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Dioramas: Vietnam
For Vietnam diorama subjects or techniques.
Hosted by Darren Baker
New Vietnam Dio
roudeleiw
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Luxembourg
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Posted: Wednesday, September 15, 2010 - 11:42 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Jay, if you intend the level of detail that Claude uses in his magnificient diorama, you will need twigs.

However, I've covered the tree with some steel wool to gain volume for the leaves, which are to be added, and I'm quite happy with it. Will post pics soon.


LOL Henrik
This is a way to see it, but there is always room for improvement.
Your tree looks better now wih the steelwool , but having a few smaller twigs branching out and thus allowing smaller batches of Steelwool covering that would be already a bit better again. And be honest, adding a few wires to your tree would not have been a lot more work.

Jay, there is a advantage and disantvantage in doing trees in winter (as i did) .
The advantage is that you don't need to work with leaves or anything replicating it.

Disadvantage is of course that you see the naked tree, so there should be as much twigs as possible. You never can do enough of them, and frankly i think it is impossible to replicate a tree completely!

Here are two features for doing trees
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/135

and this one, it must be one of my all time favorites ever published here, the style of writing was simply wonderful
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/383

Like Henrik said, it is a matter of time and energy you are willing to put in it. The limit is a real looking tree.


Cheers
Claude

Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 06:38 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Hendrik,
Looking very professional! What paints & colours did you use for the interior?
Joe.


Joe, I used Tamiya Acrylics. I used white with just a drop of light green in it. Afterwards I dirtied it up with a light wash of Raw Umber oil paint. The instruments, seats, radio's etc. were hand painted with Humbrol Enamels.

Claude, make no mistake, mate - I envy your work.. You are right about the tree, though. However, mine will have to suffice - for now.
joegrafton
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Posted: Thursday, September 16, 2010 - 06:41 PM UTC
Thanks, Hendrik, for the update.
Joe.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Friday, September 17, 2010 - 03:57 AM UTC
Glad you like it, Joe.

I made some headway.

I started and finished my coconut palm (using the method in Cas Young's feature on this site)



I had to make 16 leaves. Hard, tedious work.



The result was good.



Unfortunately the leaves started to curl. Still, it looked good.



I drybrushed the banana trees.





Painted the palm





Did some painting on the steel wool tree



Covered it in Noch leaves.







Quite different now, Claude?
JokerNinjay
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Posted: Friday, September 17, 2010 - 06:23 PM UTC
Hmm henrik for your palm tree it kind of looks like it had withered a little on you. To me it kind of looks like some heat got to it like say a blast from a mortar landed near it? I don't know how your setting this up really say do you want the men to be rolling through an old battlezone or are they strolling in a complete civilian area where no Viet cong were? You said you had a dead buffalo so I'm thinking it had to die somehow right? I'm new to all this diorama but thought the withered tree could possibly work in favor to your diorama as it burned a little with a mortar near the dead buffalo in which I'm not sure where you are putting this tree of yours. Sorry if this isn't the greatest idea but I thought I'd try helping you out. Let me know what you think and I'll talk to you later.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Friday, September 17, 2010 - 07:09 PM UTC
Jay, your observations have merit. I was a bit miffed when the leaves on the palm started curling. The initial tree looked so good. I may use your idea of heat damage - thanks.

The actual - initial - idea is actually an accident scene. The Vietnamese civilian woman and her son entered the tarmac road with their waterbuffalo drawn cart and got hit by one of the Tracks.

The scene depicts the preiod immediately afterwards, with one buffalo dead and another panicked into the nearby rice paddy, while the troops have dismounted to have a look and to talk to the woman.
JokerNinjay
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 10:35 AM UTC
Hmm I understand now thanks for clearing that up and yes your tree looked beautiful before it started to curl but since it did curl you just have to work with it .
Your welcome on the idea hope it helps and will talk to you later.
vonHengest
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Texas, United States
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 12:02 PM UTC
Hendrik: Thanks for the minitutorial on making trees. It is interesting what happened, and I like Jay's observations/ideas too. Looking forward to seeing where you go with this
nolifoto
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Luzon, Philippines
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 12:14 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Thanks, Joe. Unfortunately there will be a six week lull in building as I'll be away with work. Highly frustrating.


I have come to the conclusion that work really gets in the way of modelling!
Steve1479
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Ontario, Canada
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 01:45 PM UTC
Quick question, correct me if I'm wrong but weren't the interiors of the M113's somewhat of a minty colour?
TreadHead
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 04:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Quick question, correct me if I'm wrong but weren't the interiors of the M113's somewhat of a minty colour?



Yes, they were.





Tread.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Saturday, September 18, 2010 - 07:00 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Quick question, correct me if I'm wrong but weren't the interiors of the M113's somewhat of a minty colour?


Yes, they were.

Tread.


Guys, you are both right - and wrong. I've done my research (not to mention the lengthy discussions on this topic elsewhere on this forum)

Here are some of my reference pics - from an 11th ACR in Vietnam dedication site.









Which is why I opted for white, with a hint of Tamiya Sky (your minty green) as seen in the pictures above. Perhaps it is not so evident in my build pics.
TreadHead
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Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:22 AM UTC
Howdy Mech,

Thanks for the dandy pics, they are appreciated.


As I remember them, they were overall 'minty' in colour...but then, my old synapse's aren't what they used to be, so....I checked with another old source of mine that I consider gold, and that is my old mateHeavyArty.

With his permission {fingers crossed} here is one of his splendid reference photos culled from another site he frequents with his expertise.....

http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt314/USMC_Buckaroor/Military%20Modeling/m113a3_05_of_67.jpg


I'm quite certain there are a myriad of variants when it comes to the famous/infamous 'Bucket' when it comes to colour schemes....'minty' would not be incorrect I suspect when building a rendition of the indomitable M113.




Semper Fi!!


Tread.


TreadHead
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Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 10:46 AM UTC
Dang!.....apologies. It's been a wee while since I've posted on this superb site, and can't quite remember the 'specific' way to post a pic..... I will endeavour to figure it out once again.

Any help would be appreciated.




Semper Fi!!


Tread
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Sunday, September 19, 2010 - 06:04 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Dang!.....apologies. It's been a wee while since I've posted on this superb site, and can't quite remember the 'specific' way to post a pic..... I will endeavour to figure it out once again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Semper Fi!!

Tread


Thanks, Tread. I appreciate. I also gathered from Heinemann's book 'Close Quarters' that the interior is a 'foam green'. However, as seen from the pics above, this sort of faded or became grime covered. Also , considering the scale and shadow effect, I think my effort (with just a hint of Tamiya 'Sky' added to the white, might give the right effect. Especially as I will have lots of eye candy inside such as water coolers, Mermite cans , magazines, ammo cans, C-rats etc.
okdoky
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Joined: April 30, 2007
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Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 - 04:13 AM UTC

Quoted Text

Dang!.....apologies. It's been a wee while since I've posted on this superb site, and can't quite remember the 'specific' way to post a pic..... I will endeavour to figure it out once again.

Any help would be appreciated.




Semper Fi!!


Tread


http://i623.photobucket.com/albums/tt314/USMC_Buckaroor/Military%20Modeling/m113a3_05_of_67.jpg
TreadHead
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Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 - 03:03 PM UTC

Quoted Text


Quoted Text

Dang!.....apologies. It's been a wee while since I've posted on this superb site, and can't quite remember the 'specific' way to post a pic..... I will endeavour to figure it out once again.

Any help would be appreciated.

Semper Fi!!

Tread


Thanks, Tread. I appreciate. I also gathered from Heinemann's book 'Close Quarters' that the interior is a 'foam green'. However, as seen from the pics above, this sort of faded or became grime covered. Also , considering the scale and shadow effect, I think my effort (with just a hint of Tamiya 'Sky' added to the white, might give the right effect. Especially as I will have lots of eye candy inside such as water coolers, Mermite cans , magazines, ammo cans, C-rats etc.


Howdy Mech,

I don't doubt for a sec your rendition of the ol' bucket will be spot on...having seen a small handful of examples both U.S. and foreign {I even saw a Mexican M113} I'm certain your interpretation will plug in just dandy...the variations are endless after all, right?

I genuinely salute your efforts at building a dio of the Vietnam era......good on ya pard'!!




Tread.
TreadHead
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Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 - 03:07 PM UTC
Thanks okdoky for your splendid efforts, but I was actually trying to post the pic IN the post as opposed to hotlinking it........but thanks!!





Tread.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Monday, September 20, 2010 - 06:10 PM UTC

Quoted Text



Howdy Mech,

I don't doubt for a sec your rendition of the ol' bucket will be spot on...having seen a small handful of examples both U.S. and foreign {I even saw a Mexican M113} I'm certain your interpretation will plug in just dandy...the variations are endless after all, right?

I genuinely salute your efforts at building a dio of the Vietnam era......good on ya pard'!!

Tread.


Thanks, Tread. I quite enjoy modelling the Vietnam era. Hope this one comes out well.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 05:00 AM UTC
Well, I got some work done today.

I started the base.



The cast of characters grew.



The detail on the Legend resin figures is excellent.



Here are some Tamiya (OD), Academy (Green) and DML (Grey) figures







Vietnames woman

joegrafton
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Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 07:41 AM UTC
Hi Hendrik,
Great cast of characters you've assembled there. However, I'm not sure how deep you want to take this but some of your figures are Marines & some are Army. The Marines are the guys that have a ridge on the right shoulder of their flak jackets & no collar. The ridge was there to stop your rifle strap from sliding off. Army flak jackets had what was called a 3/4 collar in that it had a 'cut-out' at the back so that one could look up in the prone position.
I hope this helps mate.
Joe.
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Tuesday, September 21, 2010 - 06:19 PM UTC

Quoted Text

Hi Hendrik,
Great cast of characters you've assembled there. However, I'm not sure how deep you want to take this but some of your figures are Marines & some are Army. The Marines are the guys that have a ridge on the right shoulder of their flak jackets & no collar. The ridge was there to stop your rifle strap from sliding off. Army flak jackets had what was called a 3/4 collar in that it had a 'cut-out' at the back so that one could look up in the prone position.
I hope this helps mate.
Joe.


Joe, thanks for the observation. I was wondering about that as I was building them. (Also, as to the reason for the ridge and the single rope handle) Strangely enough the ones with the marine flack jackets come with the Academy ACAV. All the dacals etc. are for the 11th ACR. Also, as far as I know, the marines didn't use M113's. Just goes to show, you can't trust the manufacturers for accuracy.

That's what I like about this site - you learn something all the time
Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 01:22 AM UTC
I finally cut all the leaves for my Coconut tree from Cake tin foil. This worked great.



It was only once I airbrushed them, that I was really pleased.





Next I made the trunk using the wellknown method of using a bamboo skewer - approx 200mm long - covered in masking tape, followed by string and finally with tissue paper wetted down with wood glue. The roots and topgrowth was made using unravelled rafia rope.



I sprayed the trunk with gray acrylic, washed it with black oilpaint and dry brushed it with a light gray enamel. The Coconuts are coriander seeds painted in a green-yellow.

Next I assembled the leaves. I started by drilling a hole down the top of the trunk. I then bent each leave to the desired shape and angle, coated the stem in superglue and inserted.







Mech_Inf
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Gauteng, South Africa
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 01:34 AM UTC
I also started on the faces of the various figures, once I primed them.

I started off painting them in Humbrol Flesh. I used this as the base for the asians and the black soldiers too, but added some Testors Dark brown to get the correct hue.

Next followed a thin wash of Raw Umber Oil paint. I left this for a while and went back to remove some of it, leaving just enough in facial features.

Next I went back with white oil paint and added highlights on cheeks, foreheads etc. I also lightly touched the bottom lips with crimson.

I must still paint the eyebrows, teeth etc.











thomokiwi
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Christchurch, New Zealand
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Posted: Sunday, November 07, 2010 - 11:01 AM UTC
Those palms are excellent and everythings is looking good
 _GOTOTOP