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~ ! Clash in Tunisia ! ~ { Final Photos on page 37 }

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  • Member since
    January 2012
Posted by I make stuff on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 1:35 AM

Beautiful work so far, Adam.  Can't wait to see the base and finishing from here.

Bill

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 8:05 AM

~BoB~ Thank Mr. !  "Stunning" I like that--got that alot on this one!

~RB~ Thanks my Friend

~STERNO~ HEY! Great to see you posting--I've wondered where you went---Just not getting any Bench time /  posting time either I guess? Well, Thanks for the comments--hope to see you going on another Dio / Vignette

~BilL~ Right on Buddy--That's all coming up soon-like

  Okay guys  PEACE!        (  or    WAR!-------whatever you're into  Stick out tongue)

 

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Charlottesville Va
Posted by Stern0 on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 8:20 AM

Not much time for much other than the baby i'm afraid...I think it is leveling off now, so I hope to have some time soon....keep up the good work!Big Smile

Always Faithful U.S.M.C
  • Member since
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  • From: Carmel, IN
Posted by deafpanzer on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 9:32 AM

Looking GREAT!  The only thing you neglected to add to your build... plenty of sun block.  I swear I get sunburned every time I look at your pictures.  Very long process but it is paying off already.

Andy

  • Member since
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  • From: Boston MA
Posted by vespa boy on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 9:51 AM

Indy, My only peice of advice for your ground work is to make none of it flat....I hope you can get the ground to be as well observed as the vehicles. Even small contours keep your eye moving around the scene. A really good exercise is to go outside with a spirit level and see how everything slopes on way or another. Keep us posted.

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar

This ain't no Mudd Club, or C.B.G.B.,
I ain't got time for that now

  • Member since
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  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:15 PM

Indy - Great job! But I must point out the camel in the picture of your Kubelwagen is the Bactrian (two hump) found in Asia. They are found in southern Russian all the way to China and the Germans even used them for pack animals especially in Kuban. The Dromedary (one hump) is the predominate one for North Africa and the Saudi pennisula. Note the hairy neck of the Bactrian, the Dromedary isn't as shaggy.

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:57 PM

Strern~ Baby...er..yeah..I suppose that's importaint  Surprise J/K I know it is--how the high-maintainance part  relaxes for you soonPropeller

~Andy~ Big SmileGood thing you got shadesCool 2 months on the truck / 4 th month on this Dio--it'l be done by March, around my 2 year mark in scale models.

~Narayan~ I think that's pretty good advice--and from a man that looks more citically at the ground than anyone I can think of!  You know of course the flat 'playa' in the above pictures is only for the sake of those picturesCamera---the Dio will be an uneven bit a terrain---You will soon see the basic mock-up & mind you the topsoil is of course not in place so much will appear flat so far----even so, your advice is good to keep in mind, I think, when I go to laying out that final earthwork--don't worry, my  best work goes into the dirt!  Cowboy

~Mike~ well Hello and welcome-- you have displayed some rare-seeming knowledge upon entering the  thread! Interesting indeed---camels in Russia--little-known of  I would think, outside those that study such beasts--And at least I know you've read through this long build---catching that comment about that Kubel picture--Thanks for your interest---

I'm guessing your animal knowledge vast---A friend and I we're discussing having some sort of critter in this scene--tell me, what kind of animals would likely be found near the Mareth Line, at Tunisia's extent?

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
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  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Tuesday, February 9, 2010 7:30 PM

Indy - being a biologist by profession, I usually take notice about things like that. The German Alpine troops in Kuban used them there is a picture floating around.

As to Tunisia you will probably find only dogs, donkeys, goats and sheep. The dogs would be pointed noses mongrels with short haired coat, peaked ears and a long tail, basically like a domesticated jackal. Jackals would be found scavenging around as well and a lucky hunter may bag a gazelle. Vultures always follow armies as well. Forget lizards, I researched it and the largest is 12 to 15 inches, no bigger than a shoe, hardly noticed in a dio. If you have a donkey it would probably be attached to an Arab. 

You can use the prickly pear cactus (Opuntia sp.) as its a cosmopolitan weed. Its on six of the seven continents and you see it alot in pictures from North Africa. 

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:06 AM
Mike ~ Thanks for that info. I imagine it should apply to a great part of Tunisia, but do you have any info /  knowledge  fo the area I'm modelling in particular---The Mereth Line--Rocky, mountainous area near Matmata ? Photos are scarce--there's little to nothing there to this day--and in pictures I have there's NOTHING living, just rock & sand, maybe a few scraggly bushes? As for the prickly cactus--that would be an interesting addition, and I've seen it in Tunisia photos for sure---though not specifically near the place in question(I have a nice 7 foot example of that cactus in my front yard so the handy reference make scratchin the plant even more of a good idea.......)      Hey again, Thanks

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Thursday, February 11, 2010 7:49 AM

here goes this

~~~~~~~~CHAPTER NEXT
                                                                  LAYOUT  of The BASE      
 
   Having this scene rollicking around in my head for over a year, I've had a fairly clear idea what I had set about doing----and as long as it takes to make it come about----I never stopped to draw out a much of a diagram of the full diorama---well, this is going to still take some imagination as it's just the basis for the groundwork, but this will provide some idea of what I'm up to---I need to play around with a few bits even still............
 
 
Layout   PHASE I  - Positions of the gun emplacement & motorpool. Everything is placed onto  9/16" Elmers Foamboard doubled to 1 1/8". The rest of the foamboard, florist foam  pieces and rocks are left loose to allow adjustment. I had determined the over-all dimentions I wanted for this Dio long ago, but it takes this kind of layout to be certain of the size. I already have a glass-sided wooden case this will all reside in.

The guns trailing arms will of course be dig-in---a good deal of effert will go into what dirt has been 'dug', displaced & moved.
The steps behind the gun will be a a dirt 'ramp' , up to the parapet, when topped with dirtwork, and everything that isn't the crude roadway will be made to slope this way and that, showing effects of wind and run-off. The vehicle placement here is approximate, as is the ammo box location, and the rocks are not all represented by any stretch.
 


Layout PHASE II   Fire Base
 

 


Here's the rag-tag gun crew in position. Remember I'm modelling a makeshift unit of personel sourced broadly for this team. This is to represent no regular unit, but one formed of desperation, only a small number of days from the end of the entire Afrika Campaign. The fire-position is a hold-over from the 1st World War, the blown sand hastily shoveled away from the rockline, to move the Pak 40 in close. (The rock outcropping will be greatly increased in size, and barried in sand at it's base)
 


I had greatly considered switching the positions of the two figures indicated, as I'd always pictured the infantryman looking over the battlefield as below, but it simply makes much more sense to have him in the rear, as 2nd loader, and the gun commander in the more likely spot, ready to call the shot.
 
 
The Alpine DAK Panzer NCO (on the far left) would be a late addition to the unit(supose his Panzer was destroyed ) He is a figure so often seen(as the sculpting and casting are top-shelf), but I haven't seen it  incorporated into a large grouping so much at all.
 

One other minor variation was these two possibilities for the squeemish fellow with his ears plugged, both seem to work to me. Of course any imput about these options is
welcome at this point. I even gave some thought to a 5 man crew without the 'call-shot' guy,(below) but found him to be just too interesting to leave out.

 

 

 

 
 
 
Layout PHASE III  The British Attack
 
 

Here's where the 'clash' in  ~"Clash in Tunisia"~ comes in. The "Tommies'  are moving quickly over a rocky approach, from the rear, and blocked from site of the guncrew largely by the Opel truck----There is at least one German(likely to be two) who is just now become aware of the attack, and is forced into action before a full assessment can be made, or warning shouted through the  
gun- fire filled air to his mates.
 

The "man' on point, is the (likely 17 year old) "skinny-kid" as it happens. Nearby is the man with the Thompson, should he find himself in trouble.
 

As well, I had originally intended all along to have the Soldier sighting down his Lee Enfield in about the place above, but am unsure if I will include him at this point, as I like the simpler scene without him, and don't want to create a "known outcome" to the situation, as he simply can not miss at that range. In any case adjustments need to be made to his helmet, so he's on the bench for now.
 

You'll notice I'm looking at a late addition to the  Axis forces(on the far left) in the form of a nice Fallschirmjager from Platoon(evidence puts some of these elite troops somewhere in the area at the time)I show him in essentially two positions in these photos, and may decide about that last thing, as I want him in motion, near ready-to-fire, but not quite there yet. It's a delicate balance to create a very rough action scene
 

These two are peeling off around the other side of the truck. The 'targets' are just coming into view of the Brenman at this point.
       
     You can begin to see that these vehicles I've spent all this time with, are not just decorations off to one side, but actually importaint elements to how the story is unfolding.
 
 
 
One 'over-all' shot of --what I got--- at this point.          I have this sitting on the shelf this week like an unfinished chess game. I like to think about things at this point and move little things around a some---then I'll remove it all and set everything in the case to keep the dust off while not working with these elements. The base will  soon be blocked-in, sided-up, topped-off, sprayed-down....1...2...3....Easy as that   Stick out tongue
 
Thanks for staying tuned--let me know if I'm mad                     INDY

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
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  • From: Willow Oaks Compound / Model Bunker
Posted by razorboy on Thursday, February 11, 2010 3:24 PM

Indy, that's gonna look awesome!

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  • From: South Carolina
Posted by jetmodeler on Thursday, February 11, 2010 4:05 PM

That layout is going to look good when it is all finished.

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Cary, North Carolina
Posted by M1Carbine on Thursday, February 11, 2010 5:33 PM

Indy.......this is going to look awsome.

 

Bob

  • Member since
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  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Friday, February 12, 2010 1:07 PM

Indy - I am guessing that you are trying to simulate an rocky hilly area to the west of the Mareth Line proper. The Mareth line itself was a prepared line with concrete bunkers and tank traps. In that type of terrain you are depicting, there would be some scrubby grass patches. It is very possible for a patch of pricky pear cactus to be coming up at the base and cracks of the rocks. Moisture collects there. These patches can be locally dense and I have seen pictures of Italians using these patches as camouflage for gun emplacements.

Just to the north and west of Mareth is a series of marshes. The Tunisia campaign was in the winter or rainy season in Tunisia. For example, the battle for the Kasserine Pass was fought in a deluge, the rain was so hard as to limit visibility as well as have sticky mud to contend with. In a Mediterrean climate the summers are dry and the winters are wet although only 10 to 15 inches of rain may fall totally, it'll be during a 3 - 4 month period.

I have seen a picture of acacia trees (like you see in the east african plains) but they are modern. Most of the trees during war time were probably cut down for firewood.

This link may be helpful with the drawings, note the one with rain:

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.cyrilmount.net/3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.cyrilmount.net/tunisia.html&usg=__cDNWfJph-NI4imzTjzrczIxhsrk=&h=225&w=300&sz=71&hl=en&start=51&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=wXteOEHSZiK5sM:&tbnh=87&tbnw=116&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmareth%2Bline%26ndsp%3D18%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26start%3D36%26um%3D1

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Friday, February 12, 2010 6:59 PM

~Gentlemen ~ Thamk you all for your comments and words of encouragement---

--All signs point towards  success !!

 

Mike~ Thanks for that link - images of the area in question are not common.  The painting above of that  wadi at Mareth shows about the extent of life a persons' likely to see there, then or now. The weather, as it's well known, at the time was extreme to say the least---at times hot, cold,wet,dry, you name it, and set in March as I said as I said at the start, my scene will be set in a likely setting as any found near that area.


Patches of grass? I see scraggely bushes, well whichever, thanks.

http://www.militarymodelling.com/sites/1/images/member_albums/41116/baseattack2ndtolast.jpg

 

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Monday, February 15, 2010 2:35 AM

Another good modeller-friend Mike Snow, turned this up

This is absolutely The Mereth Line, showing remnents of the revestments, but also both the patches of grass & the scraggly bushes---but also trees! The 1st I've seen of these in the area--although likely would make an interesting addition, where all cut down and used for timbers at the time, according to all reports.

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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  • From: South Carolina
Posted by jetmodeler on Monday, February 15, 2010 10:32 AM

I have a question about the base. Are the rocks real rocks, or were they scratchbuilt?

 

  • Member since
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  • From: Boston MA
Posted by vespa boy on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 7:53 AM

Star Wars was filmed in Tunisia. If nothing else its a good excuse to watch it again as as research!

It is shaping up nicely. The figures give a whole different movement independent of the vehicles. You really understand the dynamics of the scene.

http://public.fotki.com/nkhandekar

This ain't no Mudd Club, or C.B.G.B.,
I ain't got time for that now

  • Member since
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  • From: San Francisco, CA
Posted by telsono on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 2:25 PM

Indy -

Paintings and other art work are sometimes very helpful. I am planning a dio which would be set in an orchard in Holland. Looking at modern orchards there doesn't help at all, as a lot of changes have occured in the techniques of pomology (fruit tree growing). I then checked art works and especially those of Van Gogh, as I remembered from "Band of Brothers" that is home was in that area. To my present surprise, Van Gogh made several landscapes and studies of orchards with one thing that b&w photos cannot tell us, the colors of the bark, grasses, etc. 

Mike T.

Beware the hobby that eats.  - Ben Franklin

Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out. - Ben Franklin

The U.S. Constitution  doesn't guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it. You have to catch up with it yourself. - Ben Franklin

  • Member since
    April 2008
  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Thursday, February 18, 2010 10:19 PM

~Jet~ They are" real" I spend alot of time walking my doggie on the beach and I collect sticks & stones as I go when I find things I can use. I don't know what kind of rocks those are but I've been picking them up, one at a time for months--they aren't particularly heavy and I think the 'scale effect' is quite good--though I might alter the color some

~Narayan~Yes of course I know that factoid, but it's not that I don't have plentiful references of Tunisia, it's the Mereth area in particular that I was throwing out a net for info on--I think I have what I need at this point.

Mike~ Quite true. Before the advent of photograghy, drawings and paintings we're not simply to be enjoyed, or a method of expression, or a study in forms, as they  are today, but we're the state-of-the-art in visual record-keeping.

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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Posted by *INDY on Friday, February 19, 2010 2:12 AM

 


          WoodWork --  The BoxFrame

 
 
Wanting my basework to 'sit-up' off the table a bit, and at the same time not having the room inside the glass dislay dome for any ornate framework, I decided to 'side' my build with some nice 3'16" basswood, from the LHS. This mini-lumber is very smooth, flat & consistant, but I'll still be coating it as I dont want to show the woodgrain for this scene.
 

I marked out what I needed, making sure to cut it square, so I'd have strong joints at the corners.   I cut with the X-acto 5" razor-saw, stopping just before breaking through, and placing the heavy utility knife down into the kerf to finish, avoiding the typical rough edge upon completing each cut.These pieces we're joined using thin C/A aplied at the inside of each corner. I've found it's absolutely better to make up the box and then fill it--not to try to apply each side in turn to the substrate as I've seen done--
 

The big advantage to using the C/A of course as its an instant bond, so I could go right to dry-fitting the base panel. Here I've placed a random 1/35th figure to give scale to the area allowed for the scene.
 

Show of hands please.......who has used thier Skil-Saw for 1/35 modelling before?I used the 9/16" plywood as 'filler', but also as the bottom layers it makes the whole thing bottom heavy, better than the top-heavy arrangement I'd otherwise have. Here I'm cutting the panels from what was a cabinet door in my former woodshop, hence the hardware.
 

The corners of my box we're quite good, but to perfect them I used a small amount of what is most commonly called 'liquid wood' (perhaps the most known brand) This is a solvent-based wood putty that is a terrific product used correctly. It actually contains wood, and so after it dries a matter of minutes, can be sanded right along with the wood of the job. When you open the can, you will be tempted to stir in the oily-looking solvent sitting on top-but--DO NOT. Just reach past it with a stick and get a small amount out to work with and close up the can. It will last you years if used this way.
 

So heres the assembled frame & the 'framing package',  ready to install
 

The plywood was 1st set to the bottom of the frame with 2-part epoxy, as I didn't choose to wait overnight for white glue to set The Foamboard layers where attached  and glued in with the white glue and  put on the shelf while curing, weighted with a large stack of modelling magazines. I knew they we're good for something. {Note vehicles on right, being kept dust-free during these rough stages}
 
 

So here it is. Nothing too glamourous...but it needed done. Next I can really begin to model the groundwork. I've been looking forward to this. With such a thick slab of foamcore, I'll be able to carve down, into some gullies , as well as build-up
 
As always...a pleasure to be able to bring you another update...it only gets better!
Indy

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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  • From: Oregon
Posted by Lufttiger on Saturday, February 20, 2010 11:02 AM

Excellent work on that base Indy!, i just did the exact same thing yesterday.
But i actually nail on the balsa to the base, it looks like you glue them first.
I've been using insulation foam, yours is much thicker, what is it?

Also thanks for that tip on the wood putty, me thinks i need to try that!!

www.lufttiger.com

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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Saturday, February 20, 2010 1:58 PM

Lufttiger

Excellent work on that base Indy!, i just did the exact same thing yesterday.
But i actually nail on the balsa to the base, it looks like you glue them first.
I've been using insulation foam, yours is much thicker, what is it?

Also thanks for that tip on the wood putty, me thinks i need to try that!!

Thanks I always like to hear "excellent" Smile

   I used 1/2" Foamcore--only it's not Foamcore brand  this time it's Elmer's Foamboard---but same exact thing. Usually you find it in 1/8", 3/16",1/4",& 5/16 typically-but-the 1/2" was a score at Micheals for not alot of $

I used 2-part epoxy, C/A, and white glue for construction---see text as to where and why---------no nails needed---------oh trust me, I would glady welcome the opportunity to shoot some from my pneumatic  Porter Cable pin-nailer, but I just didn't need to for this design.YesCool

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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  • From: Northern Va
Posted by psstoff995's lbro on Saturday, February 20, 2010 6:07 PM

That looks awesome indy!

-Will young modeler Test fit master
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Saturday, February 20, 2010 10:25 PM

~ Thanks Will-- I'm happy to hear it.

Next STEP~     Shaping the Box-Frame

 

~Here I'm marking out the shape of the wood sides of the base according to my own pictures, props and measurements, combined in my imagination to get where I want the groundwork to meet thin air. This is one of the most decisive operations of the build, and really comes down to personal taste and choice when making the call of where to break the vacuum of space . Following basic design protocals of balancing the proper amount of consistentcy & contrast in how that line flows--and meets your needs-- you should be able to decide where to go.
       Next up I'll be cutting and sanding the wood-edge to shape. After that it will be carefully masked-off to prevent damage during the initial groundwork stages, and then the real fun begins with that !
 
~As always, it has been my great pleasure to bring you this update~

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

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  • From: Willow Oaks Compound / Model Bunker
Posted by razorboy on Sunday, February 21, 2010 7:36 AM

Nice technique Indy, that's gonna look good!

rb

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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:24 PM

~~Thanks Mr. RB ~ yes--if I have anything to say about it ~~I'll just keep at it~~ of course while taking an unbelievable amount of time to stop and document what I'm doing as I go.Sad

 
Base Box Continued
 

~So after determining where some high point would have to exist along the perimeter and marking them out along the inside with my 1911 # 2B Pencil I could cut the wood siding down to just what I need.
 

I started by drilling a small hole that makes a "cut stop" a variation of an ancient stone-cutters trick, and marking the extent of your cut ensures it stays inside the work area.(note the bit is not centered to the line, but slightly above)
 

Any fine toothed saw works very easily with balsa & base woods--even your knife will work but will tend to follow it's own paths within the woodgrain here and there and so a saw is a better choice( I don't reccomend yours be as heavily weathered as mine looks here---it's the salt air coming in here, but it's worth the odd bit of rust)

 
I think it looks a good deal better to continue right around the corners and not have a change in elevation occur right at that point, though it would be far easier.
 

At the rear corner, basically the lowest part of the highest area, I cut straight across to keep things consistaint. Sure if I stuck solely to the flow of the terrain, a far more uneven cut might work fine, but I find the viewer looks just as much at the extent of the craftmanship particularly around the borders, and it's an area I see left ragged much too often even on otherwise well-done Dioramas.
 
 
What I have decided to do for this build is basically have a nice square, flat frame, except where the groundwork really demands the 'x-tra ' material. With the roadway up front of the design, I can get away with having a nice straight line, which I prefer, especially for the front--it just looks better on my shelf to me and works better when trying to capture everything later in photos. It's a bit of a compromise, But the way I have in mind to model the earthwork should look very nice around the edges, and the ground should have plenty of variation to it elsewhere, and actually create a pleasant contrast.
.

So me of my finer saws. The 2nd & 3rd from the bottom are particularlly usefull for styrene and resin cutting, some of my favorites I've found and are cheap from Micro-mark
 
 

With those wood edges sanded to a nice clean edge, I could begin to fill-in my landscape substrate. I'll mess-around for quite a while looking at how  I want to model the natural flow of the land, mixed with the needs of the scene.
 
 

This work helps to define the flow of the land and of course saves you alot of filler in  the next steps, but also keeps you from having it too thick and having a long drying time. I use some florest foam for some more 3D parts but nerly anything can be used at this point--it'll all be plastered-in soon enough.
 

Once I've got the basis in place I can begin to model the more striking areas such as the rock formations. Likely nothing quite as dramatic as in this still from Lawrance of Arabia
(a great film for desert warfare modelling insiration--and I highly reccommend seeing it again!)---of course this shot shows just the sort of crazy things rocks can do--especially when we think of them as just laying around like unproductive model builders . Shocked

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:26 PM
~~ Next thing to do was start gluing down some of those substrate layers,, so I pulled them all off, and before I got to glueing masked-off the nice wood sides with Green Frog Premium Painters tape to protect them from the glue and later the fller.
 

 

 

 


I really can't recommend this tape enough--over the regular blue painters tape--which is also very handy for masking surfaces that won't be painted. The blue can however, leave residue  that can interfere with your paints' performance, so if masking something to later recieve paint--use the green-- a bit more money, but worth it I've learned the hard way.
 

With the layers glued-in, you can easily cut and carve things a bit closer to the needed shapes.(Note I've even carved down in places where I will plunge the ground some.) To glue the foam & foamcore layers, you can use nearly anything at hand including white glue, hot glue, and even silicone caulking which works very well and gives a longer positioning time & once set over-night a real kung-fu-death-grip on paper & odd pieces as well--a real favorite back in the frame shops) For this I used Elmers white glue for between the paper-backed layers.
 
 I'm right in the middle of this stage at the moment---there's plenty more to do in the way of the substrate and then building up the actual groundwork from there--but I thought I'd put out another small update as this part's going to take a few day's spare time.
 
~Thanks as always for following along--I promise something interesting will be popping -up very soon----------Indy

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
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  • From: Ventura (at the beach) in California
Posted by *INDY on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:27 PM
 
~~This 8th Army M4 tanker (From an iconic Life Magazine Photo) waits patiently for groundwork to be completed for ~! Clash in Tunisia !~ so  he & his mates can roll in and save the day (of course they all have yet to be thoroughly painted-up before they can see action)..............but the day is coming soon!
 
 
 
~Please remain tuned !..............................................

"Well...you gunna pull them pistols, or just whistle Dixie?"

  • Member since
    August 2009
  • From: Cary, North Carolina
Posted by M1Carbine on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 8:53 PM

Im tuned bro.....Im tuned.  I love the work on the base.

 

Bob

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