At long last my previous project is completed and I've started on an ambitious Vietnam dio, with 2 M113 ACAVS.

Here are some of the vehicle and figure kits I'll be using.









I have made a rough plan for the dio.



I have selected an A2 size base and I have roughly sketched out the plan on this.

I will eventually need to scratchbuild all the terrain, buildings etc. Even the two water buffalo and the cart.



I will not use all the figures from the various kits. The figures from the Tamiya ACAV goes into the spares box as their pose wouldn't fit. I'll also probably just use the grenadier from the Dragon Air Cav kit.

More updates soon

Promises to be good. Is there a lot of difference between the 2 M113s? being that one is Tamiya and one Academy.

Maurice, both kits have some pros and cons. Overall I think the Academy one has more detail - especially on the interior.

I made some progress on the ACAVS.

Here is the interior of the Academy one, with lots of nice detail. I'll use this one with ramp open and crew debussed, to showcase the interior.



Here's the Tamiya one. It's not as detailed, but the ramp on this will be up anyway.



I also got some roadwheels done

I primed the hulls and interiors

Mech_Inf
Looking good so far. I will be following this one. I also have the Academy and Tamiya M113's. Keep up the good work. Looking foeard to your updates.
Tom

Nice work, so far! The Academy kit is really a superior kit, even up against the Tamiya one, but both look good. I'll follow this project closely, as I have several M113 kits/dioramas planned.

Rod

Thanks, guys. Yes, the Academy one is superior, but I found it has a few frustrating 'fiddly' bits that are unnecesseraly complex. I'll try to get some close-ups today.

Nice idea for a diorama - this wouldn't be inspired by Larry Heineman's excellent book, 'Close Quarters' by any chance..?

Just curious...

acav out

Yo Hendrik,

That's indeed a ambitious diorama. It's good to make a drawwing like you did...so you have already a view how its gona be.

Following this one.

Greetz Nico

Acav, the diorama was not exactly inspired by 'Close Quarters', but I re-read it as part of my research, and the eventual idea does owe a great deal to it.

I'm going to have to do a small layout change though to make it artistically more appealling.

Thanks, for your comments, Nico

Here is a close-up showing the great interior detail on the Academy model.



I also did some scratchbuilt trees.



I completed two Tamiya figures. Both needed a lot of cleaning up.



I gave this one an M16 from the DML M16/AR15 kit set. The Tamiya one is very bad.

I changed the layout a little as I believe the new layout will be more pleasing to the eye. It should lead the viewer from the paddy (lowest point) to the jungle backdrop (highest point.) The rear ACAV will have its ramp down to show interior detail (Academy kit)

I managed to cover my wire tree with some air drying clay.







I also added a mioke stalk to the CVC hekmet of the Tamiya crew member. I think I'll still remove the actual mike as it seems a bit big.



I added a more detailed cargo pocket to this figure's trousers.

Hey I don't think you should remove the mic completely if it's just plastic you could probably just shave or file it down to a realistic size. I think the mic overall is a good addition to the character. Good job on everything and keep it up.
Cheers

Hi Mech_inf,
Your tree look realistic and nice shape. How high of this tree? Looking forward to see your update and have a nice day.
Thanan

Jay, thanks, I'll keep the mike, maybe make one from styrene strip rather as it will be closer to the real thing.

Prasert, the tree is about 15 - 20 cm high.

Hi Hendrik,
I'll be following this one closely too, as I have all the kits you are using. Looks like it's going to be a good one!
Good luck.
Joe.

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

Hi,

sorry for being so direct this morning with everyone.
Where are the twigs of your tree? The tree does not end with thick branches?
I would strongly recommend some redoing of the tree, when you are back in a few weeks.

Cheers
Claude

Will he need thin branches if he covers the tree with leaves and what not anyways? I'm new to the dioramas and just wanted to clear things up if I will do a tree in the future.

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.

Here is a picture of the tree with steel wool foliage - primed in grey and later covered in dark brown.





I also painted the banana trees.

They started off like this:



Ended up like this after a coat of paint. Dry brushing still to be done.





I also did some painting and dry brushing to the insides of the vehicles.









Well, back to work...

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