Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 191, Ostfront 1944

Looks like I managed to keep on track to hammer this figure out before the end of 2022. 

Here's wishing everyone a happy new year!

Calvin

Sturmgeschütz-Brigade 191, Ostfront 1944

I am working on a classic Tamiya figure, sculpted by Yoshitaka Hirano, which is part of the Strumtiger kit. I have had a fondness for this figure since I saw Stefan Muller-Herdmertens' rendition of it in Tony Greenland's book Panzer Modelling Masterclass in the early 1990s. To enhance the figure, I swapped the head with another from Tamiya's Wehrmacht tank crew set (35354) and used a hand from Royal Model to hold the mallet. Additionally, I sharpened the lapels and left hand with a scalpel and added the insignias after the tunic was painted. I am hopeful that I can complete this project by the end of 2022 or make it the first figure of 2023.

Cheers,

Calvin

A Round Up of 2022

This is a round up of  almost all the projects I managed to complete throughout this year.  As you can see, I have been a rather industrious.  The reason being that I have completely overhauled my painting and modelling technique to work faster and more efficiently. I would also like to thank long time partners (Alpine Miniatures and Young Miniatures) and new collaborators(Royal Model, HD Model) for allowing me to paint their box illustrations. Last but not least, I would also like to extend my appreciation to AK Interactive for their generous support in this journey. Here's looking forward to another good year ahead for 2023. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Unternehmen Greif - Einhelt Steilau, December 1944

I am so glad to get this shelve queen completed before the end of the year. To refresh your memory, this piece was the subject of three YouTube video demos. 

It languished on my shelve for more than two years and until last week when I got over the doldrums and got it completed over this Christmas weekend. As a twist, I decided to portray a German commando from Otto Skozeny's Einhelt Stteilau during Operation Greif - and hence the blue scarf. My apologies to the fans of the Band of Brothers drama series but my impression of this bust is that of British thespian Damien Lewis in a G.I. costume. On a light-hearted note, do consider this as a mash-up of Band of Brothers and Homeland. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Merry Christmas!

Calvin

Unternehmen Greif - Einhelt Steilau, December 1944

 Attempting to cram this out before the end of 2022. 

Cheers,

Calvin

101st Airborne Division, Normandy 1944

 Finally completed. 

Cheers,

Calvin

101st Airborne Division, Normandy 1944

Work resumes on this figure which started early last November. I fashioned the hessian camouflage scrim strips and chin straps for the M1C paratrooper helmet with thinly rolled out black Milliput. Hopefully I can get this figure squared away before the end of the Christmas holiday.

Cheers,

Calvin

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

 Another one completed for this month of December. 

Cheers,

Calvin

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

 I could not resist adding a M7 rifle grenade launcher to the M1 Garand to enhance the visual interest to this figure.

Cheers,

Calvin

Half-Day Painting Demonstration

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of hosting a special guest from Korea for a half-day painting demonstration at my home. We covered a wide range of topics related to the painting of a figure, including the face, helmet, uniform, weapon (wooden stock), modelling of straps in epoxy putty, and groundwork. As can be seen from the final result, most of the parts of the figure are still far from completion and should be considered more of a colour sketch than a final product. Nonetheless, it does provide an insight into the painting process. The painting was done using Gen 3 AK Interactive Acrylics.

Cheers,

Calvin

US 4th Infantry Division, Germany 1945

 

Cheers,

Calvin

Unteroffizier - Holland 1940

First one down for the month of December. I have painted a lot of Alpine figures and this is probably the most fun I ever had painting. Everything about this sculpt is exceptionally well done and I would go as far to say that this is Taesung's best sculpt to date. I highly recommend this piece and from what I know it even comes with detailed painting instructions and complimentary paints too!

Cheers,

Calvin