Paul, Jeff and Greg, thanks for the thumbs up!

Paul, the road surface colors was a black base with irregular grey overspray ant then I added some Mig Gulf War Sand Pigments with water. If I remember correctly that was about it...

Jeff, you're probably right, there is a difference in size. But the heads and equipment seem to be about the same, so I think it's probably just the difference between tankers and Infantry... Yep, we tankers are small fellows (goes for armored artillery as well...)

Last weekend I added some more wood, glass and other debris to the rubble and some streaks to the inside wall. I'm well into painting the woodland camo on the figures now, a first for me, I'll get some photos up soon (hopefully).

Cheerio!
Stef

What paint company did you use on the figures? they look really good.

looking good! love the camo on the tank! very good!

J (MARPAT) and Matt, thanks for your replies. The colors used on the figures are Vallejo. Got these a few months ago and had an instant improvement... My No. 7, 8 and 9 figures since...

Some progress on the dio and the weathering, I'm now in the final stage. Before I fix everything up I need y'all's help. Any comments on the figure placement (apart from the problem of the commander being in front of the tank, I'm taking some artistic licence there...) or anything else you noticed?




Also, I've prepared some inscriptions, any comments on which one to chose? Or totally different ideas?



Any comments greatly appreciatet! Planning to finish it up this tuesday...

Cheerio!

Stefan,

What about the one on the right with 1 CAV DIV "Black Horse" patch on the right and the Iraq flag below the US Flag on the left?

Is the dio to recreate a specific location?

Looking very good so far!

This is really amazing. I plan on doing something similar to this but with a challenger 2. What sources did you use to construct the diorama?

Jeff and Sean, thanks for the laurels!




That could be an option, I'll try it out. I was also thinking of a title, something like "That way!" I'm not sure abou the cavalry sign, always thought it was generic for cavalry, not just 1st Cav.

No it's not a specific location, just my mind's eye...




I assume you mean books and stuff? Well I did have a Concord book (Thunder Run) to get some inspiration but mostly it was inspired by some of the works on this site.

Cheerio!
Stef

Stefan,

By the markings you've added in the photos, it appears you are modelling a tank of B Troop, 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, that was part of the 1 Infantry Division, hence the "1I-1-4 CAV" and "B-24" bumper numbers. I can't quite read the barrel name you've installed.

The Squadron crest and the unique Cavalry badge are shown here :1-4CAV on Global Security
and the 1 ID's crest and patch are shown here: 1 ID on GLobal Security
Remember, this is from an unofficial source, which may be incorrect. It is also for the Pre-Modular organization that should have been in place during 2004.

You could incorporate some or all of these into your diorama plaque...

Jeff, thanks for the info and link. Just got home from the office and had a chance to look it up. It is 1-4 Cav 1st ID as you said. so I will try something with those two crests and maybe a stars and stripes. Thanks again for the link!

Cheerio!

Hi Stef, Your dio is looking great, I do like the new position of the figs. Keep up the good work. Randy

Allright Gentlemen! Thanks for all the support. I think I'll call this one done. Any more suggestions are of course welcome anytime. Here are some more pictures:










Thanks for looking! Cheerio!
Stef

very nice looking dio, I hope mine turns out half as good.

Very nice little scene. Great work all around.

I was going to suggest some Arabic slogans on the walls of the building, but I guess it's too late. I could help you out with that in future projects if you like.

Cheers
Hisham

You should add more garbage on street.
It is too clean
paper water bottles
Add some straps on the rear of the tank to secure the bags.
Really great
Cheers
Seb

Thanks all!

Hisham, thanks for the offer, but I think I'll keep it this way for now. I figure not all buildings in Iraq have slogans on them...

Seb, you're right about the trash, especially around a ruin there should be more. I only really noticed whan I saw the 3rd pic. Also I should add some antennas to the M1. So back to the bench then... I guess when I come close to the end I get fed up with the project (especially at my build speed...) and just want to finish it. That keeps all the important details off... Well, there will never be a Clairvaux Castle for me...

Cheerio!

Great looking build! all and all it looks pretty good, The weathering on the Abrams looks great. Keep up the great work!

That looks awesome!! Nice work on the painting, great use of the colors! I like the hankerchiefs on the crewmembers. Good visual touch with some bright colors.

[quote]Thanks for the heads up Tony!

Back with a small update:

Base is preshaded and the parts below the surface in black with a coat of future. These parts will be covered before work continues.



The figures are primed, attached to old paint jar lids and ready for some paint. That will be the hard part in this whoe mess as I'm not very good at figures... Although I have improved since I bought Valejo acryllics and prime my figures.



Thanks for looking!

Cheers!
Stef
Stef, since I started using primer for my figures it has made a big difference in the way the paint flows. I think you did an excellent job on the figs. Nothing easy about them thats for sure.

Mike and Marpat, thanks for the kind words.

I took some of y'all's advice serious and added a bit of trash and some antennas. So now I'm done. Thanks for all the support on this one!







Now up to new projects... As always questions and remarks welcome!

Cheerio!
Stef

I think the last set of pictures really are an improvement. Fantastic work Stefan!

The rubbish and junk are really subtle but make the scene so much more believable.

I also really like the way its mounted and the cool engraved plaque is a nice touch.

That figure kneeling has got the oddest pose; either he has the longest torso and shortest legs, or he's triple jointed. Those CMK figs are so hit and miss.

Thanks Jon.


The plaque is a simple print out with a color laser printer and then mounted on a piece of plastic card with the edges painted black. So no engraving.




Well, I have short legs and a long torso, so let's just say it a cameo of myself...

Cheerio!

Thats really interesting I had assuemd it was done professionally!

I might give that a shot myself!