Mantis German Motorcycle Crew

[jknaus]

I just got the Mantis Motorcycle Crew 35030. Its very nice3ly molded with crisp details. I have only found one air bubble which is very small and easily fixed. For the driver you get a choice of 2 heads. One in a helmet and a scarf and the other in a winter cap and wearing a gas mask. From my reading a lot of motorcycle riders wore their gas masks to keep the chill wind off their face. The passenger is wearing a warm hat and scarf and has a blanket over his legs. He has a very finely molded pair of binoculars in his grasp. I had intended to put this pair in my new Zundapp K-800, but it is molded to fit in one of the squared off sidecars. I will see how much work is involved in putting him in my current model. I saw the driver could be bought separately. This is an awesome set of figures and I look forward to painting them.

James

 

[AndyFettes]

Excellent they look really very good

 

[jknaus]

I've got them all washed and ready for construction. Only problem is, as I thought, the passenger won't fit in the side car of my bike. So must get another bike or pass these on.
James

 

[Iron Mike]

What kit are they intended for, James? They look great!!

 

[jknaus]

I think for the Great Wall R75 with sidecar.

 

[Dusan]

Fantastic figures, I would choose driver with gas mask B) look like a sc-fi... maby a bit

All the best!
Dusan.

 

[AndyFettes]

James cant you make him fit ???

 

[jknaus]

Okay fitting the passenger into the side car isnt too bad. Cut out the plug and clean up coat edges and he almost fits perfect. Will have to put a crease in front of figure under blanket for him to fit better. Not bad really.

Yes I know my pic skills havent improved any.


And just so you can see what little I have accomplished. I have the base for the coat and a flesh base for the eyes. More to come.

By the way any thoughts on the coat??
James

 

[panzerace007]

JAMES ,

These figures look Bad AZZ !! I mean really Awesome !! It looks to Me that th Driver is wearing a Confiscated Russian Coat. I can't put My Paws on th pix , but a lot of this was seen around Karkov & Stalingrad (IIRC) . Similar to the Jacket that Pieper picked up in Karkov .... Lambs Wool Jacket The Cover Art has pretty much nailed it !! I think They call those jackets here in th States a Sheep Herders Jacket or a Shepard's Jacket ?

 

[AndyFettes]

agreed

excellent base coat James

Good work in the figure fitting too mate

 

[Plastik Smurff]

Got this bike kit so watchin with interest, lookin good sofar. :java
Love the figures to,shame I can't get them here.

.Kurt.

 

[jknaus]

Got this bike kit so watchin with interest, lookin good sofar. :java
Love the figures to,shame I can't get them here.

.Kurt.

I got mine from ebay from Old Dog Models http://myworld.ebay.ca/olddogmodels/&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2754

He is an excellent seller and I have dealt with him a fair amount.
James

 

[jknaus]

Thanks guys. Motor cycle came in yesterday and that gave me impetuous to put the side car together to fit the passenger. I got the figures just because of the coat and gas mask. Hope I get it right. Wondered if I might have gotten the base coat too dark, but feel better now. More to come in figures as I paint.
James

 

[panzerace007]

JAMES,

That Gas Mask is a Big Plus !! Th Germans also used to wear a Gas Mask when 1st. firing the Panzerschreck. I've seen a News Reel of it .. It's pretty neat.

As far as th coat goes, I would think that with a few washes & some drybrushing ... you could make it look well worn by it's rider !! A few "spatters" here & there !!!

'lookin' forward to it !!

 

[chukw]

MWUAH-ha-ha!

 

[AndyFettes]

I think the base colour for the jacket looks great and perfect for a subtle bit of highlighting

 

[Iron Mike]

Those figures are cool and your painting will do them justice! Looking forward to your updates.

 

[mlp]

Hey those two look cool!