(HISTORIC BATTLES) Battle of the Bulge 60th anniversary Group Build--starts Nov. 1

Larry, or anyone for that matter, if you need a screen shot other than that listed, give me a time on the disc and I will try and get it for you. Glad you could use these.

It truly is a great work (Band Of Brothers). Top notch.

Ted

Larry you haven't started yet have you?

QUOTE: Originally posted by ddayomaha Larry you haven't started yet have you?

No I havent started anything yet. I just got my hobbie room back after a 3 yr home remodel. Go ahead and put me down for a build of the 6X6 Tamiya's Duce and a half cargo truck. Also the Jeep and trailer from Dragon. Both in 1/35 scale.
(I can use them later in my diorama). Thanx. Larry

QUOTE: Originally posted by DanCooper Hi, normally I'm not really an armor-guy, but since this GB is about something that happened in my country, would like to give it a try. No I have an idea, but I don't know if you would accept it as Battle of the Bulge (we actually call it the Battle for the Ardennes) GB : Eversince the end of the war, one of the Shermans that were left behind is placed on a pedestal in the center of Bastogne, I was thinking, of making a diorama, not of the actual battle, but of people visiting this monument, remembering the people who have given their lives for our freedom. But offcourse, if you don't accept this, I could be doing the battle-thing instead... BTW, unfortunately the crew of this tank didn't make it, it was hit anti-tank weapon

Hi Dan
The Sherman in your town center is a M4 Sherman Tank, Its a Early Production version. Not much protection on the sides. It had a 75 mm main gun with a 30 cal, coaxle machine gun, 30 cal hull gun and a 50 cal. top gun. Good luck with your diorama build. Larry

Thanks for the info, Larry.
Any suggestion, anyone, on which kit I should buy for this (concerning accuracy and quality) ?

Dan, I am in the same boat as you. I don't know much about Allied armor. Sorry I can't help. In fact I have a question: Will these figures work for my Dio? Want to be sure before I buy them.




If anyone can help, I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Ted

I know the ones on the bottom would work, but I am not sure about the top.

That's pretty much where I am at also, I thought the CD figs are right, but I want someone in the jeep also. May have to convert some or keep looking. Thanks John,

Ted

QUOTE: Originally posted by DanCooper Thanks for the info, Larry. Any suggestion, anyone, on which kit I should buy for this (concerning accuracy and quality) ?

Hi again Dan
The kit your looking for is the Tamiya M4 Sherman Early Production Version in 1/35 scale. I built it about 2 years ago. (That’s were I got the info for you, it was on the box). It’s a easy build. But very accurate in details. Good luck. Larry

QUOTE: Originally posted by tediam Dan, I am in the same boat as you. I don't know much about Allied armor. Sorry I can't help. In fact I have a question: Will these figures work for my Dio? Want to be sure before I buy them. If anyone can help, I would appreciate it. Thanks, Ted Ted The bottom ones are perfect, The guys in the jeep can be used, what you have to make is (bed sheets) out of soaked water/white glue over toilet paper. You cut a hole in it and slide it over their shoulders, just like the real thing. The solders used bed sheets for camouflage gear. When you do this to the men in the jeep it covers the incorrect jackets, but after you paint it white, you can’t tell the difference. It also conforms when wet to all of the folds of the pants arms and legs. If this doesn’t make since, let me know, I’ll do a better job of explaining it. Let me know. Larry

Thanks Larry, Before I pay $15 for those figures, and then have to modify them, I may try and find some that work better (DML perhaps) and use better heads. Great stuff you learn on here. Everyday I learn a bunch. I still have a long way to go.

Thanks again,

Ted

I found my Jeep shot. Very Cool pic. I think I will have the jeep driver walking away to the guys by the barrel. What do you think?



Ted

Sonds good to me.

Pretty cool stuff guys, I'll put you down for your kits Larry

Put me down for the Tamiya King Tiger for now. I will pick up my kit at the local hobby show at the end of September, so I need to change it, I will know then.

I wonder how many times I will watch the Bastogne episode during this build? Awesome dio idea, Ted by the way

Any Ideas where to get the 50cal that's on this jeep. I know Verlinden makes a set that give you 4 guns, but I don't know if these are the correct vintage. Help is appreciated.

Ted

I know Tamiya makes a US WW 2 Infantry Weapons set, there might be one in there, also Academy makes a machine gun set that I think has 50's in it

I have just bought a Hanomag sdkfz (tamiya 1/35)
Will it need certain decals for it to be entered into the build?

I'm not sure but I'll put you on the list Andy89

how do i join the group build?

Charlesw, All you have to do is say you want in, you can decide what you want to build at any time during the GB.

SO I guess your question means you want to join so I'll put you on the list.

QUOTE: Originally posted by Andy89 I have just bought a Hanomag sdkfz (tamiya 1/35) Will it need certain decals for it to be entered into the build?

Hey Andrew
I was looking at all the Hanomags in my Battle of the Bulge books, Your in luck, all the ones I found only had the German Cross, Main Vehicle number. Most of all the other markings were covered with snow or were painted over with white paint. But if you want to put some on anyway, remember that you’re dealing with the 6th Panzer Army (Dietrich), 5th Panzer Army (Manteuffel) 7th Army (Brandenberger). You can get a book from the library that would give you a complete list of all the different German Divisions. I know Tamiya gives you the correct decal set that goes with the Ardennes battle, (I built that same vehicle a few years ago and I looked them up then). Hope this helps. Larry

I've already constructed King Tiger as the well known 222, and a Schwimmwagen. Is it within the rules to use these to construct a diorama of a Bulge setting? Or does the entire dio including vehicles have to be started and finished within the GB timescale?

Yeah I guess you could...but dont start on the dio before Nov 1st

I haven't decided what to do yet...
Over the last couple of years I've had some ideas for Bulge dioramas, but never really got past making the vehicles. My modelling pace is comparable to a tortoise on crutches!
Which means I plan, I start, I change onto a new project and never finish.
My first idea was inspired by Spiers' solo run at Foy from BOB, where he goes out to join the other unit. I built a Tiger and an 88 for that and bought a load or airborne figures (which remain in my loft!)
Then I had an idea for a Kampfgruppe Pieper dio, hence the King Tiger and the Schwimmwagen.
Then there was the Ambush at Poteau idea (Sourcing Half Tracks became an expensive pastime in the UK!)
So I really would like to partake of this GB, but what to build...hmmm...maybe an aircraft.....
I'll keep you posted!

BTW I have quite a few photographs of the German tanks on display in the Ardennes (King Tiger/Panther) which I took last year on a trip there.
If I post them to my web space can I post a link on this Forum (in other words is that sort of thing allowed by FSM?)

My jeep kit arrived today in the mail. I need to order the PE set and the figs, will do that on Monday. I am going to read up on making coniferous trees tonight. I will need at least 6. I think I will go for the shadow box diorama so that I can control lighting. Grey and overcast is hard to do with regular lighting. We shall see.

Ted

fiasco, Ya, your allowed to post pics, and encouraged!

SOrry I havent posted lately, but school starts tommorrow...

QUOTE: Originally posted by tediam My jeep kit arrived today in the mail. I need to order the PE set and the figs, will do that on Monday. I am going to read up on making coniferous trees tonight. I will need at least 6. I think I will go for the shadow box diorama so that I can control lighting. Grey and overcast is hard to do with regular lighting. We shall see. Ted

Ted,
I've used the wire and plaster technique illustrated in the Osprey Terrain Modelling Masterclass book by Richard Windrow.
Here's my attempt at a 1/35 birch

These trees were common in the Ardennes particularly on more open spaces such as the roadsides as opposed to the dense forest around BAstogne.


This is from the site http://ardennes44.free.fr which has some truely inspirational photographs on it.

BTW, I've not started my build for the GB yet...honest