Trench Sections in Progress.

[Jim R]

Hi Andy
Figures are stunning and painted they will be simply "the best". Like John I find looking at really top quality work inspiring although I am under no illusions as to my own limitations.
As for Shingles :sad: I had a very mild dose last year. Itchy, itchy - drove me mad.
Jim

[Andy Belsey]

Just a small update. I changed the vertical posts on my German trench section so that I could add cross beams. Another typical German idea. As well as holding the posts against the walls, they could be used to add camouflage of overhead cover. I raided my garden for more suitable twigs.



Previously the section looked like this. The figure is still half painted!


This is the German trench at Hawthorne Trench in Elham, Kent. Well worth a visit.

[Andy Belsey]

I'll try to post some more photos when I can. All I've managed to do recently is add some SRD rum jars (made by Jon Smith Modellbau). Life has conspired against me again with my dad nearly dying again on Friday. I rushed down from work, while he went into hospital unconscious with sepsis. He rallied yet again on Sunday, so he has a little longer with us, thanks to the wonderful care of the NHS, bless them. Last Christmas was spoilt by my brother-in-law very, very, very nearly dying but again the NHS and lots of prayer means that he'll spend this Christmas alive and conscious. Long live the NHS!! I'm knackered and needed a short sleep on my work bench mid morning.
My parcel got to Mike Butler in NZ yesterday. Although the tracking told me it was delivered, he hadn't got it!??? It went to a neighbour - Phew!!!! The parcel contains 4 of these figures for him to paint, plus goodies for him. I've made a base for him, but that's a secret until he reveals it.
Andy

[stillp]

Fingers crossed for your dad Andy.
Pete

[Andy Belsey]

Fingers crossed for your dad Andy.
Pete

Thanks Peter.
He's 87 and had Parkinson's for years. But the sparkle returned to his eyes on Sunday. He'll be with his Saviour some time not too far away.
Andy

[Bortig the Viking]

Just caught up with this thread, I've one word amazing, brilliant, sorry that two words. All the best for the future it sounds like you've had one helluva year.

[Andy Belsey]

Here are my rum jars which come broken and together. I have some pieces on the parapet of my wet soil section. The top part or neck is down the slope near to ratty under the German helmet.


I have to full jars in the corner at the head end of my bed. Mike has the figure who will be asleep on it.

[Steven000]

Nice work again Andy :thumb2:

[Guest]

Lovely work Andy. I could move into that dugout and feel quite at home. Looks cosy (I know they weren't).

Hope the family dramas are settling down. You've certainly been through the last couple of years.

[Andy Belsey]

Lovely work Andy. I could move into that dugout and feel quite at home. Looks cosy (I know they weren't).

Hope the family dramas are settling down. You've certainly been through the last couple of years.

Thanks Peter. 'All Quiet on the Western Front' presently. thank the Lord. (I am knackered, but my faith is strong!)
Andy

[Andy Belsey]

I had some time over Christmas to work on my section models. My machine gun bunker has two figures made by Kaiser's Army. I've changed the head of the standing NCO for one made by Jon Smith Modellbau which has a helmet. He's now carrying a gasmask and gun. The seated gunner has some binoculars which still need a strap. The drum magazine on his lap has a string of bullets being wound into it. He'll have a helmet nearby. I also detailed up 3 magazine boxes but forgot to take photos.






I'm beginning the paintwork on my mining sections. I'm tying to create the Flander's blue clay but not make it too blue. The clay-kicking tunnel has fresh wood timbers.


The ammonal charge part has older timbers (a little darker as they're older.) The cans have just got the basic of washes on them so far. Everything is still loose.


Progress at last! No bumps, floods or illness!! HAPPY New Year to you all!
Andy

[Andy Belsey]

Here are the two figures out of their bunker.

The bunkers would be camouflaged, so I wove a hurdle from Heather twigs.

I've also added a shell shattered tree. A twig with its end attacked with end cutters.

I'm now adding grass made from carpet underlay. I'll add a bit more to the roof of the bunker but not cover it completely.
i will be adding some green wash to it when I've finished laying the tufts.
Sadly, this bit of the bunker can't be seen once it's boxed.

I'm always trying to convince people that grass and weeds didn't stop growing during the Great War.

Andy

[Andy Belsey]

My grass has gone green and I've added some bits of wood and broken hurdle as camouflage.


Meanwhile I've changed my gas curtain in my dugout to one described in the engineer's field manuals. (The previous one was copied from another model in IWM.) I'm happier with the new one as it's been bugging me for ages.


I have no idea whether there is anyone viewing this? I'm not fishing for complements, just company. It gets a bit frustrating if there's no reaction whatsoever.
Andy

[Guest]

Sorry Andy, I missed this. I think it got buried pretty quickly at the weekend.

I like the German figures a lot. I've used Jon Smith accessories a couple of times and they are excellent, though I find the heads very hard to paint - probably just me. The shattered tree is excellent.

[Tim Marlow]

As always Andy, top drawer skills and execution on display here. Fantastic work!