Kursk. II S.S. Panzer corps slowly claw their way toward Obayan

[tr1ckey66]

Interestingly I found this bomb crater online. Now it states that this is from Passchendaele??? (if it is it seems very well preserved) and I know it will have been worn smooth over time but it is remarkable how round it is. But as you've already said Ron there is no perfect bomb crater shape!!!

I know what you mean about being twitchy about comments on other's work, but I think so long as it's constructive and meant in the right way then it can only serve to make us all better modelers.

Cheers again mate

Paul

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Interesting picture Paul, you are right to perhaps question it's authenticity. That's one well preserved 100yr. old bomb hole! (nearly) Is that a J.C.B. I see in the back ground? lol

I guess modellers could argue the toss all day about the shape of 'holes.' The trajectory of the shell, the amount and type of explosive, type of ground ect. would all make for a different shaped depression wouldn't it?..............I want a drink!

Ron

[Guest]

I guess modellers could argue the toss all day about the shape of 'holes.' The trajectory of the shell, the amount and type of explosive, type of ground ect. would all make for a different shaped depression wouldn't it?

I think you have it one there Ron. Shell holes, bomb craters, call them what you will have an infinite amount of shape possibilities depending on how they were created. Just thinking it over, I would say that the round ones would be a vertical (or as near as) trajectory with a delayed fuse so that the projectile went off under the surface blowing straight up. If it came in very shallow and still went off underground, I would think it would have the elongation trench where it came in and then a round hole, similar to a stylised comet style.

However, I think we are missing the point. It could be any shape really so make it what shape you want or we could get accused of rivet counting holes in the ground lol, God forbid.... I think you crater looks fine, suites the layout of your diorama and leaves no one in doubt as to what it is. Nice one.

[tr1ckey66]

Cheers Graham/Ron

Still not convinced trajectory has a great deal to do with the shape of the explosive force but anyway... I'm not calling the bomb squad in!

Cheers

P

[Guest]

Paul mate i've just seen this and i love the dio, your grass looks the business and i do like the trech works as well as the crater looking forward to seeing more pics well done and keep up the good work.

scott

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Scott, I knew your fake fur tip was a winner I'm chuffed to bits with the way the grass looks.

Paul

[tr1ckey66]

A quick update on the Dead Russian figures

Finalised the poses for my dead Russians last night. I settled on 2 differing poses and spent some time on trying to get slumped and lifeless limbs.

The first soldier was killed instantly from shrapnel and lies in a supine position on the trench floor

The second soldier is seated/slumped against the back of the trench and died from his wounds over some time (I have an idea for this figure but don't want to give too much away, I think it will add to the story though).

As per the other alts limbs were cut through joints and attached with wire (smaller gauge for the hand on figure 2). Because I've altered these soldiers so much I can't remember which of the figures they were originally in the set, they may even be a composite of all 4.

Anyway, here they are...

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[Guest]

Paul, i just love it when i see one of your updates.....it always means a quality post with quality work. The way you achieve what you require with these figures is brilliant in my opinion. I feel im very much a part of this build and i think thats cause the way you present it all makes it feel like your building this project in the room next door.

Fantastic, brilliant and quality of the highest order mate, thanks for another instalment, already looking forward to the next, regards Martin :-)

[tr1ckey66]

Thanks Martin, I feel I'm learning something with each figure and I'm actually quite surprised at how well everything seems to be coming together. I don't mean that in a conceited way I just mean that for me this does seem to be progress in terms of learning new things. Also, I've tried to have all the elements in the dio interact in some way and I do think this is starting to pay off. This is the reason that the steps in building the dio have come in the order they have.

I'm glad you like the posts, I hadn't really thought about how all this must sound but the 'build next door' seems quite good.

If I can I'm going to try and finish this dio over the next 6 weeks, then I may enter it into Euro Militaire. What do you think? I've looked into it and the dio would sit in category 15. If anything it should be fun and quite interesting as this would be my first competition entry. I know from previous years that there is some serious modeling talent there and I go in with no expectations but the experience would be interesting.

Cheers

Paul

[Guest]

I can see no reason why you should not have a go at entering it Paul. You have put a lot of work into it and, I am sure, inspired others to go the extra mile with their figures. Have to say I have declined to convert my 1:48 figures but that is because I am chicken lol.

It is good to see people try new ideas and build in confidence, that is what this is all about.

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Graham

Thanks for the vote of confidence. Like I said, if I can finish it in time I'll have a go, if only to meet and chat with other entrants and join in.

If I've inspired others to have a go at figure conversion that would be brilliant but it's not a requirement. Your 1/48 scale figures will (I'm sure) fit into your dio perfectly and then there's no reason to convert anything. Speaking of which, when can we expect your next post? I know you've been really busy with other projects, and there's obviously no pressure, but I'm eagerly anticipating the next instalment, as I'm sure are a few others.

Paul

[Guest]

Paul i think your dio will be more than worthy and more than able to "hold its own" in Euromilitaire. I think the good thing with placing it in this particular comp is the fact there will be those there that will give a good and honest opinion and you will know the high standards set. I guess it will be like playing in the Premier League for the first time !!!!!! They will give you a fair crack at it and you will know where to go with things after it.

I have entered a couple of my bikes in shows before. It is nerve racking cause you dont want to be pulled to pieces, buy i can honestly say ive NEVER seen anyone do that to a modeller at a show. For the most part our fellow modellers are a good bunch and give good honest help and guidance where they can, there are very few who deliberatly cause offence.

The standards you set yourself are of the highest order and i think you owe it to yourself to enter this one if you can finish it in time, there is certainly nothing wrong with finding out from a competetion of this standard just where you have reached.

I really hope it can be entered mate, it will make my day to see it there when i go. All the very best with it buddy, regards Martin :-)

[Guest]

Paul mate i do live what you have done so far with your figures top notch mate as for the competition go for it nothing is ever lost if you try it.

scott

[Guest]

man!!! some real nice work going on here! heavy custom building! the dead and dying figures will look great. the dio base is looking super too. love that trench. with the figures in it, brillant. i'm looking forward to more of this.

[tr1ckey66]

Cheers Martin, Scott I'm going to give Euromilitaire a go. Bobby I hope the finished dio doesn't disappoint.

...I turned my attention to the T-34 over the weekend and tried to build as many sub assemblies as I could without the need to paint anything. This was easier said than done because the interior obviously needs completing before work on the outside can begin. I think I've more-or-less completed everything apart from the upper hull, but there is a reason for this. Because I want to simulate some battle damage I've decided to have a go at replacing the fenders with metal replacements. They look fairly simple to replicate and my prefered material for doing such work is... an old tomato puree tube! The advantage of making foil fenders is that they can be bent to any twisted and blasted shape I want once they are attached to the tank. Although I've replaced fenders before I have never fabricated the fenders themselves, these have always been etched brass replacements, and so this will be another first in this build. When buying the kits I also bought the AFV Club 'Touch' series PE. This will also help create the twisted metal louvres and mesh screens.

Below is the tank sub assemblies, AFV 'Touch' PE, upper hull showing the part to be removed (yellow line) and the fender raw material!

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Meanwhile the 2 Russians have got some flesh on them but still no hair yet!

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I've also got what I think could be a great material for adding more debris to my bomb craters - cat litter! I think I may even be able to stain it (no, I won't be squatting over my own man-sized litter tray!) with the same paint I used on the dio. This should make the bomb blasts a little more random and add some much needed debris to make the dio a little more lifelike.

Cheers everyone

Paul

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