Les Allemands sont arrivés

by Dino Krafczyk

 

This is my latest diorama, called "Les Allemands sont arrivés" and it shows a Panzer II of the 7th Panzerdivision in France, 1940. Actually, what you see in the pictures is just a test fitting. The figures are fixed with blu tack and there are some minor touch ups to do. I also think about adding a few details, like a number at the door, some signposts, maybe a poster on the wall.
The test pics I shot came out so well that I decided to show them to you. But if you spot a little blu tack on the figure's feet or some flaws, it's okay, I'm aware of that..  ;)

Some time ago I bought the Alan model of a Panzer II Ausf.C. It was one of the rather unpleasant building experiences. Parts wouldn't fit too well, some parts, like the hooks that are located all over the vehicle, were detailed on one side, but completely flat on the other, the decals would break very easily, a LOT of flash and distorted parts, the individual track links that came with the model would not fit on the road wheels - either the road wheels are too thick or the space between the two rows of "teeth" on the tracks is too narrow - and other little annoyances tested my nerves.

Some modellers actually like that situation, because they love to fix, correct and scratchbuild a poor model into a good one or modify just any model they can get their hands on, I'm not like that! I try to fix the flaws with a good paintjob and weathering. I love to build my models out of the box, without spending lots of money on aftermarket products that are, imho, WAY too expensive. And, by building OOB, I try to boycott that.  It's probably some sort of rebellious spirit that drives me.. But don't get me wrong: if I just discribed your philosophy, please, don't be offended. If you like to add value to your model with expensive aftermarket products and you're happy with it - fine! It's just not my philosophy..  ;D

Anyway, my attempt to build the Panzer strictly OOB failed because of the weapon barrels. They simply weren't usable. Not only were the parts distorted beyond all means, the 2cm cannon barrel also wasn't correct for an Ausf. C. So I spent a few bucks and bought a metal barrel for the 2cm cannon, the MG34 barrel came from the spares box.

After a lot of patience, filling, sanding, painting and dusting with MIG pigments, the end result actually looks quite pleasing, I think.
I decided that my Panzer II would have been in use during the "Blitzkrieg" campaign in France and I thought of a little scene with the gunner and the tank commander checking their maps on their way to Dunkerque. (Figures by Dragon)

An old farmer stands in front of the door to his property, the wall surrounding it and the power pole already showing signs of destruction from the "Blitz". The cruelties of the last world war still fresh in his mind, he looks at the German soldiers and he might think, what I chose to be the title of the diorama: "Les Allemands sont arrivés", the Germans have arrived. But look at his face! Is there a smirk?! Or might he think something else, including words like "merde" and "bâtards", who knows?!?  ;)
(Figure by MasterBox)

The diorama basis is a complete, vacu formed set by Mini Art (Wall with base, item nr.36035), I added some rubble, some grass and the fence and power pole are from a Tamiya set. I used enamels from Revell for the painting and artist oils for washings and wooden parts. An old tyre from the spares box gives some life to the backside of the wall. The boards are the unevitable wooden sticks you can scrounge at a major fast food restaurant..  ;)

The tarp that is draped over the tyre was made from tissue paper soaked with diluted white glue. When still wet, it will attach to any surface and will look very much like cloth. When dry, it's almost as solid as thin styrene and can be painted and weathered. Looks convincing, doesn't it?!

Well, that's it for this time. I hope you like what you see. Comments and constructive criticism are always welcome.

Cheers  :)

"City of broken glass" diorama

by Michael Rieß

This diorama shows German troops in an occupied Ukrainian city in summer 1941. The tank model is a Panzerkampfwagen Mk IV, 744(e) (A13) from Bronco Models. The kit is quite nice, but some large parts were twisted and it required many nerves to assemble the model. Most parts are very small and thin, so there was always the danger of breaking parts. Usually it takes me 1 week to assemble and paint a 1/35 scale tank, this one took me 4 weeks. Therefore the kit is good for long dark winter evenings, but it is bad if you want a fast result.

The diorama from MiniArt had the usual quality. The details are nice, but the walls of the house have a very bad fit. Thats not a big problem, it is only a matter of filling the gaps. Overall i´m very satisfied with the MiniArt houses, they are beneficial (compared to other house kits) and they offer a large variability.
The soldiers are all from Dragon, taken from different sets and dog is from Tamiya.

I painted the models with acrylic paints from Revell and Lifecolour. Oil paint washes and MIG pigments were used for the weathering.

Here's Your Chance To Get Published

AFV-News.com , Mini Art and Scale Military Modeller are proud to invite you to partecipate at  "The art of war Contest –Part III "!

Scale Military Modeller

"The art of war Contest"  is an online
scale model competition with  subjects being submitted using digital
photos on the AFV-News.com contest forum section.

The submission starts today (01/04/2011 ) and it will end on the 30/06/2011, jury results will be unveiled during the month of  July 2011.  A selection of the best  models will be published in Scale Military Modeller magazine!. In this case you have to supply high resolution photos. 

None the less our generous sponsors, Scale Military Modeller  & Mini Art are issuing prizes for the first three positions.

When:

Submission Start Date : 01 April 2011

Submission Dead Line : 30 June 2011

Jury results : During the month of July 2011

Rules:

Model category : AFV models or generic ground military vehicles  (trucks, sidecars, staff cars..)

Scale : Most common scales:  1/35, 1/72 and 1/48

Number of entries per person : Three at most.

Author : Submitter must be the author  of the entry or co-author. If
there are two or more authors you must  declare  this on the submitted
documentation.

Period : Any. Modern, World War I, World War II.

Theater of war : Typical operation theaters which have the coldest weather features:  snow, ice, rain…

Main Characteristics:

1 – Models can make use of add-ons, detail sets or scratchbuilt
parts.  Documented scratchbuilt parts will get extra rating points;

2 – Models can be modified  to correct manufacturer errors or to
obtain a different version. Documented modifications will get extra
rating points;

3 – Models can be placed on a simple base or a diorama. Extra points assigned.

4 – Models can be equipped with figure or a complete crew. Extra points assigned.

5 – Special extra points are given to historical documentation,
modelling notes,  step-by-step photos and work in progress descriptions
submitted.

6 – As the only media accepted are digital photos extra rating point
are given to the quality of photography to give emphasis to the
subject.   Otherwise digitally photo retouched entries will be
discarded.

7 – Forbidden models:  Models that have been previously published in magazines.

How to submit:

1 –  You have to be a subscriber to the AFV News Forum;

2 – Post your entry in the CONTEST gallery section.

3 – As Topic name use the title of your art-work or name of the vehicle.

4- Submit at least 3 photos of your entry in any common photo format
and with a minimum resolution of 800x600. Remember to reserve High-Res
photos for a possible publishing on  Scale Military Modeller.

5 – Include a description of your work. The longer the better;

Prizes:

1^st – One 1/35 Mini Art Tank, one year subscription to Scale Military Modeller and Armour Data Book #1 – ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’.

2^nd – One 1/35 Mini Art Figrure set, Armour Data Book #1 ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’ & 6 months subscription to Scale Military Modeller

3^rd – Armour Data Book #1 ‘Operation Iraqi Freedom’. and Revell 1/35 kit.

Publishing in Scale Military Modeller :

A selection of the best  models will be published in Scale Military Modeller

MiniArt 1/16 Praetorian Guardsman

by Hamilkar Barkas

Hello my friends :-)

This figure is from the Ukrainian manufacturer MiniArt. The quality is really bad, it is impossible to assemble the figure without using filler, but the figures are beneficial (12 €) and i like the motives that MiniArt offers.


This figure depicts a Praetorian Guardsman (# 16006) stationed near or in Rome in the 2nd century A.D. It is basically the same kit as the Roman Legionary i built several weeks ago. There is just a additional sprue included for the different type of helmet. I decided to replace the limbs to give the figure a different look, because the Praetorian would have the same pose as the previous Legionary.


I painted the figure with acrylic paints from Revell and Lifecolor and oil paints from MIG Production. Usually people would paint the Tunica of the Soldier with red paint but this time I decided to use a dark purple paint (inspired by the Praetorians appearing in the movie "Gladiator").
The included decal for the scutum of the Praetorian was very hard to handle, it is a very thick one and there is always the danger of cracking. I sealed the decal with Humbrol Decal Fix.


The whole project was some kind of training to improve my skills because i have four white metal figures from Pegaso in my storage and i want to paint them with some new techniques.



The Praetorian Guard (Latin: Prætoriani) was a force of bodyguards used by Roman Emperors. The title was already used during the Roman Republic for the guards of Roman generals, at least since the rise to prominence of the Scipio family around 275 BC. The Guard was dissolved by Emperor Constantine I in the 4th century.
The term Praetorian derived from the tent of the commanding general or praetor of a Roman army in the field—the praetorium. They were an elite recruitment of Roman citizens. It was a habit of many Roman generals to choose from the ranks a private force of soldiers to act as guards of the tent or the person. They consisted of both infantry and cavalry. In time, this cohort came to be known as the cohors praetoria, and various notable figures possessed one, including Julius Caesar, Mark Antony and Augustus (Octavian). As Caesar discovered with the Legio X Equestris, a powerful unit more dangerous than its fellow legions was desirable in the field. When Augustus became the first ruler of the Roman Empire in 27 BC, he decided such a formation was useful not only on the battlefield but in politics also. Thus, from the ranks of the legions throughout the provinces, Augustus recruited the Praetorian Guard.
The Guards began to play an increasingly ambitious and bloody game in the Empire. With the right amount of money, or at will, they assassinated emperors, bullied their own prefects, or turned on the people of Rome. (wikipedia)