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A Shallow Grave

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I was cleaning up some galleries and found these photos of a diorama I made some years back. It was never submitted to Armorama as originally it appeared on the long defunct WW2modelmaker site.

I thought I would submit it as a photo feature since it probably hasn’t been seen anywhere in 20+ years.

The diorama is titled “A Shallow Grave” in reference to the abandoned T-34 half sunk in the swamp. A German patrol is cautiously passing by on a foot bridge.

The swamp was created with Envirotex Lite. Prior to the Envirotex, I drilled approximately 800 small holes and inserted pieces (4-5 per hole) of ‘rush’ from some old doll brooms I found in a craft store. The figures are Dragon with Hornet heads, I can’t remember which set. This was my 3rd attempt at a diorama. I hope you enjoy these photos.
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About the Author

About Charles Reading (CReading)
FROM: CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES

I live in the mountains north of Santa Cruz California. I have been building now since the early 1990's when I rediscovered modeling. Most of my kits are built with dioramas in mind. I took a "creative block" hiatis for a couple years - 2011 to 2013. I wasn't active in the modeling world. During tha...


Comments

That's a very nice swamp!
AUG 18, 2020 - 01:41 AM
Very cool!!
AUG 18, 2020 - 02:20 AM
Hi Colin, Excellent diorama, the figures animation and rendering is especially convincing. Do you know what was used for the water, I'm interested as I'm working on a diorama that will also have water involved? Cheers,, G
AUG 18, 2020 - 04:39 AM
Amazing work on this scene! It's also amazing how well it's held up after 20+ years. The swamp looks great, the last guy on the footbridge looks really tired, and the crow is a cool detail. Thanks for sharing your golden oldie!!
AUG 18, 2020 - 05:15 AM
Charles, Your work is outstanding! Glad you decided to resurrect these images and submitt them as a Photo Feature where they won't get so lost. —mike
AUG 18, 2020 - 07:49 AM
AUG 18, 2020 - 08:08 AM
I can't take credit for this, it is Charles's work, glad you like it!
AUG 18, 2020 - 08:09 AM
Colin, Thank's. I edited my original comment to give “Charles” credit where it is due. —mike
AUG 18, 2020 - 09:44 AM
Sorry Colin, but I would have expected a 26 plus ton tank to sink more than a few inches into the swamp before being abandoned. Not trying to pick on your work because its good; just trying to keep you honest. Same thing on the planking: those planks seem to be about two or so meters long and I'd personally be nervous about walking on them supported as they are; the bounce would either crack them or get you wet as they sank. Try it in real life and you'll see what I mean. Nothing personal but that's how it is in reality which is what we strive to represent.
AUG 18, 2020 - 01:46 PM
Thanks for posting this Colin. Thank you all for your positive postings. Sorry my response was late, we have just returned to our house after having been evacuated due to the CZU Lightning Fire here in California's central coastal mountains. G-Man69, In answer to your question, the water was made with the product EnvironTez-Lite 'pour-on High Gloss Finish' which is a two part epoxy resin Cheers, C.
AUG 31, 2020 - 12:33 PM