(HISTORIC BATTLES) Battle of the Bulge 60th anniversary Group Build--starts Nov. 1

Is this build still going to happen? I haven't heard anything from it in awhile. Thinking of droping out of it now myself.

I am confirmed with the King Tiger. I picked up the Tamiya Ardennes kit today. I have never done a diorama, but I may try one here. Anyone know, off hand, if there are any winter German troop figures out there in non-comba poses? Looking for some walking

Dragon do quite a few that can either be used straight from the box or can be adapted easily. They do two sets of Falschirmjager taken from some quite famous pictures of King Tiger 222 heading towards Malmedy. These are in 'static' poses though ie sitting or standing.

Thanks!

Well, I bought the figures fiasco suggested, along with photoetch and an aluminum barrel for the King Tiger. I am going to attempt my first diorama. I am trying to find some pine trees to buy in 1/35th, so if anyone knows of any, let me know. I have never made one, so I would like to buy if possible. Otherwise, I guess I will be making some

Jason,

Check this out. I need some of my own for this build as well.

http://www.digitaldioramas.com/2002/issue5/dd_pinetrees.htm

Thanks Ted. I wonder if you can buy/use fake ferns? I was going to try a method that is a combo of this and Dwight's method on the main Armor page, but these look better.

That pine tree article is great. Now I have to find a grinder to grind the dowls. Maybe something cheap that attachs to a drill?

JW, which photoetch did you get? I used the Aber grills on mine. With my metal barrel I decided to scrap the metal muzzle break and graft on the kit one as the metal one had too much flash. Looks good though!

I got the Eduard. Haven't seen the barrel yet (just ordered it from Squadron last night). Thanks for the heads up on the figures. This is definitely going to be my biggest build yet- by a huge margin

Jason, I think if you have a drum sander for your dremel, than you could get the same effect. Even a small rasp followed by sanding would give the same effect. I haven't used this technique, but will try it for my dio. Also, if you have access to Modelling Masterclass - Terrains, there's a few pages dedicated to coniferous (sp?) trees. As far as the folliage goes, if ther's a micheal's around, or florist ofr hat matter, they all have the ferns he spoke of in the article. I like to seal mine w/ dull coat and also paint and dry brush. But that's me. I think there should be a knot here and there on the way up. I don't think you'd see much folliage before getting up above the canopy 30 plus feet in the air. I plan on doing a shadowbox, so it will be easier for me.

Question, If ddayomaha doesn't surface, whos' in charge around here when the time comes. I know it's still a month away, but time has a way of sneaking up on you. When I say "incharge", I mean updating what people are building and making sure there is a badge and all. Please keep in mind that I don't want the job

It will be Chaos if no one is in charge. I now plan on building a diorama of a German U-Boot fighting an A-10 and a dinosaur.

I do have the drum attachment for the dremel. I am going to try that. I wonder what he did at the tops of the trees. Are they just cut off, like they would be in a picture or are they complete trees? He doesn't show any tops, but mentions about tapering the ends.

I don't think you could model a 100' tree and display it in any way. Too tall.

True. Some of the pics I was looking at had smaller trees in it, too. I figure I will fiddle around with some techniques before it starts and see what comes out best. Let me know how yours goes, too

OK- where the heck do you buy glycerine?? The helpful lady at Michaels said "Nitro glycerine" are you joking?" Attempts to explain that there was no nitro in front of what I asked for fell on deaf ears.

Jwest, You can use aquanet. I do. It seals in and is a mild lacquer. Or Dull coat also works. I am not sure what glycerine is, except for the very cool song. I'll do some research.

Isn't that hairspray?? If it works as an adhesive too, it might be a good way to add some snow. By the way, I have had Bush in my head all day because of that article.

Here's a site:

http://www.ehow.com/how_5454_preserve-leaves-with.html

Mybe a drug store or a florist or someone that does dried flower arrangements.

I'll keep checking

This site says a drug store (pharmacy).

http://experts.about.com/q/716/831274.htm

Gettin closer

I found this as well. Seems like Rite Aid or Similar is the place to go. I will call some florists in the morning and let you know. I want to get some as well (not the tallow kind though . ewwwww!!!).

Preserving FoliageTop of Page



One of the best ways is with glycerine, known chemically as glycerol, a
by-product of the soap industry. It comes in both a synthetic and natural form. Natural glycerine comes from animal fat (tallow) and vegetable oil. Most of the tallow glycerine comes from Mexico, and most vegetable glycerine has no odor and is a “water white” clear liquid. Occasionally, tallow glycerine has a yellow or brown discoloration and often has an odor because it is almost impossible to remove particles of animal fat during the refining process. Remove dust from leaves, pound lower ends of stems with a hammer to split bark and loosen wood. Stand material in a jar containing a solution of 2/3 water and 1/2 glycerine, so it reaches 3 or 4 inches up the stems. Allow a week or so for the solution to be absorbed. Leaves and low-growing plants may be laid in the solution so they are covered. Glycerine will change the foliage to a darker color, and it will last indefinitely.

You would have thought the lady at Michaels would have known what it is then. Maybe she was new or something?

Yeah, my wife new what it was. Apparently it's also some kinda of moisturizer (sp?). I am going to call around today and see where I can find some. Seems like cool stuff.

It saddens me, but I am withdrawing from the build. I decided that I want to finish up three other builds and help my son finish one of his. Good luck to all.

Well, it's long enough so if you change your mind later, just join right back up.

Can I still sign up to join in on this one? I think I'd like to do an M-10.

Sure. It doesn't start until Nov. 1. DDayomaha is MIA, so I don't know if he will update the first page or not, but welcome aboard.

Here is a link to some glycerin. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=3089&item=8104807442

Hello all. I'm new to this forum and would like to get involved in the group build . It sounds like a interesting thing to do while i'm home in Chicago for the holidays. Would someone fill me in on the details? Thanks ,Pionier44.