This turned out fantastic! Great way to keep such a well done model in your collection. And I'm sure it will be a real conversation piece... people will probably wonder why you trashed such a well done model to depict a wrecked one? An inspirational story on what really transpired. The figures turned out great, hard to get realistic poses in such a small scale but you've accomplished that very well. And as mentioned, the small details are abundant and interesting to check... I really like the mud splatter all the way to the upper wing as well as traces of the drained coolant. The mud you created looks authentic and tell me if I'm imagining this... am I seeing some ribs on the front of the engine cylinder? I know for a fact that the kit does not have these in their molding (as well done as the KP LVG is)?
This is truly a work of art... kind of busted up art but none the less....
Scott
Thank you Scott (I can't find a blushing emoji so you'll have to imagine one here)
Good spot on the engine detail. The exhaust isn't an option found in the kit so I built it up from stretched sprue and brass tubing. The engine is a Small Stuff one I seem to remember; mostly hidden away, but still there if you look closely enough
For those interested this is how I made the base up -
After planning the layout the landscape was built up using terracotta Miliput initially. I then added a layer of cling film to protect the model and pushed it into the still wet putty. A few foot prints were also added near the resting aircraft using a spare figure. After removing the cling film it was allowed to dry then painted with a mix of earthen colours. Once dry this was covered with diluted PVA and 'mud' was added (This is a mix of dried compost, and garden soil which were been baked in the oven for a short while to kill off anything likely to mould later, but don't tell anyone or I'll be in trouble)
A touch of 'roadside dust' collected from the edge of the kerb was added to the 'mud' mix for a bit of variety and texture
Some 'mud' was also mixed with PVA and applied directly to the model to blend it into the base. then a few flicks applied to the front and underside where it would likely have been thrown up. Oil and water stains were applied to the model using very dilute oil paints. Acrylic washes were added to the base to blend it all together and once everything had dried properly I roughly applied satin varnish to some areas to get some patches of dampness. Gloss varnish was used in the puddles, but this didn't give quite the right effect so I ended up using AK 'Still water' which gave a wetter appearance without looking like the areas were full of water
Kind've scary to do all this to a nice model, but having one already busted and ready for the spares box does lend a freedom to approach this sort of scene without fear
Cheers
Paul
