Photo Album 1 - The Road to Minsk

WORLD WAR II DIORAMAS

"The Road to Minsk"

Above: The Germans advance into Russia in the summer of 1941. This model features three tanks and a motorcycle, with accompanying infantry. The base is celluclay, colored the typical red of the western Russian landscape (I always strive to correctly research the ground color and texture of the locations I model). The grass in the fields is from a rope macrome plant holder. The rope was unraveled, cut up in different lengths, painted several shades of green and implanted in the wet Celluclay in hundreds of small groups. The yellow flowers, also typical in Russian grass, are sawdust painted yellow. Once the grass was in place, I sprayed dull coat over the field. Before it was dry, I sprinkled the yellow sawdust over the grass, and then recoated with dull coat. Total time for this model was about 400 - 450 hours.

Above: Relaxing with a cigarette on the turret of his Panzer II, this German tanker converses with his comrades. It is the summer of 1941, and this soldier's demeanour reflects the confidence of the Wehrmacht prevalent at this point in the war.

Above: German crewmen of a Czech built Pz38T survey the road ahead. The kit is from Italieri. Hundreds of these Czech built tanks spearheaded the German advance into Russia during 1941. They were rugged, dependable, and had adequate firepower for the period.

Above: An overall view of the Panzer II, showing the commander scanning the horizon while standing on the rear deck. His headset is held in his right hand.

Above: At the head of the armored column, a Sd.Kfz.265 Command Tank 1B pauses during the advance into Russia. The kit is an Italieri 1/35 armor series. This command tank used the chassis of a 1938 model Pz. Kpfw. 1B and was altered for command use. Two radios were added, and the original turret removed and replaced by an armored cabin with a single 7.92mm machine gun. It was used in the Polish campaign, as well as in Russia, France and North Africa. By 1943, the tank's limited speed and armor relegated it to secondary duties and garrison duty. Note the Nazi flag drapped over the rear deck as a recognition signal against attack by friendly air forces. The tank interior is painted white. Tank interiors are usually painted a light color to get as much reflection from the available interior lighting as possible.

Left: A soldier walks past the Panzer 38T. He wears a camoulflaged jacket and has his helmet off, showing his blond, well parted hair.