The Last Panzer II - Diorama

A suitable cheap frame was sourced from 'The Range' - a 6x6" deep box frame.

A small ruin was quickly made from off cuts of polystyrene tile, cut to size and covered in a thin layer if instant filler. Some window frames were made from off cuts of basswood.

The main elements are test fitted to make sure they all 'work' together.

Cold weather Germans were added for the human element and to add scale to the tank. The are dressed in greatcoats as this will be a cold weather scene.

The groundwork was added from the same instant filler as the building and coated with fine grit and cat litter for the larger debris.

The tank and the other elements are pushed into the damp mix to obtain the proper 'sit'.

An upper floor was made from some more off-cuts of basswood.

All the building dimensions are just guessed by 'what looks right'

Its all left now to dry out.

Happy modelling!

The Last Panzer ll?

Again I used the old Tamiya Panzer II with the Eduard photo-etch update.

Some of the parts were really tiny and fiddly and time consuming to use - but really add to the detail.

Folding up the jerrycan rack was bit of a pain and I would recommend some sort of folding tool - I didn't but still managed it.

Engine grilles were cut out and replaced with etched items which look much better.

Gun barrels were replaced with RB models items - pricey but well worth the money for the detail.

Moulded on tools were scratch-built from etch and plastic rod and the radio aerial stowage trough was completely replaced with something more accurate.

Tool box lids were also replaced for a sharper finish.

The jack was stripped of moulded detail and replaced with more accurate details.

The fenders were cut off and completely rebuilt from sheet styrene as this was quicker than sanding off all the details to be replaced.

Afrika Korps Panzer ll - Finished

So another Tamiya Panzer ll comes to an end.

A 'sprue' snake leaves its home as the tank rolls by.

After everything was finished a very dilute mix of matt varnish and sand colored paint was misted over the whole thing to blend it all together.

Various brown coloured pastels were then used to enhance soft shadows around the pin washes.

A couple of clumps of grass add a little color to the otherwise bland color scheme.

The antenna was added from a piece of florist wire added to a tiny home-made spring at the base.

Various light sandy brown colored pastels were used on the base to add a bit of color difference.

These colors were also added to the upper surfaces of the tank as well.

All in all quite pleased with the result as initially I thought the Vallejo D.A.K. colors looked wrong - but now its all finished I am very pleased with their paints so will be using them again in the future.

So just need to finish it off with a name plate and a dust cover to protect all the hard work.

Next project maybe another Panzer 2 (groan) - highly detailed - and in a colder setting.

Happy Modelling!

Next project another Tamiya Panzer ll - out of the box with a few minor details added.

Primed and fitted into a pre-made frame.

Pre-shaded.

Then painted with Vallejo Afrika Korps colour set.

Gradually built up in layers - until a consistent colour is achieved.

In progress shots

A couple of in-progress shots.

Vehicles have been weathered using washes, airbrushing and pastels.

Shot of the pair of them together. Figures have pins in them to attach them to the base.

Painting the figures

Painting the figures with a variety of paints - Tamiya, Vallejo and Wargames Foundry.

Main colours were airbrushed and details painted in by hand.

The colours along with the highlighting and shading were kept simple to minimise the time to paint a large number of figures.

Simple weapon slings were made using electrical wire for the swivels and Tamiya masking tape for the sling.

More Vintage Tamiya

More vintage Tamiya - Panzer II and the old Hanomag.

Nothing special straight out the box -
posed on a couple of deep box frames from 'The Range'
- my new favourite bases.

Going to be a simple builds to practice some painting and weathering techniques.

Commission build - all finished.

Commission build - all finished.