WW2 truck diorama

[Oscarwray]

Greetings! This post will serve two purposes as I need some guidance on a few questions and a start to a diorama build thread. I am working on two projects side by side (USS Constitution as well) because I hate waiting on things to dry and set and this gives me something to keep my hands off my ship while she dries! First, everything will be 1/35 in scale. I plan to use Tamiya Jeep Willys kits and Taimya deuce and a half kits for the main models. The plan is for a 50cm by 90-100 cm tabletop piece of a WW2 service area of trucks and tracked vehicles. I have not decieded on what tanks to use, ideas for what would work well to keep historical significance would be great. Here are my getting started questions:

1. What do you use for a base? Large piece of foam? and where does one acquire said foam or base?

2. I will be looking for some WW2 type tents/buildings to place in the background and does anyone know of a good place to find kits for that or point me to a reference so I can make my own.

3. Do you use just plain old dirt from the garden for diorama dirt or do you buy something that look real but is synthetic?

4. I am also looking for somewhere to buy some 1/35 scale barbwire, I am browsing through accurate armours site now, but are there any others?

5. Any pictures of similar scenes from the real world would be great, I will try the google machine as well later.

6. Ok, last one. Any sites that offer nice miniature items for dioramas, detail parts etc that would be useful.

I will be trying to use the search feature on the site to try to answer my own, but I never have much luck with that. Thanks in advance for responses!

Kits I have currently that will be used on this diorama.......if you think of others that would go well, please let me know. Thanks!

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35218

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35219

Tamiya America Item #25106 | WWII US Field Maintenance Yard - 1/35 (w/2 Figures)

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35231

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35026

http://www.tamiyausa.com/product/item.php?product-id=35027

Oscar

 

[noble]

Hi Oscar

1 For the baseboard i will use MDF or whiteboards, these come in different sizes and cost from £2.00, onto this i will add foam insulation board you can get this from any big diy store for £5.00.

2 I ues miniart buildings these are quality but you can make basic structures of your own using balsa wood.

3 I prefer using silt which you get in the gitters of your home, this has varying sized stones and grit which looks better at scale. If you are making a dessert scene try Budgie sand and budgie grit, you get these at pet sores.

4 Usually any online stores will sell this, plusmodel does an excellent range.

5 Try googling the red ball express or have a look at the dioramma i have completed in the group build section entitled Red ball.

6 Plusmodels and reality in scale do a load of great stuff.

I hope this helps.

scott

 

[andygh]

For dirt I generally use plaster mixed with grit, sand, PVA and some paint

 

[Boldman]

That WWII US Field Maintenance Yard set is great - I used bits of it in my Tilly Diorama http://www.scale-models.co.uk/completed/12395-chase-group-build-april-june-austin-tilly-1-35-scale.html earlier this year