Last DAK and bits 'n bobs

This is the last of the Afrika Korps, honest!  At least, for the time being ;-)

Obligatory family portrait. The loader for the MG34 is from the Airfix German Infantry.  Not a great model, but loaders seem to be so few and far between that beggars can't be choosers. The marching boots have been painted to look like the older canvas desert boot that was optimistically issued as 'tropical' kit, and doesn't look bad if I say so myself.  Colours were a mix of Iraqi Sand, US Field Drab and a roughly 50/50 Brown Violet/Iraqi Sand.  My usual flesh tone has gone a bit thick and stodgy, so I tried out some of the newer GW ones on these.  The 'Cadian Fleshtone' was ideal for tanned European skin, and the paint was just the right consistency, count me impressed!

Definitely my favourite pose of the bunch, and possibly Airfix's best sculpt in this scale and period (possibly because it's based on a 1/32 original).  Love the spare grenades tucked into the belt.  I've painted this one several times, as it works well for north-west Europe as well.

And for variety, a browning team for the US.  Airfix gunner and Matchbox loader (no idea where the original .50cal went, but no loss as it's a bit poor anyway).  The belt is being loaded too far back in the MG, but never mind.

And here's that MG34 combo again, sporting this season's 'in' colours, Field Grey.

Now onto a couple of new projects lurking in the wings...

First up, a nice little 99p ebay bargain.  And a new theatre to play with, here's a taster:

And also time to take to the air and spread my wings with a little treat to myself!

Bedford QLD

Finally got around to the Airfix QLD I picked up a while ago.  Really nice kit, went together without a hitch.

It was basecoated with the PSC sprays.  The colour's good, but I found coverage was a but iffy, requiring quite a few coats, and it didn't seem to like taking the GW washes very easily.  Turned out alright in the end though :-)

Just Doodling...

I'm terrible at sitting still doing nothing, always have to be doing something with my hands.  The occasional long, tedious meeting or training session tend to result in lots of doodles in my notebook, often of stupidly overambitious ideas for pseudo mediaeval timber framed buildings as scenery.  I came across some of the better ones whilst having a clear out today.  Who knows, one day I may actually try and build them.

Or maybe I should just try and concentrate more...

Back to Afrika

Every spare surface in the house has been covered with paperwork over the last couple of weeks, as the missus works on her end of term reports for school.  Tonight I managed to finally claim a bit back and dash out a few more Airfix Afrika Korp.

From the research I've been doing it seems that Afrika Korps kit was a pretty mixed bunch, including an old tropical uniform that was a kind of olive green, later drab kit, various stages of faded and bleached items, and even captured and Italian kit, so I've gone with a pretty varied look.  Not sure if it works or not, but it's been fun to do!