Hi all,

I am finally about to start on a new diorama (my first actually) and thought I would post an image of the initial plan for it. It will be about 18"x36" and located somewhere in the Netherlands during May 1940. It is not going to be 100% historically correct, merely a first shot at seeing if I can create something relatively credible from a modeling standpoint. I recently picked up the Dragon Panzer IV "E" Vorpanzer as my first armor kit but plan on leaving off the Vorpanzer parts to make an early "E" model. Below is an image of what the initial plan for the diorama will be.



The idea is to have the tank entering from the left followed by some infantry. Some of the structures will be intact while others shall be damaged. Street damage will be evident as will general clutter typical of the environment. I am not planning on showing any resistance from the Allies so no other figures will be present other than German unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Please take a look at the image let me know what you think. Comments, critiques and ideas are welcome.

John

Hi John,
Looks like its going to be fab, two questions, What scale is it? and what make/type of figures will you be using?
Keep it coming

Loobes

the image is nice, the layout will start you off well, lots of ideas for details and non-parallel angles etc.
One problem I see is that's huge 36" for a one vehicle diorama. I would look to compress it a bit or add more subjects to it.

Sorry I forgot to mention the scale at 1:35. Not sure on figures yet. Since this is my first armor diorama I am not really sure what is available. I have looked at the Verlinden website and see a lot to choose from but I know there are several more manufacturers out there but I am not sure what they are. Still need to research that.

John

I realize that 36" is pretty big for a single subject but I really do not want to compress the size and would rather add more subjects to it. I really want to convey more of a lull in the action than an actual battle so maybe I can congregate some more vehicles, maybe a troop transport and a Kettenkrad in the mix, plus maybe some troop movement along side as if the vehicles were refueling and the infantry passing them up. Maybe I can put some refueling equipment in the bisecting road and have the tank. I am open to options if anyone has any.

John

How bout something like this but w/ a Char B1 (to take up some space - LOL).

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/news/4320

hi john thats a really good idea!
why dont you have resistance fighters hiding observing in the buildings?

or have civilians watching on as they roll past?

cant wait to see this im following this now

I commend you on trying a diorama. They are very satisfying and challenging. I like how you've diagrammed it out. I have to weigh in here and agree with Scott though. 18x36 is very large for a one vehicle diorama. It's liable to cause you more problems than you realize. I would recommend that you work out your scene first, then figure out how big the base should be. The first diorama I built was 24x24. If I had it to do over, I would have created three separate, but related dioramas. The result of my first effort was a disjointed composition with three or four separate story-lines. I would avoid creating a diorama that results in a few buildings, a tank and a handful of figures. A diorama should tell a story, and even better, it should tell the viewer the story of its featured subject.

If you really want 100% accuracy then some space is warrented. I think 36" is really big, however, one way to work with it is to find a picture that comes close to what you're depicting (with space) and display it with the project. That way the space is justified.
Looking at pictures there can be a lot of space in certain areas. If you have the display space and do the rubble and buildings well and make it accurate you can pull it off.

I am probably going to take everyone's advice and trim down the size a bit to a more respectable (and finishable) size of 18" x 24". Losing a foot will not hurt too bad. I can gain a bit more street by lessening the angle, therefore gaining some more real estate for the passing of the troops. I am going to work on that a bit in the morning and see what I come up with. Keep an eye out for more to come.

I really like Jame's idea of having the local populus watch as the troops roll through town It can set a very depressed mood which would do well in telling a story.

Tonight I am doing a bit more on the Panzer. That Dragon kit is going to be a lot of work but worth it.

John

Hi John
A couple of things that may be of help or interest...








Brad

Hey all,

I did a little tinkering with the diorama this morning and came up with some more ideas. See the image below



The diorama is now 24" square and will feature several subjects. I am now planning on an ambush scene. You can see in the image above that a bridge is center scene. I will be planning on having the Panzer IV crossing the bridge followed by a FAMO and infantry from left to right. The majority of the buildings will be severely damaged. I am going to have several Allied troops holed up in various locations in the rubble as well as several hiding below the bridge.

Please let me know what you think of the idea.

John

Hi john,
In regards to the figures, if you are going for one or two then Verlinden is fine i would recomend:
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_0601_1200/1047.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1800/1291.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1800/1337.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1801_2400/1860.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1801_2400/2373.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_2401_3000/2424.html
As to allies
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1801_2400/1801.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1800/1437.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_0601_1200/0711.html
http://www.verlinden-productions.com/vp_htm_1201_1800/1368.html
Now if you wanted more figures i think you should go for maybe something by Dragon or tamiya
Sounding really good so far, i will be watching this with interset

Loobes