hi
here are some pics of my first little dio build, i have ablout finished the ground work and building the kitchen trailer, it just needs weathering, what do you think of the stew? lol.







any thoughts welcome, i havent done meny figures befor.

thanks
neil

The ground work looks good, I like the very even level and mix of bricks, blocks, and ground.
The pole is quite large and without a full shot of it I can't really say more than that. Don't know if it 'works' for me or not.
It's interesting how the harness mount extends onto the frame (base). I would add some type of harness to the 'pulling brackettes' that the horses would be tied to. The two small hanging wooden pieces on either side of the long 'pole'.

sorry i didnt get all of the street light in the shot, its the Mig productions industrial russian street lamp . do you by chance have any idae/image of the layout of the horse harneses?

thanks
neil

Ok - I know the lamp post you're talking about, should be fine.

I'm glad you asked about the harness, you won't have to add as much as I thought.
Harness Image
Most of the harness will be 'on' the horse. You could just add a few 'snap buckles', maybe a chain link or two.

Dear Neil
Maybe some road/tactical signs, or russian propagandaposters on the lamp pole would sort of breake the "heavyness" of the pole. And some more personel equitment, riffles, helmets, etc. around the wagon.
Just a thought, nothing negative, I know how much time and work dioramas can take to make it come out just right.
Looking forward to see it all done.

Cheers Jacob

thanks for the replys, i'll have a look at detailing up the cart harnes, thanks for the link, as you say most is on the horse so shouldnt be too hard.
and thanks jacob, i will be adding more little bits, it is too 'clean' like that, just i didnt put them on yet for fear of loosing them! i like the poster idea.

neil

Great start Neil, keep at it! Nice little scene, will be anxious to see your figures once they are painted. Thanks for sharing them! Cheers!

Tim

Gday Neil
I really like it mate!
As said, the differing materials on the ground really complement each other.
You have laid it out so that there is good viewing of the 'action' side of the diorama, and I'm glad the figures are not the Tamiya soldiers at rest, you know with the bloke standing there holding those #$%^&@ loaves...
In this situation where would their weapons be placed? Would they be close enough to be included in the scene or not?
Great stuff and I look forward to your figure painting skills
Cheers
Brad

hi
thanks again for the replys. the figures are the ones that come with the kitchen set by tamiya and the other 2 (possably going to adda third) are from the new dragon set, soldiers resting in italy.
i was thinking about the weapons myself i was thinking of having a couple of rifles leaning up the front cart wheel, next to the guy on the chair and also a pile of gear there.....small bags, gasmask cases and an entrenching tool or 2. the gen2 dragon bit are really good looking.
my insperation for this little scene was in the book i am reading at the moment, about a german soldier on the russian front, its calledthe forgotten soldies by guy sajer.

neil

Neil - if thats your first effort, we all know we'll see good things out of you mate. Keep posting the pics, you're at the perfect stage to get the details in so it'll be good to watch.

You've done some good figure placement and they are all interracting well, this pulls it together a treat and it feels very believable. AS for the stew though - not for me thanks!

The one thing I would be sure to do would after the messy weathering is out of the way would be to paint the inside of your base black. I think when you've done that it will really sharpen up the edges and it'll look finished.

What a conincidence I am reading the Forgotten Soldier too - I am finding it inspirational as well, a really good read.

cheers
Jon

hi
just a little update, first a pic showing the full lamp. then i have started on 7th figure and started to paint some bits.



thanks for the replys so-far.

neil

Wow neil, for your first you have done very well. Exellent layout and balence, and you didnt forget to have a nice base...many dios look as though the base is an afterthought, like a Monet stapled to a peice of poster board. Excelent work!

I would definatly clutter up the area around the lamppost a bit...some debris, newspaper, etc. This is a war zone, so there would be various bits of trash and such around. Including some leaves, soil, etc on the roadway.

For a really nice touch toward the end, take some clear gloss and "dribble" it around the hatch where the stew juice may have spilled a bit while they were dishing it out!

cant wait to see it done!
Andy