(Completed) Alpine BAR Gunner US 29th Infantry Division

Completed pics of the BAR gunner.

Pretty happy with the groundwork made of tea leaves and dried coconut husks. I am sure there are other naturally occurring material that is suitable for scale modelling :)

 

 

(WIP 1) Alpine BAR Gunner US 29th Infantry Division

My next project is a BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) gunner from the US 29th Infantry Division released by Alpine Miniatures.

In my excitement to paint this figure, it slipped my mind to take some WIP photos. Much apologies, here's a photo taken during the rendering of the jacket. As you can see the groundwork is also in progress. More to follow in the subsequent posts.

(Completed) Alpine WSS Wiking

Calling this project done for now. Some photos for sharing. Part of the MP40 sling was made from paper. Perhaps more weathering on the winter pants and boots before senging this off for IPMS Belgium :)

(WIP 2) Alpine WSS Wiking

Took on the challenge of painting white for the winter pants. I think it's decent for a first attempt. I started with a mix of off white & a small amount of burnt sienna as the base before laying on the highlights and glazing in the shadows. I am leaning towards some light weathering on the pants instead of the muddy works. (Had a bad experience with mud, still not proficient with such effects)

Base: Off White + small amount of Burnt Sienna
Highlights: Base + mix of Naples Yellow Hue/ Flesh Base, Titanium White
Shadows: Glaze with Burnt Sienna

I also pushed the highlights on the parka, hoping they would "pop out". While the bulk of the figure is almost done, there's some minor tweaks due to harmonize the colours. Hope to complete this in time for show organised by IPMS Belgium :)

(WIP 1) Alpine WSS Wiking

Found some time to start a new project. The figure is a 1/16 scale trooper from 5th SS Panzer Division "Wiking" 

The cheekbones are very subtle so some "artistic license" is required to bring out the face to life. The anorak/parka which makes up much of the figure will provide ample opportunity to push the highlights.

Model Expo 2014 - The Australia Open Plastic & Scale Model Championships

One of my figures placed first in the Historical Figures (Large Scale) category at the recent Model Expo 2014 in Melbourne :)

More pictures of the figure here

(Completed) Alpine German Fallschirmjager "Unternehmen Merkur"

Wrapping up another fun project. 

The only challenge I felt that needs to be highlighted was to get the rifle sling bent to a realistic shape. Apart from that, It was a great project to take on and experiment with various colours to complement the predominantly green figure.

I was also pleasantly surprised when my request to buy some decals for the helmet was answered by 2 outstanding gents from PlanetFigure. Frankcy and Mike (faust18) both sent me decals from France and UK at no cost to me. (Francky sent via registered the mail at 8 euros!)

I was totally blown away by their generosity and hope to pay it forward in the future.

Thank You Francky & Mike :)

Here are the photos of the completed Fallschirmjager :)

(WIP 4) Alpine German Fallschirmjager "Unternehmen Merkur"

"Planting" the grass for basework :)

 

(WIP 3) Alpine German Fallschirmjager "Unternehmen Merkur"

More WIP shots :)

Progressed to the trousers. Do note the 1941 model of the Fallschirmjager jump trousers has more green in the fabric compared to the slightly darker 1943 model which has more grey in it.

The base color of grey-green was also applied to the helmet.Will be picking out the details on the helmet and boots next. It's also time to plan out the basework :)

 

 

(WIP 2) Alpine German Fallschirmjager "Unternehmen Merkur"

Here's the completed jump smock for now. I may fiddle with it towards the end when reviewing the paintjob.

I was asked on Planefigure what colors was used for the jumpsmock. As I "eyeball" the colors and don't have a fixed formula, here are the Jo Sonja colors used.

Base: Olive Green, Yellow Orche
Shadows: Burnt Sienna, Prussian Blue
Highlights: Yellow Naples Hue

Since the terrain in Crete during the campaign was dry and arid, I wanted the jump smock to have a slight yellow bias while maintaining a strong green tone. Hope I am making sense :)

 

(WIP 1) Alpine German Fallschirmjager "Unternehmen Merkur"

Back on this project after a long hiatus.

This is a 1/16 scale figure of  a German Fallschirmjager during the Crete Campaign. Spotting an oliver green "bonesack" jump smock, this figure will be a nice change painting camouflage :)