"Shallow crossing" finished

The water has cleared now.
I planted some more dry, tall grass in few places.
The perspex dome covers the whole scene to protect it from dust.

Article about building this diorama will most likely be published in the Christmas edition of Super Model.
Thanks for watching.
Comments are as always welcome.

"Shallow crossing" water effects

After the water has cured completely it was time to make the wave in front of the car.
Im using the Water Effects from Woodland Scenics.
When applied the wave is of white color, but with time it will become transparent.
Here it is after 24 hours from application.

"Shallow crossing" almost done

The front dam has been removed.
Water is not 100% yet, and im hoping it will clear in few days time.

"Shallow crossing" foliage

Plus model Birch Leaves (No 284) were used to make some foliage.

"Shallow crossing"- water

Im using "Realistic Water" from Woodland Scenics.
Due to its shrinking it will require more than few layers to get this right.
After the first layer i glued few birch seeds on the bottom of the river to represent last years fall.


After second layer it looks like so. No leaks, and no discoloration- water is perfectly clear- nice.
Lets build up more layers now, and get some depth.

"Shallow crossing"- almost done- ready for water

The scene is now ready for the water.
All the goods inside the car have ben glued on now, and i also added the Mauser Kar 98 with the sling, and the helmet with the straps.
I forgot to paint the oil stain from the filler cup- will be fixed before the water is poured.

"Shallow crossing"- vegetation

Vegetation complete.
I used mix of natural moss, weed, dry grass, and Green Line tufts.

"Shallow crossing" painting the goods

While im working on the vegetation for the base, the laod got the lick of paint.

"Shallow crossing"- groundwork

CD was used for the base.
Ground id made from mixture of Woodland Scenics plaster, PVA glue, Woodland Scenics Fine Ballast, and Mig`s Dark Mud pigment.
Roots, and the tree stump found in the garden.
Couple of stones, and soil from wifes flower pot.




I started painting the base, and adding some water edge wegetation.

"Shallow crossing" the load

Work started on the load for the Opel.
The potato crate is from styrene. Wood grain as always made with the coarse sand paper.
The bucket was rolled using some lead foil- usually found on the toothpaste tubes.
I actually used the tube from the condensed sweetened milk- same kind of stuff.
Bread, and spuds from Green Stuff putty.
I wanted to fill the bucket with some hay, and place the eggs inside it, but im having problems making the right shape eggs at the moment, so for the picture i have used the oxygen absorbers found in the shoe box, or the packet of peanuts.

"Shallow crossing" canvas roof.

I made the folded canvas roof using some leftover fast food alu foil container.

"Shallow crossing" interior painting

I identyfied 4 stages of interior assembly- priming, painting, weathering, and detail assembly.


First i used Chaos Black from Citadel Colour.
Then the Mr. Surfacer, and stiff brush were used to create the rough- fabric like surface texture.
After it dried i used same brush moistured with Halfords Cellulose Thinner to even it up a little.
Stage two was paint.
Tamiya`s XF-23 (light blue) sprayed evenly over the primed surface.



Stage 3- weathering.
I have sanded the surface using sandpaper grade 1200, which brought up lots of different shades of the base color. Then the fabric was sealed with Extracrylics Flat Varnish.
Basic dark wash applied.


Driver is painted.
Decals from Tamiya, medals are Aber PE.



Some more progress.
Windows are in.
I have made the newspaper bundle from cigarette papers.




There will be more items inside- like cans, boxes of bread, bucket with the eggs, and possibly few dead birds.

While still working on the interior few bits were done on the outside.
Scratch built mirror:


...and rear lights. I have left the civil configuration to highlight the roots of the vehicle, which started life as the civilian vehicle.