¹⁄35

Dragon Wagon

What a fantastic dio! Great subject matter and detail. I like the use of a plane instead of a tank here. This is one of those works of art in which you could find something new every time you look at it. Incredible work! Congrats! - Frank

Hi Ian That is superb mate I could look at it all day. i wish my dragon wagon was as good as that! As many people have said, please give us some background (ie about the german soldier) Nick :-)

Great job, love viewing these high quality dios. You have definitely taken this hobby to the next level. I salute you.

Certainly leaves one with their jaw hanging a little open Ian. Incredible detail and story. Mike

Thank you for your replies and positive feedback. I have been in at the hospital with my son and did not realise that this had even been posted yet, so sorry for the delay in answering your questions.. will attempt to answer them below. I did send in a write up with this dio but for some reason it did not get attached, while all my previous ones have. I have another dio on the way, which I hope the staff will include the write up with John,no offense taken. In regards to the different scales, sure, as a purists they are out of exact scale. However, the original Hasegawa kit is shorter than it should be by about 4-5mm. The wings and body are also out of scale for 1/32 and are smaller in width than they should be [they actually scale closer to 1/35]. The fuselage works out to be approx 12mm longer than a 35 scale one but the fuselage is close to 1/35 scale in height. The wings are also too short for 1/32 and thinner all around their outside edge, making them closer to 35 than 32. The advantages of using an old kit. I also felt that by taking the wings off in this scenario it would help 'descale' the plane.The other advantage was that the old kit has rivet detail that is now left off by manufacturers in the new version, a pity. I like mixing the planes with the vehicles and will never scratch build a 1/35 plane, so this seems to be the only way unlless I do some 1/48 scale dio's or manufacturers start doing these planes in 1/35. I am very pleased that so many of you have noticed the groundwork. I feel that my groundwork in my dios is my most pleasing part. I spend as much time on the groundwork as I do on the rest of the models and I look at it as a model in itself ,that needs to be finished as well as the other pieces, for it all to 'tie in'. Basic rule I follow - always paint everything, that way everything will look in the same scale color and therefore match.The groundwork was done with tylers grout that was then painted with artists oils. The puddle was done by leaving a section of exposed wood as a nice flat base and adding Tamiya clear in layers with detail painted in artist oils in between each layer. I did about 7 layers. Simple but effective I think. Cracked earth can be achieved by pouring Tamiya Acrylic straight out of the bottle, with no thinning, into a small area, in a large volume- let it dry at room temp and it should just crack, it does for me. To help with additional info I will just copy paste some of the write up here........ This diorama depicts a Dragon Wagon operating under the 9th Army in Western Europe during 1944. It is carrying out operations concerning the cleanup of occupied airfields at the end of 1944. The two U.S.Army personnel are in the process of removing the abandoned wreck of FW190A-8 from 5/JG300. USAF want the field cleared for their Mustangs to run sorties into western Germany.The figure walking and reaching for his pistol has heard a noise and is making his way back to check, while his partner just wants to go and have lunch. Lurking behind the trailor is a lone German soldier who has been cut -off from his unit, a fanatic. ? What will happen................ This unit was relocated during November to an airfield in Eastern Germany where they were updated with ‘Long Nose’ FW D-9’s, thus, validating the wreck to be left behind. The Tamiya decal sheet allows you to do a 9th Army Ordinance vehicle operating in the area in question during Nov 1944. The FW 190 A-8 is the Hasegawa kit at 1/32 scale, which requires extensive detailing to make it an as wrecked as It appears. The decal sheet provides the modeler with ‘RED 19’, which operated out of NW Europe during early Nov. 1944. The plane has been strafed and abandoned as a wreck, as well as being a combat veteran that would be fairly tired by late ’44. I do not know if this happened to the actual plane. The Dragon Wagon was extensively detailed in the Crew Cab area of the Prime Mover but only oil reservoir lines were added to the chain drive and various chains and pin handles to the rear wheel area. The Trailer was built out of the box with chains, crew gear, tools and straps added later. The CAB was detailed with straps for Jerry cans, wiring for lights, internal light bulb for the cabin, warning and documentation labels on the inner bulk head above the driver, wiring behind the dash, straps and handles on the engine cover that runs down the middle of the interior of the cab, maps. magazines, spectacles and weapons added as well. I often mix 1/32 scale planes with 1/35 scale figures and accessories. I think that the ‘purist’ would not be happy but with such a small difference in size between the 32 scale and the 35 scale plane, plus the scale and accuracy imperfections already built into the kit by the manufacturers, it is something that can be quietly ‘gotten away with’. The original Hasegawa kit is shorter than it should be by about 4-5mm. The wings and body are considerably thinner than they should be and they actually scale to nearly 1/35. I also can't think of any reference where a FW has been photographed with a DWagon. Therefore I don't think that anybody would have a reference for them to guage the differences.Until somebody makes 35 scale ww2 fighters I will have to be satisfied.

hey, wow!outstanding, muddy water is terriffic!!the use of the FW 190 is fantastic.Top notch Ian,thanks of the pics,and info. Joe

One word.......WOW.....

I love it !! The depth of colors,textures and detail is staggering ! It "feels" oily and dirty,cold and wet. Fantastic art like this is inspiring!! Great job Ian !! BTW You mentioned that your child was in the hospital.. I hope that it is nothing really bad,my brother. If it is a serious matter ,please forgive me for bringing it up K

I love this diorama!!! It's very unique. Or at least the first dragon wagon i've ever seen with an airplane on it. And not to mention my absolute favorite german aiplane. It's awesome!!!

Very very very NICE!