Miniatures & Terrain

Thanos Book Review #1: In the Garden Of Beasts

2012-01-12T12:05:00.003+02:00

Good day everyone.

Now that we got into 2012 for good, and with every new year most of us are trying to follow the infamous ''year's resolutions'', I decided that I should start something new in my life as well, like communicating more with people I consider interesting, and share my thoughts, likes and dislikes with them.

As you' ve probably understood already, I mean you guys, that helped me realize the power of communication, beyond human (scattered with land mines) borders!

And what best way to start communicating more with you, by sharing my thoughts about a thing I adore: Books!! Last year I managed to read 39 books (it was one of my 2011 resolutions - one book per week - and yes I keep a record - O.C.D is on its way... ), of various types: fiction, non fiction, biographies etc...

Through this blog, I will share my thoughts for books related to our hobby in a way (mostly historical books, or fictional that are ''into'' historical periods).

I think that they can help us get a broader picture of human history, with their diverse aspects and stories - so as to understand in a way...about our nature.

After this infinite prologue, I think I should start talking to you about the book I finished a few days ago, and I am sure that most of you have heard of it.

The book is written from Eric Larson and is called:

''In the Garden Of Beasts - Love, Terror and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin''.

The story of this book, written by Eric Larson (a journalist, historian and author) who has visited Berlin, unfolds the journals of William Dodd, an American historian who served as the United States Ambassador to Germany from 1933 to 1937, during the Nazi era, and the story of his daughter Martha.

In these journal the Ambassador recorded the events day by day the critical first year, from July 1933 (when Hitler was appointed chancellor) until August 1934. Where all seemed very ''normal'' in a first glance, many dark things were happening ''behind the curtains''. That was one of the most impressive things during the first years of the Nazi era.

For visitors it was easy to travel to Berlin, stay in a nice hotel, make sightseeing walks and go with the feeling that everything was going by the clock. There was no evidence of violence and signs that Hitler was preparing for war, and Jews were isolated from society.

Through the memoirs of Martha, his daughter, which they did not give the feel of this growing darkness, Larson succeeds in showing the characters of the various senior Nazi officials met with the Dodds, in the parties and banquets which attended.

Appointed by F. D. Roosevelt himself, Dodd was expected to serve as a model of liberal American values, and Dodd fulfilled that role in the end. After his return / succession by H.R Wilson, he started the whole campaign in the U.S. against Hitler at a time when the American public did not want even to think of the prospect of engaging in war.

With this book, Larson achieves mixed results (as the Seattle Times conclude): As a suspense narrative, "In the Garden of Beasts" achieves mixed results: It's hard to warm up to the well-meaning but outmanned Dodd and his feckless, flirtatious daughter. But as a work of popular history, "In the Garden of Beasts" is gripping, a nightmare narrative of a terrible time. It raises again the question never fully answered about the Nazi era — what evil humans are capable of, and what means are necessary to cage the beast.

In my opinion, it was a book that travelled me back in some gloomy times of human history... and I would recommend it without hesitation (regardless of your origin). After all, we can become better if we learn from our mistakes...

( * * * * / in 5 )

Pizza, figures and a modelling knife....[Italeri US Paratroopers (101st Screaming Eagles)]

2012-01-10T09:17:00.002+02:00

Good day everyone!

As I told you in my previous post, some days ago I bought a kit of US Paratroopers from Italeri (ex Esci). I am very pleased with the quality of these figures, and for this reason these past few days I've been painting figs from this kit only (at least when sth else catches my eye... - you know how it goes...) :-)

For this post, I did a little bit of everything. I ate pizza (and kept the plastic round thing for the box protection), I made a small conversion (a fig's torso (carrying a bazooka) from Italeri's (ex Esci) American Infantry (#6046), placed on a paratroopers' rifleman lower end and, of course I painted some supporting weapons for my new force (a bazooka and a .30 calibre mg).

Now, I have to paint some mortars..... :-)

I hope you like 'em!

T.

Italeri US Paratroopers (101st Screaming Eagles)

2012-01-09T11:18:00.001+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Some days ago, I bought Italeri's (ex Esci) US Paratroopers (#6063), which is one of my favourite sets, mainly because it has so many firing poses....what's there not to love? :-)

Last weekend I painted some of them, in order to decide what colour I should use for their uniforms. In the Normandy campaign US Airborne troops wore desert coloured uniforms (same colouring as in N. Africa and Italy). After some experimentation with colours I decided to use Vallejo's MC 70.879 Green Brown, which is a bit brown, and I think it should do the job properly. The webbing is painted with Vallejo's MC 70.924 Russian Uniform.

I also tried to paint the details on their shoulder patches (right shoulder - American Flag, left shoulder - 101'st Screaming Egles). The result was not very...dissapointing.

More painted figs to follow in the following days! :)

I hope you like 'em!

WW2 American Infantry

2012-01-04T09:16:00.000+02:00

Good day everyone!!!

As the celebrations for the new year have ceased (at least until when the new chance arises for drinking some extra pints of beer....) and we all got sober enough to grab our brushes, I wish to all of you a happy New Year!!!

These past few days, I've been painting figures mostly. I got some boxes of American Infantry, Paratroopers and Russian Infantry, most commonly known as cannon fodder....

Today I present to thee: American GI's.

I hope you like 'em!

T.

Merry Xmas!!!!!

2011-12-23T12:09:00.000+02:00

Merry Christmas to all of you!!!!! :-)

And remember what a nice fellow (William Arthur Ward) said once :

“The pessimist complains about the wind; the optimist expects it to change; the realist adjusts the sails.”

I'd go for the realists...where would you bet in these gloomy times we all live in? ? ?

Keep on smiling mates! Regardless of what may happen today, tomorrow will come! :-)

T.

Stone House in Normandy - Finished!

2011-12-22T09:24:00.000+02:00

Good day everyone!

Last night, I finished Italeri's Stone House ( #6140 ) alongside with the other components of the terrain piece that would accompany it.

I don't want to brag about my work, but I think that this is the one of the best terrain pieces I ever made (I still have a lot to learn though...)! :-) It's amazing what you can do, when you are a bit methodical and patient while working...two elements I lacked in the past...

It happened so, because I turn (and officially) 30 today, and I hope that Godess Fortuna will ''iuvat'' me, and make me a better person!

I hope you like it!

T.

Stone House in Normandy - W.I.P.

2011-12-20T09:23:00.003+02:00

Good day everyone!

Last Saturday, while in the model shop of my neighbourhood, I found a kit from Italeri (#6140 Stone House), in a very appealing price...

As you all are aware, there are some things that you simply can't resist to... :-)

I then googled around Normandy, and I found some places with stone houses that could be reproduced in a respectful way for our scale...

This is what I've done so far but, pls be patient cause there is a lot more that couldn't be photographed...

T.

3D Printing....the future?

2011-12-09T14:07:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

Since I didn't have much time to paint this week (I am trying to finish a US Rifle Platoon and one small terrain piece), while googling around the web, I found information regarding 3D Printing.

I am sure that most of you are aware of this technology, since it firstly appeared some 7-8 years ago, but, since it's not very widespread in terms of availability (due to the high costs of acquiring a 3D printer... almost USD 15.000 / printer), I wanted to share my thoughts with you and ask you whether you think that this could be the future for our hobby (everything has to do with our hobby...other opinions are banned from this blog! :-) ).

I reckon that most of the big companies of the industry might be already using this type of machinery for their products, but the question that is swirling in my mind is whether an individual could buy sth like that and create his works for his leisure (personal use or whatever) or start a new business by producing pieces for entering the market (even though the possibility of balancing costs - profits could take a little while...in human years)!!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing

What do you think?

T.

Zvezda's German Reconnaissance Team 1939-1942 (Part 2)

2011-12-02T09:02:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

This is the second part of Zvezda's excellent kit of German Reconnaissance team.
The Radio Man - and the ''writer''!

I hope you like them!

T.

Zvezda's German Reconnaissance Team 1939-1942 (Part 1)

2011-11-23T08:55:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

As this year is coming to its end, according to the diaries, the workload shows its size, and tortures me!

Unfortunately, my spare time to paint has been reduced to minimum - but I don't give up! :)

Last Saturday, I bought Zvezda's German Reconnaisance Team # 6153, and I managed to paint two of the prone figures.

These figures can be used either as reconnaisance soldiers, or artillery spotters.

The quality of these figures is up to the usual Zvezda's standards, and even though the figures come in seperate pieces, their assembly is very easy and the result is very very pleasing!

The lovers of plastic figures take their revenge from all of those who still think that metal figures are better!! :-)

I'll try to finish the rest of the kits' figures the following days (one radio man and one who writes down orders or coordinates).

I hope you like them!
T.

Now, who took my parking space??????

2011-11-11T09:07:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

First of all, I would like to thank you for your participation in this quiz! You guys are really something! :-)
Unfortunately, the answers given were not correct, but you must be excused, since I forgot to mention that besides the cd's and the wood skewers I would also use some gauze....
This is how I created some camouflaged ''Parking Spaces'' - you know lack of parking ''slots'' was giving a pain to guys back in the 40's also!
The pieces of gauze were cut into appropriate pieces (well, some basic rectangles to be exact), and were then soaked in some water-thinned PVA glue. They were then sprayed with a green colour, so as to blend with the rest of the landscape. A bit of PVA to glue them on the posts, and presto they are! :-)

Each ''Parking space'' may take two trucks, one AFV and loads of cans and barrels and ammo boxes and, and, and...

I hope you like them!

T.

P.S: I would like to add some foliage on top of the nets, any suggestions??

Zeros and Aces...what for? (W. I. P.)

2011-11-10T10:30:00.000+02:00

Good day everyone!

Some W.I.P for me, a quiz for you...

Three old cd's and some wood skewers...

What do you think? What will come out of them?

T.

Fran (aka The Angry Lurker), you are the MAN!!!!!

2011-11-09T09:41:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

Yesterday I received a package from UK, from Fran The Angry Lurker, who was more than kind to send me 3 trucks, 2 tanks, 1 kubelwagen and 10 metal figures!!!! Now, tell me how cool a guy that doesn't know you, can be????? :-) Fran, you are the MAN mate! :-)

Further below are the photos of the stuff he sent me:

1. Kubelwagen

2. Pz.Kpfw IV Ausf. F1

3. Pz 38 - T (from Pegasus)

4. Metal figures (I'am afraid I don't know the manufacturer - perhaps TQD, SHQ)??

5. Trucks!!!

And in full array:

How should I paint the trucks? Any suggestions or reference photos?

Fran, you are the MAN mate!!!! Thank you!!

T.

Now, where all these stains come from...?

2011-11-08T09:37:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

Thanks for the feedback yesterday guys! It really helps me keep the tempo and paint much more than I used to do some months ago.

I received a couple of questions yesterday, regarding the shading effect I achieve on my figs, and today I took a couple of photos of the products I am using.

The product I am using is called Aquaxyl and it is a water based wood preservative. It comes in many shades, and the ones I am using is one ''Dark Brown - ΚΑΦΕ (in Greek)'' and one ''Black - ΜΑΥΡΟ (in Greek)''. I bought it from a local DIY Store called ''Praktiker'' (a reference for the fellow Greeks). Each can consists 750ml and it costs around 11 euro. It WILL....last ages, as it doesn't dries in the can as the ARMY PAINTERS Dips do after a couple of months. Leave aside the fact that it is MUCH cheaper! (We live in gloomy times here in Greece, don't forget about that...) :-)

You apply it with the same way you do with the ARMY PAINTERS' Dip (either by using a brush or by dipping the figure in the can and then remove the excesses).

The best aspect of this product is that it dries out really quickly, so you don't have to wait 24-48 hours before spraying the AP Anti Shine Varnish (it can be used with terrific results)!

So instead of dedicating an hour per figure, use a Water Based wood Preservative (the brushes don't wear out)!!!!

Life is too short.... ;-)

Examples:

1. ''Black - ΜΑΥΡΟ (in Greek)''

2. ''Dark Brown - ΚΑΦΕ (in Greek)''

Good day lads!!!!!!

T.

Last weekend's work...

2011-11-07T09:04:00.002+02:00

Good day to you all!

Last weekend was a rather busy weekend, in ''social'' terms, so I only managed to paint 8 figures (6 Germans - 2 Russians) for some ''urban'' fighting (grey bases).

I hope you like them!

T.

Italeri's #6133 US Infantry (Winter Uniform)

2011-11-03T09:10:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

These past few days, while waiting for the winter to come, I've been painting some G'Is from Italeri's Set #6133 US Infantry (Winter Uniform) - (Plastic Soldier's review), based on some baking soda coins! :-)

The detail of the figs of this set is of the usual Italeri's standards (meaning vey high) and the stature of these is very realistic. If you want to represent some late war battles (not only in snow terrain) with some ''away from home'' G.I's, I should recommend of buying this kit.

I hope you like them!

T.

Zvezda 1/72 Soviet 82mm Mortar with Crew

2011-10-27T09:12:00.000+03:00

Good day everyone!

A couple of days ago, I bought Zvezda's 1/72 Soviet 82mm Mortar with Crew, since the long awaited sets from Pegasus, are far from being released by the company, and just because they were a new addition to my hobby shop! :-)

I bought two same kits. This is the ''steppe'' version (bases with dirt and grass) - the other which is not yet finished will have a more ''urban'' look (grey bases).

The models and figures were assembled rather easily (no gule needed, but I used some just in case).

A joy to make and a pleasure to paint!

I hope you like them!

T.

ZVEZDA - German antitank gun PAK 36 with crew

2011-10-18T09:02:00.000+03:00

Good day everyone!

Last weekend I bought a Zvezda kit ( German antitank gun PAK 36 with crew ), and paint it for some urban warfare.

The gun as well as the figures were assembled really easily. The details of both were of the usual Zvezda standards (aka fantastic).

The only disadvantage of this kit, is that the gun crew is consisted of two figures only, whereas the reality was almost 6 men per gun...oh well , I don't want to grumble! :-)

For its price (3 euro/kit), it surely does its work! Go and buy it! :-)

I hope you like it!
T.

S & S Models Lamp Posts - on the field!

2011-09-26T09:29:00.000+03:00

Good day everyone!

Last weekend, I managed to finish the 50 lamp posts I got from Sands Models, a company which is located in UK and produces dozens of nice things for our hobby, as I told you again in my previous post.

They came out (painted) really easily - I think it is easy to paint sth black!

And since it was weekend, I had some free time, to deploy most of the terrain pieces I made so far next to my newly finished lamp posts. As you can see they get ''along'' quite nice!

If you want to order for some lamp posts, email Mr. Shaun Matthews ( sales@sandsmodels.com ), and refer to the lamp posts he made for a crazy Greek in Athens!!

I hope you like 'em!
T.

W.I.P -S & S Models Lamp Posts

2011-09-15T10:57:00.000+03:00

Good day everyone!

Some days ago, I bought some Lamp Posts (metal) from Sands Models, a company which is located in UK and produces dozens of nice things for our hobby.

The level of service was great - the whole order, preparation, dispatch, receive thing was done in a week!Mr. Shaun Matthews ( sales@sandsmodels.com ), is a great professional (I don't get any commission for saying that, don't get me wrong here)! :-)

The Lamp Posts are full of details and they surely look the part (as my friend Paul from NZ likes to say)!

As you can see from the photos, I based them on coins, and after that I primed them black (no photos unfortunately - you can always let your imagination run wild!!!).

I'll post the photos of the painted models, as soon as I finish them (50 Lamp Posts are quite enough....).
So stay tuned!

T.

Zvezda's Soviet Anti Tank team - Finished!

2011-09-12T08:28:00.004+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Last night I finished painting Zvezda's comrades, equipped with the long-barelled anti tank rifles.

This time (since the kit contains four figures - two gun elements), I decided to paint one pair for fighting in the vast steppes of the homeland and one pair for ''dog'' fighting in the city. I have something in mind for the future. . . :-)

I hope you like them!

T.

Zvezda's Soviet Anti Tank team

2011-09-07T08:20:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

Yesterday I bought two kits of Zvezda Soviet Anti Tank teams (#6135).
The price was rather reasonable (3.2 euro / kit), and the figures came up very easily. A good buy!

Now I must paint them - so stay tuned! :-)

Cheers,
T.

Did you miss me???

2011-09-06T09:16:00.002+03:00

Good day everyone.....

After almost two months since my last post, I decided to show up again. . .
Many things have happened during this period, some good (holidays, house renovation...) and some bad (relationship stuff, business trips and seminars...).
While living all these stuff, I was visiting my friends blogs (you guys keep on doing some terrific work)!
I am about to start rolling again, but before I do, I wanted to apologize for my long absence. I hope you understand...

Cheers mates!
T.

Plastic Soldier Company - Panzer IV

2011-07-18T08:45:00.005+03:00

Goodmorning everyone!

Hope you are all well!
Last weekend I've finished PSC's - Panzer IV tanks. Their 'entry' to the market, came to fill the gap (at least for us wargamers - since they are fast-build models), and IMO the anticipation was long, but it was worth it.
When buying the kit, you have a selection of three versions (early, mid and late) to make. I decided to follow the late version . . . and because many discussions have been made about the 'bulky' commander figures that come with the Panzers, I decided to back up the models, by using the ones that the kit offers! :-)

I hope you like them!!

T.

Plastic Soldier - Russian 45mm Anti-Tank Gun

2011-07-12T08:42:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

I have finally managed to finish PSC's Russian 45mm Anti-Tank Gun kit. The kit comes in a very small size (peculiar isn't it?), but its sprues are more than enough (4 guns & 16 figures) - let aside the variety of gun selection! Each gun sprue has 4 options (muzzles), that allows us to build our early (mainly) A/T company according to our needs. The figures are the distinctive PSC's figures (a bit chunky, but a major improvement from the first kit), which is quite reasonable if you consider the fact that each figure comes in multiple parts.

I have painted all guns with Vallejo's MC Russian Green, and the crews with Vallejo's MC Russian Uniform. The crews however, are painted half with their bases grey (city fight), half with dirt and grass bases (vast russian steppes).

I hope you like them!
T.

A nice little village. . . in the East!

2011-07-11T08:25:00.006+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!

This last weekend was one of the warmest in Athens (38 C), so the possibility of me taking my paints out and paint, was simply out of the question - they would dry in no time!
But, a weekend without playing is a weekend not worth,that's why I decided to lay out most of the things I've made so far for the Eastern Front. I like to see it as a nice little village, peaceful until the war comes. . . :-)
The village has some buildings from Pegasus Hobbies, fences which are scratch build (balsa strips), roads (scratch build) made by vinyl tiles, tree stands (ready made trees) - made from old CD's and wheatfields - made by a doormat! :-)

Do you have any suggestions, of what else I should add to this piece of terrain to improve it?

I hope you like it!

T.

A big (ware)house - and then some green. . .

2011-07-06T08:37:00.001+03:00

Good day everyone!

Today I have uploaded some photos of a new terrain piece that I've made, inspired by a photo I saw in a friends' holidays album. It is a simple big (ware)house that can be used IMO in many WW2 fields, and with the little field I also made, and stands beside it, they create a nice duo of country terrain pieces.
The construction was rather easy (foamcore, Vallejo'S Red oxide paste, acrylic paints, Slaters Roof sheet), as you all will notice that it hasn't many details.
The field was made by a piece of vinyl tile, some PVA + Sand mixture, and some greenery.

I hope you like them!
T.

"If money is the root of all evil, why are churches always begging for it?"

2011-07-04T08:18:00.002+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Being away from the hobby for a few days now, due to a crash I had with my motorbike, I decided to show you the church I've made for a project that me and two friends have decided to create (Battle of Donaweurth 1704).
This church, can also be used for other projects (you may guess . . .). A HO (1/87) model from Faller, but I think you couldn't tell the difference when it's going to be placed alongside my other building pieces.

I hope you like it!

T.

A good garden may have some weeds. . .

2011-06-24T08:32:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

After relaxing my self with figure painting this past few weeks (I will show you my finished ones on the forthcoming posts - hopefully with some decent photos...), I decided to go back to my favourite subject - Terrain Building!!
Some months ago I bought some OO' Gauge Dapol Kits, including Dapol's CO11 'Hut, coal office & water crane', which has as you may see from the pics 2 small houses that can be used for many projetcs, besides train modelling.
I decided to use them complementary to two small fields (with ongrowing vegetation on them - pls don't ask me what grows over there, the post's title can help you find out quite easily!), that I made for my ongrowing (same word..hm....) Normandy Project.

They were made with 2 pieces of vinyl tiles, PVA glue+Sand (dirt), Turf, Static Grass, Clump Foliage and 2 small trees.

I hope you like them!

T.

German Sniper - Oak Leaf Spring / Summer Pattern

2011-06-22T08:40:00.004+03:00

Good day everyone!!

It's been a while since I last painted a figure with some camouflage on its uniform.
Since I wanted to paint a sniper figure, I decided to paint his uniform (well his jacket) with the Oak Leaf (Spring/Summer) pattern. Most of us know it with this name, but in German is called Eichenlaubmuster (I am trying to be as international as possible as you may see)!
The painting steps (I used Vallejo Model colours) for achieving this result were the following:
1. Base Colour: German Camamouflage Pale Brown no.825
2. Dark Green: German Camouflage Dark Green no.979
3. Green: German Camouflage Bright Green no.833

The jacket was painted with Pale Brown (1), and after that splotched of Dark Green (2) were applied in a random way (after all, we are talking about camouflage), and lastly dots of Bright Green were applied on the Dark Green splotches (3), to achieve the camo effect.

I apologise for the rather mediocre quality of the photos, I must have done something wrong apparently! I'll make it up to you next time! :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

Italeri - 8.8 cm. FLAK 37 AA Gun

2011-06-16T08:45:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

Last January I've uploaded some photos of a fortified position I made (Post: Bunker at 11.00 o'clock, sir!!!), which was ''hosting'' a famous gun of WW2 - 8.8 cm. Flak AA gun.
This is an Italeri fast-build model (#7512), and the type is Flak 37. Though the box illustration represents a gun located in Africa during 1942 campaign, I decided to paint it in my usual Dunkelgelb / Field gray, late-war colours.

The model is consisted of 17 parts and comes together very easily.
For someone who lacks of: time, patience, money and modeller's ambition for getting the most realistic model ever, I think it suits the case quite adequately! ;-)

I hope you like it!

Comments and critics are more than welcome!!

Pegasus WWII Russian Infantry (Winter Dress)

2011-06-13T08:39:00.005+03:00

Good day everyone!!!

Now that we got into proper summer here in Greece, I decided to go the other way around and paint some winter Russians from Pegasus!
The figures are really good, and they can be combined with Italeri's Russian Infantry (Winter uniform).
The bases are made with simple Baking Soda (2 layers of it).
I hope you like them!

Beware of the snipers!

2011-05-25T08:48:00.004+03:00

Good day everyone!
Last night, while painting some figures, I came up with the idea of making a small ''war'' scene of my new US Recce platoon, while entering a small village, somewhere in (where else) Normandy.
While doing so though, a German sniper is watching them. . .
I have made two versions (greyscale & coloured) of the photographs in order to add an artistic touch!
A new tag (War scenes) is born! I think I will be making some every now and then, to show the progress of this project.

Enjoy!

T.

US Recce Platoon

2011-05-24T10:56:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!
While looking at my notebook, of my ''must-buy'' stuff, I came across of a US Recce Platoon (generic, tailored made by me), that I decided to make some days ago. For this reason I have bought 2 Italeri's Fast Build M3A1 Halftracks and 2 Italeri's M20 Greyhounds in order to make my drafts a reality!They have been painted with FOW Spray (US Armour) and Vallejo Model colours and washes.
I've also included some figures to ''escort'' them from various manufacturers (mainly Italeri).

I hope you like them!

T.

Medic!!!!

2011-05-18T08:46:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

It's been a while since my last post, but due to work reasons I didn't have much time to play with my toys! That didn't prevent me from thinking though (sth that surely is very uncommon for me)!

That's why I decided to make a simple conversion, in order to make some medics for my US troops! I was inspired by Mork's blog (a great blog by the way, you must surely visit it), who used some figures of German common infantrymen to make them medics.

For my ETO US force, I decided to use a figure from Italeri's #6120 set - ''American Infantry'', the ''Bazooka man''!!!

The conversion that I did to him, was simply cutting his weapon from his hand, and by doing that, what was left was a figure giving his hand (or some morphine) to a fellow wounded infantry man.

This is how he turned out (in a group of 3 actually):

I hope you like them!
Comments and critics are more than welcome! :-)

T.

Normandy House with Lamp Posts

2011-05-05T09:13:00.004+03:00

Good day everyone!
While spying Normandy towns and villages with Google map application, I came across a house that I decided to make with my wonderous foamcore sheets!
It is a bit bigger than the rest, and it has some lamp posts (Auhagen # 42202) attached on the door's edges.

I hope you like it.

T.

Zvezda's German 105mm Howitzer without crew

2011-05-03T21:27:00.003+03:00

Hi everyone!

Today I am uploading some photos of the finished German 105mm Howitzers from Zvezda.

I decided to go ''Dunkelgelb''! :-)
I now need to buy some Pegasus German Trucks, to make them as the gun tractors. The thing is, that it's rather difficult to find them and that's why the guns are on their own!
Oh, and one last thing: you may have noticed, that the guns are shown without any crew. Besides the artistic touch of not adding any, I must inform you that I have painted the figures, but up until today I haven't received the Army Painter's Magic Dip (I bought it for 23 euro - here in Greece costs around 32 euro) which I ordered almost three weeks ago!

So, enough with the talking!!

I hope you like them!

Comments are more than welcome!

T.

Stylish Blogger award??? Mine??? Don't think so!!

2011-05-02T11:55:00.005+03:00

This Stylish Blogger Award

Now the rules of this award are to:

There are four rules attached to the award:
1. Thank and link back to the person giving you the award.
2. Share seven things about yourself
3. Select 10-15 blogs who you think deserve this award
4. Contact these bloggers and let them know about the award

1. Many thanks to Carlo Antonio http://militaryminiatures-carloantonio.blogspot.com/, for mentioning my blog as a ''Stylish blog'' candidate!
I hope that my blog may be considered stylish, because my clothing outfit will certainly cannot be described as such!! :-)

2. - 30 y.o but still playing with toy soldiers!!!
- Still single, but getting there (the marriage I mean).... :-)
- Reading a lot, but remembering little (I must do sth about it...)
- Proud to be Greek (even though we are considered to be a ''failed state'' nowadays) At least, we have our History!
- Proud to support Panathinaikos (great fan with a season ticket - cheaper that seeing a shrink)
- My life's quote: ''KEEP CALM & CARRY ON''
- Don't know what I want to do with my life yet....

3.

Andreas from Germany http://mork6969.blogspot.com/

G.E.M from Portugal http://garageexclusivemodels.blogspot.com/

Paul from Germany http://paulsbods.blogspot.com/

Paul from New Zealand http://plasticwarriors.blogspot.com/

Yori from Poland http://yori-hobby.blogspot.com/

Angry Lurker from Ireland http://theangrylurker.blogspot.com/

Wiking from Germany http://wikingpaintworks.blogspot.com/

Al from New Zealand http://20thcenturywargames.blogspot.com/

Geordie from England http://exiledfog.blogspot.com/

Greg from South Africa http://gregswargamingblog.blogspot.com/

Alex from Spain http://wargamestenerife.blogspot.com/

Rich from England http://westmodelsandfigures.blogspot.com/

Dan from Australia http://gunnerswargamming.blogspot.com/

Modern Kiwi from New Zealand http://modernkiwi.blogspot.com/

T.

Zvezda's German 105mm Howitzer with crew - W.I.P.

2011-04-18T08:39:00.002+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Last weekend I bought from my local hobby store the new 105mm German Howitzers from Zvezda.

Each kit contains 1 gun with two soldiers (crew). The gun can be used either in ''fire'' mode / deployed, or in ''movement'' mode. The model can be made very easily (no glue required) and the figures are very nice and realistic (even though, a couple of more would be very handy)! Benno's forum has some photos of the kit, as it comes out the box (not assembled).
It's a simple wargames' piece, so I would like to inform rivet counters that this piece of broadcast is not for you! ;-)
I now have to buy 4 Pegasus German Trucks, to use them as trailers, and some additional figures for the guns' crews.

So, stay tuned for the photos of the whole bunch!

T.

100 Followers!!!!!

2011-04-13T14:35:00.003+03:00

Dear all,

Just a small post (but not hasty), to express my gratitude to all of you that are following my blog!!!
100 followers, is a very big number if you consider the frequency of my posts!!!
Thanks everyone!!!! :-)

T.

Counter Attack on the way!!

2011-04-04T08:47:00.004+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!!!
Last weekend I made two stands of trees, for my small town...
The photos are showing them among different elements of my terrain pieces, in order to see how well they complement with each other.

The stands dimensions are (reference):
Base (Vinyl Tile): L: 26cm (as two Wills sheets/e.g cobblestones - pics) W: 7cm
Trees stand: L: 24cm - W: 5cm.

I hope you like them!

T.

Out of the workshop....

2011-04-01T09:11:00.003+03:00

Good morning everyone!!!
Being away (again) with my work, has kept me out of my workshop for a while (again)!
Too many things on my desk stand incomplete, and that is really tearing my nerves!
I have managed to finish something though, something similar to what I am working on at the time (where are you Einstein with your theory???).....:-)
In this terrain piece (two small flats), I have used some brick work (from Wills sheets) and window railings (from Faller), based on some photos I found in the web.

I hope you like them!!

T.

Next target: Thanosville!!!!

2011-03-18T08:37:00.003+02:00

Good day everyone!
It's been a while since my last post (bloody work / excuses dare I say), but I managed to finish my last terrain piece, which I asked you what it would be.
It is a big square, with a WWI monument ( Dapol CO76 - War Memorial ).

Since I started this blog, many of you have asked me to show how all the things that I made up to now, would look displayed together. Mostly because I liked this town square I made yesterday, I decided to put most of my terrain pieces on table to show you the progress that I've made up to now.
There is still much work to be done, but now you can get a picture of what I have been doing all this time! :-)

I hope you like it!

Any comments and critics are more than welcome!

T.

A quiz...

2011-03-08T08:51:00.002+02:00

Goodmorning everyone!
After a quiet weekend I came up with a new idea.
I gathered the materials needed and I got some photos for you. But, before I present you the finished piece (as I usually do), I wanted to share them with you, and learn what your mind is thinking...A quiz it is then!
So here goes....

The question is: what I am about to make?

T.

SHERMANS M4 A3

2011-02-28T08:55:00.002+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!!!

Last weekend I bought Italeri's fast-build Shermans M4 A3. Each sprue(tank) comes in grey colour and in twelve pieces, which are very detailed (at least for the purpose they are destined for).
This kit also has decals (hoorraaayyy), and a separate sheet of how to apply them, depending on the war theatre someone wants to use them for.
If you want numbers for your Tiger opponents....go fo it!! They catch fire very easily, so you'll probably need many!! :-)

I hope you like them!

T.

Two stonehouses in Normandy - Completed!

2011-02-14T08:36:00.002+02:00

Good day and good week to everyone!

I have finally managed to finish these two stonehouses for my Normandy Project.
In addition to the usual stuff I use for the finishing touches, I decided to add some mold (I hope it is the correct word) on the rooftop. In order to achieve this, I used some Vallejo's Russian Uniform colour, thinned in water. With a fine brush, and a little bit of patience, I tried to gave an additional realistic touch on the rooftop!

I hope you like it!

Any comments are more than welcome!!

T.

W.I.P - Two stonehouses in Normandy...

2011-02-08T08:41:00.003+02:00

Good day everyone!
Last weekend, while reading a book I bought from Heathrow airport (during my travelling to England) - Max Hastings' - ''OVERLORD'' / DDay and the battle for Normandy (great book by the way, I suggest it without any doubt) I came up with the idea, that I must start producing terrain pieces as fast as possible, because there were so many aspects involved (beaches, villages, towns, hedgerows etc.) in this campaign. It always occured to me that the campaing was a huge thing, but when I started reading more thoroghly about it, the impact of its vastness was very strong!!! :-)
Because of this book, I decided to try something different in my house-building methods (other terrain pieces will get their share of thought later). :-)
In this photo sequence, two small flats (in Normandy, just in case you forgot it) are shown.
I decided not to add floors in it, in order to create them faster than usual.
It is still W.I.P, which means that some goodies will be added (roofs, chimneys, drainpipes, weathering, etc.), but the basic look will not be altered drastically!

I hope you like them!

T.

Near the poplars. . .

2011-02-03T08:58:00.002+02:00

Good day everyone!!!

First of all, let me apologize for my absence, but due to business reasons, I had to travel from Greece to England for quite a few times during these past three weeks.

Below is something that I've made last Tuesday. It is something complementary for my project, and it can be used in other ''fields'' as well.
It is based on a simple vinyl tile. Great stuff, and very durable (try to find some for your projects)!
The fence, is self made (2mm balsa wood), the hedges are Woodland Scenics' Cluster Foliage (Medium Green), and the tress are Noch's Poplar trees.

An easy construction, that can be used alongside my buildings (sth for a must needed change, if I may say)! :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

W.I.P -Bunker at 11.00 o'clock, sir!!!!

2011-01-11T08:30:00.002+02:00

Good day everyone!

Yesterday night I took some photos of finished terrain piece. I took them late at night, so they may be a little bit blurry.
Let's say, that it was seen by the Allies late at noon, while the sun was setting. . . :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

W.I.P - Bunker in the woods

2011-01-07T08:32:00.004+02:00

Good day everyone!

Yesterday it was a day of rest (Bank holiday), and for that I decided to experiment myself with something different- yet again a WW2 theme.
My brother on my birthday, brought to me two gifts (he is a very good lad) - one Italeri's bunker and one set of the new Italeri's fast-build 88mm Flak Gun. I had these two sets ''sitting'', because I was too busy (houses construction).
I decided to make something out of them, and that was a fortified position. I used some foamcore for the base, and I let my imagination run wild!
Still, it's not yet finished (hence the W.I.P post), but the photos will help you get an idea of how this will come out!Much greenery must be put! :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

Mold making: On the way. . . Part 1

2011-01-05T08:45:00.005+02:00

Good day everyone!!!

Thanks again for your support and positive feedback regarding my thoughts about mold making. I appreciate it very much!
For me, as I grow in age, it tends to become a certainty that the people that I want to have relationships with, should be people with whom I share common interests. Interests, and not ambitions (e.g work)!
That's why I really value what we have made here today, where we can all meet up (in a way) and have a good time!
Thanks again!

And since I don't want to become melodramatic for a second consecutive post, I want to tell you that today (after reading your comments last night), on my way to the office, I made a stop and bought a precision scale! For what is worth (18 euros), it could help me mix the components for the molds I am intending to make!Hope to be proven lucky!

So, the crime is starting to take shape . . .
Now, it's time to buy some silicon and resin! :-)
Stay tuned!
T.

Interest: √ - Implementation: Getting there...?

2011-01-04T12:09:00.006+02:00

Good day everyone!

First of all, I would like to thank everyone (unfortunately not seperately, even though I want to) for the support I am receiving for my blog!
You know, it all started as a ''lost in the vast ocean ship'' thing, but it turned out to be a winning bet after all(at least for me). Soon, you made it very important for my life, and helped me realize than great things are in the quiet lane of the road. Thank you for that! :-)

Since 2011, is a reality now, I want this year to be an indicator of my new idea: Mold making!
The way I see it, my aspirations for my project (the infamous Normandy Project) are escalating with geometric progression! That's why I have to create many many things, and mold making is something I started having interest in, for the potential it offers.
Also, I begun receiving mails, with requests of making buildings for sale to customers! Crazy as it sounds, it seems that other people want to have my buildings on their tables!

The questions now are:
Should I give it a go?
Will it make my work easier?
Would people be interested in it?

Your interest in this blog up to now, is what it made it what it is today.
Your opinion is what can help me to decide what to do in this unfamiliar state of situation!!!
Please help!!!! :-)

T.

Armourfast's Sdkfz 251/1 with a twist!

2011-01-03T10:08:00.003+02:00

Good day, good week and Happy New Year everyone!!!!

I hope you had a great time, drinking, eating, sleeping, shagging (well, in not that particular order) with your beloved ones!!!

After a big hangover from last Saturday, I decided to get back on track and I made the resolution to be more productive this year! At least this is my intention!! :-)

Last Friday I bought a kit from Armourfast (Sdkfz. 251/1) which contains two small German half-tracks. The detail is in very good standards (compared to the dreadful T34's they produced in their early stages - I am sure we can all remember this kit. . .).
They are designed for wargames purposes, so they don't have many bits and bobs (rivet-counters beware. . .) that many people would have hoped that they'd have.

The half-tracks are the Ausf C. versions (see link for reference). Their armament is consisted by two machineguns / half track. Bearing that in mind, and having a spare 75 mm L/24 gun, nicknamed "Stummel" ("stump"), I decided to go both ways!

One halftrack would have the standard two machine guns, and the other the Stummel gun!

For the first I used an old Esci German machine gunner, and for the latter (crew) I used one figure from Caesars' German Infantry, and one from Pegasus German Mortar teams.

Visually, they came out rather well IMO, but the level of historical accuracy is a subject that I want to neglect (and for a reason)! :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

Stonework revisited!

2010-12-27T15:15:00.008+02:00

Good day and Merry Christmas to everyone! :-)

First of all, your wishes made me very happy!!Thank you very much for them. I hope that 2011 will make us smile more often!

Last weekend I made another Normandy building, and this time, I tried to use some Slater's Plasticard (#0419)- Stone Courses Grey, for the front walls (glued to the foamcore wall component), while on the side walls, I used some Vallejo's Oxid Paste , which are less textured (and more scale realistic) than using PVA Glue and coarse sand.

For the front walls, I used firstly some Army Painters - Skeleton Bone Spray (nice product by the way), and then some drybrushing with Greys (Medium - Light / in that sequence). For adding a finer touch, I paint some individual stones with Brownish colours, to give some character!

The downpipe, was made by cotton buds and some Green stuff! Imagine that! :-)

I hope you like it!

T.

Merry Xmas !!!!!!!

2010-12-24T10:12:00.003+02:00

Merry Christmas to all (to those who get the meaning, and to those that can't be bothered)!!!

''Its not how hard u can hit, but how hard you can get hit and move forward''.
Rocky Balboa

Wise words, by a man who started thinking this way, after a bucket's load of punches!
See the comparison???

Keep on smiling mates!!!

T.

Ladies and Gentlemen may I present you. . .

2010-12-15T08:46:00.003+02:00

Good day everyone!

Have you ever wondered how a house in real life, would look in 20mm (1/72) scale??

Well, let me show you!

Let's all hope that the real owner of the house won't drag me to the courts, for copyright issues!!! :-)

Bearing that in mind, this model has some alterations from the original one, just in case!!!

I hope you like it!

T.

Normandy House W.I.P

2010-12-13T10:14:00.003+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!!

Following the method I mentioned in my last post (Google earth) for finding inspiration for my project, I managed to make some progress on my building.

I have cut and made its main components (walls, window and door slits) and I also glued some brickwork (made from Wills sheets) on the walls.

Still a lot to do, but the house begins to take form. . .

Hope you like it!

T.

A helping hand from the real world!

2010-12-08T09:30:00.004+02:00

Προβολή μεγαλύτερου χάρτη

Good day everyone!

While searching the web for new ideas, I came up with the idea of using Google maps. I started 'walking' through various French cities to find places, town corners, town houses, anything actually that I could create in scale for my 'toys'!

Since my 'vita quotidiana' is full of things to do, my time for my hobby is limited to very few hours per week. That means that my hobby production rate is 1 house per week tops!

Thus, I decided to create a new section in my blog, the so-called W.I.P (Work in Progress), so as to share with you my ideas, and their tangible development and keep you informed about what happens through the windmills of my mind (nice song by the way)!

I hope you like my choice for this house.

T.

Normandy House Building Tutorial #2

2010-12-06T08:39:00.004+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Yesterday I managed to find some time to complete the tutorial I started last week.

It contains a lot of pics, so hold your breath and take the dive into it! :-)

10th Step: Painting the house inside

For the inner part of the house I decided to use some spray paint to finish it quickly. Being afraid of not ruining the foam parts while doing this, I first gave the ''naked'' foam parts a simple coat of acrylic paint.
The outcome was not very successful, but since I will be using it for wargames purposes, I wouldn't bother so much about it! :-)

11th Step: Making the chimney

For the chimney I used a small piece of plastic tile (they can be cut very easily) and 3 small parts of a cotton bud (yes, yes, yes cotton bud) to represent the chimney components.

12th Step: Painting the building (Outer walls)

In this step, I painted the buildings' outer walls with Crafter's Acrylic 'Country Maple'. This colour would be the base colour.

13th Step: Making the second floor

Using some 2mm width Balsa wood, I made the second floor. As you probably already know, balsa can be cut and engraved very easily, so in order to represent some woodwork, I took my pen and engraved some wood planks on it.

14th Step: Outer walls drybrush

In this step I used some Crafter's Acrylics 'Sandstone' to drybrush the building's outer walls with a flat brush. The brush had enough paint on it while drybrushing.

15th Step: Painting the doors and windows casings

Using some White colour (any acrylic colour would do), I painted the doors and windows casings.

16th Step: Making the windows shutters

With 3mm paper card and some strips of plastic rods I made these window shutters, in order to enhance the building a bit more. They were made very easily, I only had to be careful while cutting the components.

17th Step: Painting the doors and windows

In this step I used some Flames of War 'War Paint Spray' Russian Tanks green. It gives a nice even effect when applying.

18th Step: Gluing the windows

In this step I used some 'Super' glue to glue the windows in the window casings, in the inner part of the walls.

19th Step: Painting the second floor

With some dark brown acrylic paint, I painted the second (wooden floor).

20th Step: ''Washing the doors and shutters''

Using some Vallejo's Black wash, I gave a 'rich' wash on the doors and window shutters, and I let them dry for an hour.

21st Step: Making the roof

In order to make the roof, I used some Wills' Plastic sheets (Slates) and a square plastic rod, for some stability and also for making the roof removable (vital for the wargames).

22nd Step: Enhancing the doors and window shutters

After the wash had dried I used some Vallejo's 886 Green Grey, and with a simple drybrush I gave the doors and window shutters some 'age' (The photos 'speak' better English than me, so you will understand!!). After that, I glued them on the building. :-)

23rd Step: Gluing the second floor.

While trying to glue (with some PVA glue) the second floor, I had a small accident and I broke the balsa wood floor. This part was very fragile. Be careful when you reach at this step!

24th Step: Painting the chimney

For painting the chimney 'spikes' I used some GW's Foundation Paint Mechrite Red. It may look very 'bright' but when it will be washed, it will be perfect!!!

25th Step: Gluing the building's components

After the steps I followed for this tutorial, the time has come to glue the buildings' components. The base is a piece of plastic tile as I said in the first Tutorial (post).

26th Step: Drainpipe!

Using Wills' SS46 - Chimneys & Drainpipes, I glued a piece of a drainpipe on the outer wall, in the place where the wall and roof will meet.

27th Step: Painting the roof

After priming the roof with an Army Painters' Black Primer Spray (any black primer would do really), I gave the roof two successive coats of grey (Medium and Light) with the drybrushing method.

28th Step: It's raining wash - Badab Black Wash!!!

In this step I used GW's Badab Black Wash, in order to 'weather' the roof and the chimney a bit.

29th Step: That's it really.... :-)

In this photo sequence you see the finished model. Unfortunately, I didn't have time to finish the base. But as you fellow modellers would know, some sand, brown paint, static grass and PVA glue would suit the task sufficiently!

Well. . .

after testing your sanity levels, I am proud to announce that this tutorial has come to an end. I hope you liked it, and that you've found it helpful. With some practice and patience (the most important tool) you will be able to make your buildings.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

T.

Normandy House Building Tutorial #1

2010-11-29T08:26:00.006+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!!!!

Last weekend I started making a new Normandy house for my ever-lasting Normandy Project (perhaps I should rename it this way), but while I was planning it I thought to use it for a tutorial post in my blog!
I have taken photos for each step of the building-making process, so as to make it as clear as possible for anyone interested in making his own buildings!
I reckon that it is an easy process - but believe me, I have ruined many buildings up until now, and yet I have plenty more to learn! If you face any problems while making them please feel free to contact me! I do commissions!! :-)

So, time for me to start:

1st Step - Materials needed:
The first and most important material you will need would be good old coffee!!!A nice cup of good blended coffee (especially if you work late at night as my self does)!

2nd Step - Other materials needed:
* A ball point pen
* A steel ruler
* X Acto knives
* Sheets of foamcore cards. I usually use 0.5cm sheets, for durability reasons. This width, tends not to warp when you apply materials on it (plaster, colours).
* 0.5cm Card (windows and doors casings)
* PVA Glue
* UHU Stick glue
* Pins
* Vallejo's White Pumice
* A big Flat brush
* Acrylic colours. I personally use Crafter's Acrylics. They come in many colours and they apply really well on the house's surfaces.
* Cotton buds!! Yes, yes, cotton buds. I personally use them for the chimneys - you know the three spikey things... :-)
* Balsa wood. I use 2mm sheets, for my second's storey floor.
* Plastic doors and windows. I personally use Wills materials - OO Scale. In this tutorial I will use Wills SS86 Doors and windows kit
* Plastic floor tiles.I get them from a local manufacturer here in Athens. They come in 30x30cm pieces, 3mm height and they get cut very well and hold their shape, without warping!I believe you can find sth similar in your local store, wherever you are!

I believe that this is what you will need in general. In case I forgot about sth, I will mention afterwards.
Now, we are ready to move to the third step!

3rd Step - Placing the templates and cutting
Use UHU stick glue to glue the house templates. After the cutting, take off the paper templates from the foamcore.

I have made some templates for my buildings, which I usually use on the foamcore sheets, so as to be able to save time and patience credits, while cutting!

4th Step - Cutting the templates

5th Step - Cutting the Doors and Windows cases
I use a sharp X Acto blade and a steel ruler, so as to cut the doors and windows cases (gaps). Be very careful while doing this! You either may lose a foamcore sheet or a finger. What suits you best! ;-)
After doing that, remove the paper templates, and let the foamcore sheets ''free''!!

6th Step - Gluing the wall components
After cutting the walls, use PVA glue and pins to attach the wall compontents together.
Simply apply some PVA on the places you want to be glued and after that stick the pins to the side of the walls for better stability. Before applying the pins, remove the pins heads!

7th Step - Making the second floor preparation
In this photo (I apologize for the blur photo - it was taken late at night), I am showing 4.2cm height foamcore pieces that I used in order to be able to make a second floor in my building.The second floor will be made from balsa wood (2mm sheet). The exact height of the foamcore pieces (4.2cm) might vary, but I used a kneeling firing figure for reference. When you want to put figures in the buildings, you will want to be visible behing the windows slits! I know it seems generic, but the building is made primarily for wargame reasons. When I improve myself I'll try a different approach on this aspect of building making! So please be tolerant! :-)

8th Step - Making the Doors and Windows casemates
In this photo sequence, I am showing you what I used for the doors and windows casemates. It is 0.5cm card. The dimensions may vary to taste, but what I did was:
Doors: W:2.5cm H:0.3cm
Windows: W:1.5cm H:0.3cm

9th Step: Applying the White Pumice
In this photo sequence I am showing the application of Vallejo's White pumice ''plaster'' on the buildings' walls. It can be applied very easily, with a simple flat brush.
After the application you need to let it dry overnight. After that paint can be applied.

This is the end of the first part. I apologize for not finishing the tutorial today, but I had to get some sleep!!!I hope you understand.... :-)
In the next post I will show you the painting parts of the tutorial, so stay tuned!

Hope it helped you a bit!

Pegasus German Trucks

2010-11-25T08:41:00.004+02:00

Good day everyone!

Today I uploaded some pics of Pegasus' German Trucks (Opel Blitz) I bought recently.

They are great models, ideal for wargames, since they come in few pieces (hoorah!!!), and every kit contains two models - as the norm now dictates the fast build models! :-)

The painting procedure is the following:
First, they were primed with Flames Of War Paint Spray (German Vehicles - Dunkelgelb), then they were airbrushed with Green and Brown stripes, washed with Vallejo's Seppia Wash, Drybrushed with Vallejo's 882 Middlestone and finally they got a final drybrush (light) with Vallejo's 819 Iraqi Sand. Easy peasy! Anyone can do it! :-)

I hope you like them!

T.

Hat's Cromwell

2010-11-21T22:28:00.006+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!

It's been a awhile since my last post, but I have a good excuse! :-)
My photobucket account was obsolete for some days, due to the number of visits I had from fellow modellers who were interested in seeing my work!
I only wish I was that successful in making money as well! :-) Perhaps I should start rethinking my career route! ;-)
I have to find a program to resize my photos, and consequently their size, in order to have my account open for all the days of the month!

Today I uploaded some photos of Hat's Cromwell tanks. They come in few pieces (I can't remember how many exactly, pls forgive me for that), and they fit in very easily!
They can be modified and converted also. A must buy for fellow wargamers!

I hope you like them!

T.

P.S: I know that I glued the track parts the other way around, but when the time came to do it, I have had the box tossed away! Artistic touch, some may say. . . :-)

An embossed house!!

2010-11-03T10:28:00.001+02:00

Good day everyone!

I would like to thank all of you again, for your visits and comments! You are the ones that make this blog exist! :-)

As for the ongoing - and never ending Project, I've finally managed to finish a new house, and this time I used a different method of construction. Apart from the foamcore sheets (0.5 cm) that I used for the inner walls of this house (in order to give stability), I used Slaters' Plasticard (#0419 - Stone courses Grey)embossed styrene sheets to give the essence of stone walls, a picture so common in Normandy.

These sheets are very easy to work with, since their thickness is 0.5 mm, which makes them easy to cut according to your wishes!! :-)
You can find them in most stores, who sell modelling materials or from internet. I bought them from England from a shop full of goodies! It is called Gaugemaster ( www.gaugemaster.com ). Great service, reasonable prices (I sound like a seller)! :-)

On a second thought, I should have used Wills Quoins for the corners of the house, to make it look more realistic, and perhaps weathering it a bit more. Food for thought for my next house. Evolution comes with small steps each time! :-)

I also put some photos of the last two houses I made, in order to see how nice they blend together!I know I sound cocky, but I like them! :-)

Hope you like them too!

T.

Homage to those who really count!

2010-11-02T14:48:00.007+02:00

Good day everyone!
It's been almost a year since my first post, and the result so far has exceeded my wildest expectations! Many things have happened during this year, many things I've made were exhibited in this little corner, but what was the most important aspect of this venture, was, is and (hopefully) will be, you my followers!!!

That's why today, I decided to pay my homage to these loyal fellows that have had a great impact on my efforts in modelmaking so far!

Thus, many thanks to (in chronological order :-) ):

Wargamer http://wargameterrain.blogspot.com/
Andrey Brozyna
Peter Tennyson
Dimitri Kremmydas
Panzerfaust150
mighty_maussie
GEM http://garageexclusivemodels.blogspot.com
Geordie an Exiled Fog http://exiledfog.blogspot.com
Kala nea (Efharistw Giwrgo) http://kala-nea.gr/
CPBelt http://ordinarygaming.blogspot.com
Arquinsiel Bitterblade
Arturo Carretero
Captain http://www2modelzone.blogspot.com
John a
ochnee (aka Al) http://20thcenturywargames.blogspot.com
mork6969 http://mork6969.blogspot.com
Paul http://plasticwarriors.blogspot.com
Daniel
sinfuselaje http://microescala.blogspot.com
Beccas http://wargamerblue.blogspot.com
Young Stan
GReg http://gregswargamingblog.blogspot.com
Conrad Hawkwood http://battlegrouphawkwood.blogspot.com/
Dan http://gunnerswargaming.blogspot.com
Alex Giersch
cluny http://soldadosnapoleonicos.blogspot.com
DoomOnYou http://doomiesden.blogspot.com
Alex Rom http://wargamestenerife.blogspot.com/
mojo http://mojosquantentunnel@blogspot.com
joseluis http://jlpmaquetas.blogspot.com
Paul http://paulsbods.blogspot.com
rousell68 http://onelover-ray.blogspot.com
Yarik http://yarikminiatures.blogspot.com
Ethics gradient (aka Alan) http://anotherslipperyslope.blogspot.com
west1871 http://westmodelsandfigures@blogspot.com
kitarte
Scullmeister

I only wish I could say thanks to each and everyone of you in person!
Too bad that we are scattered all around the world!
Thank God, our madness unites us all! :-)

Thank you all ! ! !

T.

Too much green around!

2010-11-01T08:42:00.003+02:00

Good day and good week everyone!

Last weekend I made a couple of more buildings for my project.
This time I decided to use some new methods on them.
This building, has some stonework on it (Wills OO - Coarse stone sheets), and some green bushes (Woodland Scenics - Cluster foliage) for its ''garden wall''.
I hope you like it! :-)

T.

P.S: I have to take some photos of the other building I made. When I do, you'll see how these two buildings are combined together!

Normandy House Version 2.01

2010-10-29T08:37:00.003+03:00

Good day everyone!

Today, I uploaded some photos of my new house, made by the same materials (foamcore, card, plastic windows, Wills sheets - slates), alongside with some new goodies (e.g Wills quoins), but with a new method. You see, this time the plaster attached to the foamcore walls, was ''enriched'' with sand. This is how I achieved this effect on the walls (IMHO it looks more realistic, than my other efforts)!

What do you think? I hope you like it! :-)

T.

Normandy's shop close photos

2010-10-27T09:11:00.007+03:00

Good day everyone!

Firstly I would like to thank you for visiting my blog!
It is not a full year since I sent my first post, and the feedback I am receiving from you today, exceeds the most extreme wishful thoughts I could ever do about that!!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!I really appreciate it!! :-)

Today, I have uploaded some close-up photos of the store I made with the awning, for my dear friend GReg who has a very nice and full of ideas blog http://gregswargamingblog.blogspot.com/. GReg my friend, I hope it helps you see how generic and easy it is. I am sure that you would be able to take it to the next level, quite easily!!

I am currently making another house, and this time I am using a mix of plaster and sand, alongside with some Wills' goodies!!! If it goes right, you'll be the first to see it! Fingers crossed it does!!

So, on with the pics!!!

Thank you all again!

Addicted to Normandy

2010-10-26T08:49:00.006+03:00

Good day everyone!
As you probably have thought from the blog's title, today I am uploading some photos of my new babies. Two new buildings for my collection. They are nothing special, but they blend well with the others that I already have.

Leaving aside these two buildings, I have decided to try some new methods in scratch-building the components of my project! That's why I ordered some new goodies from Wills and Slaters' building accessories to experiment a bit!

Stay tuned! :-)

Be polite though, and give a look at these two buggers!!! :-) Thx!

T.

Normandy's latest additions!

2010-10-18T08:45:00.004+03:00

Good day and good week everyone!

I have been absent for almost two weeks, due to business trips that didn't let me much time to use it for my hobby!

Last weekend though, I managed to make two more buildings for my Normandy project! They are scratch built, made from mainly from Foamcore, plastic strips and Auhagen HO windows. I hope you like them!

T.

Hiding in the woods. . .

2010-09-28T08:55:00.005+03:00

Good day everyone!

Yesterday evening I had finished painting Italeri's Zis 3 AT Gun with crew . This kit consists 2 guns (Zis 3) and 12 figures.
In this post I am showing you only one gun with its crew.
The level of sculpting is on Italeri's standards, which is one of the best in the market. A great product, in an appealing price (8 euro)!

Zis 3 was a Soviet 76.2 divisional field gun used during WW II.

I hope you like it!!

T.

WIP HO Faller Church

2010-09-21T12:37:00.004+03:00

Good day everyone!

After struggling to build this magnificent kit (HO #130490) from Faller (many pieces I must admit), I am uploading today a photo of what I have done so far!

I also bought some stone walls from Busch Models (HO #6014)that are appropriate for enclosing the church in a right manner.

Now I have to but some gravestones (Hornby may be the case) to put them (I can become very morbid if I want to sometimes) in the backyard of the church.

The photo may be a little blur (taken from my mobile phone), so please stick to the essence of the church and not in the pixels showing it! :-)

Hope you like it!

T.

Faller Church

2010-09-17T08:59:00.002+03:00

Good day to everyone!

Before continuing on my post, I would like to apologize for the current status of my blog. It seems that I have exceeded my Bandwidth margin, but it will be ''relieved'' again on the 18th of September.
So please stay calm and carry on!! :-)

I am writing today, in order to tell you that I received yesterday the Faller church I was mentioning in an earlier post. Hooray!!!
However, I have stuck in what colours I should use in order to make it realistic as possible, and blend it successfully with my other terrain pieces for my Normandy Project.

I have decided to paint the slates of the roof in Grey, with successive highlights of the same colour, but I don't know what colours to use for the building. I don't want to use grey in this part of the building too!

Could you please help me out???

Thank you all!

T.