Dillon

Hello,

Many years ago – or it feels like it at least, I posted on the Airfix forum pictures of my D-Day Omaha Beach diorama, well since then progress has been slow! The diorama was 6’ by 4’ and weighed in at 12 stone. Work on this came to a halt when I was persuaded by my better half to buy a dog. Since the arrival of the dog the diorama has had to remain uncompleted with no space to work on it and leave it where the hound can’t get at it.

So subsequently I have started two much smaller dioramas both measuring 18” by 24” approximately.

The first is entitled – A Hillside Skirmish!



The diorama is made in a MDF box – I used a very similar technique to the previous D-Day diorama but learnt from my mistakes (of which there were many!). Technically this is only my second attempt at making a diorama and will probably be the first to diorama I complete.

The terrain is made from Mod-Roc or plaster bandage, the ground levels are built in polystyrene and florists oasis blocks to keep the weight to a minimum. The Oasis blocks are easily carved and allow a lot more detail to be included plus they can be shaped to a smooth finish rather than normal polystyrene which breaks leaving beads rather than contours.

The plaster bandage was then stained use various shades of pigments, this was followed by the scatter – I think there are approximately 15 types/shades of scatter used, techniques like feathering and layering of the scatter have hopefully reduced the “one-tone” grass/soil effect.

The rock faces are all cast in Lightweight Hydrocal and stained using three shades of pigments, they have been sealed using a PVA wash and then a fine soil scatter has been blown on to the rock faces to add a further layer of texture. The rock faces were fitted after the terrain shell had been made but before any scatter had been applied.

The scatter was applied in several layers over two days each layer sealed with a mist of PVA glue and water. Then further medium ground cover was applied using Underbrush and Clump Foliage, this was secured using PVA. For the last level of ground cover there are currently only two trees, these were bought in a kit and assembled along with five more which have yet to be fixed on the top right hand back corner.

The diorama has had a 1/72 scale Sd.Kfz 251/1 Ausf.D (Dragon) which is incomplete placed on the road to give an idea of scale. The finished diorama will feature two of these half tracks on the road in a convoy with a Sd.Kfz 171 Panther G (Dragon – Late Version) model in between them. I have got Milicast German drivers to make for each of the halftracks having found that the SHQ miniatures don’t fit (Scale too large) and AB Figures seated for one halftrack and disembarking for the second.







Once the trees are fitted at the top – I shall fit approximately 15 AB Figures skirmishing/advancing across the hill tops above the road.

I am debating if I should have the Panther being worked on by Mechanics or fuelled as if the convoy has had to come to a rest hence the infantry disembarking and securing the area.

Anyway whilst I wait for the delivery of my AB figures I have made a start on my third diorama – An Artillery Position based on an image seen in “Weapons of World War II by Alexander Ludeke” – a great reference book with some interesting photos. This diorama shall feature two American M2-A1 10.5cm Howitzers dug into a slope with a small command bunker and two slit trenches at the base of the slope for infantry and machine gun positions. Photos to follow in a new thread.

If anyone has any ideas or suggestions for either diorama or just wants to leave some feedback I would be extremely grateful.

Thanks

Dillon