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