75th Anniversary of 1944 Group Build (World at War)

Hi gents,

Been under the weather and finishing a semester hopefully back in business. I intend to do the Tamiya 1/700 USS Bogue. I've actually been fiddling with it for a while - finished almost all of the PE and scratch building masts, not something I like doing. But the kit itself isn't complex and there's not much rigging - may finish it in time - or not.

kit by Eric Bergerud, on Flickr

MCrazy - I like what you're doing on the N Carolina. (Still haven't figured out why there's no 1/350 Washington - it's one of two BBs in WWII that sunk another BB mano v mano - Bismarck obviously the other.) That might work for the plates. Merit put out a 1/350 Enterprise a few years back and over did the plates grossly - ruined the kit for me. (I've got the 1/700 Academy now in Midway garb.) But I'm very curious to see how it works out. Years back I interviewed a couple of vets of NC - interesting chats. There was a saying during WWII - "smaller the ship, better the service" and neither gent relished service on the thing - one guy almost went deaf during the Eastern Solomons because his 20mm mount was right below a 5'38 - a gun that was notorious for a really loud "crack."

I'd forgotten that AC made an IL-2 - should be a neat kit but you'll probably have an adeventure if it's standard AC. I've got the Tamiya IL2 and plan to build it for 1945.

Eric

You did fine this time, Paul.  The diorama has a lot of interest and action going on, and the detail you've put into it is superb.  Good job!

Thanks for taking part in the GB.  It's a pleasure to see what you accomplished! 

checkmateking02

Great work, Paul.  It's a very effective and dramatic presentation!  You can practically feel the ground rumbling under the weight of those vehicles.  Good job!

Do you have a preference for the finsih-photo?

 

Great work, Paul.  It's a very effective and dramatic presentation!  You can practically feel the ground rumbling under the weight of those vehicles.  Good job!

Do you have a preference for the finsih-photo?

Zvezda1980

Paul this is absolutely fantastic! So Inspired and Inspiring!

 

C&Cs encouraged. PaulE

Good looking detail work, Zvezda.  Very nicely done!

The construction of one, of more than 36.000 Shturmoviks to be finally built, has begun in my humble Zavod (factory).

Cockpit and control panel first, with the aid of Czech comrade P.E Eduard. Some detail of AC/Italeri was so nice that I opted not to replace with the respective PE part (also helps mass production, or in my case: laziness).

One thing I learnt is that these film C.Panels need a white paint background, otherwise the instruments details simply get lost.

Some styrene was also used to replicate various boxes and panels that nobody knows what they are used for, apart from giving a 'busy' look . 

Next I will remove all this CA glue from my fingers and investigate what is the proper color to spray everything.

Paul this is absolutely fantastic! So Inspired and Inspiring!

I never noticed all that plating, Steve.  Nice work replicating it.  

Check,

I started on the North Carolina. To simulate the hull plating, I added stretch sprue and some Evergreen strips. I'll sand the hull down some to smooth it out

Looks good, 68.  And:  even slow progress is still progress!  

Thats some real nice work on those buildings Paul!

Chugging along here.  Had 4 days off and only managed a base coat this evening.

Looks great, Paul.  I'd hate to be on the receiving end of all that firepower.

As for photos, maybe something from ground level?  Although--this overhead shot is pretty impressive.

Thanks for being part of the GB.  It's been a pleasure seeing the diorama come together; really sharp!

Robert:  I've updated the front page with your completed LVT A1.  Nice work constructing, painting and weathering.

Thanks for being part of the GB.  It's been a pleasure seeing your contribution.

I just put up the '45 GB, so feel free to enlist!

checkmateking02

Well done, Robert.  It's very effective, and brings everything together.

Do you have a preference for the finish-photo?  Personally, I think the third photo shows "Crazy Legs" to the best advantage.

Thanks for being part of the GB.  It was a pleasure to have you join in.

 

Yeah, the 3rd picture of the profileis the most visually interesting. Must be the yellow stripes!  

Thank you for hosting the GB.

Looking forward to 1945's edition!

checkmateking02

More great work, Paul.  They are beautifully done.

 

More great work, Paul.  They are beautifully done.

Sounds good, Steve.  I got to tour USS North Carolina this past summer; she's quite a ship.  

Thank you gentlemen. Here are my efforts on the Heavy Weapons platoon.

Mortar section & pltn. ldr.

Cannon section.

C&Cs welcomed. PaulE

Check,

I will be starting the North Carolina. I have the Eduard PE set, Metal main guns, secondaries, Pontos deck blue wood deck and a book of 3D drawings.

It will likely take me well into next year to complete. Especially since this won't be the only kit I will be working on.

These vehicles are excellent, Paul.  They certainly look bigger than they really are.  Nice detail.  Good job!

Well done, Robert.  It's very effective, and brings everything together.

Do you have a preference for the finish-photo?  Personally, I think the third photo shows "Crazy Legs" to the best advantage.

Thanks for being part of the GB.  It was a pleasure to have you join in.

Paul, thats some lovely work on that base and the vehicle have come out really well. Nice work.

Finishing up 250 'C' recon company HQ section. ROCO swimmer, Trident 250/3 & ketten with ROCO & Preiser figs.

C&Cs welcomed. PaulE

Now thats much better, nicely done.

Thanks for the advice, Bish!  It definitely gave me a direction.

I gave it a wash with along the panel lines with Vallejo gray wash, followed my a dry brushing of Vallejo Wolf Gray.  Lastly a was of Vallejo European dirt along the running gear and along the bottom of the sides.  (wrong theater, but it's what was on hand!)

I present "Crazy Legs" of Co. C 708th Amphibious Tank Battalion, for the Invasion of Saipan, 1944.

Thanks for looking and the excellent GB!

That's one sharp war-time environment!  Very realistic.

checkmateking02

Outstanding, Paul!  Weathering is very effective.  Great work

 

Outstanding, Paul!  Weathering is very effective.  Great work