Hi guys!

I recently finished my 2nd dio (you may remember my first one. I tried to implement all the advice that I had received, and I think it turned out well. Frank Glackin's "A Hell of A Way to Die" feature helped me greatly, as did all the members here who responded to my numerous questions. Thank you!

I used Tamiya's 75mm A3 Sherman kit and DML's Gen 2 Tarawa infantry set. I gave some of the figures Tamiya weapons, since the DML ones seemed big.

I am open to all constructive criticism.








More pics HERE

Thanks for looking,
Samuel

Looks very good Samuel, well done! For a second dio, there is not much left to say, you are good for No.3

I must admit that i don't understand the pot on the palm thing! What is that for, apart from holding the well done branches?

Cheers
Claude

Besides the wrong tank for Tarawa, for a second diorama it's pretty good.
The sand looks great, and the logs look realistic.
A couple of suggestions would be just a little more research on the topic.
There are some great write ups here to help the top of the trees, great leaves and trunks by the way.
You have started some great work, look forward to seeing some more.
Bob


Forgot, Just change the name from "Tarawa" to "Luzon" and paint the helmets a solid color since they should be Army and not USMC.

Hi Samuel, a nice dio you have there.
Very impressive for your second!

I just have a couple of points you may find useful:

- The sherman looks great, and its good to see you have tried to correct a couple of its flaws, such as raising the weld seams. However, there are several other fixes you can do to the kit, all of which are listed on the excellent US army models website HERE
- Im not 100% but I think the markings are incorrect for Tarawa. The tanks there had an elephant logo and yellow lettered names. However, they are correct for the theatre, so no biggy.
- The figures are very well done but I think the helmet camo needs a bit of work, the colours contrast to much. Perhaps some washes would help? I think lots more smaller dots would look better.
- The beach debris looks great.
- The stowage panier on the back of the sherman is crying out for some stowage! Get Italeri's jerry can set (cheap and great value) and fill up the rack with the US jerry cans.
Pacific theatre tanks often carried a full load as supplies had to be shipped into the island.
- Nice subtle weathering on the Sherman by the way, a nice dusty feel.
- The palm fronds look very very good, although the 'pot' Claude talks about does look a little strange, it could do with some texture perhaps?

Overall a great dio, well done.

James

Hi Samuel,

You are getting there with the palms. Suggestions:

-Although the trunks are just about spot on, give them a bit of a bend instead of dead straight (the trunks bend under the weight of the canopy).

-Not sure about the orange blob. The centre of a palm tree contains dead growth, seeds or nuts. This can be replicated using string, 'hundreds and thousands', seeds or peppercorns.

-The fronds are a good shape, but the individual shreads are too thick. Try cutting them finer next time. Also, mix up the colour using some yellows, browns and greens. Fronds tend to go a yellowy colour progessing to a brown when dying. (dying fonds are found in the lower canopy area).

The sand is excellent! Keep on modelling mate.

If you would like any more help or pictures, drop me a PM.

Chas

Hey Samuel,
Your skills are improving big guy! Besides what the others have pointed out, I would suggest varying the wooden color tones of the tools stowed on the next vehicle you build. Not neccessarily different colors but rather subtle variations. Anyway, hope that made sense, your doing a great job, keep on modeling!

Hi Samuel. Im very glad my dio feature helped ... makes writing the article, all worthwhile.
You´ve done a great job, even more so considering its your second. Your sand, figures and tank are all great ... the foilage and tree trunks are very nice as well. The only thing I think you should touch-up is plastic "pots" on top. Some white glue, static grass and some brownish colour will, both hide, and fix this.
Looking forward to # 3.

Nice scene Samuel, very well done for number 2! You've managed to complete 2 more than I ever have!

Your Sherman finish and weathering has come out great. Like your placement of figures as well. Thanks for sharing your photos...looking forward to the next one of yours!

Cheers -
Tim

nice dio. great job on the tank and figures..i like the shoes. the tree trunks are ok. but the top most part holding the palm leaves look so alien to me. you could use dried accorn pod as branch network for the palm leaves. they have the same arrangement. for the leaves i suggest..feathers shape them and hi-light the main stem.. i did mine and it look good. the tank served in luzon, philippines. i guess a few island hoping and you're there. here's a picture of palm trees..hope this will help.


Shot with Canon DIGITAL IXUS i at 2006-05-09

you did a good job on your dio. happy modeling.

Sam-- nice work!.. I would follow the recommendations on creating more coconuts for the palm trees. Paint the figure helmets a solid green, proudly call them Soldiers invading Luzon (or any other place the Army went ashore in the Pacific.)
Well done.
DJ

Thanks for all the helpful replies! I've never had this many before.

I agree that the palms need some work. I didn't know what to use to hold the branches in place, so I used modeling clay that I then painted. I will certainly implement some of the excellent suggestions, however.

As for location, I was a bit unsure myself. Given your advice, it seems Luzon is the best location. My only question, though, is if the setting (fallen logs on a sandy beach) is appropriate. For some reason I thought the Phillipines were less sandy. Ed would probably know best since he lives there! Also, is this the only place A3's served in the Pacific?

One other thing that I need help on is the name. I had considered something like "Inch by Inch - The battle for Tarawa". Other than changing the location to someplace like Luzon, is there a better name?

Again, thanks for the informative and encouraging replies.

Thanks,
Samuel

You must be doing something right then!!

Thanks Frank! It's good to know that I'm on the right track.