PzK II Ausf F w/ the 1st. SS-Panzer-Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler (LSSAH), 4th Aufklärungs-Abteilung Kompanie, Rostov / Mius River, Russia, late spring/early summer 1942.

Before mounting to base:




The base:




Finished:






Thanks for looking,
NEO

Gday Neo
A bit out of my depth with der Germans, but can comment on the common links such as the weathering and base etc.
I like this little fellow, and it's funny that modelling Shermans for so long (which themselves are only a medium) makes this look tiny with the figures for scale!
I'm pretty sure I recognise them all as Tamiya? Seems you have done a pretty good job with these old belters
I like there being a common focal point for all of them; it makes us imagine beyond the confines of the diorama. The base looks great, and makes it a tight compact little scene overall.
For me though, the tracks are too rusted? (I assume it IS rust, and not a trick of the light) If of all metal construction, they would show rust if standing overnight in damp conditions, but once moving as this appears to be, It would soon wear off?
Nice one
Cheers
Brad

Brad,

My understanding is that German tracks were made of a manganese alloy that would appear a roughly rust color even when new. I paint mine pretty much the same way.

The only things I'd try to do differently for this scene, which is VERY nice, are:

1) Make sure, next time, that the tracks are sunken just a bit into the ground. Remember even a light tank would be pretty heavy. Your's almost seems to be floating a bit. Tough to tell in the pics though.

2) I'd add an aerial ID flag, red with the white circle and black swastika. They were pretty commonly seen on German vehicles early in the war while they had air supremacy.

Other than that, a nice little scene.

Rob

A good looking little scene.

I too noted the track color, but have been educated after reading Rob's post, so this was a double win---i.e. a good looking set of pics to view, and picking up a useful factoid regarding the tracks.

Steve

Thanks guys,

Brad - it is all Tamiya. I've been looking at the tracks and they are not as red as they look in the photos but maybe still too red. I think i'll hit then with alittle more sand / steel drybrushing.

Rob - your right about the tracks sinking in. I had deeper ruts but I wiped them out when I put the last coat of putty on the road. I know what you mean about the air rec. flag but the LSSAH was getting pounded at Rostov so thse boys are laying low. LOL.

NEO