This is my first attempt at a full-blown diorama. In fact, it's my first attempt at several features (water, scratch-built trees and structure, AFV, etc.) I've mainly worked on larger scale, single-figure vignettes in the past. I'm hooked on the smaller scale.

I've seen quite a few posts on this site with a WWII Pacific theme, so I know I'm not breaking new ground here - but I visited the Marines museum in Quantico last year which served as the inspiration of this project. The basic premise is a small slice of a larger amphibious assault - in this case a landing vehicle and its Marines overcoming a seawall and attacking a bunker position. I thought I'd tell the story from two sides - the Marines and the assault as well as the Japanese defense of the position.

I've finished 95% of the dio and have started working on the figures. When complete, I'll have 8-10 figures on the base. I plan to scratch-build one or two because I can't seem to find the pose I'm looking for.

This site has been a treasure trove of experience and knowledge so any feedback (critical or otherwise) is welcome. After all, I don't know what I don't know.

From the assault viewpoint...





From the defensive viewpoint...


Couple of shots of the first figure...



If there's interest, I'll post more progress shots down the road.
Jim

I'm Interested! Show more please!

looking good! great first attempt!

Good series of firsts. Nice job. Good composition, nothing is square, the space is filled well. The techniques look good.
One small thing I noticed is that there is a gap under the tracks on the left side. I looked a second time and I think I get what you're trying to show but it looks a bit to much like it was placed there. The soft sand and kicked up water would soften everything and flatten out.

Its been a long while, but I've finally had some time to devote to the bench. The cast of characters is beginning to grow. Figures are Dragon and Masterbox. Doing some heavy conversions to some of the Dragon figures to accomodate the poses I'm looking for. The Marine kneeling against the sea wall and the other running toward the wall (obvious) are the conversions so far.

I'm also going to put a guy on the 50 cal and one jumping over the starboard side of the LTV. Looking forward to wrapping this one up soon.

As always any and all comments are welcome.

Nice one Jim. For so many firsts, I think you did an excellent job. The only thing I dont like is the way the LVT hangs over the edge of the base. If your base was 2 inches longer and had more water, it would have lifted it a really high level. The water looks brilliant ... maybe that whay i want more of it!!

Finally! After a number of starts and stops and countless F-Bombs, I've finished this thing. All in I have about 200 hours in it. That's probably high given the size of the piece, but many of those hours were trial and error - especially on the figure sculpting.

Happened to have the camera handy while I was sculpting the 50 cal gunner



Some shots of the completed dio...













As always comments and feedback are welcome. On to the next project.

the eyes on the BAR gunner are sweet! great job.

That is absolutely fantastic, you did an excellent job on those figgies!


What did you sculpt with?

Thanks for the kind comments. Believe it or not, I used Milliput Silver Grey. I did one layer to get the general musculature. I then rolled a second very thin layer using wax paper and talc powder. Draped that layer like clothing. Third even thinner layer was used to make pockets, etc.

Well, big congrats to you Sir!!

Very well done indeed!!

Cheers

Romain

I've modified figures, before, but never had the "jingle bells" to try and scuplt one from scratch. That's some awesome work you did. If I may make one suggestion, no badgering intended, you may want to give the lvt a coat of future. This will give it the appearance of having just landed and still being wet. But, I just can't get over those figures. I've only started my scale figure schooling.

Jim

That is some nice work, figures look great. And I second Matt, a light misting of Future on the bottom and sides, with some splash on top and in the crevices would look like it just came out of the water.

Great work.

Kevin

Thanks Matt and Kevin. That kind of feedback is exactly why I love this site. After all the hours thinking about and working on this project, I never once thought about giving the LVT a wet look. Newb for sure. My problem though, is that the vehicle is bolted to the base and all the figs are pinned in. I'm afraid airbrushing is out of the question. I wonder if really thinned gloss medium would work? I could brush it on with better control.

Jim