Internet Modeler : First Look : Armor RSS News Feed

CGD 1/144 WWII German sWs, Semi-Armoured, Early Version

By Matt Bittner

Introduction

With this introduction, I'm going to concentrate on Combat Group Dynamix - or CGD.  Their unique in a number of ways.  First, they provide 1/144 armor for either diorama creation or war gaming.  Next, their 1/144 armor comes pre-painted (but that doesn't mean you can't do more to them, as you can).  And finally, they're unique in that they use 3D printing to create their miniatures.  I'm not exactly sure how it works, but from some of the research I've done, 3D printing happens when you send a detailed file (as in computer file) to a 3D printer, and it produces a part based on the dimensions in that computer file.  In no time (it's not instantaneous, but it doesn't take a very long time to create, either.  So, there's no worries about original mold degradation because when you need a part, you just fire up the 3D printer, send your file with the dimensions to it, and voila!  One part created in 3D. From CGD's site:

""Game Grade" (GG) material is a nylon material. The process is by fusing the material in power form with high intensity laser, through a process called SLS (Selective Laser Sintering)."

The Kit

The CGD 1/144 German sWs is an extremely nice model.  This particular one comes with a frame for the bed, which needs to be trimmed (the ends where it would rest in the bed) so it fits inside the bed correctly.  Once that is accomplished then the frame can be set inside the bed.

The truck comes pre-painted, but it's all one color, even though there is highlighting already applied. The texture is not as smooth as you would think, but it can be painted over, if you so desire.  However, beforehand CGD recommends some sort of clear to be applied over the model first.  They recommend Tamiya Acrylic X-22 Clear applied in multiple coats along with the color of the final model, but only on an unpainted model.  If the model is like the one provided for review, then I suspect you can paint it "normally".

I plan on applying a wash on the parts, and may paint a couple of pieces differently, like the tires for example.  Give it a little bit more "spark".

Conclusion

If you want to build a diorama quickly, to depict a battle or some scene from history, then the CGD kits are a great start.  If you're into war gaming, then these pieces are a must.  Even though you could apply the pre-painted pieces out-of-the-box to a diorama and it will look great, you could also spend a little extra time in applying other colors, washes and highlights to really make the pieces pop.

When I get to mine, I plan on using the CGD 60cm Flakscheinwerfer (Flak-SW 36) in conjunction with the sWs, by having the sWs towing the Flak-SW 36 down a road.  Sure, not a lot of imagination but I still think it will look great.

My thanks to CGD for the review sample.