Sdkfz.251 mit 3,7cm Pak ausf.D

Awarded: Silver

Users' choice

This gallery has 7.59% of the users' votes.

By: Jiri Solek

Manufacturer(s): Dragon

Modifications: scratch built engine, new doors and everything what is original grey plastic ;-)

After-market parts: PE small details, resin boxes, additional weapons

Description: Tree from wires with folliage from local railway hobby distributor.

Judge 1: These dragon Sd.Kfz. 251 kits are real beauties but the extra detail you've added takes it too the next level, that motor looks fantastic, well done. The paint is well applied and I like the subtle camouflage. As good as this is you could improve the finish with some deeper shading around the smaller details and some tonal variation in the dust layer, most noticeable onthe road wheels. The chiping and scratches are quite good and realistic and the stowage is very random and beleivable. The title description is a too breif, it really needs to tell us location and time. This aside the layout is good but the grass in particular is very 2 dimensional/flat, if you can't get your longer static grass to stand up then it's better not to use it. I like the smaller rocks, very good scale, and the tree is pretty good but I'm sure it should be thickest at the bottom not the middle. The figure like the vehicle could be better shaded to bring out the small details and the dust layer/filter is too strong hiding your good work. Overall this is a very nice diorama, well done.
Judge 2: The composition is very convincing. The subject of the diorama became clear at a glance – the vehicle went broken and the soldier is waiting for someone who can fix the problem. Open engine hatch clearly shows where the problem is situated. Terrain is made in simple, but effective manner. On a small base you’ve put vegetation, some stones, some garbage like barrels, all these elements perfectly united in dusty coloration. The vehicle is nicely painted with subtle chipping and moderate dusting. You could also use more strains and filters to make the model look more interesting. Interior of the vehicle is well-elaborated and shows how many efforts you’ve invested in small details, well done! The figure looks dull and needs some contrast painting. The shoes of the soldier are painted in a strange bluish color as well as his right hand.
Judge 3: I really like the camo on this 251 and the extra engine detail is great too. The weathering is well done but not to heavy I did notice you missed a bit as the inner side of the tyres & wheels are very clean. I like the grass it looks trampled down, the foliage on the tree is good too but the tree trunk is oldly shaped. The figure is good but does not suit sitting high up on a drum as it would be hard to hold your legs at that angle, leaning forward with one foot on the other drum sitting on the rock, or the bonnet, or on the 251 bench in the vehicle?. I assume the gray hand is a glove but the setting looks like summer so a glove is unlikely. Nice diorama all the same.