Completed 1/9 BMW R75 & Crew Ardennes 1944

[Henk]

I'm late to the party, but this is a stunning project.
I love the bike, and the groundwork.
I would certainly paint the trousers of the guy in the sidecar in a reversable camouflage, they are very baggy, and the SS were very well equiped at that time, pictures from the period show most SS well clothed in camouflage and winter gear. If you want to add a bit of tonal variety, you could paint the trousers in a very dirty white..
The pilion's trousers don't look as baggy, you could paint them in Feld Grau, or in a Pea dot camo, again adding some tonal variety. To be honest, I think a Pea dot camo would work well, seeing as the rider already wears the mono coloured riding overcoat.

Following the rest of your progress.

 

[Steve Ski]

Pretty fine progress, Dave!

 

[Dr Force]

Thanks for your interest and comments all, it really helps spur me on.

I'm late to the party, but this is a stunning project.
I love the bike, and the groundwork.
I would certainly paint the trousers of the guy in the sidecar in a reversable camouflage, they are very baggy, and the SS were very well equiped at that time, pictures from the period show most SS well clothed in camouflage and winter gear. If you want to add a bit of tonal variety, you could paint the trousers in a very dirty white..
The pilion's trousers don't look as baggy, you could paint them in Feld Grau, or in a Pea dot camo, again adding some tonal variety. To be honest, I think a Pea dot camo would work well, seeing as the rider already wears the mono coloured riding overcoat.

Following the rest of your progress.

Thanks for your ideas and comments.

I did contact Jeff to discuss the trousers and he stated they were not based on any particular type but prefered field grey. However, it’s late war and it’s a bit like anything goes….I like the idea of the dirty white but then it might look odd against a camo top…..?

 

[Henk]

Thanks for your interest and comments all, it really helps spur me on.





Thanks for your ideas and comments.

I did contact Jeff to discuss the trousers and he stated they were not based on any particular type but prefered field grey. However, it’s late war and it’s a bit like anything goes….I like the idea of the dirty white but then it might look odd against a camo top…..?

With German troops, there is hardly any "right or wrong" when it comes to late war winter clothing, there was such a wide variety of camouflage schemes available (Autum and Summer reversible, Winter White and Camouflage reversible, Pea dot, Oakleaf, Plane, Splinter...), and then there is the bewildering variety of winter boots, caps, hats, gloves, etc etc (ok, that is mostly on the East front, but you get the idea ).

The photos that exist from the Ardennes offensive show most (SS) Germans in either issue Camouflage Uniforms, or wearing wet/cold weather over garments, like ponchos or over coats. I don't think many SS troops went into the battle wearing basic Field Grey trousers. In a Normandy setting, defininately possible, but for the Ardennes, I would choose a (winter) camouflage trouser.

I have seen many photos of troops wearing the camouflage and white "mixed", I think (but can't confirm this from a source), that the White trousers would blend more with the snow on the ground, and the camo jacket with the foilage of the undergrowth. After all, camouflage is about odd shapes and colours breaking up your shape.
Personaly, I would go for White trousers, if only to add tonal variety, to break up the large shape of the sidecar, and to add more interest.

Edit. I should add, that I'm working from memory, and I'm not sure, if the Pea dot camo was actually printed on heavier winter clothing.

 

[Henk]

I've just noticed that the pillion rider is wearing the Ritter Kreuz, is there a story behind the figure, or is it just artistic licence by Jeff?

 

[Dr Force]

I've just noticed that the pillion rider is wearing the Ritter Kreuz, is there a story behind the figure, or is it just artistic licence by Jeff?

I don’t know of any story, but I suspect this guy is as hard as nails… :-D

 

[Dr Force]

With German troops, there is hardly any "right or wrong" when it comes to late war winter clothing, there was such a wide variety of camouflage schemes available (Autum and Summer reversible, Winter White and Camouflage reversible, Pea dot, Oakleaf, Plane, Splinter...), and then there is the bewildering variety of winter boots, caps, hats, gloves, etc etc (ok, that is mostly on the East front, but you get the idea ).

The photos that exist from the Ardennes offensive show most (SS) Germans in either issue Camouflage Uniforms, or wearing wet/cold weather over garments, like ponchos or over coats. I don't think many SS troops went into the battle wearing basic Field Grey trousers. In a Normandy setting, defininately possible, but for the Ardennes, I would choose a (winter) camouflage trouser.

I have seen many photos of troops wearing the camouflage and white "mixed", I think (but can't confirm this from a source), that the White trousers would blend more with the snow on the ground, and the camo jacket with the foilage of the undergrowth. After all, camouflage is about odd shapes and colours breaking up your shape.
Personaly, I would go for White trousers, if only to add tonal variety, to break up the large shape of the sidecar, and to add more interest.

Edit. I should add, that I'm working from memory, and I'm not sure, if the Pea dot camo was actually printed on heavier winter clothing.

This is excellent information and exceptionally helpful so I convey my thanks for your support.

Im liking the idea of dirty white trousers in the sidecar, just checking with my waffenn ss reenactor guy about the mix.

 

[Dr Force]

Reply in and looks like peadot might be a consideration

” The white pants that you see in pics are normally part of the reversible suit. They look and sit differently to normal wool trousers as they’re heavier & padded. Your guy has pants blouses over gaiters - you wouldn’t see that with the reversibles, they hang loose at the bottom. With gaiters in evidence I’d say it’s fgrey wool or camo if you prefer - dot 44 might be nice variation chum!”

 

[Dr Force]

Face is about done, just a tad of blending and I need to weather the belt buckle but he’s now fixed……found some great 1/6 background cards that are perfect for this……!

I have tried to convey a cold face with some red and there are bits to tidy on the bike but will do that at the very end. I’ve not done any figure painting for 10 years so I’m pleased to be able to slip back in remember some of the old techniques.

 

[Briggsy]

Looks epic, if that's figure painting after a 10 year gap I'd love to see what you do when well practised. The face is good, flushed and cold looking, really great.

Cheers Simon

 

[Dr Force]

Looks epic, if that's figure painting after a 10 year gap I'd love to see what you do when well practised. The face is good, flushed and cold looking, really great.

Cheers Simon

Thank you Simon.

Last scale figure I did was on this very site c2013/14……had a huge gap doing Star Wars models, but not flesh or smaller scale painting, so I’m glad I can still get a decent result. I’ve purchased some eye magnifying glasses with a light because I found it really tough getting close and personal doing the eyes…I kept losing focus and that was frustrating doing such tiny blobs.

Im going to start the sidecar guy now. Looks like I’ll go for peadot trousers with spring camo smock and lid cover. I like the mix and match as recommended by Henk and doing some research it does appear like anything goes uniform wise late 44.

 

[Briggsy]

I did a short stint doing Sci Fi bits but didn't last much more than a year, scratch built a couple of pieces and some Machinen Kreiger stuff, good fun.

Optics for painting is a good idea, I wear glasses but for distance, so far close up is OK, mind you I am getting closer to my models.

I think you are right regarding mix and match uniforms in the late war period especially with the SS, it does add visual impact as well. Really enjoying this thread.

Cheers Simon

 

[Henk]

Reply in and looks like peadot might be a consideration

” The white pants that you see in pics are normally part of the reversible suit. They look and sit differently to normal wool trousers as they’re heavier & padded. Your guy has pants blouses over gaiters - you wouldn’t see that with the reversibles, they hang loose at the bottom. With gaiters in evidence I’d say it’s fgrey wool or camo if you prefer - dot 44 might be nice variation chum!”

The observation about the gaiters is quite right, I was comparing the trousers of the pillion and the side car passenger, and the side car passenger's trousers look heavier, whilst the pillion's trousers look thinner at the gaiters, but your friend makes a good point, the padded winter trousers would probably not be tucked into the gaiters as neat as that.
If your Pea dot camouflage is going to be anything like your Oakleaf , it will look fantastic.

 

[Dr Force]

Just looking, I’m going to “feather” the eyebrows once dry, just to give them some structure .

 

[Dr Force]

The observation about the gaiters is quite right, I was comparing the trousers of the pillion and the side car passenger, and the side car passenger's trousers look heavier, whilst the pillion's trousers look thinner at the gaiters, but your friend makes a good point, the padded winter trousers would probably not be tucked into the gaiters as neat as that.
If your Pea dot camouflage is going to be anything like your Oakleaf , it will look fantastic.

You have been immensely helpful Im so grateful

 

[housecarl]

Looking superb Dave.
I'd dip the headlight.

 

[marco14]

that is looking very nice ,what a big difference,this is going too look very nice when it's completely done
I love it

Mario

 

[Steve Ski]

Now that is some excellent facial work!!! Awesome job, Dave.

 

[Dr Force]

Thank you everyone for your help and interest

 

[Nap]

Looks epic, if that's figure painting after a 10 year gap I'd love to see what you do when well practised. The face is good, flushed and cold looking, really great.

Cheers Simon

I was thinking the very same

Great updates

Off to a hiatus for 10 years !!

Nap