Hey Tread , i know , perfection takes time right ? Thats why i get done faster than you ..................

Wow. no posting in 3 days.

I got he decals on, but I need some opinions on the bastardized figure I might use for the Panzer II. Look at these photos:

Is it just me, or is his head too big? It's a Verlinden head on the Tamiya kits's body. I was thinking maybe when I prime it, in might look better. What do you all think?

I looked at some Tristar figures of early war panzer figures, but I had this on hand so I gave it a shot.

This is going to be a stupid question: did they wear those visored hats in 1940? I'm used to the other kind.

I dont know anything about the hat, but if it is O.K. for the period, I say use the figure. He looks totally in proportion to me and I love his ' stance ' as  he appears from the side...looking very good man.

tread

Well I had to consult a few books and do a little googling, but I think I have the answer to this one.   First though the figure itself and porportions.  It actually doesn't look that bad.  Could be just the fact that it is two different coloured plastics causing mind games with the viewer.

Now for the question of the peaked cap.  This style was actually given to all ranks, and as the war progressed more officers could be seen wearing them on the combat field.  After the Polish campaign, the beret was considered impractical and was to be replaced with the black version of the side cap.  During the French blitz the beret was still worn as stocks of the black sidecap were still being manufactured.  In their place though it was allowed to wear the fieldgrey version, as can be seen here by Rommel:

I've found a rank table for a panzer battalion.  As one can see,  the lowest position for an officer is platoon leader.  For it to be plausible, you would have to change the tactical number on the turrent so it ends with a "1" as this digit represents the platoon leader.

Though you could argue that his tank broke down and he took over #2.

regards,
Jack

Yes, side hat is what I was thinking of for the period.

I'm with Jack on this one...I think the camera angle, the pose of the figure (head leaning forward) and the different color tones are making the head appear slightly too-large...but once painted he will be just fine.

Tim,

Great job on the panzer and the figure looks really cool, love the pose you've got there. I do think the Verlinden heads seem really large compared to the Hornet replacement heads and even more to the Tamiya ones. Doesn't look out of place here and when he's painted the figure will 'come together'.

Guys, finished the Char B1 but my camera went berserk. Keeps telling me no card is inserted when the card is firmly in place. I've tried several things but am afraid I'm going to have to send her out for servicing. I had a friend take some photos at our IPMS club meeting Thur and here they are to prove that I've actually finished her! Will try to have some slightly better photos soon. BTW: I was told the French tanker helmets should have the centers painted olive green - will have to correct that too.

Also still working on the diorama, hopefully will be done before the build ends.

Hiya Cliff  :  )

Your B1 bis came out really excellent. I know the puzzle camo scheme is a tough one and you pulled it off

really nicely !   The pics at your club meeting came out real well also .

I painted up the kit commander, he came out well, but I think I am not gonna use him... he is not as detailed as I had hoped,,,,I 'll be looking forward to your set of pics when you get your camera fixed.

Nice work man !

tread

Tread: Thanks! The puzzle scheme was complex but fun to paint!

Those figures I used were from Warrior I think. The kit figure was ok but I had the better detailed aftermarket commander so I tossed him in the spares box.

BTW Tigerman I enjoyed this kit so much I was sorely tempted to pull out my Bronco Hotchkiss H.35 and start on it. If I can push some more stuff off my work bench I may at that.

WILDMAN - Like the position / posture of the commander.  The color does make it look a little funny but agree with the others.  Put a coat of paint on and see how it looks.

CLIFF - Nice finish  Your color and finish came out very nice and the dirt/ mud texture looks good.  It would be fun to watch you tackel that H 35, sure would look good next to the B1

I hope you get to it Cliff. So much eye candy in this GB. I've never seen so many cool Char B1's. Just awesome. I love the figure too. Great job.

Rob & Eric: Thanks guys!

Going to try to finish off the diorama first. The German 37mm AT is pretty much done, you can see a little bit of it in one of the photos- I should have asked Jay to take a photo of it too. Still working on the crew to service the gun.

Then I want to finish a Jadgpanzer IV Lang I've been working on for about 3 years now . After that the GB here should have ended but I'd like to do the H-35 just on my own.

BTW Tigerman I did look into joining your Italian GB but though I've done Italian subjects in the past I don't currently have anything in my stash but one set of Italian infantry in N. Africa. And my stash is so darn big now I really need to finish stuff off instead of buying more

Cliff, i like it , thats some interesting camo .

Nice work all around on the Char Cliff, definitely one to be proud of.

Bill and Cliff,

Great finish guys!

Bill, as always, your builds set a very high bar.

Cliff, I love the Char - the weathering is great, especially the mud on the chain - very effective. I can't wait to see the dio develop.

Tim,

I agree with Bill. I think the fig is fine. Once you get him painted up, the contrast between head and body will disappear.

As for me, I am in the final stage of painting my 222. I've decided to give color modulation an 'honest try' with this one - I've taken stabs at it in the past, but always kind of cut corners and kind of half-&%%ed it. Once I get the grey down, I'll take some pics and try to post them tonight or early this week.

Hi Guys  : )

well, it has taken a long time, but here are the pictures of my finished Char B1 bis 'Bourrasque'.

As usual there is much repitition in my pictures, but they do show something a little different in each.

I want to thank Eric for hosting this Group Build..it has been fun,educational and you couldn't find a nicer,more talented and helpful bunch of guys.

I hope you enjoy the pics, and as always any questions,comments etc are always welcome

tread

Oh man Tread that is sweet looking ! I always like your weathering and this one looks spot on . not over done or under done .....just right . I dont know how much time the French armor spent on the battle field but i have an idea it wasnt very long so your weathering fits the Limited exposure the French armor had .................imo. Also i see you did some limited rusting and heat damage to paint on the exhaust ....just right for me .  The figure looks good from what i can see of it . 

Whoop Tread! That is just gorgeous bud. I love those blue hearts. Weathering and attention to detail really paid off.

This has been a great GB and I thank you and everyone else for participating.

It's 'catch up' time.....

Gamera-great job on your Char.....and the figures look good also.

Tim-your Panzer is coming along nicely.  I can't make up my mind on the head/body issue....maybe a coat of primer will help....I think it could be the contrasting colors that makes the head appear slightly large.

Tread-great job on your Char also...very nice build.

I finally attached the flaps,  gave the 109 an oil wash and 'de-masked' the canopy.  Please note that the canopy & engine canopy are not secured....yet.  Also, based on the photos, looks like the wing decals are slightly askew....I think (hope) it's just in relation to the extended flaps....or not....

Cheers

Congrats brother tread on getting this one across the finish line! Sharp work all around, really love all the details you added to this one and the finish is right on.

Guys: Thanks!

Tread: Wow, all that extra work really paid off! Super job all around!

Bob: Sharp looking Bf-109, can't wait to see her done.

TREAD - Fabulous, absolutely brilliant   The extra details really show and the weathering is perfect.  Really enjoyed watching this one come together.

Bob, glad to see you're back at it. Looking good. Stay with it. You're coming down the homestretch.

Thanks guys.  I did notice a slight issue that I'll have to address-the extended leading edge isn't painted correctly....nothing that a little tape and some time with the airbrush won't fix....I hope....funny how I looked at it for a week or two without noticing until I posted a pic...oh well....

Tread,,,  super job on that baby,,,  excellent all the way around!

Bob,,  the 109 is looking great.    I am biased about that bird,,  one of my fav's. You are doing it justice for sure

hey guys :  )

thanks so much for all the good vibes on my B1 bis :  ) ... I really appreciate It !.... but just cause I'm done doesn't mean I'm gone....I'll be hangin around watchin all the other builds come across the line and there is some fine stuff coming up....you know who you are... LOL

So thank you all again !

tread

Well done. I really like the effect of the rusted exhaust and the grimmy side plating.

Also Bob your ME-109 is looking great with it splinter camo wings.

Guys

So, this is where I stand with the 222:

I have wanted to try the color modulation process for awhile and figured that the angular nature of this vehicle would be perfect to learn on. So, I painted the bottom of the fenders and the undercarriage in XF-63 German Grey. The downward angled surfaces got XF-63 and XF-2 (White) in a 1:1 ratio, and the flat upper surfaces got XF-63 and XF- 2 in about a 3 : 7 ratio (I was a-skeered to go too much lighter than that...)

Next, I added the brown spots. I experimented with a couple of combinations, but wound up with Tamiya Flat Brown and Red Brown (sorry, don't have the XF#s at hand), in about a 6 or 7 : 3 ratio.

I spent some time practicing on an old T-62 that I have, then let loose on the 222. I didn't really have a 'plan' in mind when I started (probably a bad idea) and I was a little challenged by the fact that this is a really small 'canvas' to work on, but I think I got a pretty good distribution and, for the most part, I'm satisfied with the size and location of my splotches. I do need to go back and add some buff to my brown mixture to lighted up the portions on the upper surfaces, but that will have to wait for, maybe, tomorrow. At this point, things are looking a bit stark.

Sorry the pics are poorly lit, but here you go, my progress to this point:

Please feel free to offer any and all critiques and suggestions.