"Clearing the Trench" Dio. - W.I.P.

~If you ask me RB, the update warrants more than just the 1 picture---those guys look awsome---I'd like to see more.     I guess we will have to wait

Did a lot of figure painting today and although there is still a lot left to do on these fellows (as well as the others), I think this warrants a post:

More to come - thanks for following this build.
rb

Incredible paint work as usual dave...keep it comming!

Nice job on the camo.

Started the painting on some of the Infantry figures today.  Squad Leader's camo is done but that's about all, he still needs lots of work before he's ready. 

As you can see, the others are in various stages of "Paint".  Back to work tomorrow so I'm not sure when there will be enough future progress for a new update, certainly by this coming weekend.

Thanks for following,
razorboy

The crew looks great.

Thanks Indy,  I hadn't planned to initially but now I think that I will leave the roof removable.  As far as the camo goes, I was simulating the extremely light pattern of red brown seen on most of the Das Reich StuGs. during this time period, it will either become more or less visible upon final weathering but right now I'm not sure which.

Thanks,

rb 

The crew looks great in place RB - Top-Notch job there-quite animated....darn good--any chance that lid will stay removable for viwing on the final piece?  The 'camo' pattern is really "subtle". I'd think you'd want to better define it at this stage--what's the plan--if you don't mind me asking?

I finished the StuG. crew today - the headphone wires are made from copper wire.

rb

Just for poots and giggles last night I put the ladeschutz in his position inside of the StuG..  I took a couple of close-ups with the old Nikkon and man .... I gotta start using a magnifier or something.  I missed the piping on the epauelettes and and some of the camo pattern looks really rough up close.  I guess my prescription requirements have finally outrun my current lenses!

Well anyway, I guess better the eyes than some of the other mechanics of nature so here is a 'not so close' shot until I can get him properly attended to:
 
... oh and he still needs shading and blending on his face and fliegermutz as well.

rb

Nice job on the tank and the figure.

Tankluver, It's what I can only describe as a pinkish-tan but the lighting in this particular picture doesn't do it much justice. 

rb

what color did you use for the loaders unifroms? I seem to never get the right color, I built the LAH commanders and the base color given was a field green?

I've applied my camo pattern to the Stug. and have the ladeschutz about 75% finished:

rb

I got the base coat down on the Stug and inside of the road wheels last night. 

Some touch up here and there on the hull and rear, paint the other side of the wheels, paint the fighting compartment roof section, then shoot some camo..

rb

I worked on the "Squad Leader" last night and got all of his equipment attached (except for his binoculars and MP40) and today will give him the once-over for any needed filling and additional seam removal.  I will work on the "Grip" appearance of his hands prior to permanently affixing the binoculars and MP40.  The kit shows him with a stick grenade in his belt and I have forgone that and substituted a signal (flare) gun instead.

I am almost ready to shoot some paint on the Stug. -

but at this point I am undecided as to wether I will use a canvas cover on the gun mantlet or not.  If I do, it needs to be done prior to spraying.  I'll decided on that sometime today.

*** As far as the ODO goes Stern0, I am definately gonna make it this year!

razorboy

Comming right along Dave...looking GREAT....Are you comming to Richmond this year for the ODO?

I really hate it when those are there. Then you don't really see them until all the paint is on and finished. That really makes me mad.

Manstein's revenge

Looking very cool...watch those tiny seams on the figs---especially around the wrist/hands...

Noted.  Those little buggers do show up nicely in a closeup - don't they! 

Looking very cool...watch those tiny seams on the figs---especially around the wrist/hands...

I realized today that "Flammenwerfer's Guy's" assistant had not only a bayonette fixed on his KaR 98k but one also "Fixed" in his bayonette scabbard.

I have since altered his scabbard to appear "Bayonetteless"........
Sorry!
rb

I got two of the grenadiers "Kitted-Out" with all of their gear today. There is still a bit of filling and seam removal to be done on these fellas and the others but it is fast approaching paint time. The standing figure will be MG 42 ammo carrier #2 and the kneeling figure in this set of pics is flammenwerfer guy's assistant and I thought that title justified a fixed bayonette.

I will do this for all of the infantry figures prior to painting then paint all of them assembly line style, doing all of the smocks and helmet covers at the same time.  This will insure greater continuity in colour and pattern as I usually mix my own paint.
rb

Can't wait to see it painted & finished.

I finished the Stug construction today(except the tracks) and now she's ready for some paint - dunkelgreb oversprayed lightly with  rotes braun:

I also added the loaders MG 42 with ammo belt stowed and visible:

rb

Thanks, I thought so.  I will be adding some bindings to the rungs before it's finished.

That ladder does look better.

I didn't care for the way that "Fire Step" log looked so after researching a few more photos, it was removed and a handmade ladder added - I think it "Fits" better:

As you can see, the log roof is completed - eventually it will be covered with a scale canvas, then dirt and sod, leaving only the log ends on the front side visible:

razorboy

Ditto, sweet!

Thanks jetmodeler, it's truly been a labor of love.

Your trench came out great.