Pz II puddle jumper, another project I’m trying to bring to a conclusion which also includes cleaning up and overhauling a couple of old projects from the past. The Panzer II is a former war-gamer, a very old kit that I’ve had for a very long time and was in need of some repair. The dio-base I purchased and built when it was first released by Verlinden. Finish was basic and mediocre with a couple so-so figures. Best thing about the original base was the tree! Never did too much with it, did use it as a photo base for a few other projects but nothing ever really called it home.

So the base was first washed with real water to remove dust buildup and some of the old finish. The base was then oil washed with Winsor & Newton Lamp Black, Titanium White, Burnt Sienna, Burnt Umber and various combinations thereof. No assist from pigments or pastel chalks. The shell shocked tree is a branch tip from a bottle brush plant thats dried out naturally. The tree was never up-rooted or harmed in anyway during this re-model construction.

A few extra details were added to give the base more dimension. As it comes various pieces of German field gear are built in as part of the ground cover. I added some spare metal T-34 tracks from the junk box, some bricks, a few anti-tank shells and it begins to look like a location that’s been contested a few times.

The setting is Fall and the weather is windy and its been raining. The rain has stopped and things are starting to dry out, the ground is littered with Fall leaves and burnt wallpaper from adjacent buildings. The water running across the street is fast-drying polyurethane, dries to the touch in about 5 minutes. To apply I use a very large straight pin, the head is just over a 1/16th of an inch across and conical not round, forms a nice droplet.

What I do is dip the head of the pin into the polyurethane and place the drop in a low cobblestone. While thin the polyurethane will run along the lower areas fairly easily. Add a drop every so often and it’ll flow right along to the lowest spots.

The leaves and wallpaper are once again natures best. Autumn Blaze Maple leaves are crushed up and used for, well, leaves. What looks like burnt wallpaper are leaves that were damaged during the record setting heat wave we had this past July. Works well for 1/35th ground cover, is cheap and if you don‘t like the results all you have to do is blow it away and try again.

Still need to do some work on the backside of the dio but here are some W.I.P. pics of the road and the “front” of the dio-base.

Rick

Couldn’t resist fillin’ the upside down helmet with leaves and water.

Originally the Pz II was built for war-gaming, stock OOB build, dark panzer gray paint job with the basic kit supplied waterslide decals. First job was to remove the original rubberized tracks, these will be replaced with a set of Fruil metal tracks, currently under construction. Then all sprockets, roadwheels and idlers were removed. Next the tank was taken to the kitchen sink for a nice water bath with the sprayer attachment. The decals were very dry and came off easily.

Once again the subject was cleaned but not repainted, I wanted to finish the tank with wash only, no chip dip, no pigments, no chalk. Again the oils were employed, this time to make the subject appear as if its covered with a layer of thin mud from running in the rain all day. Which turned out good but as with my Jp project before, I liked it better when the wash was wet.

So once again I went to the polyurethane for help in capturing the moment. I’ve never tried anything like this before so I had no idea what to do or where to start. Very difficult putting down that first drop not knowing if I’d like the result and knowing that with the poly I can’t change it back. From the first dab I loved the result and never looked back. By placing the tank on the base I was able to achieve flow angles that will match the attitude of the vehicle when its placed on the base.

Again, like the base, I wanted the tank to appear to be drying but with varying degrees of water still on the tank. I was able to hit an area, give it about 3 minutes then hit it with another drop where I wanted more water, worked very well. Along the underside and suspension I increased the coverage by water to about 75%, wetter, but with areas of the hull starting to dry.

Couple other minor improvements, turret insignia hand painted, vehicle I.D. and number are dry transfers (peel them prematurely and it makes ‘em look like messed up painted insignia). Guns were drilled out, exhaust pipe drilled out and lastly the two little dudes that were originally on the base were forced to give up their helmets and field gear and march into the spare parts box.

The stowage pieces are not original to the kit but are accessory items from other Tamiya kits produced during that time that I no longer own. Seemed fitting to add them to the only kit I still have from that era. The bucket had the heavy plastic handle removed and a new one fabricated from copper wire. Colored polyurethane was added to the bucket and swirled around a little to “dampen” the interior of the bucket and give the impression that its been splashing about driving down the road.

The mud caked to the bottom is from a new Tamiya product called a weathering pencil. A glorified crayon with a holder, they come is various colors like mud, earth, sand, snow, etc. Apply directly to the model and let dry. You can wash over it or use it over other weathering materials with no problem.

Need to finish the tracks on one side and weather the idlers and the old little tank model has a new life, I'm very happy with the result.

Rick

Last one for now.

Rick