Diorama Content

Thanks @Nick Belbin, I wouldn't have managed that anyway... but I wanted them to look used but not "old" - before the introduction of US. 50cal MGs. (shame, I have so many spares...)

The base is around 65cmx35cm so it takes up a whole unit’s space to itself. I prefer 1/16 scale as I find it easier to add details and bring to life. I also enjoy scratch building accessories. The only drawback I see is the room to display finished pieces and a challenge would be the limited availability of more unusual subjects in this scale. In 1/35 scale, you buy a kit and then there’s a plethora of figures and accessories to add to it. You’re spoilt for choice when you look into resin figures. In 1/16, I do it the other way around - I’ll find some figures that I like first and then try to find (or have 3D printed) an appropriate vehicle.

Coo! And here I was, thinking that you were just administering the GB when all the time you were building a masterwork! It's a great idea for a diorama. I class it as such, rather than a vignette, because there's a story happening here. We see the soldiers' reactions to the dead tank and imagine their internal narratives. Sure, there's not much intereaction between the figures but that is an important part of that story. You see something like that and it makes you think... "I thought these things were supposed to protect us. They can't even protect themselves." "We'll be alright if we get the first shot in, I hope." And so on. The figure painting is very good. You kept it restrained and thank goodness avoided the google-eyed look. The tanks both of them, are excellent. I like that the serviceable one is lighter in tone to the dead 'un. It's a spring/winter effect, life and death. Good groundwork, simple theme done in a realistically complicated way. It doesn't distract from the main events. And the cut telephone wires are excellent, lead wire was exactly the right material. So yeah, nice one Stix!

Not at all. I was actually having a joke. Fantastic work in 1/48. I was actually amazed that such figures existed in this scale.

Hi nimrod484. Thank you very much for your comments. You are very kind. Hi Ray. Thank you for your very kind comments. Yes, I do know what you mean about the faces. I don't think these are some of Tamiya's best figures. As I mentioned in my build thread, the moulding is very soft. Not Tamiya's best effort by far. In some photos, well to me at least, the expressions look more like a grimace. Which is closer to what it should look like. The lighting also has an effect on how they look too. Hopefully they don't detract too far from what I was hoping to show. Kind regards, Stix

Wonderful work. Beautiful brush painting as usual. Nice attention to detail. I like the scene construction. Although, if I was them, I would not be smiling. Better get off that ridge as quick as possible seeing they are such a lovely target silhouette against the horizon. No wonder a previous Sherman suffered a disastrous fate. Ray

Solid effort all round for tank, diorama and figures! Well done, Stix, especially at 1/48 scale.

Great! What are the dimensions of the base? Must be huge. What were the challenges beyond this at 1/16 scale for tank and figures?

It looks really great, but it's impossible to watch for a long time - it gets too cold! Vytautas

This was my project in the M3/M4 Medium Tank Single Type Group Build. The kit itself was lovely to work on and I added a few extras from the Hauler PE set for this kit, as well as using a metal barrel and some resin stowage from the Black Dog set, also designed for this kit. While I was working on this build, Bertie started his thread for a possible Entropy GB, which gave me the idea for the burnt out turret scene. Luckily, I had the parts for a Sherman turret in the spares box. It was originally from a HobbyBoss 1/48 Sherman. The figures and telegraph pole are from Tamiya and most of the green, scenic materials are from Woodland Scenics and Army Painter. The base is a thin sheet of MDF with expanded polystyrene packing material on top, to form the landscape. Over this I applied some household filler to help create the look of the hill. More details about the base can be found in my WIP thread. As usual everything, with regards the painting and weathering, is done with acrylic paints, all applied by brushes. The mud texture is the only exception, which is from Vallejo. Kit: 1/48 Tamiya Sherman British IC Firefly Paints: Humbrol, Revell, Citadel, Railmatch, Vallejo acrylics, all applied with brushes Extras: Hauler PE set, metal barrel, Black Dog Stowage set, Tamiya figures and telegraph pole, spares box turret and various parts from a 1/48 HobbyBoss Sherman kit, MDF, expanded polystyrene packing, household filler, Vallejo European Mud texture, Woodland Scenics Blended Turf, Army Painter Grass and Flowers Tufts, thread and Lead wire WIP thread: HERE Photos of the tank on its own can be found: HERE These photos were taken with my usual sky photo backdrop behind: ] This next set were taken without the photo backdrop so I could take some slightly different angles: The following photos show what it all looks like as a whole: Thank you to everyone who commented in my build thread. Comments and suggestions welcome. Kind regards, Stix

ColinChipmunkfan/Plastix-Thanks very much for the kinds words. They are greatly appreciated! Phillip1

I've used bits cut from a large paintbrush; one could vary the length and coarseness by purchasing different size brushes at the dollar store (or whatever you have in your neck of the woods).

Nice to see something not rusting to bits in the desert for a change. Nick

Thank you @The Great Escape and @PlaStix! btw here is that reference pic: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Caravan#/media/File%3ATutira_1.jpg

Hi Matt. What a great idea for a scene and wonderfully modelled! Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

Beautiful modelling as always Cadman. Always a pleasure to see your modelling talents on display. Kind regards, Stix

Incredibly atmospheric scene Bertie! Absolutely first rate modelling on all levels! Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

That really is a very impressive piece of modelling! Top work all round. Kind regards, Stix

A very well detailed and intersting scene. Lovely job! Kind regards, Stix

Very impressive looking scene, especially in 1/72. Very well done. Kind regards, Stix

2nd of course - season one. Ving Rhames taught me the word "honkey" in one episode...

You mean this: Or this:

That's a good looking dio, and the wriggly plastic works a treat

Very nicely done. Great work.

Fantastic diorama. I’ve looked at this kit several times and have been impressed - it’s great to see someone’s finished work. You’ve done it justice. The corrugated plastic added is a good finish too. But… you know this set is part of a pair. The sister set is ‘Hand-to-hand fight.’ When can we expect to see that diorama alongside this one!!!???