Thanks all. I am fortunate that the good lady wife appears to be ignoring the aforementioned behemoth for the moment so I need to get as much done as I can! I'm also fortunate to not always having to work to a deadline or someone else's plan. I build what I like the look of mostly.
Last time I was on a bus a small child was sick on my shoe. Not sure why I elicited that response.... I try to avoid them now (Children and busses)
I have half a plan for the portico and carvings, I'm going to use GIMP as it has a perspective correction tool to fix the photo's I've got, I'll turn them into black and white and see what happens when I engrave them. Probably won't work but if it does it'll save a lot of work. Or at least provide a base to build upon.
I'm going to make the top finials in resin I think: a) because they'll be tougher and less easily damaged and b) I'm out of plaster again (2kg dry weight gone into this so far)
Next will be the steps up to the front then it's detailing time I think.
I'm also starting to gather stuff for the force to go with this mess. Iv'e a shed load of soviets already but I'm now pondering the last levy Germans. I need a couple of units of Volkssturm and/or Hitler Youth I also need two 88s. Plan is to probably 3d print the 88s and replace with plastics as they become available. These wil be supplemented with some SS.
Game wise I've two main plans:
Big CofC 3 Soviet platoons - 1 armourd (2x IS2 and 1x OT-34/85) 1 Scout platoon and 1 Rifle platoon. facing one VS platoon and one SS platoon with a mix of HY and Heer support.
Bolt action it'll be similar - 1 armoured, 1 vet and 1 reg platoon vs 1 SS and 1 VS/Hy platoon.
Just need a HY crew for the 88s...