¹⁄48

Desert Storch

Some notes about the model

This is Tamiya's 1:48 scale Fieseler Storch built a couple of years ago when the kit was released. The model is from the box except for the use of Mal's Miracle Masks for the markings. The camouflage pattern was done with self made masks cut into clear plastic. The kit in itself is very nice and no problems were encountered during the build.

The diorama base is composed of styrofoam blocks cut to shape and secured with resin on a wood plate. The buildings have been done using plaster and small rocks for the walls. Doors and other details have been made with evergreen plastic and modeling clay. The original masters were given to Mark58 to make silicone molds and do acrylic resin castings which were used in the end. The figures are from Tamiya for the Afrika Korps personnel and from Preiser (heavily modified) for the indigenous people. The animals are from the Pegasus Hobbies 1:48 scale "Farm Animals" set (#7006) and have been transformed as well. The palm trees have been scratch built using and electrical cable, paper and modeling clay for the trunk and paper for the leaves.

The ground has been painted with acrylic colors using different shades of sand colors. It was also dry brushed and received several washes of heavily diluted paint. The cracks in the ground are the result of the use of clay powder mixed with water. When drying, the cracks appear by themselves because no binder was incorporated to keep the clay together.

The Greif vehicle is a Tamiya kit as well and it includes the figure of the famous Generalfeldmarschall Erwin Rommel the "Desert Fox".