Airfix Tiger II Ausf B - Fujimi M3A1 Halftrack & Jeep 1/76

[AchtungPanzer]

Now I'm waiting quietly at the end

[wappynutter]

Great work again Andy looking forward to the next installment mate.

Thanks Nige, now my "Kursk GB" entry is done i can progress at speed with this build...... Baby permitting! lol..

Now I'm waiting quietly at the end

No end in sight just yet Eryk.... Not be long tho' so please keep dropping in for a look... I may well post some pictures later tonight of the finished German figures.... all camo'd up and looking the part for cheap Matchbox/Revell 1/76 Africa Corps converts.. lol... More soon guys..
Hopefully tonight..

[wappynutter]

Back as promised..... Baby just settling down for the night.... well till about 1.30am, then feed time!
So do I share the figures or continue the dio base??
Figures I think as the base is a little all over the place and no one part is finished...
So the German figures, Cheap Matchbox/Revell Africa Corps figures I have worked on to become Caen "44" figures, are all done and flat coated and the MG gun emplacement is stuck in place and all good...
Here's how I got there....





So not very good at the moment... I did a little research on the Uniform etc... Here...
http://www.10mm-wargaming.com/painting- ... ermans.htm

Various other sites and PDF's were consulted until I stumbled upon a Dragon figures box showing some troops in the smocks etc... with the Kampfgruppe von luck 1944 Normandy wear on...
Maybe not an exact match to Uniforms worn but I am not Rivet counting, and according to media I've read, a lot of the uniforms became a mismatch as the mighty German War machine started to crack and crumble in the later years of the war...

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So pictures 1 and 3 became my reference....
Just gotta choose some paint colours to paint in...
Trousers ended up being a Model colour German Field Grey... The others were model air, various sands, khaki, Russian green, red brown and german camo green...

























Boots painted, just their bottles and backpacks and weapons to do...







So, sorting out my MG gunners first...





The gun is terribly over scale but I will still use it as it is nothing more than a prop in the grand scale of the dio...







Gonna add an ammo belt coming from the loaders hands to the gun using masking tape and some gunmetal paint...





Webbing, weapons and packs for the other little fella's now....

















Just a gloss coat, oil wash then flat coat to finish now...
Here is that ammo belt I mentioned earlier...









That gun is so bad.... mind the figures aren't much better. Its only the fancy camo that saves them I think..



Gloss coat time...































Okay so the figures have had a dark oil wash and once dry, coated with Vallejo Matt Varnish to finish...
I will spare you any more pictures of these little guys apart from the odd shot on the dio placement etc... until the final Display combination of figures, vehicles and base..

So that's it for this update folks... Vehicles done, figures done, base nearly done and about 3 weeks to get it all wrapped up!!

Wish me luck...
As always comments and questions welcomed....
Stay safe and well, Happy Modelling.... Till next time..

[Nige201980]

There looking really great mate. Looking forward to the finial revel.

[wappynutter]

There looking really great mate. Looking forward to the finial revel.

Thanks again Nige.... I may do one last update on the dio base then leave it until the final reveal as in real time I am close to finishing now and the clock is ticking ...

So you may find the next update a long one..... But the last one on the thread.....
All the best matey, stay well and Model Happy..

[AchtungPanzer]

Very good figures painting Andy - super camo ...MG like a 20mm gun (caliber ) but in this scale and in this old Fujimi-technology better will be not...- Keep it up mate

[wappynutter]

Very good figures painting Andy - super camo ...MG like a 20mm gun (caliber ) but in this scale and in this old Fujimi-technology better will be not...- Keep it up mate

Thanks Eryk, much appreciated mate... The Camo was actually a big thing for me and I spent days pondering over what to do for the ambushing Axis forces..

Also guys..... I lied, maybe 2 or 3 long posts before the reveal......
There is just so much info I want to share and show you guys..
More soon, Thanks again for looking in...

[wappynutter]

Yay.... and i'm back!!
Baby bathed....( that's my job )...
Baby being settled.....( that's wife's job )...
So I have returned for an update on the diorama.....
I finished on the pins for anchoring the tree's to the base... lets continue with some rubble and debris inside the building on the ground and on the upper level flooring then??
First we go in with the filler rubble mix followed by some larger (wall ) sections and tiles and woodwork/rafters...
Painted a brown first then white for the render and loads of pastel dust etc....
Here are some images to show what I mean...











































Wow!! Loads of pictures..... but you get the idea, still have figures and mud to add to this yet..... then a rear wall to include so all this is only visible through the broken holes... No... not as bad as it sounds..
Here is the building again...





Now what you couldn't see was before I did the rubble work, I created some trees for the dio using roots dug from the ground last year..
CA glue and thin wire helps create the trunks...













Some PVA glue and scatter is used on the tree tops to give sparse foliage....















...and using my various methods and scenic products here are some extra bits and the beginnings of a hedgerow...









...and the eagle eyed amongst you will have spotted this view of the back wall for the building in my last post....



So I will wrap this post up with a quick vehicle positioning to give an idea....













...and I will end the picture overload there....
All coming together nicely now....
Next update I will add some foliage and hedgerow etc....
..but until then, as usual, all comments and questions welcomed...
Take care, stay safe and well guys.....Till next time...
Thanks again....

[Nige201980]

Mate this is stunning work buddy I think your on for a winner

[benc123]

Top rate work dude! This is going to look fantastic!

[wappynutter]

Mate this is stunning work buddy I think your on for a winner

Thanks Nige..... Very much appreciated matey....
Personally though it ain't no winner, There are just so many cool builds this GB... Glad i am not judging! lol...
Between the DUKW's, Landing craft, Churchill's, Tiger's and P51's i don't think i stand a chance....
I am very much enjoying the build/diorama tho'... Its dedicated to ISM and for all you guys that enjoy watching me flood the forum with pictures.. lol...
As long as you guys keep looking, liking and commenting.. I'll keep posting..... Sorry...
Thanks again Nige, All the best mate..

Top rate work dude! This is going to look fantastic!

Ben, Hey dude, thanks for dropping by for a look mate.. Fingers and toes crossed for a good final reveal.....
Hopefully she'll look the business when all combined..
Thanks again mate, much appreciated..
Happy Modelling..

[fly1ngdutchm4n]

Wow!
Andy, I have to agree with the others, this is a awesome build mate.
It's a tiny build, with tiny soldiers and vehicles but huge details!
Love it
I know it's a hard thing to paint those little fellas for I had to paint 25 myself in the rain of steel sig with my Morser 1:72
Your guys are painted perfect!
And the base? wow!
Great job done

Even the man upstairs agrees

[wappynutter]

Wow!
Andy, I have to agree with the others, this is a awesome build mate.
It's a tiny build, with tiny soldiers and vehicles but huge details!
Love it
I know it's a hard thing to paint those little fellas for I had to paint 25 myself in the rain of steel sig with my Morser 1:72
Your guys are painted perfect!
And the base? wow!
Great job done

Even the man upstairs agrees

Wow thanks Frans..... If Jesus digs it..... Then its a winner for sure!! lol...
...but to be truthful, there is stiff competition this GB..... No one builder is guaranteed a place in the top 3.... Just have fun guys I know I am.... I love this dio, and the more I look at the half track the more I like it!
Figure wise, yeah I remember all your little figures well... But you made yours look so life-like and interesting.. I hope my camo scheme has made my ones look as interesting as yours.. and you had 25..... I only had 15.... Two different schemes and quality/material though!
Anyway, thanks again buddy..... Will share more progress soon...
Not long till the GB end..."GULP!".…...
Keep well and Model Happy guys...

[MarkVerploeg]

Very nice progress Andy
It will be a stunning piece for sure

[gaz45]

Awesome job there mate you get my vote to win

[wappynutter]

Very nice progress Andy
It will be a stunning piece for sure

Thanks Mark, I hope so... Not a patch on your Maultier Ambulance Dio tho'.... Well done buddy....

Awesome job there mate you get my vote to win

Hey Gaz....Thanks a lot buddy, much appreciated.. Hopefully I wont disappoint with the final reveal.....


"GULP!" ....12 days to go!!!

Best do some more "Show and Tell!"

Okay so we have a basic vehicle layout here...



Gonna add these guys first before I muddy up the place...





Mud mix courtesy of a "Hamilkar Barkas" demonstration watched many months ago....





Tiger will need some mud too as its parked up in a field...



Before....



In place....



....and in the mud...



...back of the building...



..side pathway and rear tree area...





One side of the Dio.....





Finally the hedgerow bottom and muddy field....





Tiger on for Track imprints...



...and give the Tiger some muddy footprints/climb marks..





...and as an afterthought..... a trail of muddy " giveaway" footprints showing movement to and from the Tank to the Building!





Scatter applied sparingly as light ground cover under bushes/trees/hedgerow...



Oh..... did I remember to mention I cut a 10" circle of MDF 6mm for the wooden base and glued the Card Pizza disks to it.. Just needs a stain once "dirty work" is finished..









Now I leave the mud to dry (it will lose its wet look unfortunately!), and start adding the rubble from the render..... the hedge and foliage work and general dressing up of the base...

But that's for later in the week as will probably be the last post before the reveal.....





Okay... here is a quick peek at the next posts images...

Building....



rear wall....



Partly dressed....





...and I will add more next time...
As always, thanks for looking, comments and questions welcomed...
Till next time, take care, stay safe and well guys...

[Nige201980]

Great work mate and I stand by what I said last time.

[MarkVerploeg]

Keep it coming

[wappynutter]

Great work mate and I stand by what I said last time.

Ha... Thanks again Nige, you have more faith than I.....
The level of quality and skill being shown in this GB is phenomenal..
Have you seen the foiled P51 by that Nige bloke?? Excellent...
...and that Mark with his Maultier Ambulance Dio?? lol....
... and those Landing craft and jeeps and... and....
Just so so many excellent builds, I am so glad to be a part of it...
But thanks again for the vote of confidence mate... Your a top bloke.. Stay well, Model Happy..

Keep it coming

Thanks Mark, and a very well done with that Ambulance Dio again buddy.... First class piece mate...
...and as we are close I will make this my last build post.... IT IS COMPLETE... and awaiting some photo's for the reveal...
Unfortunately I am not as impressed as I thought I might be...
You guys are gonna love the stealthy Axis tho', Them Allies ain't getting out alive!! lol...

So, I gave a teaser of the foliage work at the end of the last post...
I will try and show you how we got to this stage... and beyond...

I used some Jarvis Hedge dark green for the Hedgerow...
Some Lychen for the rear bush under the tree....
Real mud for the mud...
Some grass matting from a hanging basket liner for the grasses...
Mixed Scatter and dried tealeaves for the ground cover...
Various bits of dried roots dressed with scatter for hawthorn/bramble on the corner under the tree..

















I still need to add to the height and effect of the hedgerow with some bigger branches of bush rising out of the middle somewhere...
Here is the building prior to the rear wall being attached..







The rear wall is made from standard cardboard, cut, shaped and covered in filler and left to dry. After which a matching oil wash is applied and a dab or two of Burnt umber acrylic for bits of brick/stone at the broken areas...









Oh... and my guys got their sandbags when I applied the mud so they blended in to the scene...





Quick mock up........ Oh.... starting to look the part... needs some render rubble in front of the missing/exposed stone areas..







Peek-a-Boo!!



























"MATCH FOR SCALE" PICTURES FOR ERYK......



















Right so rubble/render piles in front of the damaged wall areas are the same method as the rubble inside the building..
Bits of filler in foil and left to dry gives a nice textured effect. dressed with broken bits and tiles and chalk dust and a little grass finishes them off..















....and finally some additional work on the hedgerow...











...and that's a build wrap!!

Final reveal will hopefully be up at the weekend...
I have spent today gluing vehicles, building and figures in their places and at the moment am waiting on the wood stain around the edges to dry..
Hope you all have enjoyed my little build log... Maybe even took a tip or trick away with you??
Many thanks go to all the great modellers on ISM who have dropped in for a look and a comment, your all awesome..
Cheers dudes..
As always you can comment or ask a question......Or tell me its rubbish and to take up fishing! lol...
You guys Take care, stay safe and keep well...
Happy Modelling!!

[MarkVerploeg]

Great work Andy
And thanks again

[wappynutter]

Great work Andy
And thanks again

Thanks Mark, and no problem buddy, love to see your builds...... Waiting for that Dora gun to get some work
All my diorama pictures have been taken and uploaded to Photo bucket....
Just waiting for a spare hour or so to create a reveal thread!!
All the best guys.... Thanks again....

[alextheblue]

If Jesus says "You Rock", who am I to argue. In my opinion Andy, you at least double-rock, nah, make that triple-rock!!

Been away for a while and I've especially enjoyed catching up with your build, it looks IMMENSE!!! Absolutely love it!!

[mannloon]

That dio is just awesome.

[wappynutter]

If Jesus says "You Rock", who am I to argue. In my opinion Andy, you at least double-rock, nah, make that triple-rock!!

Been away for a while and I've especially enjoyed catching up with your build, it looks IMMENSE!!! Absolutely love it!!

Thanks Alex, much appreciated mate.. Hope this "been away" malarkey included some build time on the landing craft and Willy's Jeep?? Waiting patiently for a final reveal on this?? lol.... Hope things are all good your end buddy!
Thanks again Alex, good luck with yours...

That dio is just awesome.

Thanks buddy..... Much appreciated.
..and as a quick final couple of pictures, I thought I would give a quick look into the poor old Allies last few moments, as the Sargent spots and points out the tell tale mud trails between the building and the adjacent fields....
But its too late..... They are already surrounded...
Thanks Guys!!











.... and that's ya lot till the reveal....
I have done a Youtube slideshow reveal also for my channel and will post up as I do the forum reveal.
I will include a link in the forum post to view this...
Thanks again fellow modellers..

[AchtungPanzer]

Wow . All looks great . Mud on Tiger turret - How it got there?(carried the crew shoes- yes? - good idea my friend ). You Done a good job Andy .

[wappynutter]

Wow . All looks great . Mud on Tiger turret - How it got there?(carried the crew shoes- yes? - good idea my friend ). You Done a good job Andy .

Hey Eryk, thanks for taking a look... Much appreciated buddy..
...and yes, crew climbing on and off to get in the turret have created the mud trail from their shoes/boots...
It was a continuation of the muddy boot prints across the road to the building....
Little details that add to the overall effect of the diorama..
Glad you like it and picked up on it my friend...
All the best.. Thanks again..

[Deacon]

Well I have to say mate that, being an avid 1:76/1:76 builder myself, you really have managed some nice detail
in your dio.

Very nicely done sir.

[gaz45]

that is some awesome work there mate

[wappynutter]

Well I have to say mate that, being an avid 1:76/1:76 builder myself, you really have managed some nice detail
in your dio.

Very nicely done sir.

Thanks alot Deacon buddy, i try to give something interesting to look at in my dioramas, 1/76 is the scale i seem to spend my time working in at the moment, no mess and having no mancave means i can work anywhere!!
I have tried and completed my first 1/35 kit for a YouTube GB last month and am planning on putting a post up showing the finished result. All the best buddy, thanks again..

that is some awesome work there mate

Hey Gaz, thanks for dropping by for a look mate... Glad you like it, much appreciated..
I have now put up a final reveal here for those wanting to see the finished diorama..
"Axis Ambush!" The road to Caen...
http://intscalemodeller.com/viewtopic.php?f=262&t=8618
Thanks again guys for all the support and encouragement...
All the best, Happy Modelling...