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Road to Nowhere: from Photo to Diorama

Building the Scenery

The basic layout is made from double board of 2 cm styrofoam, the edges are finished by plywood cards from the local craft store. When copying original photos it is very important to try around with Your models and compose, till You've got the right angle and dimensions. If You are satisfied at this stage, You can begin to model the scenery. Groundwork in our case is created with with "Modelling-Sand" by NOCH, an outstanding product for our needs, purchased in the small scale railway-shop. "Normal" Static grass is planted on the small elevation in front of the dio. The puddle of mud will be created at the end, because the tank has to be fitted first.

While building the vehicle it's very important to fit the roadwheels correctly to the terrain, no problem in any case with our Maquette-kit, because all wheels have a movable suspension. The characteristical smoke pods on the rear had to be entirely scratch built, because I didn´t find them as accessory product. Same happened with the stowage boxes and blankets on the engine deck, which were made from tissue and plastic card. The big stowage case on the side is also made from scratch, the damage on the side skirt is created with metallic yogurt tape, a very handsome (and healthy) stuff for modellers. Before the paint job I applied a mixture of "Modelling-Sand" and flat-varnish in order to create a dirty mud-effect on road- and drive wheels. 

Finally the overall layout was checked again and compared to the photo. Then it was time for a good paintjob. In order to create a uniform aspect, I airbrushed Terrain and vehicle at the same time. All elements received a basic coat of Tamiya flat black. Road- and drive wheels got a black-brownish base color. Then our 38 (t) is lightened up with a cloudy pattern of Tamiya tank grey, as shown on the photo. The lower hull is "dusted" with the same pattern as seen on the original photo, which shows a very contrasted aspect. I choose Tamiya's "buff"-colour, which is excellent for creating dusty effects. Then came a gloss coat, decals were fitted and a 
black-brownish wash with oil-colours was applied to groundwork and vehicle. After 24 h of drying period, (very important for Your family-communication, by the way) I dry-brushed with light grey and brown oils, same procedure happens with the bike. Now the vehicle is ready to be fitted on the base. Liquid plaster, coloured with dark brown acrylics, is poured into the trench. After drying, the colour is corrected by airbrush, lightening up the "mud" till getting the tone of Tamiya "buff". To get a "liquid" effect I use "crystal clear" Window Colour which comes out very easy and useful for creating water effects.

Now figures are fitted to their position for a final check. For painting I use a base coat of "flesh " acrylics and final painting is made with oils. Uniforms get a base coat of Tamiya German grey and a washing and dry-brushing with oils. Then figures and bike are fitted on the tank, finally blended to the vehicle with a light mist of Tamiya "buff".