SabreSquadron 1/72nd Scale Models

1/72nd SCALE MODELS
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Concept
The following four pictures were taken from the 1986 Tamiya Catalogue. The centerfold featured Mark Linkewicz�s 1/35th scale diorama entitled �The Turning Tide � Russia 1943�. This diorama was beautifully made. You can actually read the story of the scene with the series of pictures that accompanied it. This diorama inspired me to create something similar. His diorama depicted the German Army in retreat; I wanted to create one when they were advancing. Sort of like a prologue.

I wanted to capture the Blitzkrieg period. Specifically during the Operation Barbarossa timeframe. The title that came to my mind was, �Bridge Crossing � Russia 1941�. My diorama however, would be in a smaller scale at 1/72nd.

My bridge crossing tries to show the impact of Blitzkrieg, the army has been moving so fast that strategic decisions were made in the field. My scene shows a Stug stopped for a briefing. In the meantime, Russian POWs are being escorted to the rear.

Base Construction
One immediate problem I had was how to create an accurate looking bridge cross section. Most of the pictures of the1/35th diorama were taken from the side. I ended up making an educated guess and, in combination with Mark�s photos, I started on my project. The year was 1988.

For the scale wood, I utilized Popsicle sticks and tongue depressors which I bought from a craft store. I cut individual planks to size and use Elmer�s glue to bond them. For the parts where they form an angle, I created a jig to make them uniform. Here are photos of the bridge during work-in process. I used a 1/72nd Tiger tank as scale reference.

Another problem that I have was how to make a realistic looking river. Try as I might, I couldn�t achieve it. Back in 1988, and in the Philippines, my options were limited. The diorama pictures show the river as calm and dark. So, I opted to paint the river with a base color of dark brown. To make it shiny, I overlaid it with an overhead projector clear sheet. The results were not that great but in 1988 that will do.

I used Styrofoam as the base landscape. I covered this with a mixture of water, tissue paper and Elmer�s glue. I would apply a layer, let it dry then apply again. Slowly building up the terrain. When the final layer is applied, texture like footprints or tank tracks were applied. Once everything dried, I applied sawdust on some areas. I applied a lot of grass-like material under bridge. The tree is actually a twig that looks like the right scale, and I applied model railroad lichen on it.

Vehicles
The overall scale for this diorama is 1/72 but the vehicles are 1/76th scale. The Stug is one of my favorite German tanks. Since I wanted the setting to be in Operation Barbarossa, I chose an early version. Nitto manufactured the kit. I like the snub nose version very much. I assembled the tank straight from the box with the exception of the tracks. I replaced the rubber tracks (with little detail) with one I got from an ESCI Stug kit. I also distributed excess tracks around the body as appliqu� armor. I painted it with Panzer Grey and applied heavy weathering. The weathering technique I used is one I learned from Shepard Paine�s book. I also dented some of the fenders. In the rear of the tank, I stored some items, which I thought an advancing troop would need. I found some scale firewood, which I wound up with thin wire. I created an ammo crate and covered it with lead foil. Plus a disassembled mortar which I got from an old ESCI Afrika Korp figure kit. Also included are bits and pieces of personal stuff. A helmet, MP40 and maps that I took from ESCI German Soldiers set. The gunner sitting on the Stug was taken from an ESCI German tank kit (probably Stug, too).

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