Meng Models 1/35 German Vs.Kfz.617 Mine Clearing Vehicle

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning John,

Ah yes, the Chief... Very much looking forward to having a look at this one, the extras sound very interesting.

I'm going to the War and Peace Revival today so will keep my eyes open and see if I can't get you a couple of reference photo's! Will be seeing a whole bunch of armour today and who knows, might even be lucky enough to man the 50. Cal on the "Landie" again.

http://www.thewarandpeacerevival.co.uk/

and have a good one
Martin

You lucky, luck man you.
What I wouldn't give to go and see this. Instead sat at desk thumping keyboard in anger (not you obviously ), but at berks who have dropped clangers today and its only 08:00
Hope you get good weather and the chance to slip a round into the chamber (careful where your pointing that beast ). Thanks for link, looks great.
I'm going to get sometime on my own this weekend, as missus at work.
Will be getting a layer or two of Vallejo Primer down on the Three Wheeler.
That will then need to dry thoroughly for a few days so may get the Chief out and have a rummage around in box and may, I say may start a new thread with pics a plenty.
have a wonderful time mate,

John

[Donkeywalloper]

Keep it up mate.

look this

Thank you AP.
Yup, had a look at that build a few times and he does a nice job.
Hope I can get a quality paint job as well.
Take care
John

[Donkeywalloper]

Good morning all

Well as mentioned previous, I managed to get some time at bench this weekend and a bit of AB work on Saturday.
The VsKfz was given a bit of a wash all over in some lukewarm water with a spot of detergent to get rid of greasy finger marks and any dust or sanded plastic dust. Dried under my wife's Hair-Drier on super low heat.
The whole thing was given two very fine, light coats of Vallejo Surface Primer, 73.601, Grey.
This was thinned with a few drops of Ultimate AB Thinner.
I know some have problems with Vallejo Primer, but the Grey and Black have terrific coverage and leave a really fine and even surface prior to the main coat.
I have been giving some very careful thought to the main scheme, and have decided on a scheme which was partly inspired by GIACOMER's comments in this previous thread.
I'm not going to give to much away but watch this space (a paint set is on order from http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk.)
Have a great weekend chaps and speak soon.
Here come the pictures





Thanks to all for your support and kind comments,
John

[AchtungPanzer]

Wow - now Looks extra . Why is he not available in 1:72 , oh well .... Going back to your model I'm waiting for more with interest John

[UKguyInUSA]

Looking great, mate...and I'm looking forward to the surprise paint scheme!

[alextheblue]

She's looking the badgers badgers there John! Like yourself, I'm a big fan of Vallejos primers, they give a nice smooth flat finish and yours looks no exception.

Looking forward to seeing which colour scheme you go for - either way it's going to look the biz!

[Donkeywalloper]

She's looking the badgers badgers there John! Like yourself, I'm a big fan of Vallejos primers, they give a nice smooth flat finish and yours looks no exception.

Looking forward to seeing which colour scheme you go for - either way it's going to look the biz!

Alex
Yeah, I do see some negativity with Vallejo Primers, but I don' t have any problems once thinned a wee bit.
The finish always seems smooth and flat. The secret though is give it some time to cure. At least 24 if not more.
Speak soon mate,
John

[Unit53]

Morning John,
Excellent progress, she's going to look the business... Wow, what a weekend, War & Peace was just excellent and ended up staying over night, what a riot! Didn't manage to find a Chief although their definitely was one there somewhere, the site is huge and you could really do with a few days to get round. Met up with the "Tunnel Rats" again and praise be got back on the .50 cal, boys and the big toys...

When I get five minutes I'll post up the rest of the days activities, if it can be arranged definitely worth a visit next year!


Martin

[GIACOMER]

I have been giving some very careful thought to the main scheme, and have decided on a scheme which was partly inspired by GIACOMER's comments in this previous thread.

Now I'm definitively curious about the scheme!!!
Glad to have been useful

[galileo1]

Looks great, John! I found this kit online for a good price the other day and thought about buying it. Maybe I will now that I see how nice it's coming out.

Looking forward to more pics.

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning John,
Excellent progress, she's going to look the business... Wow, what a weekend, War & Peace was just excellent and ended up staying over night, what a riot! Didn't manage to find a Chief although their definitely was one there somewhere, the site is huge and you could really do with a few days to get round. Met up with the "Tunnel Rats" again and praise be got back on the .50 cal, boys and the big toys...

When I get five minutes I'll post up the rest of the days activities, if it can be arranged definitely worth a visit next year!


Martin

Blumming Hell (No swearing).
You lucky, lucky man.
Is that a bottle of Magners in the bin I see
The weather helped.
What are you in by the way?
Sorry so

[Unit53]

Morning John,
It was a Long Wheel Base Land Rover (no idea what model), desert scheme and a whole bunch of guns. Good spot on the Magners in the ammo box it's just that this version of 'Landie' didn't with a cup holder. So much stuff to see and just eye popping, found myself drawling over this little number later... Bit out of my price range so maybe settle for a 1/35 version...


Martin

[Donkeywalloper]

Just shown the wife the photos, both burst out laughing.
She will be worried that i,ll be getting ideas about Landies as well.
Looks ace, very jealous.

John

[Donkeywalloper]

Howdy folks ,

Hope your all well?
Well little up-date. I finished my row of Night-Shifts this morning at 05:00, and after a beautiful cycle home (to cycle along Cycle-Paths, with no people or cars on roads and just the sound of birds is a real treat), Hot-Bunked the marital bed as Mrs Walloper got up for work, I jumped right on in.
Made it through to 11:00, when the air was ripped by the sound of a Jack Hammer hitting concrete in the house next door. House is not attached, but noise was attached......
The house was occupied up to three weeks ago by a lovely couple who had lived there for 30 years.
They sold the house after both retiring and deciding to downsize. We now have the new occupiers (not actually moved in yet), ripping the house out.
Anyway, time up has been spent well, cleaning out the throng of Rabbits and Guinea Pigs and Goldfish.
After all of that, I thought....I'd have sometime in man-Cave.
So this is what I have been doing.
We have the "Del-Boy" primed in Vallejo Grey.
So the main unit this afternoon has been sprayed with Hannants Xtracylix Panzer Grey Ral 7021 (thinned with Ultimate).
This was thinned 70 / 40 (Paint to Thinner).
This had to be adjusted to more Thinner, as I have found Xtracrylix to be a bugger for jamming up AB.
Pressure was at 2 Bar.
Once the viscosity was sorted, it sprayed really well with lovely coverage.
I have then started the highlights. unfortunately, I only managed the top, front third, as Compressor got hot and cut-out on Safety Switch.
To be honest I was knackered and so it was a good time to stop, clean up and give it a rest.
It will give time for paint to cure overnight.
Here come the pictures.


You can just see the start of the highlights, before AB Comp cut-out.




So, be kind.
Maybe able to crack on with Highlights on Wednesday or Thursday (Fencing tomorrow, Rain expected in East Midlands on Wednesday).
You may ask, alright you may not ...where is the Turret?
It has been sprayed a colour, but I have done it as a surprise
Will unveil all soon.
I will be turning off all lights tonight except one, for my commemoration of the Millions who gave their all for me and everyone.
John

[AchtungPanzer]

Faster mate - the and of the Year is close . Go go go John

[Donkeywalloper]

Faster mate - the and of the Year is close . Go go go John

Lol,
I can't go any faster.
This is what worries me about signing up to SIG's and GB's....I'll be dead before any are finished.
It will be done soon.
John

[AchtungPanzer]

OK Ok I keep my fingers crossed

[AchtungPanzer]

Hi John ! Look this movie ( all )

[Donkeywalloper]

Bloody hell Mate, that is he most awesome thing ever.
Of course it has completely, and utterly made my "effort" redundant.
Thank you for finding that.
Mrs DW and me were really laughing at the thought of owning that, could put the shopping basket on it and do the shop in great style.

John
PS: Am setting up myself for a four hour session today, to complete some AB work on unit. Hopefully get to the stage by end of today where I can look at tomorrow being start of two coats of Alclad Aqua Gloss.
John

[alextheblue]

Firstly, apologies for missing your post earlier in the week John and this is one build that I've been keeping an eager eye out for (need to start keeping both eyes open in future! )

That's looking real nice with some colour on and once you've finished the highlights it's going to be awesome. I'm liking that colour as well; I've never used Hannant's acrylics, but I might just give some a go.

Looking forward to the next installment!

[Donkeywalloper]

Hi Alex

No apologies necessary mate. Life is more important than models...... no its not
I have been having a few hours with the AB this afternoon and have finished the highlights and some more works on painting the turret.
The barrels or MG's have been painted in Mig Gun-Metal.
Also painted the Exhaust in Aqueous Hobby Colour Burnt Iron. May try burnishing the end of Exhaust
The whole unit is gonna have 24 hours drying time prior to a coat of Alclad Aqua Gloss.
Take care and speak soon,

John

[Donkeywalloper]

Forgot to post this delivery the other day for this unit.
The kit does not come with decals and I thought it could do with dome decals to give balance to the stark German Panzer Grey.
I picked these up from http://www.hannants.co.uk
The are a Microscale set in 1/35 of German Armour WW2 Markings.

I shall use a few crosses and leave it at that.
Speak soon mates,
John

[Donkeywalloper]

Hello all

Where we at on this?
Not a clue..........
Nope, one does have some inkling of what is going on.
On a high recommendation from Paul & Lee, I have bought a jar of Alclad Aqua Gloss.................wow!
Amazing stuff
Really amazing
No thinning, no mucking about.
Just light couple of coats all over, and the surface coverage is absolutely fantastic.
I have finished the highlights and also finished most of the work with AB now on this unit.
I will allow a full weekend of curing after Aqua Gloss coverage has now been completed.
It will then sometime next week be some very small decal work with my Microscale Decal set.
Then it is time to get this beast grubby.
For all of those Weathering Freaks , this will be a grubby little unit.
I fancy a bit of mud around wheels and lower hull.
Turret painting is finished as well now.
I shall be using Winsor and Newton Oil, Burnt Umber diluted heavily with thinners to highlight bolts and seams.
Also AK Brown Blue Wash for Panzer Grey Vehicles for all over the unit wash.
Here are the latest piccies.....




Have a great weekend all,
John

[Tiger131]

loving your work keep the pics a coming

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

Well, I have had a funny old thing happen again with Meng.
If you have read thread, you will remember I had a ding dong about the turret not being correct historically (MG's back to front on instructions) and also parts missing.
Annie at Customer Care at Meng was a diamond geezer, and replacement parts arrived after paying to have them sent from HK (about £11).
Last week, £11 arrives back in my Paypal account and an email saying payment refused .
Turns out they won't except Sterling in HK only $.
So this morning I have had to pay monies again via Paypal.
All is legit, and everything monitored and covered by Paypal insurance.
Even in these days of being able to "Ping" monies to anyone, anywhere in the world (and it sure beats sending cheques via post), things still get complicated.
Annie has been a real brick in all of this, even to the point of saying that she would pay out of her own pocket...... (could not have that sort of thing going on).
Had a good look at vehicle last night, and even though I only put down one coat of Aqua Gloss, I don't think it needs another coat before weathering. I'm going to get some Alclad Matte to give unit a coat after weathering and such.
I hope to get some decals on this Tuesday.
Just a few from decals sheet bought at Hannants.
I have ordered (hope it gets here today or tomorrow) from www.scalemodelshop.co.uk some of the following products to assist weathering.
Mig German Grey Highlight Oil (Thinned for detail wash).
Mig Black Smoke Pigment (For engine vents and exhaust areas, have no confirmation from WWW, but looking at this vehicle and being a concept unit, I fancy it did not have the cleanest burn engine).
Mig Russian Earth Pigment (well it is in Russia, and it will need some Russian soil for base ).
Mig Europe Wet Mud Rough Texture (you can see where I am going with this )
Not used the above product before, but seen good reviews on it.
Anywhoo, should go and do some work, as I am at work....
Cheers chaps,
John

[Willem]

Hey John. Looking great fella. Agree with you about the Alclad gloss and matt varnishes. Definitely go to stuff from now on.

[Donkeywalloper]

Morning all

Well, have to say, not been the best week to be honest.
I looked at the Meng and the Chief last night and felt like consigning both to "The Shelf of Doom" .
I'm not sure what I'm feeling at the moment.
My mind feels like it's wading through treacle.
Everything I do seems to be harder than normal.
I suffer with Bi-Polar and PTSD (I had a horrific accident in the Army and it put me in hospital for 18 months and the knock on is this), it seems this has risen out of no where and come down on me like an avalanche.
I have to admit the Robin Williams thing did effect me.
How to put this..not just the talent and fantastic comic genius of him, but more so the sad and strange manner of his demise. It was weird because on the Monday afternoon I had a very overwhelming feeling of doom. It washed over me whilst sat on my rower. I felt sad. Really sad, but I could not understand why.
I came in from work yesterday afternoon knackered. The normal chores of putting on Clothes Washing, taking clothes of line, emptying Dish-Washer, blah-de-blah-de-blah......
I prepared the Dinner for me and Mrs DW.
Greek Lamb, which as anyone who has tinkered in the Kitchen, is a doddle and just involves shoving ingredients, fresh Oregano, fresh Thyme, Lemons, Olives, garlic and my twist of Red Onions, in a pan and shoving in the Oven for as many hours as you can (I also chuck in a few glasses of Retsina (Greek Wine, but that is my secret and I'll fight to keep that till the grave ).
As that cooked and I could smell the process wafting through the house, I retired to the man-Cave.
I had had a delivery that morning from the www.scalemodelshop.co.uk of a few items. Mig Production Grey Highlight Oil, Mig Productions Wet Mud Rough, Mig Black Smoke and Mig Russian Earth.
I took some photos of the bits and bobs and then the Camera battery died.
Could I find the bloody battery charger........searched high and low muttering to myself, slowly boiling to an incandescent rage.
I found it in the end, in the suitcase we used for our trip following the Tour de France. This only annoyed me more as I always put things back where they were so as to avoid this bloody farce
As you will know, the thread for the VsKfz 617 is long, long, long, long.
Bits missing, wrong MG placement due to crap instructions.......
Its the simplest of models. Fits beautifully.
But...for my second model in 35 years it really has tested my fecking nerves and patience.
I'm a perfectionist.
It's good in a way, but it leads to me not liking my own levels of competence.
I know what you will all say, your still learning and you should enjoy.
I do enjoy, and I do know its a curve of learning and experience.
Mrs DW got home last night after an equally long day. She knew I was in trouble. Bless her, she watches over me and looks after me and knows when the DW is hurting.
After all that work on Dinner (well popping ingredients in a pan and chucking in oven), I did not even want the results.
I looked at my plate of food and just took it back to Kitchen (its still in fridge if anyone wants it later ).
I told her how I felt...
Shall I tell you what she said, well I ought to as I may have told you more than I should have anyway
She said "I could build a plane".............................................
Mrs DW is not a modeller.
Lord, I have seen her at times trying to put batteries in a remote control and it ends up being thrown across the room. She is brilliant and dedicated and a highly intelligent woman, but she is by her own admission not a great person for sitting and concentrating on one particular thing.
Even after 17 years of being with this woman, she manages to between the eyes with her endearing love and compassion.
Gents, I may put the Vs. Vkz on hold.
13 pages of drivel and rambling and still the bloody thing is not done...
I finished the detail wash and started on a bit of chipping (sponge technique) in the afternoon with this model.
The Chief needs PE work extraordinare and I don't feel that is right for me now. I want to do this unit the justice it deserves, as I have done so far, but not in my frame of mind.
I hope none of you mind me just jotting my thoughts down.
I have been here only a short time but it has been so wonderful to watch and learn from really skilled people.
The laughs and banter is wonderful.
Truly I believe, if Governments of the world moved over and the people of ISM moved in, the world would be a better place. Peaceful, happy and extraordinary chaps, gifted in sticking tiny bits of metal on to plastic, and making it look so good
If you all walked into a bar right now I would buy you all a drink. I would not recognise any of you but you could all have a drink on me.
Look after yourselves and those you love.
John

[alextheblue]

Hey John, sorry to hear your struggling at the moment bud. I'm not going to patronize you with the usual guff and cliches as you've no doubt heard it all before. I'm not even going to say that I know what you are going through, as something so subjective can really only be experienced by the bearer. But what I will say is that you are in good company here on the forum and I bet there will be a lot of people that will read your last post and say, yup, I understand that. It seems there are a lot of ex-service guys here, whether it be military or law enforcement and a lot of us have our demons to bear. Most of the time I have a pretty good grip on mine, but every now and then they get a bit of a grip on me. I do however have a great support group, namely a bunch of old muckers and a couple of times a year we get together to re-live old tales of derring-do as well as raise a glass to missing friends. For me, its these times that act as a great neutraliser to the screaming night terrors, the anxiety of new situations and the feeling of sensory overload when in extremely busy and noisy places. And like yourself, I am blessed to have a better half who really is my better-half.

Like you said yourself, I've probably shared a bit too much here, but sometimes it can help to know you're not the only one in the world who feels as you do. Model making can be a great release from these stresses, but at other times it can just add to them. I'm slowly learning to let these things go as they really aren't important - I think to myself, so what there's bits missing, so what the paintwork looks shite, so what the weathering looks nothing like I intended. When I sit back and think about it, I enjoy the process and in a couple of weeks time when you revisit that model, it's never as bad as you think it is.

Anyhoo, thats enough inane ramblings from me, just wanted to say that I've always really enjoyed your build threads and posts, but at the same time, don't put any undue pressure on yourself - it has been said many times on this forum, it''s your hobby, do it your way!

[Donkeywalloper]

Alex you could not be less patronising if you tried.
Ah, the ability to "Pull up the Old Sand-Bag" and chin wag........
Thanks you Alex.
Like I said, I would not you if you walked in front of me but today you were a mate and that mean't a lot.
More than you realised......
John

[GIACOMER]

I don't know what to say... I enjoyed this wip since the first page and of course I wanted to see the final result, but this is a hobby, is YOUR hobby, it's not a work. Sometimes, when everything goes wrong in the workshop, I get very angry, but then I think "Ehy man, it's just a hobby", I stop for while, like a week, and then I'm ready to begin again. For me model-building is relax, if I get more stressed I don't see the point in doing it...
I can't say anything about PTSD but I know what is, and I know that it hurts, probably my grandpa suffered of it, although at the time they didn't care about things like that, he fought six years in WWII, and he and the bottle were inseparable...

[Donkeywalloper]

Hello chaps

Can't stay away.
Not feeling any better in myself but some of my cloggy brain we feel maybe down to a virus.
I started to lose my appetite early in the week, as a person who loves his food and enjoys cooking (Ex-Chef), day by day I was eating less and less. As I write, I have managed a piece of dry toast in three days.
Then in the last few days I have been sick and suffering with the trots as well (sorry if this is being read with food ).
No I have not been to Liberia or that neck of the wood..
I thought I would post some notes though and let you know what was happening in the DW world...what do you mean your not assed
Lol.
I mentioned that I took delivery of some kit from http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk...Mig Productions P503 Europe Wet Mud Rough Texture.

This is a new product and I was going to use in a small base Dio for the Vs. Kfz 617.
I opened it last night (Thursday), and found that despite a tight, plastic inner stopper / covering under the lid, that the whole paste was a solid block
I had a look on the web and found that it should be a paste, capable of being brushed or trowelled.
As I dug viciously with the end of an old PB at this block and tried to chip off bits, I knew all was not good
I sent a email to John at http://www.scalemodelshop.co.uk last night, and this morning in my In-Box was a lovely and very helpful email from John
I know Paul and Lee have recommended this chap before for his exceptional Customer Service.
He is exceptional. he is sending a new pot (having checked it over first).
The tips though on resurrecting the paste I have from John, are great. Its basically, get in with some water and give it a bloody good stir, and if that does not work get some warm water in and give it a bloody good digging
I received today from The Scale Model Shop five pots of paint.

We have Mig Dark Rust(Mig-041), Mig Medium Rust (Mig-040) and, you know where this is going , Mig Light Rust (Mig-039).
Not done rust effects before so we'll see how we fair.
The unit has had some weathering added, I do apologise but I have not up-loaded photos yet, but if I give you a running order you'll get an idea.
First product used on the vehicles Panzer Grey, was Mig Productions 502 Abteilung, Abt 170 German Grey Highlights.
This has been washed into all crevices (may have already posted that but sorry if I have), thinned down with thinners to a very thin wash.
Then added around exhaust intake and ehaust pipe some Mig Productions Black Soot.
The wheels and underside have then been very liberally caked with Mig productions P034 Russian Earth which was dusted in places, then caked around the track plates and hit with Pigment Fixer to send off rock hard (clogs of lovely Russian Mud).
The Turret has been given a wipe over with Mig Neutral Wash.

The turret is looking real good now.
Still not showing the turret off on this thread am I
The other two colours from Vallejo Panzer Aces are 312 Leather Belt and 339 Highlight Ge. 2 (Feldgrau).
The latter is for Dry-Brushing some parts of unit to accentuate (Ooooh get him ) the detail. The other is just for collection....
Have a great weekend chaps,
John

[Donkeywalloper]

Hello my little friends

Been up since 06:00, pottering around.
Strange sight on getting up this morning, of a very, very large pile of Cook-Books piled in a neat pile on carpet next to the door to the Dinning Room

Well, Mrs DW at work after a crap night sleep.
She had a bad tummy and got up to get a drink about 01:00 and left the great lump DW snoring away.
As she came out of the Kitchen she saw the biggest, hairy spider blocking the door (yup, I know the mental image of a large 6' spider with muscles standing in door-way is in my mind ),
Mrs DW does not like spiders. Not to the point of screaming but not wanting to stroke one either.
Me, I won't kill anything and will capture spiders, wasps, bees and let the little fellows go (must be my Buddhist past).
According to Mrs DW, she dropped a copy of Rick Stein on top of the poor thing, followed by a Bill Granger, a Jamie Oliver and a couple of Delia's plus a few French cookery tomes of sizable weight. The size on the floor was about 1' of cooking bibles.
When Mrs DW came down looking awful and feeling worse she explained the pile of books.
I removed the books and found the spider, twice the size and beautifully pressed.
Poor bugger
I thought I would give you all a little up-date with photos.
I have kept the turret under wraps and so here it is.
I bought an AK, German Red Primer Modulation set.
I fancied doing something different with this kit, and it has no real colour set-up, so I went free-hand.
Giacomer got me thinking about the fact these turrets came straight from other vehicles and maybe.......even from the factory in a rush.
I followed the instructions on Modulation on the rear of the packet.
So a quick run down of products used in weathering.
After decals applied and a coat of Alclad Aqua Gloss to seal the decals on......
The whole unit was given a suitable wash of Mig Productions Neutral Wash.

I used Mig Abt170 German Grey Highlights, suitably thinned for a gentle wash around panels and bolts.
On lifting hooks and other protruding parts small amounts of Mig Abt 020 Faded Dark Yellow were applied in tiny dots. This was left for a short while before a Wide Flat Brush lubricated in thinners was dragged down to simulate a bit of rust.
The Exhaust Pipe on the side had been painted in Mig-045 Gun Metal and then Mig P023 Black Smoke applied under pipe for Exhaust smoke, this was applied behind the Upper Engine Exhaust as well.
I then got all creative with the Vents panels on top of Upper Deck, and got all jiggy ( ) with the following:
All Mig, Dark Rust, Medium Rust and Light Rust (Mig-041, Mig-040, Mig-039).

I wanted a rain effected panel and baked with heat.....your decision on whether it is a success, but I like it. The pictures do not give it justice.
As you may have read already, Mig P034 Russian Earth was dusted al over vehicle and loaded on the tracks and held with pigment Fixer.
The whole unit has had a Dry-Brush with Vallejo, Panzer Ace, Highlight, GE2 (Feldgrau) 339.
The Steering Chains have also had some rust treatment.
The last thing I need to do is apply a wee bit of Graphite pencil on some leading edges.
The tracks to incorporate it into a small base will have some of the Mig Mud P503 Europe Wet Mud applied by AB and a Dry-Brush and caked into the Track Shoes.

Whole thing will then get a Alclad Matt finish.
Here are the piccies,
Thanks to all of you and all of your support, you are an amazing bunch of chaps. Words really do fail me in telling you all how much it has meant to have you reading this and posting comments..



Turret with drilled out MG's and in right order

That Bar Steward would scare the willies out of me if it was lumbering towards me...



Forgot about the chipping effect with the sponge and a bit of Vallejo Hull Red 039.






John

[Grinjer]

Superb!

[Donkeywalloper]

Superb!

Thank you mate.

John

[Donkeywalloper]

Thought I would post a little tease of a "Little Dude" for a small Dio for Vs.
This is one of the figure from the Dragon Operation Typhoon series.
My first figure built and painted in 35 years.
I have some more Dragon Pioneers on the way with the Italeria Barricades and Obstacles set.
Work i.e. painting still in progress...be nice chaps.

Will require some more paint and washes to get desired effect.





John

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon Chaps and Chapess

How are we all?
Well I finished Nights yesterday morning and after a lovely sleep in a freshly changed bed, with a lovely Mrs DW, I feel refreshed and happy in my soul.
I have been off for a walk this morning in Burton, to have my "Ears Raised" or a to you, a haircut and to get my Drugs supply (No worries, I have Chronic Qsteo-Arthritis in my Right Ankle and so have supplies of Gabapentin, Co-Codamol and Morphine patches.. ) from the Doctors.
Following a Bacon sandwich and a good cup of coffee, no better start can you have at the Bench. I'm up and.....crawling
So, what have I been up to.
Well each day has been a bit more paint and effects on the "Little Dude" as Mrs DW calls him.
This is one figure (my first in 35 years) from the Dragon Operation Typhoon group.
I'm happy with him now.
He needs a coat of Matt Varnish to seal him and his MP40 (still painting that), and he is good to go.



The Winter Camouflage effect on helmet is Vallejo Grey Splinter applied with a sponge.

Sorry about pictures as light in room (Sunlight) is all over the place (complaining about sunshine on a September day in UK, typical).
I also mentioned (maybe, can't remember), that I bought a second group of Dragon figures under the title German Sturmpioneier (Kursk 1943).
Nice figures as normal from Dragon, and I know strictly that I should be talking about this in the Figures Section (I will post some comments soon in that section, sorry admin ).
So far I have built the Grenadier figure complete with bags of "Potato Mashers" slung around his neck, and the kneeling figure complete with detonation unit.
I painted the figure above complete i.e. with equipment and head and helmet attached.
This time I will paint separately then affix after painting. Lesson learnt





These have been given a spray with Tamiya Rattle Can (Grey) and I will then fill gaps in arms and re-spray and the start to paint.
These will be built and painted in a mix of Tamiya and Vallejo, and used in my still uncompleted Dio.
Its in my head forming nicely.....
The Italiria barricades kit bought a couple of weeks ago will also form a section in the Dio.
I hope your still enjoying this thread.....
Stay with it, it will be soon complete.
John

[Tiger131]

looking real nice and the the weathering is spot on looking forward to seeing all the figures and tank together...and bud we all have the hair pulling eye twitching vain popping moments just put it down and walk away...i usually go and shoot thing on grand theft..so its not just you

[Donkeywalloper]

looking real nice and the weathering is spot on looking forward to seeing all the figures and tank together...and bud we all have the hair pulling eye twitching vain popping moments just put it down and walk away...i usually go and shoot thing on grand theft..so its not just you

Cheers Tiger.
Nice to see you read the thread and caught the sense of Highs and Lows.
Sat here reading your comments and chewing Wine Gums and watching the clouds in the blue skies over Burton (blimey waxing lyrical, must be the sugar.. ), the model does look good, and I'm pleased with the results.
Just needs tying all together for a finished product.
Thanks for dropping by mate,
John

[Willem]

That beast looks scarier each time I see it, John.

Washed out colours and gritty realism in my humble (and non armour) opinion. The Sam Peckinpah of builds!

Figures looking very cool too mate.

Cracking job.

[Donkeywalloper]

That beast looks scarier each time I see it, John.

Washed out colours and gritty realism in my humble (and non armour) opinion. The Sam Peckinpah of builds!

Figures looking very cool too mate.

Cracking job.

Will, your way to kind my friend, way to kind.
You caught me in a moment at the Bench with myself peering through magnifier of Light-Craft at a 1/35 German Infantry Water Bottle with my "Thinny" ( ) in my hand removing a fine seam line around its tiny edges.
I was swearing just minutes before when the Flamethrower tube snapped as being cut off sprue. That is what Super-Glue is for though
I'm listening to Jean Michel Jarre, Magnetic Fields, sucking on Sour Wine Gums and drinking coffee..
When after making a homemade Italian Tomato sauce, I sent this to the lovely Mrs DW by email, when she asked me what was for tea...
"Jawohl Obersturmführer, your tea is ready, when are you coming home",
The response was,
"Oh Lordy, lay off the sweets and coffee love".
I have had a lovely day on my own surrounded by Resin parts, glues and paints and my favourite Rosemary & Co Paint Brushes (check out http://www.rosemaryandco.com/ for excellent ranges of brushes).
Thoroughly lovely day.
Comments from yourself, just add the cream and cherry on a perfect day.
Thank you Will.
John
PS: Nearly went to the very dark side the other night whilst browsing the web, I nearly bought an Eduard 109........still in basket...should I

[Willem]

Wine gums and coffee is a lethal mix mate.

Which 109? Emil or Gustav? Either way do it.

I'm decaling the P-40 at the moment as an antidote to my first day back at teaching (meetings and workshops, meh). Trouble is the shark's mouth is shattering into little bits.... delicate going.

Anyway, back on topic; the comments on your build are honest opinion mate, looks fantastic.

Looking forward to the reveal.

[Donkeywalloper]

Wine gums and coffee is a lethal mix mate.

Which 109? Emil or Gustav? Either way do it.

I'm decaling the P-40 at the moment as an antidote to my first day back at teaching (meetings and workshops, meh). Trouble is the shark's mouth is shattering into little bits.... delicate going.

Anyway, back on topic; the comments on your build are honest opinion mate, looks fantastic.

Looking forward to the reveal.

Ah your a Teacher...a fine profession and very knocked and under-rated at times.
Personally, never liked school, but even now where I did excel (Design, Technical Drawing, Wood-Work, Metals and such), I will never forget my Teachers. They were inspirational and I still remember them with fondness and thanks.
..Sorry of on a tangent, damn sweets.
Emil, should I do it.....probably will.
You know what Will...I'm looking forward to the Big Reveal as well mate
Tell me when it will be

John

[AchtungPanzer]

Not bad finish John , not bad

[Donkeywalloper]

Not bad finish John , not bad

Merci Eryk, congratulations on your promotion
Hope your well my friend.
John

[AchtungPanzer]

Thanx mr Sergeant Now i can fight in Donbas UA . I Fu Ck pUTIN and the rUSSIAN;s.

[Unit53]

Great work on the figures John, really nice effect on that tin hat, looking forward to seeing them in place.


Martin

[Donkeywalloper]

Good afternoon chaps

Well Mrs DW in bath, testing products for work.
Me having finished wholesome stew, and left in oven to slow cook, I am left to my own devices.
So, been a long time since I did anything on this project.
The 617 is finished, save for a coat of Alclad Matt Varnish and some weathering (mud) around wheels and tracks.
Its always difficult to transcribe what is going on in ones head and describe the finished or continuing project to you the most learned brethren of Plastic and Paint.
So since I left you all, I have bought myself a Picture Frame of Dark Wood.
I removed the glass and the picture mount, and then cut a piece of ply to fit the internal diameter of the frame and increase the depth. This saves on the amount of Mr Clay used.

Mr Clay was then smeared into the central aperture and prior to that the frame itself was masked up.
The Mr Clay was then moulded to accentuate ridges and terrain. The unmistakable Track Pads of the 617 was then pushed into the moist clay to leave some track marks.

I had bought some Italeria 1/35 Barricades set.
These are three of the Tank Barricades.

I Super-Glued a Cock-Tail stick on to each just to make man-handling easier.
These have been primed with Halfords White Plastics Primer from a Rattle-Can.
These will be then sprayed with AK 127 Red Primer Base from the AK 124 German Red Primer Modulation Set.

I had an idea of some rolls of Barbed Wire to demark the start of a Russian Mine-Field on this diorama.
I bought the best wire I could afford from http://www.snmstuff.co.uk.

It's pretty damn convincing for the effect. I will use some coiled around some wooden dowels and some interweaved through the barricades.

The wire comes in 5m packs so I think we will have enough and allowing for mistakes.
I have also wanted to drop some greenery in, as Kursk was a Spring-Time season. So the next product to be used will be some Noch Wild-Grass, XL, 12mm, Light-Green.

Normally this would be applied by the Noch Dispenser at £26, but finances dictate the loss of this kit for the moment.
I will go with PVA and some tweezers and careful positioning. I have plenty in the bag (never used this product before but the Railway Modellers swear by it), and practice on some card prior, will help with its use and positioning.
I have been working on various figures for this diorama and have been enjoying painting figures for the first time in 35 years.
It pays to keep it simple with faces only supposed to be seen at 3'.
I know the photography is crap due to light, but the face is quite impressive in real light, and I am very pleased with the outcome.

The use of washes and my secret weapon (not secret now), Tamiya Weathering Master pastels, give really nice levels of detail.

I started by painting figures complete i.e. with helmets and equipment attached, but have now settled on just gluing the torso and arms and legs together.


I paint the Helmets, Equipment and Weapons and Heads separate.

The figures are from the 1/35 Dragon German Pioneers kit.
I have several figures available, but am gonna rely on two figures crouched behind the hulk of the 617.
So with Mrs DW enjoying much bubbles and splashing about, I shall crack on.
Take care mates,
John

[Coen]

Massive amount of work John. Mrs DW needs to product test in the tube more often, you're dangerous when left unattended, haha.

[martin57]

great job so far , with the dio and all the xtras it will look superb .

[Donkeywalloper]

Cheers Martin and Mike.
Mike, you did mean the Tub not the Tube
Either way your right, left alone I am a little Lary.
Thanks Guys for comments.
Have a great evening.
John