Hi all
Posted some photos some time ago. I'm waiting for Masterbox to release their cart with the wounded soldiers, so I can complete this diorama. I'll have one driving the cart and another wounded soldier lying down in the back of the cart. I'd like to put a sign in there for a finishing touch, but don't know what should be on it. Any ideas welcome.

Hi in a word Superb . cheers ian

Good work. I like the story in this setting. The only thing I managed was: where are the tracks

Can't wait to see the final result with the wounded figures.

Greetz,

Hilbert

The figure and horses are very well painted. The emotion in the diorama is captivating!

Looking forward to seeing more.

Chas

ohh...

I'm not too sure about the diorama border. A sanded, flat, dark-coloured border would look better. It looks like chocolate cake at the moment!

Chas

Dio looks awsome but I think Hilbert is right about the tracks.

The sign could show a distance to some Russian town (cart may advance to opposite direction) or it could be a signpost suggesting that cart just passed a crossroad. From the look of the tank you can say it was knocked out some time before the scene takes place, so the name on sign could place you dio near town of German major defeat.

Thanks for the comments. I'll check out some Russian/Ukranian town names. With regards to the tracks, the tank was knocked out elsewhere (probably it was blocking the road) and moved into the ditch, so it has been sitting there for quite sometime. I have a couple of KV books and it is not uncommon to see old knocked out tanks with their tracks missing: either, because they were used as additional protection on other tanks or used as spares on captured tanks. Also, I wanted to achieve an ominous feel to the diorama - a grieving soldier who has just buried his comrade, another wounded and the driver with a hollow expressionless face. There's a rat on the bridge who can smell death and finally, there is the tank, long stripped and faded. A ghostly reminder of a victory that was once within their grasp now seems like another world away.

Here are the rats. Second one isn't clear, but it is inside the rusted drum.

Great scene!!!!!!! I love your ground work effects. Are your plants natural or plastic? Everything looks on the money to me. Congrats

No other words Brett than exceptional work

I used a variety of natural and commercial products. Most of the tufts are Mini-Natur long tufts late fall. I think I saw it reviewed here as a Silflor product called Buffalo grass. It's a little pricey, but it goes a long way. Other stuff I used was corn silk, dried dill, catkins, sawdust, roots from some herb plants and a little straw.

An added driver would be good, I wouldn't put him in the wagon seat though. He would have helped dig the grave, he could be tending the horses or something else. I would include a tarp or blanket or something like that nd maybe a bucket or rope for horse tending gear.
I'm not a fan of the edges either, I prefer smooth base edges. I think your edge is consistant and thought through.

Hi Brett,

very nice dio you made. I like the story behind it and how you set the dio up. The rats are a nice detail. The grave and the helmet with the loose chinstrap looks really convincing.

I'm I right that the cart with horses is standing still? The legs of horses are in walking position, but i guess it' s difficult (at this very stage) to change the horses legs into a on hold position.

Looking forward for updates.



Jelger

All those details are stunning!

Lars