DAS


	This is a Tamiya figure which was released only in Japan. It includes an exquisitely molded bicycle and packaged in an unusual plastic pack.

Excerpt: Earning a well-deserved break from fighting in the vast fields of Russia, a Grenadier slips away from the frontline in his 'liberated' bicycle to perhaps enjoy a hot shower or correspond with his family back in Germany

Having modelled many of their 'Gungho' miniature figures, Tamiya's release of their 1/35 scale Grenadier with bicycle, came as a refreshing welcome to me. The pose is simple, casual and accompanied with its uncontested quality of molding. But, one could not resist the temptation of replacing the head with one from the illustrous Hornet range.

Painting Das Figuren

The face and hands were painted in the same manner as described in my article for the 101st Airborne Pathfinder. The M43 tunic and field cap was undercoated with a 1:2 mix of Humbrol 108 and 105. Subsequently, small amount of black was mixed with the undercoat to provide the wash for the shadow regions. The legging was given an undercoat of Humbrol 72 and shaded with a Raw Umber wash. The belt was undercoated with matt black and drybrushed with Raw Umber oil paint. The bicycle was undercoated with Humbrol 108, followed by a drybrushing colour of Humbrol 105 with small amount of Humbrol 72 added to generate contrast. Silver paint muted with small amount of grey were randomly painted to simulate effects of wear on the bicycle.

The Vignette

The road block was released by Verlinden Productions and it was employed to add height appeal and crop the overall composition. Its concrete post was undercoated with dark grey, and subsequently drybrushed with Humbrol 72 tinted with white. This was then erected onto the base. Rust was no more than mere washes of Burnt Sienna. The beam was undercoated with white and bands of red painted in later. Groundwork was built up using wall putty, embellished with dust and gravel. It was then given a wash of Humbrol 110 and drybrushed with Humbrol 103 and 72. Static grass was then sprinkled with its freshness toned down by a heavy wash of Humbrol 110.

After everthing was painted and fitted on the base, a final dusting of pastel chalks on the groundwork was executed to blend the various features together.

Compiled by Calvin Tan

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