BERLIN BUSTER T34/85 'BEDSPRING'

[HERMAN BIX]

Had to finish this appropriately ...........

A picture of the Kremlin, on a Soviet bucket, In Berlin

[philipat]

Sweet! Nicely done.

[Aussie]

Nice work , well done.
Kremlin in front of Brandenburg Gates, who'ed have thought?

[HERMAN BIX]

Of all the things, watching a documentary just now recorded from the history channel earlier in the week.
"Soviet Storm-Battle of Berlin".
Opening with Soviet support personnel arriving to try to sort out the mounting of screens to prevent Panzerfaust penetration on tanks !!
Seems this idea was actually conceived by using bed bases to try the theory out as they were on hand at the time.
A test shot was employed against a perfectly fine T34/85 and the report was that the warhead left the screen bent, and a tiny hole in the tanks armour.

So, if the documentary is to be believed, the screens did not work.
The very same pictures I referenced were shown, along with a couple I have not seen.
I have read in research that the screens were supplied ex-factory as kits, but I assume the mesh would have had to be much more robust than bed-bases and the odds on them being effective were not proven.
I guess like sandbagging a Sherman..............

The show is more like a sales pitch for man portable anti-tank rockets !!

[HERMAN BIX]

Was a bit jaded and over the Jagdtiger build, so I looked around for something to do.
Looked at the T-34, looked at the 'Faustnik' figure I have, and thought "why not put the two together somehow" ?

So, got a spare turn table and a bit of Gib Board & made a section of broken wall.
Plan is to have the entire base covered with debris, rubble , burnt timbers etc, and the 'Faustnik' hiding behind waiting for a chance.......
I broke the board after marking with a cardboard template.
Roughed it up & carved blocks into it with a triangle file.
Got the burner out & burnished the whole thing.
Dry brushed a bit & here it is so far.

[PainlessWolf]

Good morning, Herman,
Very nice work! Looks professional.
regards,
Painless

[RobW]

Looks good.

Not a complete failure as an anti-antitank defence. Tank would be easier to fix. Not nice, but equally the Red Army tactics weren't overly nice either.

[HERMAN BIX]

Got a bit more of the display vignette done today.
Burnt timbers, floor section, debris etc...........
Used diluted PVA to fix pigments, and the timber debris.
This whole idea started because I have a Panzerfaust trooper & wasn't sure what to do with him !
I gave the 'Faustnik' a very light brown wash to take the clean-new off him & he is just right for the scene.

Now I do.

I still have the road section to colour with a grey cobblestone effect, and then its done.
today I came up with an idea to make a picture to hang on the inside wall...............a postage stamp.
Once I get a stamp with a suitable look, I will build a frame for it and hang it crocked on the inside wall.
Well..........just, because

The tank sits well on the small base, and the debris lifts the tracks & roadwheels on the wall side with quite a cool effect.

[hotte8487]

Well done Mr. Bix...

[Tiggr]

Indeed. A nicely composed photo.