This is the MG34 gunner from AC models. Andy Cairns had approached me about painting this figure for boxart purposes after I had expressed some interest in tackling him when in prog pics of the sculpt were posted. He is sculpted in early Barbarossa summer garb (reed green fatigues) and Andy has lent an interesting take in the MG34 accessory box, the canteen and the rare bakelite MG butt with metal tips. The figure was finished as always in Vallejo acrylics w/citadel paints used for the metallics. The camo in the exterior bands on the helmet was a personal choice and after looking at some early war picture references, I decided to use excelsior moss and some Aber PE vines w/ leaves attached. I also used the excelsior moss to simulate the tall grass which looks good to scale, hence the matching camo on the helmet. Andy has done a fine job on this figure and is now one of my favorites in my current collection. Just can't stay away from these MG34/42 guys!!! Must be the look of the ammo belts that attracts me.

Superb painting as always Dan!

Nice work Dan, I'm sure Andy will be pleased with the result of the boxart.
Cheers Les

Dan,
Excellent.
Cheers
John

Hello Dan, Excellent painting. Love the way you handled the reed green uniform. This figure has alot of detail, any problems during construction? I, like you Dan, enjoy German MG figures in all scales. Just hope the comments like: What!! another german mg figure!!, and he's pointing to, don't get to crazy. I like this figure, and Andy has done a superb job with the sculpting. Now lets see an assistant gunner carrying the ammo cans and spare barrels. Regards, SG

Top notch, as always, Dan.
Cheers

Great painting Dan. Great face on this figure but it's the proverbial pointing German.

Later boss

no problems at all with construction. Only slight trouble I had was the ammo belt around his chest that feeds into the gun. I believe Andy originally meant for it to go through the space between his arm and his torso but even with manipulating the resin and white metal lengths included with the kit, I could not get it to look satisfactory (at least to my eye) so I decided to have it wrap around the outside of his arm. Andy assured me either way would be acceptable so we stuck with it. Other than that I really liked it. It was the first kit from AC models I have done and it has a quality about it that is hard to describe other than it exudes originality and is very well thought out. The only thing I can say is like other figures that Andy has done, when it is completed it just looks like a soldier. Just seems to fit the part really really well as Andy has a very distinctive style to his sculpts which interest me greatly. Now I gotta get my hands on his 200MM Bren gunner.

Hi Dan,

that is an fantastic paintjob !! I love it !! I think Andy will be very happy with it !!

Hi Dan , great job as usual.

Yea Mike, there are a few of those out there but I like the look of this guy. Very natural look as far as the pose goes. Thanks for your comment.

As mentioned above, it may be "another German" but Andys sculpting combined with Dans painting really makes him stand out. Super work from you both, I think he is stunning!

Don

Agreed super fine painting as usual Dan.

Thanks again boys.

Great paintwork.
Andy can be very satisfied with this boxart.

Marc

Thanks Marc. Appreciate the comment.

thank you all for your comments! I'm sure Andy appreciates them as well.