Near the End 1/72 vignette

The small diorama for the RSO and the StuG IV models. I managed to hide the dodgy work that i did on the RSO's running gear by submerging it in a mire and then dustin with snow for good measure.

The basework is polystyrene foam covered with MIX-IT instant paper mache. I drew inspiration from Alex Clark's StuG vignette in the Osprey Modelling the Panzer IV in 1/72 scale and cut a hole to fit the RSO in. I painted the bulk of the groundwork and then nestled the RSO in the remainder of the paper mache which I had reserved for the occasion in a ziplock bag.

Being basically lazy, I used the airbrush to blend the model and fresh groundwork. The snow is bicarb over photomount adhesive.

I'm now having a rest from German armour building the Dragon 1/72 M4A3 76 (W).

Dragon 1/72 StuG IV Early

The antithesis of the RSO. Dragom have engineered a lovely model to build. Again, the model is in progress. I painted it before the RSO and probably could have done a better job. In my excitement I managed to put the RH track on back to front. The DS track was well and truely stuck to the running gear by the time I noticed, so I'm stuck with it on this occasion.

The crewman, in the special reed green uniform, is by AB purchased from Eureka Minatures, back when Nick had the liscence for AB WWII figures.

This vehicle will (eventually) be placed with the RSO as a vignette.

ACE 1/72 Raupenschlepper OST RSO (type 01)

Here are a couple of in progress photos of the Ace Raupenschlepper OST RSO (type 01). As you can see next to an AUS $1 coin it isn't a huge model. The detail is (from reading reviews) pretty much what you would expect from Eastern Europe, that is, kind of soft. The running gear was a real hassle to get aligned and the drive sprockets didn't mate with the PE tracks (I'll hide that sin under layers of mud when I base the model)

I found the PE track interesting to work with up to the point where I had to bend it around the running gear. After bagging the DS tracks on the Dragon T34-85 I'd have loved to have some with this model.

Eureka Minatures Centaurs

Here a couple of 28mm scale Centaurs from my collection. I understand that Nick Robson has recently had the Centaurs resculpted with more heavily built horses.

DML T34-85 Mod 1944 in 1/72 scale

The model is basically built out of the box. I used some Gunze Sangyo Mr Surfacer to add cast texture to the turret; Acrylic Impasto medium for the weld beads; and wire to replace the grab handles and (very disapointing moulded on) lift hooks.

The DS tracks are OK to work with, but lack the stepped shape characteristic of the prototype. Link and length track would have provided a better rendition.

I found the external fuel tanks difficult to clean up, but I can't see a way around the problem except for more practice on my part.

The model was painted primarily in Vallejo acrylics with a brush.