Hey guys, I just got the figures in the other day. The two painted ones are verlinden and same with the radio man. The dead guy and the medic hopping the fence is Warrior. Sorry I dont have the medic in there yet. Im not done building him. Tell me if you guys think it is too cramped?? If you think so what do you think I should take out or move? Give me some good ideas. Thank you.

The basic idea is that is it Kursk. They were up all night waiting for the advance of the communist enemy. Day light broke and BOOM the first shell hits killing a SS guy having a smoke. Everyone rushed to there defensive positions while the radio operater layed prone under the knocked out tank for cover trying to get ahold of some tank support. The medic rushed hopping over the wooden fence only to find that he was dead. July 17th, 1943.

I am not done with the scenery, I havent even started. I know that the tank tracks are off because I didnt put them on yet. One of the tracks is supposed to be dislocated.

Good idea.
But consider this. Even though the PZ is disabled, it is still a target. Not until it is burning is it dead. So i am not sure it would be wise to hide next to it.
But then again, it is all about artistic license.

What kind of figures are the radio man and wounded guy?

hmm seems a bit crowded around the tank perhaps it would look less crowded if the 2 running soldiers would have passed the tank allready.

but they look great those figures

keep up the good work

The tank would not look as crowded if the soldiers would have already gone off from it a little. However, I think you should keep them in because they really show the rush to defensive positions and the panic. I really love the rust streaking on the tank and the wear and tear. Just onwe question, the stuff on the radioman and the dead guy, is it flash or some sort of molded groundwork compatibility thingy? either way, can't wait to see this one completed.

Hi,

It seems your StuG has grown a turret. :-) :-) . Only kidding, but you strated this with a StuG if I'm right. Still the Pzr III looks good from here. As for the figures, the two running ones look nice, I don't think they are to close to the tank, I would just try to place them a little further apart and not in a straight line. If you would place the front figure a little to the left ( between the shel hole and the corpses feet), and facing to what is now his left, then it looks like he has just run past the body, and has turn left to go round the crater. The second figure I would either place a little back, or leave where it is.
Now then, the Radio Operator. I may be wrong, (and I frequently am ), but that doesn't look like a very portable radio to me. A radio like that would be set up in a fixed position, and would need batteries (or a generator) to work and is usually attached to a large fixed aerial, so the operator laying next to the tank is not a feasible storyline. I could work if you would run the battery and aerial leads from the radio to the edge of the dio, over the fence, to make it look as if he dragged it there for cover, from a exposed radio/command post.
The dead guy would nee to go back, as in that position he would have taken the full blast of said shell explosion. I very much doubt that he would be laying
there like that, less so with all limbs intakt. In short, he would have been blown apart. Try him next to the left rear of the tank, which would have been a more likely place for a smoke aswel.

Looking good sofar, keep going

Henk

Thanks for the great comments guys. I did decide to change it to the PZ III. I like that tank better and its alot smaller. I dont really understand what your trying to say about the radio Henk. The feild behind the fence is going to be long grass. The road is going to be mud. If I was to put a cable the grass and mud would cover it up. Can you re-explain what your trying to say to me if what im saying isnt what your implying? Do you think I could reposition the radio man somewhere else on the dio?? Where do you think a good spot would be? Do you think I should just take him out? Thanks for the comments guys.

Harrison What Henk is saying is that the German Radios were not portable. They had to be used with big batteries (external) and even hand cranks(some were so big they needed bicycle type generators) to charge them. The antennas were over 30 feet long for some units. So it can not operate without power or a very long antenna.

Well, I was thinking that everything was connected to the tank?? But what your saying (and what im beleiving) is that using that figure is completely pointless and unrealistic. Well thank you very much tiger 1. I think ive decided to eliminate him from my dio unless someone has a realistic way to have this guy in the dio some how. Thank you very much.

It appears that the radioman and dead guy are not wearing winter clothing.

It is Kursk. I also put the date of this day. July 17th. That is during the summer. The germans are still somewhat cold but some of them took their winter clothing off. Besides im just looking for a variety in my figures. Not really as much for realistity.

No Harrison The radios in the tanks were installed in racks and could not work outside the tank. And Alan is Correct as well the figure with the radio is in summer uniform, as is the dead figure.

Then the running soldiers are in winter clothes

I realise that. I dont really care because I am looking more for a variety. Sorry. I know its unrealistic.

That would give you an option to use the radio operator. The scenario is as follows:
Radio post is just outside the diorama, 'hidden' in the high grass. When the shelling starts, the operator thinks ' let's get out of here' and lugs (carries) his heavy radio to the relative safety of the stricken tank. The aerial and battery leads (wires) would then run from the edge of the dio, over the grass and mud, to the radio. Make your grass look as if it has been flattend from the edge to the fence by a person dragging a heavy load. Personally I think that would look quite good, but make sure to use thick enough wire/rope etc, as these leads are quite thick. I know, I've dragged them across the forrest floor on exersise. Granted, they wern't German Radio's, but the leads were still heavy.
The running soldiers are in battle dress, therefore fully kitted. The radio operator has just come from a sheltered position, where he might not have worn his greatcoat. I wouldn't wear a greatcoat if I was lugging heavy equipment around . I hadn't noticed the fact that the clothing was a seasonal issue. IMHO they work together.
I would look at the dead guy though. If you are going to remove one figure, I would pick that one. He would need a coat, and I still don't feel he would have survived that blast in one piece.

Cheers
Henk