Going great guns Chas! You seem to have a good handle on how you want to set things out. That said, I have to agree with Pat, and suggest that you (keep your ground work but) elevate the whole kit' 'n' kaboodle to a height that gives the impression of the cliff face...


I think you are both commendable in this regard...
Brad

Chas-- do you need a photo of the grappling hook used by the Rangers? I think I can find one in my photo collection if you need it.
DJ

I agree. I have added another layer, but I don't think I'll go any higher than this. The back and sides will be covered by balsa and painted black of course.

Samuel, thanks for the compliment and thanks for your comment. Your writing is also of a very high standard. Thanks Brad for your feedback.


This would be very helpful! Also, do you happen to have any pictures of the Tobruk pit interior? I took 1 picture of the Tobruk pit while I was at the Pointe and I wish I had taken more (I didn't have the diorama planned back then).

Today's Progress:

Barbed Wire
Some wooden posts, damaged (balsa, unpainted).

Some good ol' Humbrol enamels which I am using to paint the barbed wire.

Barbed wire after a coat of grey paint. I still need to give it a dark wash and add a little rust to it.

Thanks to everyone who has helped and left comments so far.
Chas

G'day,

I havn't been able to do any modelling this week (banned) but got a half an hour slot in tonight. I only had time to work on the base (i.e building the balsa frame etc.) so there is nothing worth photographing.

I thought I would show you a picture I took at Pointe-du-Hoc, taken in one of the concrete emplacements.

The irony! What was originally built to house deadly weaponary, is now home to a harmless mouse!

Expect updates tomorrow,
Chas

Oh you should tell when you are *really* starting working on your project! I had forgotten to check your thread in a long time!
hey you see i'm French, my wife is a 100% Normand girl and I never took time to go there, such a shame innit?



whaaaa?.. tell Mr and Mrs YoungC that the wine they serve in restaurants is indeed mostly awful but then this is no place to drink wine in France


You're just right there Mike



Good, and when you grow much older you will think exactly the same

Anyway, very good work for the moment, keep on! take care of not doing something which is off balance

Great progress for a fantastic dio idea Chas,looking much better now you have raised the groundwork.

Steve

Following this with interest. Can't wait to see the finished set!

Hey, what's the story on the pronunciation of Pointe du Hoc. Some say "hawk" (like Reagan in his memorial speech there) and some say "Hoe" like Stephen Ambrose narrating his D-Day book. How is it pronounced in french, and what's the story on the various ways that Americans pronounce it?

Cheers

Chas , keep up the good work , it's lookin good !!!

Jean , French wine , Chinese wine , after a few small tumblers it's all good ........... l.o.l. Sorry I just had an Irish heritage monent ...........

Jasond , If I'm not mistaken it's Pointe De Hoe, but when reported in the news releases from the assualt that day it was mistakenly spelt Pointe Due Hoc ......... I think ........ someone correct me if I'm wrong.
Glenn

Glenn I don't agree with you about wine my goodness i didnt know the Chinese did some wine
Jason you would pronounce "poo-hen-te duh hock"
I can't do this any better :m)

Two different answers. No wonder I'm confused!

Thanks for checking out the thread Jean and Steve.

I don't know a thing about the spelling/pronunciation of Pointe-du-Hoc, or French wine! But I do know that the south west of Australia (particularly the Margaret River area) is famous for it's Mediterranean-like climate and subsequent very good wine.

Anyway, back to the project. I did some more work today, took photographs, but realised that I had left my camera-computer transfer lead at my friend's house.

I will try to get it back tomorrow and show you my progress...

Chas

Ok photo time.

German grenadier

Primed using normal automotive primer, the spray can was heated first with hot water for increased atomisation.

Diorama Base

This is how the construction is coming along. I will paint the balsa wood black.

German gunner- mock up



I have started another figure, this is the gunner who will be firing the MG42 from inside the concrete tobruk pit. At the moment he is held together by blu-tac.

Hope you enjoy.
Chas

chas i love this diorama mae im following it with every step ! you have inspired me to do a normandy diorama thanks keep up the amazing work!

Chas-- I just sent you four photos which I trust will prove of value to your efforts. Keep us informed of your progress.
Best of luck
DJ

Thanks Martyn, I'm looking forward to seeing how our projects turn out also.

DJ, I've just received the photos, very grateful. I really like the wooden steps in the last photo, I think I might incorporate them into my dio. I've reproduced your image below, is that ok?


Chas

G'day to all,

Another Saturday almost gone, time to show some of my progress.

Diorama Base

I have cut away some of the base to start building the tobruk pit.

I made an incision here and slid in a piece of plasticard which will be the floor of the bunker.

A view of the floor from above.

Enjoy,
Chas

a snow diorama!

nah im kidding really taking shape,
remember early bed tonight so you can be up fresth tomorrow to continue :!
hehe

Yea I know, I'm going really slow.

Some more progress:

Diorama Base

Here is the main part of the bunker roof glued in place. Eventually, I will cover all the exposed plasticard in Milliput to get the right concrete texture.

German grenadier

Boots given first coat of paint, drying...

Chas

cracking dio chas its coming nicely im going to plan my dio soon for normandy keep up the amazing work duude !

when are you doing your first 1/35 vehicle?


keep it up oh btw
russians werent used in normandy not unless u count the pows that were forced to fight for the germans

I make this bunker, and some others, , I can send you a free copy. Is a vf58c , you can modify the top to obtain one exactly like the one in the photographs, send an e-mail. My webpage www.bunkermodels.com is under construction, but you can see it here
http://www.hobbyworld-e.com/135magazine/135%20magazine/CONTENIDO%20%20135-01.html
cheers

Hi Martyn, my next diorama involves a 1:35 car, and the diorama after that involves a Japanese Ha-Go tank. Thanks for checking out the thread and leaving precious comments!

Progress today:

Still slow going but I'm getting there.

Diorama Base

A few more sidewalls put in. I have come up with a few sneaky tricks to avoid detailing the unseen parts of the bunker... bear with me.

German grenadier

Trousers have received a basecoat. Yes I am using dreaded Tamiya acrylics.

Chas

woop go you lol good luck

i dont find anything wrong with tamiya acrilic

Hi Chas just caught up with this one again and love the progress you are making with it mate,groundwork and figures are both exellent.
I know you will take your time and do a great job with this one .

All the best cobber

Steve

Chas-- pleased to see the photos worked. Looking good.
DJ

Thanks guys. The tough part is coming up, painting the figures! I don't want to ruin them...

Chas