Pete Becerra AKA Epi, has finally gone and turned to the Dark Side! A fantastic effort too! Thanks Pete!

Pete Becerra's 234/4 Assault!



If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Hi,

I rarely give comments because I could not build things better. But..

nice done, definitly.
the uniforms, very well done camo. esp. the trousers.
And the camo of the sd.kfz 234 is also done very well with a subtile weathering. excellent. I love the dusty and dirty uniforms of your MG gunner. Not to mention that the base is also beautiful done.
Only two points:
- the wheels. Bulged wheels would be more suitable.
- Why is this spähwagen in the corner of two houses, is this not a very disadvantageous position for such a fast and mobile, but weakly armored vehicle. How/why did it get there?
Please accept my apologies if this is to much criticism, but I just mentioned my opinions.

Stefan

Hi there

First a very nice piece of work. The figures and the vehicle are all perfectly executed and very well painted. It has a nice balance in the scene and it tells an exciting story. No doubt.

Only nitpick: It would have improved the dio, if the interior of the buildings had been made. As it is now, it looks as if the walls just have been painted without any cracks or the like.

Anyway, cracks in the walls or not, its still a very impressive work.

Thanks for sharing it

Cheers

Simon

Stefan,
Your critiques are well taken. If i didn't want any opions from you guys, then I wouldn't have sent in the photos.

I was trying to go for an abandoned vehicle look with the Germans advancing around the vehicle. Some sggestions have been brought up about maybe putting a figure in it and or throwing rubble on it as if it backed in and the buildings where hit afterwards. The vehicle is not permantly attached to the base, so anyhting can change.

As for the bulge tires, I aggree completely, but since they are plastic, I am affraid to ruin them by trying to heat them up.

Just to get good positive critiques from the guys who model this era regularly is good enough for me!

I really like the whole diorama! Everything is well executed. Did you do the base and buildings yourself, or are they a commercial item? I like the look of it. Well done!

Bob,
I cheated on the base a little bit. It's a Verlinden ready made base. The base is resin and the buildings are ceramic.

Nice work Pete

Great one!
I love the 234/4!

It is very nice from all technical aspect - I specially like the unshaven face of the grenade thrower - but there are inconsistencies in the composition as well.

Apart from the positioning of the vehicle, what was discussed, the timeframe is also unclear. It must be in Russia (from the PPSH) and must be in wintertime from the uniforms. But the style of the ruin is not really perfect for this (it is probably something SW European, Italian maybe) and the camo of the 234 doesn't really suit the winter battlefield.

If it is an abandoned vehicle there must not be a loaded MG on it and it would be nice to see the "reason" why it was abandoned - a failed suspension or something.

Please do not take my words as picking, I wish I could make the details as fine as you did - but as it is said you need not to be able to lay eggs to criticise the omlette.

Pete-- superb workmanship! Can you discuss yourr paint job on the vehicle? How did you attain the worn appearance?
thanks

CAV,
Well, really the paint job was by accident. Lately I've been brave enought ostart using MIG powders. I started out first by painting with Tamiya paints. Then I did sort of a wash with oils by dabbing dots of white and burnt seinna all over. I then used a wide brush moistend with thinner and brushed down creating the fiant streaks. Once I sealed the model with Dull Coat, I used a fine point brush and painted all the sratches. Finally I used the MIG powders and created the dusty worn out look. I'm starting to get the hang of these powders now.

Pete-- I am still in awe of your paint job. Where did you acquire the MIG products from and what color combination did you employ?
thanks
Cav

CAV,
I got them at the LHS here in Austin, Texas. King's Hobby is there name and they have a web sight.

I can't remember the names of the colors off the top of my head, but i tell you what, if i can get online tonight when I get home, I will have that info for you.

Pete-- I would appreciate the information.
thanks again
Cav