Project - 'Showcase'

[SteveKrieg]

I had initially thought to do as I did back for the ScaleACT 2015 by having a marching column, but the issues I had back then and the time it took to avoid a 'domino effect' came flooding back so I've opted instead for a relaxed column, taking a break from its long march across France.

The triumphant advance indicated by the salute by the tank commander and proud return from the platoon commander (saluting not the norm in the field for fear of sniping but archival footage and photographs have caught such actions in enemy territory; particularly during the heady days of German victories.

 

[SteveKrieg]

For those that have or remember the DML Panzer II (kit form and pre-assembled in both B and C types. The diminutive tank in real life sure looks the part in 1/6th. Aside from that and the Sherman tank types, would've been nice for DML to bring out other variants...even the Stuart in its several variants would've been a nice addition given it wasn't a huge beast either.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Forgot to add this one, for ScaleACT 2016, I had put in two sizeable scenes, one covering the origins of the British SAS in the desert campaign (and a smaller scene covering their use in North-West Europe) and the scene with the Tiger tank.

For ease of assembly on the day (and the fact I'll be taking enough stuff with me as it is), I've opted to recreate the SAS desert raider scene based off the famous photo when David Stirling greeted the return of a patrol led by LT MacDonald (jeep closest).

To recreate this famous image required the purchase of the two types of SAS 'Desert Raider' DML had released and then, although I wasn't keen on it at the time, tracking down a third in order to complete the scene. Then finding the crews and gear to fit them all out along with repainting and detailing...then the sand tracks (which I had made via 3d print) and additional spare tyres - essentially the need for finer detailing x 3.

It is one of two scenes that I plan to recreate in-full for this year's showing given this will be an easy one to apply.

Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all...

And now onto the last scene as part of Project 'Showcase', one that I was going to deploy for ScaleACT 2017 however was not in-country at the time to do so. It was to be part of a larger scene involving more winter-clad Germans and three DML Aerosans and whilst all the parts were completed it was all packed-up with a chance perhaps another day.

So, a cut-down vignette akin the other big scenes utilising just the halftrack, one of five sleds that were originally made for the diorama and several German figures. The SdKfz. 250/1 halftrack is Taowan, repainted and white-washed weathered in the markings of Grossdeutschland 2nd reconnaissance company.

With the last scene now done, all I've left now is to complete the information text accompanying each of the eight years and I'm good to go. Will post pics of them all set-up at the show in due course.

Enjoy, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

A couple more pics. I've packed as I gone with each scene and hopefully, given I've cut down many of the original dioramas into smaller vignettes, I'll have the time to set them all up with the intent to lay down the tables and terrain bases the evening prior and the models the morning of (my usual SOP) and part of setting them up for this SAG post is also to nut down on how long it will take to assemble each one.

 

[Hammer's Africaners]

awesome work
always enjoy seeing your work

 

[Kapernakis]

As Hammer said Awesome work.
The weathering on your winter scene is great.
The Pz II scene is also very good. What did you use for the grass?

 

[Squidley]

Oh man! Your scenes are all awesome!

I really liked the winter dio, and would love to see the Aerosans when you complete them!

And the job you did on the ausies is outstanding!

 

[Captain Darling]

There’s a lot to see on this thread and a lot of quality workmanship on display.

Great work, keep it up!

 

[SteveKrieg]

Thankyou all very much for the kind comments.

The grass mats are JG Miniature terrain mats, they come in a variety of types are used for the British 'King & Country' scaled figures but work equally well (when brushed up) for 1/6th. Note they aren't cheap but beats the 'Scenic Railway' green matting that I originally used when I put the Blitzkrieg scene together in 2015.

For those wanting to know more, please refer to the SAG threads covering these various projects. Has been a blast putting together these particular scenes for the 'Showcase' and will post pics of them all together over the model show w/end.

Cheers again, Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

Forgot to mention, the three DML Aerosans I did manage to complete back in 2017, just haven't found a use for them unfortunately despite the efforts put into them (including crew and the front machine gun, will find some pics and post. Cheers, Steve

 

[Falckner]

Nice work here Steve

 

[SteveKrieg]

G'day all,

Well the weekend worked a treat in terms of finally putting in one place the various scenes that made up the 'Showcase' theme covering 2013 thru early this year (which was a delayed carry-over from the show that COVID cancelled last November).

Though it was a delight to bring-out old wares (which were displayed in two ways which, dictated by their original size, were placed either entirely or a composite part-there-of so that all years, including the 2017 series which though done was not displayed as I was belatedly not in country during that year's show).

The opening scene of the series covered the 1/6th Scale action figure by way of a wooden art mannequin (which I had used to draw military figures), "Hans" which I initially purchased to replace the mannequin in order to get the equipment carried drawn to scale and a 1964 "GI Joe" - the first so-called Action Figure.

 

[SteveKrieg]

The central display was a shortened version of my inaugural 2013 diorama covering Rommel and his Afrika Korps and focused on my two favourite vehicles that were completely repainted/detailed for the scene - both TAOWAN. The only addition was the 3d-printed Enigma machine which I completely painted and detailed.

Indeed with so many vehicles used over the years it was a forgone conclusion that the 'Showcase' would require a couple of lifts to bring all the wherewithal to display - 9 vehicle models in all with the three TAOWANs (1 x Sd.Kfz 222 and 2 x Sd.Kfz 250s (a 1 and a 3) being the heaviest.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Many of the visitors (the die-hard modellers in-particular who've become regulars to the show) commented on how good it was to see some of their favourite models on display again though typically you can't please everyone and I had some who asked for models that simply could not have been placed without expense (in terms of transport space) to other models - the Tiger tank being the most popular interrogative.

It took three hours on the Friday evening to get down the 13 folding tables required as well as the base sheets and terrain bases. A couple of models were also placed with the aim that, on the following morning, all I had to do in the main was place the 60-odd pre-posed figures.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Early on the Saturday morning, placing down the figures and all the odds and sods in detail which was achieved with 15 minutes to spare prior to public opening.

Unlike previous years, I had to achieve the bulk of the set-up by myself though this was made easier by the following factors: 1. Assembling the models completely at home prior during the course of the year, 2. placing the models and all their bits and pieces in labelled tubs and 3. leaving the figures posed which only required slight tweeking during set-up.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Of course there was always the back thought that I'd spent so much considerable time on the models during the year yet for an approx. 14 display window during the course of the model show...was it all worth the effort???...I do believe so as it was grand to see my favourite models from all those previous years set-up together.

The chance prevailed also to put together composite scenes such as the British and U.S. airborne, the German 'Blitzkrieg' (a much smaller scene that the massive 2014 diorama) and a couple of vignettes from my more recent Sniper series.

 

[SteveKrieg]

Now to reorganise everything back into their tubs and bring everything out for the show that was to be on this year - the German Fallschirmjager story - which will now be brought back out for completion of the several or so scenes still remaining to build - it's going to be, in the technical term, a doozy. The intention for them to "jump into" next November's show.

Progress pics for these will be put on my existing Project - "Green Devil" thread under 'Ground Pounders'.

Hope you enjoyed the pics and hope everyone is taking it easy if not easier. Cheers, Steve

 

[Squidley]

Wow. All of these are absolutely outstanding. Thanks so much for sharing them. Looking forward to see what you do with the FJs!

 

[The_Dutchman]

Cracking displays Steve! Looks like you had a great time at the show.