hè?

Hi Erwin,

Well the tarpaulin was definitely worth the effort, it looks a treat, .

He's certainly cab bound, .

Cheers, ,

G

Cheers... Yet it is not ready... I'll show that on the next update

Well, since the doors are not posabele, he was bound to be cab bound anyway

Okay... now for the beginning of the weathering:

Some very exclusive and rare polka dot camouflage...



Also on the chassis and cab:


Yet, this was not to be for very long... After a vigourous application of white spirit:

Aaaand done!
After adding some details to the truck and some vigorous weathering (I wanted to represent a heavily used and more or less worn out truck) I consider this done.

Having said this, the only thing left was adding it to the diorama. A name plate will follow later... Love the result! 👍😁


Added hoops, loops and a "wire" to fasten the tarp.


Also added lightcovers, windscreen wipers an filler cap, and I needed to make new bracket for the load bed, as the ones included were way too small


The underside and (rear)sides have been lightly sprayed. First with dark yellow, then light sand


Next a copious amount of Russian Earth pigments, where the rear part received more than the front.


Ofcourse, the wheels received extra attention...


Next I put everything together:

Hi Erwin

the vehicle is very realistic, and in general some photos look real, very good job

Thank you for the kind words. The pictures are simply shot with my mobile phone.

Awesome scene & great photos too - it really deserves to be photographed against a clear sky or very blurred background but keep those shadows, they work perfectly. Bravo, all those hours were well worth it, excellent job

Hi Erwin,

That truck, and the diorama have come together as a whole brilliantly.

Love the worn look of the truck, and the tarpaulin is excellent.

Not surprised that you're proud of it, you seem to be able to make outstanding builds in a fraction of the time it takes me, .

Where do you put them all, and is Mrs. Golikell careful when dusting them, ?

Have really enjoyed following this build.

Cheers, ,

G

Martin,
Thanks you for you compliments. Knowing who it comes from adds that extra value to it...