Panzer 1A (DAK) by Stew Langenbeck

This build combines the Tristar Panzer 1A Early with ModelKasten tracks and Tristar's Early/Late boxing that contained an interior. Neither kit had turret weld seams or vision port detail so pieces from a Dragon kit were used to fill those gaps.  Stew was sorry he didn't begin with the Dragon kit from the beginning since he couldn't deal with the ModelKasten tracks and the rubber band tracks in the Dragon kit would have sufficed. 

Voyager and the Tristar kit photoetch parts were used.

A generic desert camo color was mixed and roughly hand painted over Tamiya German Grey followed by filters, pin washes, and sand and dust weathering...and Stew thinks he'll never again be sorry to see rubber band tracks after dealing with the tiny Modelkasten independent link tracks.

Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese Medium Tank by Stew Langenbeck

 Here is Stew's completed super-detailed Chi-Ha from the Atlantis re-boxing of the 1/48th scale 1964 Aurora kit. For a look at work-in-progress shots of the build check the posting on February 7. 

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The 1964 Auroara kit was resurrected by Atlantis in 2022. It's obvious that the nothing was done to the molds in the intervening sixty-eight years as the tracks and kit parts were in bad shape. Some of the detail Stew added includes coil springs on the suspension fashioned with garden wire, enhancing the fender brackets with thin sheet metal and photoetch strips, and adding scratch-built tow cable, tow cable assembly, and antenna base. 

Most of the hatches were modified and tools and stowage were added since none came with the kit. Vision slits, weld seams, and a periscope were also added since these features were also lacking. The mantlet was roughed up with a baking soda and enamel paint mixture.

In total, over 220 parts were added to bring the kit up to an accurate representation of the actual vehicle. Over half these were rivets and grab handles.

The finished model represents one of the first Chi-Has to see action in WWII on Corregidor in May of 1942.

Type 97 Chi-Ha Japanese Medium Tank (W-I-P) by Stew Langenbeck

 Here are a few in-progress shots of Stew's super-detailing project of the Atlantis re-boxing of the old Aurora (we're talking 1964!) Chi-Ha Japanese Medium Tank in 1/48th scale. 

Crusader III by Stew Langenbeck

 Stew pulled out all the stops in super detailing the Tamiya Crusader III. Eduard, E.T. Models, Yang, & Airwaves P.E. sets and Friulmodel tracks were used to enhance Tamiya's already excellent kit. 

The Eduard and Airwaves sets provided additional detail to the interior turret walls and the portion of the hull surrounding the driver's head (vision ports and some gauges).  Stowage, the turret and driver's compartment were kit-bashed/scratch-built which included a Zvezda 6-pdr. breech block.

The white metal figure, which seems a bit oversized, is from Wee Friends. The tank was brush painted with a subdued mixture of British stone and desert yellow.

 

The shadow on base was created with Woodland Scenics fine dark brown ballast. Chalk pastel was also "shaved" into "shadow" ballast to adjust the color.
 

Crusader III by Stew Langenbeck

 

 Stew pulled out all the stops in super detailing the Tamiya Crusader III. Eduard, E.T. Models, Yang, & Airwaves P.E. sets and Friulmodel tracks were used to enhance Tamiya's already excellent kit. 

The Eduard and Airwaves sets provided additional detail to the interior turret walls and the portion of the hull surrounding the driver's head (vision ports and some gauges).  Stowage, the turret and driver's compartment were kit-bashed/scratch-built which included a Zvezda 6-pdr. breech block.

The white metal figure, which seems a bit oversized, is from Wee Friends. The tank was brush painted with a subdued mixture of British stone and desert yellow.

 

The shadow on base was created with Woodland Scenics fine dark brown ballast. Chalk pastel was also "shaved" into "shadow" ballast to adjust the color.
 

Work-in-Progress by Stew Langenbeck

 Another super detailing project by Stew. This time, a Crusader III. Look for the finished model in later posting.

StuG IIIG Vignette by Stew Langenbeck

Stew made some minor modifications to Cyberhobby's initial production G to turn it into an early production model. A Tamiya 75mm breech assembly was used in place of its Cyberhobby counterpart since it was much less complex. The only significant scratch building involved were the vertical plates on the rear deck which were used to mount spare road wheels.

 

The stowage boxes were scratch built- the larger one was a Firefly turret radio box, the smaller ones were made from Legos. The wicker basket was a dollhouse accessory modified to smaller scale. The potato sack was made from a moisture control silicone bead bag and potatoes were made from stained air-dry clay. Cabbages are peppercorns.

The designer paint scheme on the Schurzen (which you may recognize from Culver's Panzer Colors book) was done by photocopying the Tamiya skirts and working on a practice copy before transfer to the photo etch plates with a fine tip marker and hand painting. The edges of the plates and the eight mounting points were used as a sort of grid to achieve accuracy. Stew came up with his own design for skirts on the left side since no photos exist of that side.

The base was scratch with materials in Stew's yard and his wife's spice rack...which she did notice missing when she visited the spice cabinet.

 

 

"Desert Adversaries" Diorama by Stew Langenbeck

 

 Stew put a lot of time and effort into this diorama of  LRDG/SAS and Italian desert groups facing each other across hundreds of scale miles of North African desert. The base is a shadow box with a map of Libya from a West Point military history atlas.

 

 

The Saharianna AS 42 is from Italeri with PE/resin from Royal Model and Part. Stowage includes ammo boxes from Italeri. The majority of the packs & bags are from Tamiya and Airfix. The tarp and convertible top are scratch built. The front wheels/axles were modified so they could  be turned. The British Lewis machine gun is from Italeri. The vehicle was initially sprayed with gray primer and then hand painted with lightened/faded Model Color green ochre, and finally "weather-dusted."

 

 

The SAS jeep is based on  Italeri's Commando car with kit bashing from the old Tamiya SAS jeep. Machine guns are from a variety of after market sources, including Academy's early 50 cal.  Def Model provided commercial tires for the jeep. A lot of  Eduard PE was added to the model. The tarps were scratch built. The front wheels, axles, and steering gear were modified so they could be turned and brake lines added. Leaf springs also modified with aftermarket and scratch built pieces. Other scratch built items include: 50. cal . mount, early ammo box, radiator catch can, and RAF vibration-proof compass. Initially sprayed with Testors U.S. Army green and hand painted with muted Model Color desert yellow and a "home made" dust/weathering mix.

 

The LRDG and SAS figures are from D-Day Miniatures and a Vietnamese E-bay vendor. All but one of the Italians are Chinese knock-offs. 

 

North African Desert Diorama (Work in Progress) by Stew Langenbeck

Here are a few shots of Stew's SPA AS.42 Sahariana and Dragon SAS 1/4 Ton LRDG Jeep ready to be mated with figures in a North African desert diorama.