Young Miniatures - Das Reich, Russia, 1941

Taking reference from Michael Lee's work, I am taking another shot at nailing the Blurred Edge camouflage. The issue with the previous attempt was that the shapes of the overprints were too rounded and cloud-like. Close scrutiny of the original specimen reveals that the overprint pattern has a mixture of curves and angles, and the "watermark" outlines irregularly trace the contours of the darker shapes. In addition, the coverage was too opaque (although accurate in the later versions); it does not appear aesthetically pleasing. This is where the AK Quick Gen paints are really effective to create the translucent layers for the Blurred Edge overprint, revealing the ochre shapes.

Cheers,

Calvin

501ᵉ Régiment de chars de combat, 501ᵉ RCC, 1944

The second figure from the box set is complete. I came up with the solution of adding a German helmet on the barbed fencing post to accommodate the leaning arm, which original purpose is to rest on the gun barrel of a Sherman tank. 

The camouflage was airbrushed with dried-out AK Gen 3 acrylics, reconstituted with Tamiya airbrush cleaner.  

Onwards to the next piece...

Cheers,

Calvin

501ᵉ Régiment de chars de combat, 501ᵉ RCC, 1944

I managed to complete the first figure from the set and placed it on a backdrop with a French concrete sign from Miniart Models and a Jerry can from HD Models.

Cheers,

Calvin

501ᵉ Régiment de chars de combat, 501ᵉ RCC, 1944

 The groundwork is up. 

Cheers,

Calvin

501ᵉ Régiment de chars de combat, 501ᵉ RCC, 1944

This is a work in progress of a 1/35 scale 3D print of a digital sculpture from a French brand, Dynamo Models. It can be interchangeably used to represent either a US or Free French Forces (FFF) tank crew in the ETO. As usual, it is painted with AK Gen 3 and Quick Gen acrylics.

Cheers,

Calvin

6th Guards Tank Army, Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy, 1944

 Finally completed this shelf queen. One less model from the stash.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Das Reich, Russia, 1941

A little more progress made on the helmet cover as well as the extension on the two shoulders. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Das Reich, Russia, 1941

Painting the helmet cover this evening. Experimenting with the AK Quick Gen colours to create the blurring effect for the blurred edge camo.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Das Reich, Russia, 1941

 Here is another bust from Young Miniatures which I started over the past weekend. I decide to customise this piece by replacing the original face with another taken from the Ardennes Fallschirmjäger bust.  The separation was made along the chin strap to transplant the new face; minor repairs were made with epoxy putty.

The face and balaclava are painted with AK Gen 3 acrylics and AK Quick Gen paints using UMV as a painting medium.

I also decided to extend the shoulders with some epoxy putty.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

Cheers,

Calvin

AK Gen 3 Paint Hack - Part 2

 

Cheers,

Calvin

AK Gen 3 Paint Hack - Part 1

 

6th Guards Tank Army, Battle of Korsun-Cherkassy, 1944

I recalled making this quick conversion of an early Alpine figure (35040) paired with another Alpine head from set (35282) back in 2023.

It has been languishing on my shelf for quite some time, and this weekend I thought I would give it a final push through the door and give it a quick and simple groundwork using parts from the scrap box. The legs were repositioned to fit into the grooves of the tracks to attain a more natural stance. I also added a white flag fashioned from epoxy putty in the background to echo the breeze carrying the flaps of the tanker's helmet. 

I painted the groundwork and sealed it with a mist of Flat Clear before adding glass powder to represent the light snow. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

Calling this piece done. One more for the display, one less from the stash. 

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

This is the most gruelling part of the project, near the finishing line, but there is still lots of housekeeping to do for the details.

 

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

About 80% there. Some housekeeping is needed at the back. Time to hit the sack.....

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

A little more progress.....

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Airborne, 156th Parachute Battalion, Arnhem 1944

Last weekend I did a short painting demo at the Hong Kong International Model Festival with this 1/10 scale head from Young Miniatures using AK Gen 3 and Quick Gen acrylics. This afternoon, I decided to spend a little more time rendering the facial features. To be continued.....

Cheers,

Calvin