THE STORY:

Late fall 1944, central Russian front.  Near the front lines, the air and ground crews prepare the Blohm und Vos BV141B observation aircraft for a mission to spot for artillery, while conferring with the army commanders.

The asymmetrical BV 141 was unusual to be sure, but very practical for the observation role, since the big glazed gondola gave excellent unobstructed views at nearly 180 degrees.

It was never put into production, but the various prototypes were pressed into front-line service, and even carried 50Kg bombs for extra good measure.  This one has survived for a full year on the front lines, a testimony to the rugged construction and good maintenance it received.

The Horch command car has just returned from a recon mission; the Wespe self-propelled 105 mm howitzer readies for firing; and the crew of a Panzer IV Mobelwagon 37mm flak tank keeps a close eye on the skies.

Click on images below to see larger images

THE KITS:

HPM Blohm und Vos BV141B with Koster guns; photoetch parts are included in the kit;  Black Magic masks make painting the big clear gondola a little easier.

Bandai Pz. IV Mobelwagon w/ Tarmac 37mm flak gun and Tarmac flak crew sets #1 & 2

Bandai Wespe self-propelled artillery w/ Scale Model Accessories crew figures

Gaso.Line Horch command car (resin).

Preisner, Bandai. Monogram and other figures.

THE BASE:

The round diorama base began its existence as a cable reel, then as a kid's school project.  Then I commandeered it for my diorama.

The terrain is styrofoam with various materials added as dirt, ground litter, and foliage.  I used everything from household items like coffee grounds, used tea leaves, and kitty litter, to real materials like real dirt, twigs and gravel.  I also used a few commercial diorama products like Woodland Scenics ground cover and a Heki grassmatt.  The road with the wheel ruts was made with plaster mixed with dark brown acrylic paint.  Some of the shrubs are from cut flower greenery.  The white is fake snow from a spray can. 

Steve