WIP 1/16 "Tiger In Wait" 321 .SS.Pz.Abt.101 Normandy 1944

[Dr Force]

Hi

Slow progress at the moment due to the research, planning and execution of the roof structure.

I have also added some additional molding to add more interest and purchased some superb corbels to hold the timber.

The molding was cut out of a cheap £3.00 picture frame from Wilko's and it matches in nicely with the interior of the church. I have added the rigid fixings to hold the church to the base and carved out the "T" shapes so they sit flush. The flooring will be a tiled floor done in 3mm cork.

The roof has taken an age!!! getting the angles right to accept the beams was a pain, but now I have them cut to size and linining up perfectly it should go together well. Obviously, ignore the different colour variations as it's yet to be painted.

I'll continue with the roof, which (for now) can be totally removed, the ends will not be cut square as they are to reflect bombed out timber so will be shaped nearer completion and after painting.

I have yet to attempt the stained glass because there is so much mucky work to do before this can be placed in and so I have temporarily placed the dividing stone to the window:-

 

[Steve Ski]

Taking shape, love the architectural details coming to life. This is gonna be sweet Dave! This is at the point in the dio I enjoy the most, structural construction.


Cheers, Ski.

 

[housecarl]

You'll end up with listed building status on this Dave.
Excellent attention to detail,
Carl.

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Dave, have to admire your eye for detail and your forward vision in spotting things that are not obvious at first glance. I mean utilising that picture frame is a gem mate. Have to agree with holding off on fixing walls to base at the moment. Probably easier to lay the floor first. Overall it is at that stage where it seems to stall but then comes together fast once you get a planned order of build up in place. This really is a joy to watch mate and a pleasure to contribute to. Look forward to next update.

Regards

Ron

 

[kagemusha]

Dave, just came across these two from Alpine Miniatures. 16005 & 16006. Any good?

Cheers

Ron

 

[T50]

Dave, just came across these two from Alpine Miniatures. 16005 & 16006. Any good?

Cheers

Ron

Thanks, Ron. Check is in the mail.

David
If you want an accurate crew figure for sSSPzAbt 101 in Normandy,
16006 is your boy.
http://www.alpineminiatures.com/imagepages/16006.html

You might want to stay away from some of the larger 120mm figures.
16006 is in 1/16 scale at 105-110mm in height.
120mm figures will make the 1/16 tiger look like a Pz IV.

If I'm not mistaken, sSSPzAbt 101 saw action with Heer unit as well
(for instance, Pz.Lehr) in Normandy. It would not be a bad idea to
include Heer figures as well.
http://www.alpineminiatures.com/imagepages/16009.html

I know... a shameless plug... I know...

 

[T50]

please ignore. Double post

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Both

Thanks for your help.

The 2 figures that are slightly over sized are the two guys kneeling down so no issue there. The other 2 are perfectly sized and I will also now purchase the Alpine kit for the Tank crew.

I can incorporate some Herr buynot that particular kit as it's another officer, I need infantry and some more tiger crew.

Just a thought, could I add some paratroopers in to the gathering or would this be out of sorts?

Any more recommendations is appreciated.

Thanks
Dave

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Dave, found these Panzer crew figures. Check em out.

http://www.dlmmodeldes.com/1-16-120mm-panzer-crewman-a

Also have a look at;

http://www.welshdragonmodels.co.uk/tank-crew-and-other-116-scale-figures---kits-17-c.asp

Will keep looking and drop back if I find anything that might work.

Regards

Ron

 

[Dr Force]

Hi Ron

Thanks for your efforts. Those guys look ok but I'm looking for those crisp finishes you see with Alpine, Jeff Shui to get stand out quality. I'm not sure the paint job on those figures do them justice.

Could I also use some paratroopers??????

Thanks
Dave

 

[-GT-]

Hi,

I´m a "quiet reader" since the topic has started. But the architectal aspects at the church ruin are just awesome. I would be glad to have as much ideas as you have to use and choose all the materials and build such large buildings up like you do.

I´m looking forward on the progress all the time, can´t wait to see a new update.
It´s really great this far !

Cheers,
Mike.

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Dave, it would appear from my research that paratroops were present in and around Normandy, so would be a viable addition to your grouping. Try this for an idea, Alpine do a standing sniper, (16010) who would fit well with your blown out window, maybe perched on a mound of rubble. Also, it would help to know the season, i.e. spring/summer or autumn, because paratroop figures tend to display heavier garments as the norm. Still looking and learning from this mate plus gaining a lot of inspiration to boot.

Cheers

Ron

 

[Barke02]

Hi Dave,

Rearatroops.

I'm sure someone more knowledgable than I will chip in with some more detailed info, but I'm fairly sure SS.S.Pz.Abt 101 did not fight alongside Fallschirmjager in Normandy.

The unit was positioned on the left flank of the I SS Panzer Korps along with the Panzer Lehr division and faced the British and Canadian units on the Odon/Tilley front near Caen.

1 Kompanie was involved in the afternoon battle at Villers Bocage (Wittmann and 2 kompanie fought the morning battle and at point 213), where they lost several Tigers including the well photgraphed 112 and 113.


3 kompanie arrived late and did not participate at Villers. On 14th June elements of the kompanie had reached Evercy, where at around midnight they were bombed. Moral was hit hard as they had lost four Tigers, eighteen men killed and eleven wounded (including the komp commander) before even seeing action. (This was part of the British withdrawl from Villers).

After Villers the unit continued to fight in the Villers - Caen road area. During Operation 'Epson' the unit fought alonside 12 SS Hitlerjugend and Panzer Lehr.

By 29th June SS.S.Pz.Abt. 101 formed part the counterattack by I and II SS Panzer Korps to smash the British and Canadian bridgehead on the Odon, so you could include troops from 9th SS Hohenstaufen and 10th SS Frundsburg divisions and be accurate.

By the end of the fourth battle for Caen (11th July) 1 kompanie was down to its last three Tigers, which it handed over to the 2 & 3 kompanies and left the battalion.


On 27th July Max Gorgens (Tiger 321) amongst others was awarded the Iron Cross 2nd class.


Michael Wittmann was acting battalion commander when he was killed on August 8th leading an attack by 3 kompanie Tigers.


12 August 12th SS Hitlerjungend replaced by 85th infantry division. 17th August retreat towards the Seine.


So to sum up it would be accurate to use figures representing SS units: Hitlerjungend, Hohenstaufen and Frundsburg, and Heer units: Panzer Lehr, 272nd, 85th, 89th infantry, III Flak Corps amongst others.



As for Fallschirmjager I'd say no. FJR 6 famously fought in the Manche region of Normandy which was many miles away the the tank battles around Caen.


If you've already bought FJ figures the you could either:


1:Just go for a diorama anyway.....sometimes historical accuracy can kill off the fact that our hobby is supposed to be fun.


2:Use them for another diorama depicting a Tiger II in the Ardennes counter-attack, when S.SS.Pz.Abtl. 501 (the remains of 101) did indeed fight alongside FJ.


All the best,
Blown away by what you've done so far...
Jon.

 

[T50]

There was an excellent 1/16 figure of WSS tank commander in
44 pea pattern drill uniforms. It was sculpted by Calvin Tan.
Should be a perfect fit for your dio.
Can't remember the name of the company though.... I think
it was from Singapore...?

 

[Dr Force]

Mike, Ron, Jon & Taesung

Thank you all for your inspirational support and help with the research, it is a massive plus to have everyone helping out here.

I'm definately no historian and although I have some knowledge in respect of each major battle of the second world war, I'm not knowledgeable enough to understand which units fought along side each other.

Thanks to Jon it looks like a definate no for the para's so it's back to finding quality late war Germans fit for the arena.

Mike, thank you for your comments and as said to other members, it helps me maintain focus and drive during thos tedious moments of rinse and repeat when building etc.

Taesung, thanks for helping with the figures, I'd like to know if that is sttill available?

Ron, as always thank you for your help, taking the time out to contribute is appreciated and it's almost become a joint effort.

Right.........................roof structure!!!

I have put the pics below to show you the steady progress made to date, there will obviously be tiles on the roof but for now I have put on the outside paneling so it can be seen from the inside (if you get me?)

There are support struts to go on yet above the corbels and attched to those upright beams, but I hope you like and I will continue when I am back home tonight.

Cheers
Dave

 

[tissibzh]

great great and greater!!!

 

[tiger111]

There was an excellent 1/16 figure of WSS tank commander in
44 pea pattern drill uniforms. It was sculpted by Calvin Tan.
Should be a perfect fit for your dio.
Can't remember the name of the company though.... I think
it was from Singapore...?

I beleve this may the figure Taesong is talkig about. It is from Miniature Alliance. It works great with the Jaguar figure posted in the first picture. I believe both are out of production; however can be found. You just have to search. Two other options are these of Whitman alwats on eBay. Mike Good sculpted. I doubt that you can find originals though.

 

[kagemusha]

Hi Dave, that is poetry mate. Really impressive info from Jonathan regarding available troop options. I know who I will be asking for advice when it comes to figures for my commission. Got to love this forum. Are they dental spatulas? Using Jonathans unit list should help with what figures are out there. Did have these for you to look at maybe; Verlinden (451) (861) and (2447). Still looking and learning.

Cheers

Ron

 

[T50]

Yes, Brent. Those first 2 are the ones I was referring to.
Thanks!

 

[Dr Force]

Thanks very much everyone.

Those figures look class, are they still available to purchase and if so from whom??

Ron, you can pick up those sticks (like over sized lollipop sticks from Hobbycraft, they cost about 80p!!!) Jonathan has superb knowledge when it comes to this sort of thing but he is also and exceptionally talented sculptor. If you ever get the chance to see his stuff in the flesh you will not be dissapointed. He is doing various dioramas based on real photographs and the likeness is simply amazing.

I struggle if its not an original, genuine figure, I will not buy re-casts unless they are from a reputable dealer and I feel I am contributing towards the survival of the hobby so could be difficult getting those MA figures

Anyway onward and upward, i'll see what i can get my hands on.

Cheers
Dave