Hello everyone! long time I did not give any signs of life…

I would like you to present my latest diorama (second I have ever built).

I always wanted to build a diorama relating to the history of my country, I try to do rare themes, so I not decided on the second world war but to something more modern.
At the beginning I would advise to read what happened in December 1981 in Poland, it helps to understand this diorama.

From wikipedia:
“Martial law in Poland (Polish: Stan wojenny w Polsce, "the state of war") refers to the period of time from December 13, 1981 to July 22, 1983, when the authoritarian government of the People's Republic of Poland drastically restricted normal life by introducing martial law in an attempt to crush political opposition to it. Thousands of opposition activists were interned without charge and as many as 100 people were killed. Although martial law was lifted in 1983, many of the political prisoners were not released until the general amnesty in 1986.”

And the rest of this article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martial_law_in_Poland

Some pictures from that time:


This is the most known photo taken by British photographer who lives in Poland, Chris Niedenthal. The soldiers on the streets, SKOT armored vehicle, the cinema 'Moscow' with the poster advertising the film "Apocalypse Now" (the title fits perfectly to what was going on). This picture was my main inspiration.

Other:



My diorama:

Starring:

OT-64 SKOT 2A: resin model from Armo. I bought from a friend version without a turret, so I had to convert it on the 2A version, I modified the hatches, built the turret of polystyrene and metal barrel from RB Model. Photo taken before painting:


The car: Polish Fiat 125p, one of the symbols of the Polish automotive in the eighties, called 'big Fiat', 'dresser' (because of the angular profiles). Upgraded toy (approx 1:34 scale), only roughly resemble the original Fiat. So I made new side mirrors, thicker window frames, I put new windows, license plates from the eighties, and I did dirt and slush. Photo before improvement:


Figures: I know only one set suitable for easy convert to the Polish People's Army soldiers, Dragon’s kit ‘Soviet motor rifle troops’, they have similar style of uniforms and winter hats.


I had to change the pockets, arms (for AKMS), shoes, and add the eagles on hats, friend made it for me in PE:


Finally, photos of the finished diorama:

















Pictures of soldiers with eagles that I got later:




After six months of work I managed to complete an interesting diorama showing a scene from everyday life from that dark and painful period of modern Polish history ...
I hope you like it

Hi

Good work, i especially like the civil car, it is well painted and ads a lot to this dio.

You may try to make this dio or similar with the cinema as backdrop, that would be nice to.

Claude

That was my first thought as well when looking at the reference images... what a cool background the cinema would be. The "Apokalipsy" sign could have been the title of the scene. Just perfect.
But what you´ve done is nice anyway. Some of the photos give the impression that the figures are monsters ... I believe Dragons early figures were much bigger than 1/35 scale. The car is weathered beautifully. Im not into modern armor so much, so can´t really comment on the SKOT ... it could use some more weathering ... thrown up and frozen snow and dirt on the lower hull?
One thing I think is outstanding is the ploughed snow and how it is black where the previous gritting is thrown up as well. Thats exactly how it looks here in Sweden, in the winter.

Great diorama! Figures do look a bit big but people come in various sizes. I really like the civilian car!! It's a little gem! Where did you get it from?

really interesting diorama, great job on the plowed sidewalk and the dirty snow. the firepit is a nice focus point as well. what i think is a nice addition is the way you painted and weathered the civilian car to look in balance with the scene. all your efforts show in the finished piece... wonderfully done. cheers, mh.

Thanks for for comments.
About figures:
I don't think they are too big. Your suggestions led me to measure them. In reality they would be up to 170-180 cm tall (with hats), I'm higher so they are ok.
Worse is that they are very weak details ... I would prefer some resins, but there is nothing appropriate.



As I said this is die cast metal toy, I bought it at a kiosk. I had to change a few things that resemble the original. The worst were the window frames, a lot too thick.


Right: before sawing.

And I put thick glass to give the illusion of thin doors:



Photo of original:


But it is later version (but differs only in minor details)

Some more about snow:

This is baking soda glued with Mig'a Acrylic Resin.

At firs I did terrain (from tile adhesive):



Then I painted this and I put baking soda to spread terrian with acrylic resin.



Then I put on the mud (pigments mixed with acrylic resin, baking soda and Vallejo still water).

This is a really fantastic diorama, and represents a really interesting period of history and a subject that I dont think ive ever seen in model form before. Simply brilliant work!

About the only suggestion I would make is that the heads on the Dragon figures lack any character or interest-the restriction of injection molded heads. I think you diorama would be vastly improved if you switched the heads with some aftermarket resin faces which would have a bit more character and would look different from each other, currently all three faces look the same.

as already mentioned, I also like the car and how you handled it.

This is very interesting, I really enjoy seeing civilian vehicles in military dioramas, and good job on thinning out the trim around the windows on the Fiat. As mentioned before this diorama would have been very suited to a backdrop of the Apokalipsy sign on a building or something.

Beautiful diorama. I like the layout of the scene and the look of the snow.

BTW: Is that a Panzer IV wanna be in the background in the picture of the Polish car?

Thanks for sharing

Great diorama of such an interesting period in Polish history, one I was not aware of until now. Nice work and thanks for posting.

Thanks!
I also glad that I encouraged someone to read about this period in Polish history, one of the many stages of the road leading to the recovery of Polish independence in 1989...
This is a good way of promoting the history, and an opportunity to build unusual diorama.




It's only replica built on T-34, owned by the auto museum, lend it to the movies and reconstruction. Photo:
http://www.muzeum-motoryzacji.com.pl/photo/PANZER.jpg

Hello Wojtek,
Wonderful diorama there! I really like it alot. I am very impressed with your work. I too have the armo Skot resin kit but have not built it. How did you like it? fit/finish etc... I looks very nice in the box but I have not done a full resin kit yet and a bit intimidated by it. Would love to hear your comments.
Great job and keep up the good work!

Best,

Walter

I was my first full resin kit, but I had no major problems. It is good fitted, there were not many air bubbles, nothing was deformed (but I think it depends on the specimen). Some problems was with the suspension assembly, it is too low. (but I solved this problem by mounting lower arms upside down ). And assembly guide is terribly overloaded and not clear... Sometimes I didn'd know where to insert a part... So it is good to have some photos of the original. This is helpful when deciding where exactly part should be.
I have some photos and drawings of SKOT, if you are interested, write me private message with e-mail adress, I'll be able to send it to you.

Yo Wojtek,

Splendid work on the groundwork, car and tank....the snow is well blended in the ground. Nice story...I can feel to freezing wind

Great work!

Greetz Nico