This is my latest dio. Operation Charnwood was when britsh troops surrounding Caen in july 1944.
Please say what you think about it

Hi Eric,

Nice layout and a good sense of action going on. Figures look great, the Firefly looks very clean at the moment so a bit more work there perhaps.

On the building, it kinda jumps out at you, a bit of ivy on the walls and staining on the roof tiles might blend it in better.

Also if possible tank tracks behind the Sherman would be good.

I like your grasses and the flowers are very cool. Lots of good elements here, just needs a few more touches to finish it off.

Thanks for the pics.

Al

Pretty nice diorama. I really like how the sten gun guy appears to be looking at the dead German. A lot of really good elements. You've done a great job on the gun slings...they appear very natural in the way they hang.
I agree with Alan, the building needs (imo) some toning down. I think the roof tiles having been exposed to the weather would be a duller tone with all sorts of dirt and rain staining etc.
Also, the prone machine gun (bren gun?) figure appears to be wearing a Russian (?) helmet ? At least a different helmet from the others in his group...any reason for that?

I think if you take a close look at some old buildings in your area you'll see the accumulation of dirt, staining etc. that you can apply to your diorama.
Really good job on this.
Cheers,
Charles

I think the tank should be a little more dirty.
Alan, the tank did leave marks.
[img=http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/2852/omgxh.th.jpg] but, i think, turf should be torn up and broken.

JJ

Yes, the turf would have been torn up a good bit, couldn't see the marks in the pics, so that may just be a photo thing.

Al

Nice lay out and story. A bit too steril as the others said. For your tank tracks, just look at a construction site where there is a tracked vehical. They have a tendicy too move through the earth which leaves deffinite ruts and that will lead to dirt and gass's in the tracks and drive wheels. You might add some human debri, bench/chair outside on patio, broom etc. Where people have been, they often leave stuff, old rusty cans/bottles and such.

Hey Richard,
The Bren gun figure is wearing the British Mk. III helmet that was issued to some British and Canadian units just prior to D-Day.
It had a more "turtle" like appearance that the older Brodie Mk. I and Mk. II helmets worn by British and Commonwealth troops.
It apparently offered about 38% more protection than the older "pie plate shaped" helmets and variations were used in British service into the 1970's and 80's.

Wikipedia page on the Mk. III Helmet





Cheers

jjumbo

Wonderful diorama, I really like the layout of the scene and the sense of action.

The figures are also very well painted.

I have to agree with others though, perhaps the building could do with some weathering, if only mild. Smoke staining for example on that exposed wood would look great.

Thank you for the comments. I will see if I can add some more weathering to the house and the tank. Yes some human debri would be nice

Erik, good layout and story line, good paint job on the figures, good attention to detail,such as the eyes, expressions. However like everyone else is pointing out, it lacks age, maybe some weathering on the tank, building and figures. When it comes to the figures, this can be achieved by coloration and its simple lights and darks.
But like I mentioned above its great in every other aspect.