Something else for you to take a look at and hopefully, enjoy.
Late in the war, a pair of Easy-Eights are taking a break, in some German town. One of them is older (“Porky II”) and well worn, while the other is relatively new to the battlefield.
This diorama actually came about because Hobby Lobby offers the nice Tamya kits at a very good price (if you apply their 40% discount coupon), And I liked the idea of doing two of the same kit, giving them two different personalities. Compared to German armor, painting US Army vehicles can be boring – all that olive drab - but it wears so unevenly, and is always so dirty, it’s easy to work with very different shades, for variety.
I played a lot with mud, dirt, dust and grime, on those two Shermans, Mostly GW Citadel, pigments and Artist’s oils. They look Okay to me…
The Tamiya M4A3E8 kit is relatively new, and really nice. Although I probably should have replaced the rubber-band tracks with after markets. I rejected that idea because it would have taken two sets, and that’s expensive…
I also really wanted to paint some of the Alpine US Tankers. So, the standing figures are from Alpine, and the guys half-in the hatches, goofing off and exchanging insults, are from the various plastic manufacturers, with heads from Hornet.
The all-important rear-deck stowage are sets from Value Gear. Note the stenciling on the boxes – my number one ‘pet-peeve’.
The timber-frame building(s) are scratch built – a project in their own right. The stucco is actually tile grout and the wood, real wood, cut and worked to size. I used my craft CNC cutter (sold more for stencil cutting) to manufacture the window frames.
The roadway and the stone-block wall are plastic sheets from Model Builders Supply – Check them out.
I debated how best stage the scene. Here are a couple of my early tests. Did I pick the right arrangement?
As always. Opinions, questions and suggestions are welcome.
Thanks,
Ralph
