Hello all. This is a small scene I am working on for my StuG IIIB from the Tank Destroyer's campaign. I just hate kits without bases. I also have made some carts from styrene and resin (one for this dio, one for the Panzerfahre one). Comments appreciated.





This last image is the process I used to make the wheel for the smaller cart.

I really like the wagons alot. I think this dio is going to be excellent. Although, I hope you will be adding more figures to it In my opinion, you should add a couple more! BTW, i know a very good example of some stug figures that you can use. They are 2 stug commanders sitting on their stug with umbrellas. I think that would be very interesting. I will get you a link when I get back to my computer, ill post a picture.

John. I think the base is looking good so far. But, could you explain your wheel making technique a bit more?

Harrison. I think those figures you mentioned are in 1/35 while John's StuG is 1/48.

Keith

Thanks guys, and yes it's 1/48th scale, and figure poses are VERY limited.

The wheels are actually very easy. I first cut out a circle the diameter that I wanted the wheel. I then found center and punched a hole the same size as the chuck of my lab drill. I then mounted the disk, turned the lab drill on ats its lowest speed. Then with an x-acto knife I scribed a smaller circle in the spinning disk. This forms the out wheel. I then measured the resulting ID and cut stip stock to this length and glued it in. I then took the ID measurment divided by two, and made 6 more spokes at that length. I cut 2 45 degree angles into one end of these and glued them into the wheel. I then punched 3 smaller disks to form the hubs. The wheel was then boxed and an RTV mold made. I poured 4 wheels and took the best 2. To these I added the back side of the hub from punched disks and tube stock.

Thats it!

John

Well, dang bro. I didnt have the slightest clue that was 1/48 scale. Thats a good thing too

Nice wheels, nice process.

What are the plans for the brown area at the front of the dio?

Thanks guys. The plan for the forground area is tall grass and a dead farm animal - with flies IF I can pull it off in 1/48! :-)

Nice little dio. I like the wagons a lot too. Thanks for sharing the info on how you made the wheels. You make it sound so easy. As soon as I get my masters in mathmatics, I'll have a go at it!!

That's a nice idea.. can wait to see the completed Dio with maybe flies on those animals.. ha ha

Brian - I am no math wiz, it IS easy give it a try!

Umustb - I am certainly going to give it a try!

1/48th scale flies huh....
Knowing your work - I'm sure you can pull it off. Nice idea too, honestly haven't seen it often at all!

Looks good John

When I saw the other thread, I had no idea this was 1/48 scale. Amazing work John.
Love the start to the base. Looks good, and good depth. The little carts are amazing .. good moulding tips.


I checked up the news item by Tarok, on a Spanish company called Nimix. They´ve some nice period stuff, and I checked their 1/48 figures. They are nearly all German and could be well suitable for your dio. Check them out at the link below. I also checked their dealers and the "red Lancers" sell their stuff. Might be an option for you.
All the best and keep showing your progress .. dios in progress are eye candy!!

Nimix 1/48 figures

Most excellent find Frank - I ordered Numbers 4806 and 4814. Perfect! Thanks!

I was just wondering how you planned to do the veins in the flies' wings?

:-) :-) #:-)

I plan on using Magic Sculpt for the flies, and for the wing veins I will use a special wing vein die made by gremlins on Halloweens that fall on the last Thursday of the month. Its very hard to get, but I just happened to get some at AMPS this year.

Small Update. The small cart has been painted.

If I didin't know better and know your wood technique - I'd say the cart was made of wood.

Well done.

Pretty darn creative if you ask me. I think your tank looks great with all that gear on it. I love the shape of the base as well, you cut it off at THE perfect spots too.

Sticky, if you gimme your wood technique, I swear I will keep it a secret. PM me :-)

better yet,if you will make the wood technique a feature we all can learn something.it looks so real ,i really like it

Hello guys. Thanks for the comments. The technique is neither a secret nor worthy of a feature. Its is SUPER simple. The surface is roughened with sand paper, then slightly polished with steel wool. The next step is to base coat the wood with a flesh tone acrylic paint - THIS MUST BE ACRYLIC. When this is dry, Brunt umber oil paint - AND IT MUST BE OIL PAINT - that has had the excess linseed oil drained on a piece of cardboard (5-10 minutes) is applied to completely cover the surface. This is letf to sit 10 -20 minutes. Now with a flat brush dipped in Turpeniod, then bloted on paper towel to remove most of the dampness, remove the oil paint using long single direction brush strokes. Make sure to clean the brush in tupeniod between strokes. It is time consuming, but the results are worth it. The last step is a drybrushing with the flesh acrylic paint.

HTH