Bish a quick update on my locomotive. I decided right near the end that if any large equipment makes it to 1946, maintenance and repairs would be minimal so I decided to make it really weathered. Heres a couple photos of my oil washes, gun carriages and a look at how the wheels lay on the tracks. Making sure the wheels lat flat on the rails is one of the hardest things to accomplish, you never really know until ewverythings built.

In the next couple days the entire build will go together and final photos.

Terry

modelcrazy

Bish,

Priser and Airfix have Luftwaffe figures. In fact I used the Priser figures and modified them for my Karl Morser.

 

Steve, ye, i have all those as well. I am going to convert one of the Airfix ones. Unfortunatly i have used most of the figures i that will work for this. The Revell set is bascially one of the Prieser sets re-boxed. But unfortornatly the Presier sets are all out of stock as well.

Bish,

Priser and Airfix have Luftwaffe figures. In fact I used the Priser figures and modified them for my Karl Morser.

Bish: Nice work there on the bomb bay and tarmac, I love those airfield vehicles though, really super work there.

As to a ramp vs. the pit well I've worked with engineers and I figure they're all the same the same wherever you go, US, UK, or Germany. I think they teach you in engineering school never, ever do anything with one simple machine like a ramp when you can do the same thing with thousands of parts and dozens of things to go wrong like a hydralic platform.

TempestJohnny: Looking really good, she's coming along great there.

Nice to see the 82 under way. I take it there is not much detail in that pit.

Well I was waiting for the paint to dry on my Mustangs. I pulled out the Twin Mustang and figured to get a small start on it.  I think I went overboard.  For an old kit 1973 on the copyright this goes together really well. Some minor putty here and there

Thanks Gary.

So thats how they did it. Thanks for posting that. The footage i saw didn't show the bomb being lowered. It did show it being raised into the bomb bay, but it was not the whole trolley but just the section the bomb was on, i could not see how that was done.

A ramp does seem to have been a more sensable idea, but i guess it depends if your building the whole area from scratch or putting the pit into a hard surface thats already there, and that what it looks like to me.

had i been planning this from the start, i think i would have done a ramp. I went with the idea that the whole surface the trolley is on could be raise level with the ground, then lowered once the trolley was on, a bit like the lifts of aircraft carriers. Then the bomb is lifted via hosts on the aircraft. But it has given me an idea for my Me 264, and i think i will use a ramp for that.

Nice work on the "pit", Bish! 

I looked at it and wondered how they got the trailer in without a ramp?  Apparently there was a large, hydraulic lift in the bottom as shown in this photo:

http://www.alternatewars.com/Bomb_Loading/77-BT-B.jpg

They used some metal "C" channels to move the bomb over the pit, lifted the trailer and bomb with the jack, then removed the "C" channels.  Not sure why they didn't just build a ramp from the rear of the pit.  One of those engineering choices I suppose.

Gary

Almost at the end of this build and once again i have run into the biggest problem with 72nd aircrat dio's, figures. But more on that in a bit.

It was now time to add the final bits to the aircraft. For the bomb lifting cables i used some fine wire and made the clamps that attach to the bomb with some styrene strip.

On the bomb, i added some lifting loops and an H type locking mechanisim. It wa sthen painted field grey and given a coat of clear semi gloss.

I could then fit the bomb into place. The open hatch was also fitted.

On top, the engines had been added as well as the forward turret. There is a large gap under the front of the guns so again i use some styrene sheet to close that off.

The vehicles are also complete.

And then the base. Remember i sad that the trolley would fit under the aircraft. famous last words. It didn't. So, plan C. Only option was to follow PJ's suggestion and put it in a bit. This is what the US did to load the bombs on the B-29's. Speaking of which, i was watching a video of the loading of one of the A-Bombs and the trolley used is exactly the same as the one i have here. It seems that kora have just copied that and made it German.

So, i did consider making another board, the 3rd one. But then i remembere it was only 18mm MDF under the cardboard. So, after marking it out, i took my trusty hammer and chisel, first time i have used that combination in a model build, and made a pit. I lined it with cardboard concrete and a sheet styrene metal floor for the lift.

So, just a few bits to finish, the wheel chocks, tool box and a couple of other bits. But the problem. 72nd ground crew figures are pretty thin on the ground. WW2 Luftwaffe are the best covered, but even then there are not many. And i seem to have exorsted my supply of usable figures even allowing for altering some. And the revell and Presier sets seem to be unavalable anywhere at the minute. So i am a bit stuck.

I think i may have to finish of the last few bits and then put to one side until i can source at least a Revell figure set.

Thnaks Gary. I have painted mine as well, but for some reason i keep steering towards a dark grey on all my builds. I did find a site today with a nice tut on doing aircrfat hardstanding, i thnik i will try and follow that next time. I was thinking of useing sand paper when i need a hard standing for my 32nd builds.

The Arado looks very good, Bish. She's coming along nicely and I'm taking notes on your base construction.

Oddly, I just finished a base for the Mossie using sandpaper for concrete.  I did paint it grey after gluing it down, however.

Gary

Thanks Jack, and thanks very much for the advice. I definatly plan on printing more decals so i will lok into my settings. Its a pretty nice HP printer so i should be able to make those adjustments.

Bish, that looks to be an impressive undertaking, should be a great scene once altogether. 

About printing sharper decals, there should be a 'fine' setting in the preferences or something similar.  It will print slower, but with an image that small, the time difference is negligible.  There should be an option to choose paper type, that can make a difference too (usually I pick photo plus glossy).  I also find printing single images instead of grouping a bunch together gives a much cleaner print. 

Finally, before loading the decal paper into the printer, take a few circular wipes with a paper knapkin for any fingerprints on the surface of the decal paper. 

regards,

Jack

Thanks Terry, i do hope so.

And the dio has now taken another twist. More on that later, and i'll be eating a bit of humble pie.

That looks incredible Bish, what a beautiful camo job on a very cool plane. I can appreciate all the work, this will be one awesome dio. 

Terry

Thnaks Bruce. I must admit, i am rather pleased with the badge. Its a biut blurred close up, but i think it passes inspection at a distance. Will have to practice some more on that. The bomb has had some fitments added and a coat of paint, will get some pics of that.

Wow! Bish, the 555 looks great! I really like the unit badge you added. Very nice touch! The base looks really good as well. This will be an outstanding Dio once complete! Now bring on the bomb!

Thnaks for the comments guys.

JMart, i will add your kits to the roster, and welcome aboard. Thnaks for that link as well.

Super work there Bish on both the bomber and the base!

Thanks Steve. The base itself is just an old piece of chip board with some 18mm MDF to make it a bit thicker. The surface itself is not sand paper but cardboard. I find the stuff with a rough surface ideal in 72nd, and i have plenty to hand. For this i used the cardboard inserts from Eduard PE sets. The the inside of kit box lids and the outside of the box works as well.

I did post this erailer, but you may have missed it. It shows how the base is put together.

Very nice Bish, I like the tutorial on the base. What did you use for the base itself, besides the balsa and sandpaper that is?

Been making some good progress the last week or so, i think i am starting to see the finish line now. With all the painting doen, it was time for the decals. First was all the stencilling which came from the kit decal sheet.

Next the national insignoa and codes from the decal stash. The kit provides marking for 2 aircrfat, one from KG 100 and the otehr from KG 200. But i wnated a regular bomber unit and one i don't currently have an aircrfat for, so i picked KG 6. In addition, the kit codes don't make any sense if useing the wartime regulations.

And finally, a unit badge. I found 2 for KG 6. One for 2 Staffel and the otehr for the Geschwader Stab. I went for the latter, hence the Blue C in the code, and this is my first attempt at printing my own decals.

And the overall look.

And with those done, it was time for a clear Matt coat and to get the wheels and doors on.

I felt the rear gun wa srather open. There would certainly be control/power cables and an ammunition feed. rather than leave this open, i aded some 'fleaxable' covers with sheet styrene. I first painted it black to try and give a leather look, but was not keen on that. So i then painted it in the appropriate camo colours.

I now have the board ready to paint. I finished adding the balsa surround.

Then useing a piece of cardboard as a guide, i trimmed the edge down.

Then it was stained and varnished and the hardtsnading added. I eitehr use one large sheet that has the expansion gaps scored in it, or as in this case, smaller pieces cut to size. For German aircraft in 72nd i have panels 8x14cm in size.

And finally, the vehicles. Still a few small bits to add, including the tracks on the FAMo, but almost there.

And tehre you are. Next up will be apinting the base, getting the final touches doen to the vehicles and making and painting some platforms.

Thanks Bruce. The decals have now been on a couple of days and i just got the last of the clear matt on tonight. So i will get some more pics up tomorrow once i have her legs on.

Really looking forward to the Type 4.

Steve: Thanks again, I did see that but I really need to start on something smaller first. Maybe a 1/700th ship or a destroyer or light cruiser in 1/350th before I tackle a 1/350th battleship or fleet carrier. And at the rate I'm going who knows when that will be, I'm beginning to think I should take a hint from Model Maniac and hire someone to build my stuff... 

Bruce: Sounds cool, looking forward to the photos. Kinda stalled out here right now, I painted the tires last weekend but didn't get around to the primer coat as I'd hoped. 

@Bish,

The 555 is really looking good with paint. I can see where the black basing may take some time to get used to. Looking forward to seeing the decals on.

@Terry,

That Armored Locomotive looks like a beast! You really do go big don't you! lol Amazing how those rings make it more realistic. Great job!

@Steve,

Glad to see you starting the Eugen! That Pontos deck looks like da bomb! Really makes the ship pop!

I have started on the Type 4, I was taking my time since I was waiting for a metal barrel and some PE to arrive. They came today, so I'm going to get my WIP posted here soon.

Gam, I noticed on their website, at the bottom, a place to suggest additional ships. 

I probably won't build another ship without a Pontos set unless it has a steel deck like a destroyer. 

Steve: I had to go look up the Pontos site and WHOA!!! Those wooden decks are incredible! If I ever get around to building that USS North Carolina or IJN Yamato I keep drooling over I have to have one of those! 

PS: Don't see one listed for CV-6 USS Enterprise or her class ship CV-5 USS Yorktown. Oh well, by the time I ever get around to building her there'll probably be one releashed. 

Thanks, i will degfinatly look into that. I have seen a wood deck for Bismarck that includes the chains, can't recall which it was. My concern was that laying the wood deck on the plastic deck would throw out the lok of the deck fittings, i.e. make them lok smaller. But i am guessing the dck is so thin, its not really an issue.