On the Edge of the Precipice - Feldwebel, 389 Infantry Division, Stalingrad, 1942

I am going to call this done on this prescient narrative of a Landser perched precariously off the edge of a bombed out rubble during the early stages of the Battle of Stalingrad. I suppose it does reflect the hubris of the Army Group South during the summer of 1942 - and not realising the vulnerable situation they will soon find themselves later that winter. 

As a finishing touch, I decided to incorporate some building features like the street lamp and rain gutter from MiniArt Models. The painting was mainly done with acrylic paint from AK Interactive and Vallejo. For now this might be the closest I can get to making a diorama.  

Cheers,

Calvin

On the Edge of the Precipice - Feldwebel, 389 Infantry Division, Stalingrad, 1942

 Inching closer to getting this completed. 

Cheers, 

Calvin

On the Edge of the Precipice - Feldwebel, 389 Infantry Division, Stalingrad, 1942

More progress on the painting for the Splinter pattern helmet cover, uniform and rifle. I have also attached the gas mask canister to the figure at the back with a strap made from a strip of paper stiffen with super glue. 

I noticed that the details of the 1/35 scale gas canister was lacking in some areas due to the injection moulding process.

For instance, some rows of the recessed lines on the canister's body were missing. To engrave those lines, I first affixed the canister onto a plastic H-beam with Blue-Tac for easy handling. 

Next, I took the measurement of the space between two alternate rows with a pair of dividers. 

I proceeded to engrave the lines with needle of the dividers. One point was placed on an existing line as a guide  to maintain a straight path as a new line is engraved with the other.

The top and bottom of the canister are detailed by mounting it onto an improvised lathe in the form of a  14-V hand held drill. The body is cushioned with a layer of masking tape to prevent the drill's clamp from damaging the details of the canister. A broken off pen knife blade was used as a cutter to form the circular disc on the base and top lid.

Cheers,

Calvin

On the Edge of the Precipice - Feldwebel, 389 Infantry Division, Stalingrad, 1942

Some progress on the uniform,  insignia and helmet cover this evening. The collar tabs and breast eagle are from the decals that came with the kit. I also decided to remove the chin strap on the helmet cover and add a new one around his face to convey a more "in the field" look. 

Cheers,

Calvin

On the Edge of the Precipice - Feldwebel, 389 Infantry Division, Stalingrad, 1942

Putting behind the box art assignment from Alpine Miniatures, I resumed work on the Landser over the weekend. I also took the opportunity to try out the Field Grey tone from AK Gen 3 paint for the tunic. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Calvin

KV-122 by Dinesh Ned

After a long hiatus from armour modelling, my old friend Dinesh Ned has marked his return to the scene with his spectacular rendition of a KV-122 from Trumpeter Model. The timing could not be better as this was completed just in time for me to mount the new release of the Soviet tank crew from Alpine Miniatures onto this magnificent beast. Though Wikipedia says that only one prototype of this variant was built and never pressed into service, Dinesh just could not resist to imagine how this might have appeared in the battlefield. I hope you guys like this collaboration between Dinesh and myself.

A close up of the Soviet tank crews with two optional heads painted by me placed into the loader's hatch of the KV -122. 

Cheers,

Calvin

502 Schwere Panzerabteilung - Lake Ladoga, Summer 1943

Finally touched up some of the imperfections this evening. Calling this spur of the moment project done and back on track to the Landser on the brick wall.

Cheers,

Calvin