GazzaS

Thank you, Rob! Twenty days was really only possible because I was on holidays. It was nice to leave the pursuit of perfection behind and just move on in the name of reaching the finish. I'm really happy about converting the figures from their original purpose and molding them into the story. And I'm glad you liked it.

Thank you, Kai. I'm not really sure what's next. I have 5 started kits... 6 if you count Grosser Kurfürst. But the mojo is feeling pretty low at the moment. I'm back to work next week... so, I'm not really sure what I'm gonna do... or when.

Eww!

Fantastic result!

Thank you, Phil! I'm glad to have inspired you.

Queensland is supposed to be known as the "Sunshine State". Not this year, I'll tell yah. More like Waterworld.

Thank you, Peter! I'm glad you like it. I really wasn't keen on a winter dio, having recently finished one. Often, I am finding it's figures that direct which season and place a diorama will be set. So often, I see a figure set that looks ideal online only to find it's long OOP and out of stock everywhere. It's chilly, wet and miserable here today. I'd be happy to trade.

Twenty days, friends. I wanted it done in a month and I came in ahead. It's not really totally finished. I have yet to apply the matte coat. But the weather is shitty today, cold and damp. Good weather for taking outdoor pictures if you can dodge the rain.... But no good for clear coats. I find they fog if you spray them in less than excellent conditions. Anyway... here are the photos:

Dark days ahead. We took Kaiser in for what we thought was a wrist injury that was healing too slowly. He's so rambunctious... keeping him calm is damn hear impossible. Anyway... the vet decided it was more likely his elbows. So, a few days later we took him in for a full panel of x-rays. The results floored me. He already has arthritis in both elbows....at 8 months old. The vet's prognosis is 3-4 years before he's in too much pain to move. But because of his young age he could be a candidate for surgery. So, I'm taking him to the specialist on Monday. But if the specialist can't tell me that he can have a full, normal, pain free life... We'll have to put him down. Hell, we might not even have the money to pay for two surgeries. They have to be done before he is a year old. Though he has always been my wife's dog, I feel totally gutted.

Great work on the Stuka!

Welcome to the forums!

Thank you, Kai. Hubert, The spades (recoil plows) only required deployment with heavier charges. There is some great video of the weapon firing in combat with them up as they are here. RE: the weathering, they are dirty and rusted on the insides as deep as they might have dug in. It's pretty hard to see what I had done in the photos. The USMC, was using a slightly updated version of the M-101 105MM howitzer used in WWII when I served in 84-90. We took ours to Okinawa and the Japanese mainland. Our battery had eight M-189 155mm howitzers and four M101 104mm howitzers. Despite the size difference, the M-189 is much nicer to use, being more ergonomically designed. Emplacing the M-101 takes a fair bit of work. Because the spades are fixed in place, once the gun is laid on the aiming devices, the trails are lifted, and holes are dug for the spades to reside while firing. Those spades just never really got dirty on the upper halves.

HI everyone, Yesterday and the day before I spent a lot of the day weathering the howitzer. The first step was highlighting all of the bolt and rivet heads with a lighter shade of grey... using acrylic paint. Then, using black oil paint, I did a pin wash and carefully blended it in. Finally, I used pastels to add dirt and rust. Yes. Rust. The uniforms put this diorama at either winter 41/42, or early to mid winter 42. At either point, the troops and equipment involved had been campaigning for 5-6 months of continual fighting or marching. Broken down vehicles, and vehicles without fuel had to be left behind. And the supply columns continually struggled to catch up. So, this allows me a little room for artistic license. I also finished up the rifle stack. I thought it came out pretty well, all things considered. I also glued the framing to the base which was allowed to dry overnight. This morning I removed the thumbtacks which pressed the wood to the foam, and put on some wood putty. It will need to dry overnight before I dare sand it. Some pics. Hopefully the weathering on the howitzer will become more prominent after the matte coat.

Nice looking cans. Bill.

Thank you Kai!

I'm taking the "3 days" spot in the "how long until it goes back on the SOD" pool. Keep up the good work, John!

Great update, Kai! Glad to see you're getting so much done.

Interesting. I don't believe I have ever heard of them before. Ahh well. No point in getting too interested. Since They are hard to get already. My 35 year hiatus from modelling has left me underinformed.

Nice chipping on that tank.

Nice looking paintwork. Who... or what is SNJ?

Excellent job, John! Really a stunning presentation.

Looks great, Kevin. I like the subtle difference in the shade of metals.