The equipment in this dio are my favorite ones. Again, I'm still struggling to get the figures to look descent enough. I'm still growing. :cry:
Here's the link:
http://one-step-further.net/cltdio.html

Wow! Nice clean build! I think the tank is quite clean. The background is very convincing too.

Well, how dirty do you expect it to be?

ti - nice job. I prefer to see the figures in the diorama. It gives it a 'lived in' feel. It looks like you are working on washes of your figures and trying some of the things people have suggested - Very good job.
Couple of things I'd like to offer on your next diorama. The dirt appears to have a pretty horizontal demarkation along the road wheels. If the M113 went through a mud puddle/bog, the entire wheel would get muddy not just the lower 1/2.
At first I wasn't sure about the trailer not being muddy, but then I said - Why not it didn't have to be dragged through the mud. So That differentiation is cool.
Mud quantity is ok, I might use some pastels and dust the dio a bit more - not much though. And in real life it might be ok as is, photos can take away a bunch.
The edge of the raised base needs a bit of attention. I would fill in any gaps with wall putty/spackle. Then sand it down and paint it black (or a contrast color)

I notice it. That was a mistake.

ahh the tank is fine man it all depends on what you want to do with it offcourse everyone will have their own opinions about its appearance its great!

a biiig diorama
looks very nice, good weathered and ditry
only one question,what is the towing?
regards

It is towing a container.

Very good construction, interesting vehicle and container.
I agree with Slodder on the mud on the road wheels of the 113, the line is too even. As you build, think consistency. You've got large gobs of mud on one side of the track (how did it get there?) and none on the other side. While it's possible the track was more used without being cleaned, the much cleaner container is jarring in the overall story.

Thanks for the constructive crticism. One thing I have to ask. Have you ever thought that the M113 could have just been through a puddle of mud on one side of its tracks? I understand what you're saying but a quick accessment by someone else is not always the exact protrial of the authors imagination.

The idea for the container transport came about after looking at a pic of an almost exact same setup without the dirty look of the M113. The concept was that the M113 was used out of fluke to transport vital materials to a waiting conoy several miles in-land. I think concepts are all too expected and that's the boring thing about it. In life nothing is even or uneven. It could also mean that parts of the heavy dirt was moved away by continous brushing of trees or shrubs against the M113. You can't tell me that's impossible.
Aaah well. Thanks for the criticism.

Charles... the 113 and Container car look nice. The problem with your figures IS the figures. The look like they are the cheap plastic figures that mar most Tamiya products... it is hard to make a silk purse from a sow's ear! I think it is a shame to build a nice model and then degrade it without some nice figures. While the cost may be extra, investing in a nice set of Resin figures might do just the trick!

That's true. Maybe I should just forget about figure modelling for now. Definately not my strongest side. I know I'm horrible at it and I feel ashame about posting those pics but that's it - no more figure building for now. I'll stick too my AFV building. Thanks. :-)

I'll try and practice a lot before adding any figures. I never did like figure modelling any way.

Charles

That`s a fine looking vehicle dude and I agree with the feedback everybody else gave so I can`t really add more to that.




Well maybe you should once try a good quality figure some resin fig or something like that. A lot of the Tamyia figures are really bad figures with low detail. It`s a bit of a pitty for you that a brand like DML, who offers quite good quality for not much money, for 90 oercent does ww2. But I have a couple of resin figures laying around and I have to say that that looks so good in your dios when painted. I did the Russian tankers from MIG produktions and they are top notch quality and after reading some articles on different websites I finally took up the job and so far I`m really satisfied with it.
here are the pics where I`m talking about. Really nice detail and the figures come really alive when painted.


Not the best pics but they`ll do

Wow! Faust. They look awesome. I guess I will try some resin stuff. I'll just it off until I feel ready. I'm planning my next AFV model and it's going to be another less unseen vehicle as always. Thanks or the pep talk Faust. :-)

hi, Looks great and I think the figs are good. The vehicles are wel painted, Nice work!!!

Laurie

Thanks Laurie but I still feel the figures are horrible. I'll just have to hold back until I am satisfy with the results. So, you guys are only going to see models.

nice dio and figures..congrats

No way dude! Dont forget the figure modelling!! Keep it going .......... paint them all! Figure painting may take that little extra effort, and definately more time and practice, but it does pay off! When I first seen your work, it had all these amazing models, but over time you have started ground work as well. When they have been shown together, it has improved the appearance so much. Now you are coming to grips with weathering and tieing them together...... next is figures. The figures add the scale and life to a vehicle and when done well, you will see the reward yourself. I agree with the guys about the resin figures... the extra detail etc. is easier to get a better result, but those figures can be used for practice, time and time again ...... oven cleaner or caustic soda will lift the paint. If I were to recommend 1 thing to help improve figure painting and awareness of the skills involved would be to paint a 1/16 figure. This has helped me greatly.
Never feel ashamed to show your work .......... showing gets advise and tips on how to improve. Everybody knows what you are capable of .... so keep the figures coming along. When they match your armor standard ..... the skys the limit!!!
And remember ..... just cause you got expensive resin figures, doesnt automatically mean you are going to have excellently painted figures. Its not that simple.
If you are unsure about the figures now ....... paint them up and place them, but dont fix them in place. Over time when you get better, you can replace them or strip them and paint again.
But do keep doing them as well! As you improve, you will actually enjoy them ..... thats what happened to me ..... Im now building 1/16 figures more than dios.

PS: I havent forgotten to phone you, life is getting in the way at the moment. I will ring some evening ..... probably when you expect it least! All the best
Frank

Thanks guys, especially you Plasticbattle. That was a very inspiring and uplifting reply you gave there. Thanks for it. I guess I needed that. I'll keep at it.
Will be anticipating your call.

I'm not really sure but are those figures from Academy? that's probably why they look so .

Yes, they are from Academy