END OF THE WAR
Jeep willys MB 1/4-ton 4X4 Truck
German Border 1945

“The war has just ended
Thank GOD I made it through
Now is time to lighten my load
And come back home to you”

By
Bernard Cher

My main objective in creating my diorama and vignette is to tell my audience what I feel about war. I am not that interested in war history but more into feelings of those involved. I always try to understand what those soldiers went through during the war. Their feeling about leaving behind family, loved ones… missing them so much and usually all because of some selfish people who started war for their own interests.

I hope that I can use my skill in modeling to tell some of these stories so as to let my audience ponder over it.

IDEA

“Simple and clear cut”... that was what my “coach” who guided me in modeling always told me. I always respect modelers who have the patience and skill to come out with a big diorama. But big dioramas usually satisfy visual needs but lose focus in story telling. As for me, my goal does not required such big projects. What I need is a simple vignette, clear enough to tell my stories.

When my close friend gave me the Royal Model figure in this vignette, I asked myself, “What would make a soldier smile?” The first thing that came to my mind was, “Going Home!”. At the same time, I was doing my first super detailed model with photo etched parts, which was a Tamiya Willys jeep. So I decided to put them together to tell a story of a GI who survived the European War and was going home to see his loved ones. That is how simple my idea can be.

PLANNING

I wanted a small base. One that was just enough for my jeep and figure. I hate empty spaces when doing vignette or diorama. It often breaks the connection in the visual flow and also spoils the outlook of the model.

Next, I have to decide on the smaller items lying around the vignette. These items had to be more “friendly” than “military”. Something more warmhearted like a bouquet of rose which I made myself using cigarette paper. The roses were to show that there was a celebration for the end of the war earlier and the GI probably got it as a gift from some civilians. And also some left over wine after the celebration too.

There is also some German stuff as souvenirs for exchange with a board stating “Buy & Sell” to advertise them.

I scatchbuilt a duffel bag with tissue paper and plasticine. This was place beside the figure so as to show that he was ready for home. As the figure was holding a cup of tea, a friend gave me a small tea pot which he scatchbuilt, to be placed on the jeep.

To make the vignette interesting, I added a duck taking a peep at engine compartment of the jeep. Trying to find some goodies or being a busybody?

Finally I needed something in height. Height is a very important element used to attract attention. I chose a telegraph pole from Italeri for this purpose.

MAKING

Model

Tamiya, Jeep Willys MB ¼-ton 4x4 Truck

The model was detailed with the Eduard PE set. This was my first successful attempt using PE set. I also scatchbuilt the wing nuts since the PE set did not supply them. Some wiring in the engine compartment was attempted with reference from books. By the way, I am not very into detailing. Just trying them out for fun.

I usually hand paint my models after spraying the base coat since I am unable to do pre/post shading with my airbrush due to the lack of a regulator. But for this time, I tried out an alternative method.

First I base coated the model with Gunze Sangyo Surfacer 1000, then I pre-shaded with black pastel chalk and black oil wash. After darkening the corners and recesses, I misted over the whole model with “olive drab” using an airbrush. After that, toning and weathering was followed with oil paint, acrylic paint and more pastel chalk to create that dusty look.

Figure

Royal Model, U.S. soldier at break WWII

Figure is built straight from the box. Painting is done with acrylic paint. Methods use is a combination from Sheperd Paine and from the book Realistic Military Figures by Lynn Kessler and Don Winar. This figure is very well sculpted. Really enjoyed making it. The insignia on the arm is a decal from Verlinden Production.

Groundwork

Wall putty is use to form the ground thickness. Sand and stone are from mother nature. Bonding of ground materials is done with PVA glue. The tree in the background is a plant call “Sea Form”. This is the most realistic plant that I have discovered to make 1/35 scale trees. Just below the telegraph pole, you can find some barbed wire, which I made using copper wire.

Finally, the part every modeler waits for… putting everything together! For the jeep, figure and the telegraph pole, I pinned them down to the base with needles. Small items were fixed to their position either with superglue or PVA glue.

The overall vignette looks simple, as I wanted. Although it is small, there are many interesting things around the vignette to absorb the audience’s attention and thoughts. Hope you enjoy this vignette.

INFO

Products Used

Tamiya, Jeep Willys MB ¼-ton 4x4 Truck

Tamiya, Livestock set

Eduard, PE for Tamiya Jeep Willys MB

Royal Model, U.S. soldier at break WWII

Italeri, Telephone poles

Verlinden Production, Printed accessories, Allied Roadsigns Normandy to Berlin

Scale

1/35

References

Jeep goes to war by Will Fowler

Essential Military Jeep by Graham Scott

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Special thank to my “coach”, Calvin Tan for his guidance in miniature modeling. I would have quitted modeling without him. And Dinesh who make this article possible.