This is a little diorama vignette I built for a close friend as a Father's Day gift this year. His father---who was in many ways like a second father to me---was born in 1907; a high-school teacher and coach in civilian life, he served with the 645th Tank Destroyer Battalion, 45th Infantry Division, from June of 1942, as one of the 'old men' in his outfit, all the way from the sands of North Africa, through Italy, Southern France, and eventually into Germany. The photograph below was one of his treasured mementos, taken in the more relaxed days immediately following the end of the war, while exploring an enemy aircraft collection point at Oberwiesenfeld, Germany.
And my rendition in 1/72 scale, slightly foreshortened to properly fit on the base.
The Wurger is the old Tamiya Fw190A-3, modified to A-4 standards to match the WerkNummer 2394 just visible in the photo. Codes are as shown in the photo above and others taken on the same day, but color scheme and 'trim' colors are just a 'best guess.' Speculation on the Luftwaffe Experten Message Board was that the aircraft---which had at one point apparently been partially 'written off' following a pretty severe crash---was rebuilt or combined with parts from another damaged airframe, and serving as a training aircraft for some as-yet unidentified unit.
Case is a generic 'Mini Helmet' display case from the craft store. Groundwork base from Scotchbrite pads for ready-made variable texture; assorted Woodland Scenics grasses for the...well, grass, and a few rags and discarded bits scattered around, as seen in the original photograph. Just for visual interest I made a tarp of tissue and white glue, draped over the port wing. The Jumo engine is 'borrowed' from a Revell Me262. 'No Smoking sign and nameplate made up on the PC.
The figure started life as a modern-day jet pilot with 'bone-dome' in hand---but wearing nearly the proper style of forage cap. I repositioned the limbs and head, and 'filled out' the profile a bit with white putty. All uniform details painted on, with 'Dad' Bigwood's glasses made from the thinnest silver wire I could find. The figure is no great shakes, by any means---but I actually had a flash of recognition when I'd finished it: the 'body English' and look is the man himself. (That fine gentleman passed away in 1987...so he won't have to see what I did to him!)
My own loving tribute to a member of the 'Greatest Generation.' Happy Father's Day to one and all!