I haven't expressed myself too much about being involved in this Group Build.
Let me say without a doubt it has been one of the finest modelling experience I have ever had !!!!
The pleasure of working with so many experienced and novice builders has brought me great pleasure. You have encouraged me to be a better builder too.
Thank you to each and every one of you.
This G.B. has brought many firsts for me.
First and foremost ... this is the first G.B. I have ever participated in.
First time I've used a wash to achieve a certain look.
First time I've used future mixed with Tamiya Matt to create a dull coat.
First time in 12 years that I have finished a figure.
First time I've ever used artists acrylics.
First time I ever attempted to create Hessian tape camo netting.
And finally (though I have done vignettes in the past) my first true diorama.
I hope you enjoy the pics of the finished product.
How the fortunes of war can quickly change. One day you’re the liberator, and the next, the invader. And that’s how it was for the members of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division in the later part of the winter of 1945. Going from the Netherlands City of Nijmegen, to the German town of Uedem in a matter of hours. Uedem was the launching pad for Operation Blockbuster, an all out attack on the Hochwald Gap, an area that needed to be cleared to break through to the Rhine.
Between Ueden and the ridge that formed the objective, was a shallow valley that soon would become known as “The Valley of Mud”. The tanks of the 4th soon found themselves going into battle in three feet of mud.
My diorama depicts 2 vehicles of the 4th Canadian Armoured Division just hours before the launch of Operation Blockbuster. Emerging from the artillery shattered forest around Uedem, is a Ram O.P. of the 15th Field Regiment, Royal Canadian Artillery, trailing it’s telephone lines back to the four 25 pounders that it will spot to their target. Watching to make sure that the Ram, a virtually unarmed vehicle, doesn’t get itself into any trouble is a Sherman Firefly Ic of the South Alberta Regiment.
At 0600, on February 27th, 1945 ……. the attack on the Hochwald Gap began.
More pics in the Armour Forum
![Approve [^]](/FSM/CS/emoticons/icon_smile_approve.gif)
Happy Modelling and God Bless
Robert