I’ve never attempted a diorama before but I’m currently building an OIF M1A1 and I’d like to place it in a simple yet fairly realistic vignette. Is there a simple inexpensive way to simulate cinderblock ruble? Also, am I correct in assuming that cinderblock is the predominant building material for Iraqi buildings?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or ideas you have,
Noah

I seem to remember reading someone who just used actual cinderblock broken into small bits

I guess that might work, although my only concern is wouldn’t an actual cinderblock have imbedded particles (i.e. sand etc) that would be out of scale in 1/35 even if broken up quite a bit?

However, its worth trying – if it works one block should supply all the bits I’ll ever need

I also thought of busting up some of those scale plaster diorama buildings – has anyone ever tried that?

Hi Noah

This is just an idea. I have never tried it but maybe some cut styrofoam. Its cheap, and the surface should be close enough to scale. Lastly add a little plaster and you can carve whatever the dio require [brick e.t.c.]
Hope it works
Harry

I cant tell you how to make cinder blocks but I can say that they are used some to build in Iraq. I have seen quite a few made out of cinder blocks. In fact I have a photo somewhere of one of our Bradleys after we ran through a building that was being used to spot out of for IED attacks.

Also houses there are made of sun dried bricks. In the poor areas the houses are mainly sod. Hope that helps.

In doing Stalingrad vignettes, I use red bricks pulverized with a common hammer, and you really cannot factor in the size if its pulverized enough.

You can buy a pack of the charcoal used in aquariums filters. It's chip, doesn't contain any impurity and you can reduce it easily to the size you need...
Ciao
Fabio

Have you tried plaster board .
I'm going to try using it when I get round to doing walls etc.
I'm going to dampen the paper on it and peel it off leaving the plaster underneath.
When dry you can mark out the shapes of bricks or blocks to whatever size you want.
With it being plaster you can also break it down into smaller parts and even dust.

SAS007

Thanks to all of you for responding! You all seem to have very workable and excellent solutions. I look forward to trying them about.

Again thanks everyone for you great advice and ideas!

Noah