Hi Everyone,

I'm going to take the plunge and do my first build log for my first diorama.
I did this for two reasons. 1) So I actually FINISH this diorama, instead of ditching it for a "better" idea, which i ditch again and so on. 2) So i can build my skills!

Anyways, my diorama is going to be set in Stalingrads industrial district, specifically around Mamayev Kurgan. I got this idea when i saw my granparents opening a brand new lamp. There was a certain piece of styrofoam that looked exactly like a hill.....BOOM! A thought grenade exploded in my head, and my idea was born. In the very top of the hill, I am going to put Zvezda's Russian DSHK anti aircraft gun with crew, shooting at an airplane above. The Machine gun nest will be connected to a trench, which has a Russian soldier runningwith ammunition to feed the DSHK. Little do they know, a few feet below them, a German machine gun team lurks through the sewers of stalingrad, wondering what is going on above them and hoping that the ceiling will hold under the weight and explosions.

Here is the Zvezda kit.



Here is the built DSHK






Heres the styrofoam base





Here is the ammo carrier



Here are the two Germans







Updates soon!!!

M4A2Sherman

Great inspiration and now you've committed in public to finishing...

The gun looks good, the figure assembly is coming along well. The ammo carrier needs to wrap his right arm around the box better, or put something in his hand to explain why it's loose and not around the box.

Thanks Scott, I am going to put a PPSh 41 in his hand. Anyways, got some work done over the week, I layed down the base and added some rubble. First, I put down celluclay and then just took things from the spares box and threw it on top. I still need to paint and add some more debris, but this is my first diorama and I would like to know how it looks before I begin painting.
I am 13 years old and school startrs in a matter of weeks, so updates may begin to slow down, but I have commited to not dropping this project!

Anyways, enough talk. Heres the pics!









Thanks!

I think this looks like nice and different dio. Will follow : )

The MG looks quite nice as does the groundwork. I will be folowing this one to see how it progresses. Not sure about the Germans, but will reserve judgment until I see more.

nice job on the groundwork. I'm 13 aswell ! thought about posting the work i'm doing
on a diorama now but can't seem to get the photos submitted on my kitmaker account.
anyways shall be following this build. happy modelling

cool diorama. going to follow this one to see how it comes together as it looks like a really nice scene. cheers, mh.

Hey guys, thanks for the input! What are you not sure about with the german soldiers? I would like to hear your critisicm please.

Hey guys,

Here is another update. I have placed milliput sandbags around the machine gun nest. I have also added some extra texture to the groundwork. FOr the sandbags I used a how to that is here on Armorama. Very helpful!





I also removed the wood that was inside the machinegun nest, I found that it didnt "sit" very nicely into the dirt, if you know what I mean.

I am not sure what your plan for them is, they look as though they are just strolling by and watching "the show" while the Russians are clearly manning their MG and defending their position.

Hey captnenglish,

I get what you meant now. My plan is that they will be underneath the Russians, in the sewers. waned them to look slightly worried because of what is going on above them.

Me thinks the Germans are a bit too relaxed in their poses to be so close to an automatic machine gun. I think you should conecentrate on the machine gun next and crew, and maybe add the Germans in another scene? Good job on the rubble. looks the part.

great work Q, i agree with the removal of the wood and using the sandbags instead, good call there, im also in th eprogress of finishing my first diorama ( well first good one anyway) all i have is a fence, no base e.t.c just a fence so far!

i also am 13.

im not really, im 20, although i may act 13 XD

Hey everyone,

Thanks for theinput! Im going camping today ad wont be back till saturday, so dont expct any updates till then. Simon, Matthew, Stanley, Hellhound, thanks for following!
Frank, Matthew, thanks for the input. I think I am going to try out the Germans, just to se how it goes. Ill decide whether or not to keep them later on.
James- Thanks, and I hope your diorama turns out great!

Hey I think you should keep the sewer, but find some other figures like the other guys says. Shouldn't remove the sewer scene completely imo. Think it could turn out nice.
It's a good idea that you removed the wood and added the sandbags, but I think the bags look a bit too big.. maybe just me. They look like bags of potatoes : D

Can't wait for next update ^^

Yo Q,

Nice story. The start of the groundwork looks great.

But I should leave the two germans out of the diorama...fix your story on the machinegun only.

Just my two cents

Greetz Nico

Hey Nico, Simon. Thanks for thr input. I'll wait to see what im going to do with the Germans. Anyways, now that my groundwork is done, I need to paint. Since this is my first diorama..I have NO idea where to start painting. Could you guys help me out with this???

Thanks a bunch guys!

Looks really good. Im 14, working on my first dio, gotta get a camera to post my work.

Hey minimodelman! Thanks for the kind words. Good luck on your diorama, make sure you share it with us!

Thanks! Where can I find that how to on making sandbags?

You can find a good how to here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/1794

And here: https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/116

Thanks!

Okay guys, here is an update on the figures. I have painted the Russian figures. I am trying to paint the heads well, but it is difficult for me. The heads included with the Zvezda kit are a huge let down compared to the quality of the figures. There is barely any detail on the face and the ears are pretty much lumps. I took some excellent trumpeter heads and began painting them. These trumpeter heads are some of the best detailed plastic heads I have seen.

Sorry about my photos. Im a noob.











Could you guys PLEASE help me with the groundwork! I have absolutely no idea on where to start...

thanks!

Hey for the groundwork maybe you could make those really clean pieces of wood look older or used. Maybe add some rust to the sheet metal.

Good work on your figures : )

THanks Simon! How does the wood look now? Here is an update. I have painted all the groundwork and am awaiting some feedback. Heres the pics!









Sorry about the pictures! I am such a noob at photography I can never get the real colour of my paint into the pictures...