Russian Cavalry at Narva 1700

One last post before my vacation! Some figures I painted some time ago. They are Zvezda Russian Noble Cavalry, with some conversion on the right fig. I've painted them for use as Russian Cavalry during the beginning of the Great Northern War, for example during the battle of Narva 1700. I got inspired from a picture of a Russian cavalry officer at Narva I saw somewhere on the internet, but don't remember where.. Maybe I'll get back to that.

I think I need to work on the highlighting on some areas before I'm satisfied. The flash has helped me a bit here... Was fun trying to make the cuirass on the right fig!

Focke Wulf Ta-283 in progress 3

Almost put together the whole Ta-283 now, except the canopy. The cockpit is otherwise almost done. Next is to make some fine adjustments and then paint it! The model is extremely tail heavy (will need quite a heavy counter weight in the nose if you wish to get the nose down), but since I'm going to put it in a diorama and glue it on a stand this will not be a problem. I like the look of the plane, very futuristic. Looks like something out of  Star Wars.
This will propably be my last post for a week or so, since I'm off to a bit of vacation in the German alps in a few days. My first time there and I'm looking forward to hiking, beer and wurst!

An interesting eye-witness account

 I'm currently reading the memoars of a Swedish Waffen-SS volounteer, Erik Wallin. The book was originally titled "Ragnarök" and was written shortly after the war. He served on the eastern front from 1943 all the way to the end in Berlin 1945, defending the city centre. I'm reading a recent Swedish edition called Berlins sista timmar (Berlin's final hours). The memoars are also published in english, but I haven't seen the book myself. The English title is apparently Twilight of the Gods: A Swedish Waffen-SS volunteer's experiences with the 11th SS-panzergrenadier division Nordland, eastern front 1944-1945.
    Understandibly the memoars are biased and the comments on the Soviets and western allies aren't positive. But it's a very interesting account of the desperate battles to hold the line in the east and putting the hopes to new weapons being promised by the nazi leadership. It also gives an interesting insight in the minds of a Waffen-SS volunteer and why he and others continued to fight until the end. I haven't finished the entire book yet, but from what I've read so far I can really recommend it for all interested in WWII.

My latest diorama: a homage to Orwell's 1984

This one is inspired by George Orwell's dystopian novel "1984": A protester painting forbidden words on a propaganda poster from the ruling party. The two security troopers are equipped with "old" WWII British army gear and more "recently made" grey uniforms.

Work in progress 2

A close up of parts of the cockpit, wheels and a ramjet of the Ta-283. I changed the pilot fig supplied in the kit with one from Revells Luftwaffe pilots and ground crew set. I'm no expert in Luftwaffe equipment, but was inspired by the box art of Revell's figure set and gave the pilot a classic brown leather jacket.

Work in progress

My next project involves Huma Modells projected German jetfighter Focke Wulf Ta-283. The prototype never left the drawing board. It was powered by two ramjets and one rocket motor. My project will also include some Luftwaffe pilots and ground crew from Revell.

My first (completed...) diorama.

Depicts Prince Repnin's Russian grenadiers at the battle of Poltava. The figures are from Zvezda. The two figs further back originally wore tricorns. The Swedish casualty is from Mars.

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