1/16 Panzer Lehr

[Guest]

My next figure will be based on this old Tamiya favourite:



I've made this figure a number of times, but I like returning to it in order to see if I've improved since the last time. It's a simple kit and well up to the usual Tamiya standard.

I've decided to try an depict an NCO of the Panzer Lehr, so the first step was to remove the tanker's insignia and add a scratched 'y' harness:



Way out of my comfort zone with this sort of thing, but I fancied giving it a go. I used paper from a manila envelope, aluminium foil from a flan case, fuse wire and lead foil. I also removed the moulded kit shoulder boards and made replacements from plastic sheet. All of the buttons were made from sections of sprue. I'll have to see how it looks when painted - I can always cover it with equipment if it's too dodgy.

The kit head is pretty awful, so I've replaced it with a Trumpeter spare wearing a Dragon helmet. I've also added a Dragon MP40 and water bottle and a Tamiya ammo pouch from the spares box.

[papa 695]

Very nice work with the harness Peter

[Richard48]

Peters on one of my faves now!.Baggsie i front row seat for this one.Great start mate.Will reserve a few seats for the guests.Come on wing.commander Race wheres the cocoa!!!.
Richard

[Guest]

Ian - Hopefully it will paint up OK.

Richard - I know you love a good Panzy! I always think of you when the subject comes up - hopefully this one will make it to the finish line.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Nice work on the scratch braces, looks like a interesting alternative for the figure too.

Looks like a good day for painting.

Have a good day with the other head

Regards

Steve H

[Guest]

Hi Steve

I've since tidied up the harness at the back to get parts of it more in scale.

Here's the head:



I've pushed the helmet up on the head to try and emphasise the tired and anxious look on the face. I've come to really like these Trumpeter heads as they're a bit different from the usual (despite the eyes not matching!).

Just realised that I've forgotten the rain dashes on the camo - that can wait.

[Richard48]

Looking good Peter.See what you mean with the eyes being a bit wonky.Shame coz it has a lot of character.
Richard

[JR]

Dam it, :smiling: your running a production line Peter.
I'm sure you'll make another superb job.
Does Richard take sugar in his coco ? .
John.

[SteveH]

Morning Peter

Wonderful rendition of a weary soldier, and any wonkiness is just part of the "human" condition

We are none of us perfect, 5 years of war will leave its marks and you have captured the look perfectly.

Some of the 1:35 heads I did, in the dim and distant past, Legend particularly, had some real deformities, but both added to the realism and the challenge of painting heads.

On to the main body today?

I shall keep a close eye on how you find the drapery, as I have this figure on my desk, though it hasn't progressed past primer, with the head being stripped 3-4 times already.

Have a good day

Regards

Steve H

[papa 695]

Coming along very nicely Peter

[Guest]

Richard - I stopped worrying about wonky eyes ages ago - I'd never get a head finished otherwise.

John - Thanks. I think Richard takes sugar with everything!

Steve - Exactly - not many of us are perfect. Would like to see the figure you're working on.

Ian - Many thanks for looking in.

Here he is:



I started today by painting the insignia - a fiddly job on German uniforms. I've made him a leutenant and given him the pea green grenadier's waffenfarbe. The uniform was based on Vallejo German Field Grey, darkened with Black Brown and lightened with Off White as usual.

I'm quite pleased with the way the 'y' strap has turned out. I was worried that it was a bit bulky before painting, but I think that was the effect of the different materials contrasting with each other.

The final job was to add rain dashes to the helmet cover, then attach the head.

[Jim R]

Hi Peter
Looking good and the alterations have come out a treat. You are right about the harness - it really looks the part.
Jim

[JR]

Peter.
Nice I certainly like that head. The uniform , well we've said it countless times.... perfection.
John.

[Richard48]

Blimey o'riley thats a corker Mr.D.With the uniform jacket done it really shows the head is suited to Mr.Lehr.Maybe i will sculpt a lehr bust sometime.
I dont take sugar my friends just couple sweeteners in me beverages chaud.I do have some nescafe cappucinos which i cant do with out.
Afraid im in naughty box at mo!!.Im 5 foot 9 and weigh now 21 stone.Have big probs with food.Determined to lose loads so i can stay around longer.
Onwards and upwards my friends.
Richard.

[Guest]

Jim - Thanks.

John - Thanks also.

Richard - I'd love to see you do a Lehr bust. Only joking about the sugar, and I know what it's like re food. I was taken off my diabetes medication six months ago and my weight has shot up - hungry all the time.