This is a diorama I started back in June of 2006. I believe I am now finished and would like your view on how I did. Any comments are welcomed.
I ran across this excellent site Dedicated to the 752nd (Army) Tank Battalion during WWII, created by Robert Holt. Who’s Father, Sergeant Raymond Holt was a Tank Commander for the 752nd Tank Battalion, B Company. On the 1st of July 1944, B Company including Mr. Holt’s Tank, a M4A1 Sherman, was in a battle for the city of Cecina, Italy against a German column of tanks and infantry. Tiger 221 of the 2nd Company of the 504th Heavy Panzer Battalion, was leading the column. A close quarter’s exchange of fire between these tanks ended with the destruction of the Tiger.

Reading through the web site I found an outstanding explanation and detailed research of this battle and an excellent overall site for the 752nd Tank Battalion. I contacted Robert Holt expressing my desire to try and complete a diorama for the Cecina Battle and requesting his help in making this happen. He agreed and has provided incalculable assistance in getting this project completed.

Please browse through Robert Holt’s Web Site 752nd Tank Battalion
and read through the description of the battle Cecina
The diorama basically depicts the final moments before the last shot is fired destroying the Tiger. The distance was stepped off and I tried to keep it close to the scaled distance as possible.
For a detailed explanation please visit the site Cecina
And I have 41 views of this diorama in my Gallery






Thanks for taking the time and looking,
Bob

Really turned out nice Bob,
I like the way you did the base.

Nice dio. What scale is it?

Jim

Hi Bob,
I remember your WIP photos. I think you did very well.
Normally , i would perhaps say, that your dio looks a bit empty, but probably due to the thight base and special layout, here it works.
The fence is leading the view to the Tiger. Good, i like it.

Cheers
Claude

Gday Bob
Congratulations mate!
I know the information contained on the 752nd website whets the appetite, and for you to follow an 'account' through to completion is exciting enough with good info....
I see that for the 'account' at hand, the only way to accurately enough portray the scene is as you have done, irrespective of the traditional 'conventions' of diorama building
Really has an Italian feel also...
Cheers
Brad

good job this is 1/72 scale yes

The shape super. I remember when this project was 1st started, I was a bit concerned with the length of it and how lifeless the base Could have been. It is not at all, it really brings a lot of visual interest to it.
The building and ground work are great as are the tanks.
Very nice job, I love the amount of research you put into it. That adds a great deal to the project.

Hello and thanks for the comments.

Sorry I should have been specific about some things,
Scale is 1/35, over all length is 56 inches, 4 1/2 feet, or 142 cm

I can't remember off the top of my head what kits I used, The m4 was Italeri, Formations, Edward, a couple of parts from Tamiya and a couple of scratched items, the Tiger is the same except I used a metal barrel also.
I scratch built the house, base, fence and ground work. I basically used what looked good, with what I had to portray in the existing photos and references.

The diorama is in 3 pieces, the middle section is the fence part, It can be removed to bring the other two together, but really makes it look wrong then.

Thanks for taking the time to look and comment,
Bob

Odd layout. Something different.

That Tiger is a late version w/steel wheels and therefore needs zimmerit.

A figure or two might add some "life" to the dio.

Overall, though, a fine scene.

Rob

Really well done,Bob.Love the base and overall execution.Would'nt want ot be in either tank at that time.
cheers for 3D history!

This is really incredible work. I love how you modeled an actual moment of action.

Would you consider writing an article about this for AMPS Boresight?

Danny Egan
President
AMPS

AMPS 08: Apr 10-12 2008 WW2 Victory Museum Auburn Indiana JOIN US

Rob, Thanks for the comments, It does have zimmermit, and I don't believe I'll be jumping out of a tank during a running battle between tanks with a little artillery thrown in. But thanks for the ideas.

Rick, Thanks for the comments, Bob Holt was telling me some of the things happening in the tank between shots and I have to agree with you.

Danny Thanks but what can I say, my writing ability leaves much to be desired. I will ask Bob Holt if he would like to and I can just add some items on how I made or portrayed a specific item. I do have just about 1000 pictures from day one so it shouldn't be too hard to remember what I did. If Bob agrees we'll get together and submit it.

Thanks again everyone for looking and taking the time to comment,
Bob

I'm really surprized that the American's exposed their rear to the Tiger instead of spinning that tank around and taking any retalitory shot in the nose, unless they knew it wouldn't matter or something.

Bob Holt explains it a lot better on his site then I could, 752nd Tank

There were a lot of things going on at the same time and basically I understood it that they wanted to beat feet fast if necessary, I recommend checking out the full story and seeing if that was the reason or not. It really is an interesting battle.

Thanks for looking, and commenting,
Bob

Hey Easyoff, They set themselves for scarper! By reading the account it would seem the decision was made to make ready for escape should their next volley not disable the Tiger... The Sherman ended up this way after an initial exchange fo shots and quick re-positioning in the ensuing dust... The TC hoped the Tiger would continue along it's original course, allowing them the first shot on the Tiger's right hullside...
Brad

Great lay out dude.. I can see the Sherman gunner pissing his pants for the oppertunity to make that one shot count......

One thing,
Tankers live with their hogs.....No packs or gear strapped to the side??
-ZIGGY

Making such a long narrow diorama may be a little unconventional, but it works. And also adpating it to ease storage is even smarter. Kudos for breaking all the traditional diorama guidelines and making it work. I really like this diormama Bob. The building and ground work all look very convincing, and the colouring is awesome. And the history that goes along with it ... the complete set!! Nice one.

Thanks guys for the comments and checking out the 752nd Batt, Bob Holt's site.
Very interesting all the details,
Bob

Bob,
Very nice dio indeed. Well depicted. I recognized the scene you laid out from a story I had read of this very battle. Thank you for sharing your work!

Cheers

Dave

Thanks Dave. I'll bet that site was 752nd Tank
We tried to get it as close as possible.
Thanks again,
Bob