Alpine Miniatures - DAK Grenadier, Tunisia, 1943

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After much anticipation, here's a preview of the completed paint work for Alpine Miniature's upcoming release. This is probably in my opinion one of Taesung's most elaborate 1/16 scale sculpt - comprising of many fine intricate details reflected by the lace work on tropical boots and subtle creases on the tunic, trousers and even the hands. With the full marching kit, this figure will prove to be a rewarding project with the variety of challenges it offers.

Cheers, 

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - DAK Grenadier, Tunisia, 1943

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Details and more refinements added over the week.

A close-up shot of trousers and the 2nd pattern tropical boots. The laces were undercoated with a mix of Storm Blue and Carbon Black before painting over with a mix "pinkish" hue mixed from Naples Yellow and Earth Brown.

The back of the figure is decked out in full kit comprising two tropical model canteens in felt covers, the K98 grenade launcher kit pouch, mess tin, Zeltbahn and entrenching tool with bayonet.

All separate components (with the exception of the Zeltbahn which is molded in with the torso) are attached via magnetic interfaces to provide ease in painting.

That's all for now.

Cheers,

Calvin

Alpine Miniatures - DAK Grenadier, Tunisia, 1943

Confronted with on a tight schedule and limited bench time, here is a quick preview of an upcoming 1/16 scale release from Alpine Miniatures.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Paratrooper, Northwest Europe, 1944

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Here are some of my personal shots of the finished British airborne trooper bust to mark a belated conclusion to this painting assignment.

I had a great deal of fun painting this jolly bloke - especially with the slightly caricatured face - that it spurred me on to embark on another painted rendition of this piece.  More on that after I conclude another box art assignment for Alpine Miniatures.  In the meantime, here's a publicity flyer of a British glider airborne troop at Bénouville Bridge on D+1.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Paratrooper, Northwest Europe, 1944

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Here's a belated update showing the close-up on painting of the details and accessories like the Bren gun ammo pouch, zipper and buckles. Additional highlighting was done on the smock and webbing with chafe effects given to the helmet strap.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - British Paratrooper, Northwest Europe, 1944

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Still on a roll with the painting streak, I've been once again offered another irresistible assignment to paint the box art for Young Miniature's upcoming offering - a WW2 British paratrooper sculpted by Young himself. I am sure that many will agree, that Young deserves kudos for taking up the courageous gamble to abstain the trial and tested commercial viability of WW2 Germans subjects for a WW2 Allied offering instead.

In retrospect, it seems that Young does have a penchant for WW2 airborne troops -with his past releases of Fallschirmjagers, US 82nd and 101st Airborne. It would seem that this upcoming release will complete the full collection of Allied airborne troops operating on D+1. Perhaps he could be so kind as to consider also packaging this British Paratrooper together with his previously released 101st and 82nd Airborne busts as a complete special D-Day anniversary collectors set.

The kit contains 9 parts - including a bonus British airborne badge. It definitely looks the part of a commemorative tribute to the British airborne in WW2 when pieced together as a complete display. Another distinguishing aspect of this portraiture would be Young's recent shift in the depiction of an archetypical "good looking" face to that of slight caricature and character personality. As far as stereotypes goes, one could readily assume that this bloke is a familiar face in one of those English bars chugging down a pint of ale after a rugby match.

Regrettably, I was unable to spare the additional effort to provide a blow by blow pictorial account of the painting process - especially on the camouflage for the Denison smock. Fast forward here is a week's intermittent effort. Jo Sonja paints were used exclusively up to this point and hopefully I'll be able provide some color notes here at my earliest possible free time.

Cheers,

Calvin

Young Miniatures - Unterfeldwebel, Kampfgeschwader 54, 1940

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As a final wrap up to this painting assignment, here are some of my personal shots of the completed bust.

 

 
Cheers,

Calvin