Frank, Andreas and Alexis - thanks so much for dropping by to comment! Unfortunately, Alexis, much of the scene has to be mapped out before I can start to paint the figures. I still have to configure the driver for the Holt tractor...and may have to perform surgery to have his head looking the best way to convey the feeling of how these components will all piece together. I'm also waiting for some missing parts from my Howitzer kit to be sent from Resicast in France (Gun Limber Wheels).
A couple of the components of this scene involve two troops passing by on bicycles. I've converted one of the MasterBox WW2 bikes to look more like a WW1 example used by the British army. In some cases, there were provisions for carrying a Lee Enfield rifle using leather straps.
These little models come with an etched metal set that replicates the spokes and smaller components quite nicely. I had to add some 0.3mm tubing here and there to make up for some of the etched brass bits that didn't fit very well, and repair a broken support (seen below in the parts layout in the top left corner). To glue the handlebars to the post, I had to drill a tiny hole and use a fine copper wire to help give strength to the miniscule joint. It can be seen still poking out of the top in the photo. Some thicker copper wire was used for the springs at the back of the seat.
Cheers,
Gary
