discussion Rehashing Hurtgen forest diorama

[rtfoe]

Spent some time detailing the front helmet straps to 15 figures although Tamiya gives very well shaped M1 helmets, they are missing straps. Only the newer kits provide these.

Then I added another two figures to the Dio. Comparison between Dragon and Tamiya, the latter wins hands down. Haven't built a Tamiya figure in ages and it was so smooth and easy.

Beefed up for winter and exchanged the Dragon helmet for a spare old Tamiya one. Also sanded and rounded the Dragon shoulders for a more relaxed pose. Ran out of mixed putty for both the left pockets.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Jim R]

Figures are looking great. You certainly have a flair for this figure adapting malarky.

 

[rtfoe]

Figures are looking great. You certainly have a flair for this figure adapting malarky.

Thank you kindly Jim. It gets easier at every new figure. The American uniform is the easiest and simplest to achieve and I'm starting to sculpt by heart. The last two figures modifications just took me about half an hour each. The only problem is I have very little window opportunities to the hobby and that's why these nineteen or so figures even rehashing has taken a while to get to this stage.
I am chuffed with the pose of the searched captive figures...always wanted to do that.
I will be getting back to the base...so far it's been figure heavy.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[scottie3158]

Wabble,
I have to agree with Jim, you certainly have a flair for these figures.

 

[rtfoe]

Wabble,
I have to agree with Jim, you certainly have a flair for these figures.

Thanks Scottie, it goes with years of mucking around with putty and decapitations.

I worked on the radio guy and scratched his radio pack.

He'll be holding his carbine in his left hand. He's also carrying extra ammo bandolias for his mates.
Bandolias added to this vino drinking guy...

The extra putty I had went to the two missing pockets for these guys.

Comparison between these two figures helmet size and they're both 1/35 scale...

Black primer and zenithal later.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Most excellent work Richard. Massive improvement.

 

[minitnkr]

Guy on right looks to have a (camo?) cover on his helmet. Not uncommon late war to have white cover.

 

[rtfoe]

It's netting Paul, even the ones without netting are just too large and the curvature of the rim too flat whereby I had to carve it to shape. Old Tamiya helmets are still better. Bronco helmets are next best with straps moulded on.

 

[rtfoe]

Most excellent work Richard. Massive improvement.

Thank you Steve, hope to get all 25 of them done and the Dio by end of next month.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Stefee]

What kind of witchcraft is this, morphing plastic extrusions into mini persons?
Seriously though the results of your skilled fettling is wonderful.

 

[rtfoe]

What kind of witchcraft is this, morphing plastic extrusions into mini persons?
Seriously though the results of your skilled fettling is wonderful.

Thanks Stefan...no sorcery involved I swear. Lots of kneading though.
Today I primed the rest of the figures. I count 25 so far

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys,
Figures mounted ready for painting after zinethalling. So while I prepare my wet pallette, I worked on bringing the tank destroyers up to date...

The Academy kits I used for the Tank Destroyers was basic and my building wasn't up to today's standards but I'll just keep it simple with minor improvements like the gun sight on the mantlet with it's cover...

Then removing seam lines from the gun barrel...

And the gun cradle attachment at the rear which was not on M10s.

I will probably add stowage to hide the molded on tools.
Putty filled some bad fits ...

Open periscope covers and grab handles from bent wire...

That's about it...next to paint it up again and weathered.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Covers to the periscopes done...

Decided to add new bolts to the front glacis as well.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Today I did a first pass of paint with modulation for Shadows and highlights...

The dark tones were olive drab mixed with black and the highlights olive drab with yellow and dark yellow. All Tamiya acrylics diluted heavily with Mr Levelling thinner. Then filtered with pure thinned olive drab to blend the tones. The heavy dilution didn't require me to mask the stowage. I will pick out any over spray later on.
I am going to try a winter wash applied roughly and chipping fluid. Fingers crossed it works.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[Jim R]

Great looking paint job. Excellent airbrush skills.

 

[rtfoe]

Great looking paint job. Excellent airbrush skills.

Thank you kindly Jim. Haven't done modulation for a while so it was fun.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[scottie3158]

Wabble,
Some seriously good paint work mate.

 

[rtfoe]

Wabble,
Some seriously good paint work mate.

Thanks Scottie, this is just the start of the process and there is 80% more to go. not looking forward to the weathering process but it is necessary to get the look that I want which is just short of overdoing it.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[rtfoe]

Hi Guys,
I had the bulb in my head switched on and worked out how to distinguish the relieved troops from Patton's armoured division by making them outer perimeter scout patrols of the 101st. So they would have the overall olive drab top to bottom uniform with the baggy trousers pocket extensions. One of them even carries the folding carbine.
Lucky for me I only had to convert five figures, then I re zenithalled them. The rest had long coats on.
Added pockets awaiting results painting

Zenithalled... it was a swift job by the tailor.

Cheers,
Wabble

 

[scottie3158]

Nicely done