Hey everyone, I wanted your thoughts on my plan for my first dio. Its set in 2003/2004 Iraq. I want to show U.S Marines on patrol with a Humvee.
For the building part I want to use the Iraqi street scene
http://www.dioramasplus.com/site/?p=369
For the Humvee I was thinking I would use the M1025 Humvee from Tamiya Models Japan http://www.squadron.com/ItemDetails.asp?item=TM35263
For the Humvee crew I was going to use the Verlinden Products set
https://armorama.kitmaker.net/review/2398
For the back of the humvee I was gonna get the Tamiya 1/35 Modern U.S. Military Equipment Set http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000WNDZ5M/ref=asc_df_B000WNDZ5M1484131?tag=thefind0009916-20&creative=395261&creativeASIN=B000WNDZ5M&linkCode=asn
I want to have two Marines walking one on each side on the humvee. The 1/35 DML3027 Modern US Marines set. http://www.greatmodels.com/~smartcart/cgi/display.cgi?item_num=DML3027

Does this sounds all right? Is there anything I should not add/add?

I'm no expert on whats technically "right" or wrong with US kit. But Humvees are a total pandoras box - I reckon there was never two the same in Iraq so anything goes lol.

Sounds like you have a reasonable plan for your first diorama. May I offer that you ask yourself what the focal point of the diroama is - what is its reason for being other than just building a diorama? will the focal point be the vehicle?, will it be the figures (vignette), or will it be a situation that the vehicel and figures have got themselves into (a story) ?. Will the aim be to show off your modelling skills, or, will it be to practice and expand your skills by learning new things along the way ? The elements you have selected are all in their own right beautiful models and as an assembly could look very nice. For a first time diorama builder at least you are not setting a very high level of scratchbuilding construction.

I would offer the following advice, perhaps while at the planning stage. If I was to use that diorama base, with a humvee, and some US figures, i would use the black dog EOD figures. And make the humvee an EOD version like in the movie "hurt locker". The figure in the bomb suit, and the one with the laptop on an oil drum could imply a story of action occuring off stage. Perhaps add some street rubbish lying around - accurate armour street refuse set. Consider an arab boy pointing off stage while talking to the EOD team (boy from the master box iraq insurgent set) telling the guys that the IED is "that way"..

Fiddle with your plan an bit - look at websites for accesories and see if there is a particular figure or item that would be great to feature alongside the vehicle.

good luck. Hope I have given some food for thought. If you want the bible of diorama construction you must get a book called "how to build diroamas" by Shep Paine. Must.

Adamskii

Well for your first diorama this seems like a pretty good plan which you could make into a great looking model. There are a couple of suggestions:

The tamiya humvee is a good place to start, but by 2003/04 experience had shown that the humvee didn't have enough protection to be used in urban combat. At around this time there was a lot of field applied armour being used, as the M1114 hadn't been formally adopted.

Eduard have a couple of sets that would be useful:
http://www.phpshopxml.com/blamod.shop/CID/00e3ea92d8434bc14dbb1c734095974a/function/itemPageDisplay/shopItemCode/EDU35778
http://www.phpshopxml.com/blamod.shop/CID/00e3ea92d8434bc14dbb1c734095974a/function/itemPageDisplay/shopItemCode/EDU35785

As do blast models, but I can't find that item at the moment.

The verlinden set does not make it clear whether the figures are marines or army and uses a mix of uniforms. However if you plan on having them inside the humvee with the doors closed, Im guessing that wouldn't be a big problem.

The Dragon figures represent USMC figures wearing the older style Battle dress uniform which the marines were the first to replace. The replacement marine corps combat utility uniforms were approved in 2002 and the full changeover was completed in october 2004. So you could have the Dragon figures, but its possible the newer uniforms were being used.

Again I believe blast models have some modern marines, as do Hobby fan.

Unfortunately Im not that sure on the figures issue, and Im sure someone else can give you better information on them.

However, you could use the sets you listed if you staged the dio in 2002 during the beginning of the invasion..

Hope some of this actually helped, and didnt just confuse you. Looking forward to seeing you start the diorama!

Anirudh

Sounds good, my only advice is to put a warning sign on the humvee, the ones that say “keep back” or “American convoy ahead, don’t overtake”.

Like this one (also a great series of pictures of USMC in action):
http://picasaweb.google.com/Solid34450/USMCMIL2006#

What’s the setting going to be?
Regards,

Adam

Well my main focus is to get better at doing modern dios. I want to get better at modeling. As it stands now I have about 4-5 models done. I would like to do a dio with Marines in it. For Marines have a very special place in my heart. I dont really know how to scratch build.I will look into getting that book. I do appreciate your comment. Has given me some things to think about.

Anirudh

I will look into that humvee armor. Pete says in that review the you can do either one with some added stuff. I didnt think about 2002. I will most likey change the time period just to be on the safe side. Yes it has helped me.

vladimir

I did not think about on of those signs. Thats good you remebered that. Thats a good gallery. Thanks for that. This may sound silly but what do you mean by setting?

Thank you guys for your comments

No problem, glad you found the gallery helpful! When I said setting I meant what is the scene going to be like? But now that I know you joined the “Urban Warfare campaign” I know that you plan to have buildings. How large is the diorama going to be?

Regards,

Well I am going to use the Iraqi street scene. It says the base is ″ x 10 1/2″. I dont know how to scratch build at all. So thats why I am gonna do that.

[quote]Sounds good, my only advice is to put a warning sign on the humvee, the ones that say “keep back” or “American convoy ahead, don’t overtake”.

True...most I've seen over there (like mine) said "Stay back 200 meters or you will be Shot". I have picture of it somewhere, if i find i'll post it up here..

Semper Fi,

Tony

Hello,
That sounds like a great plan, epically since it's your first diorama! In my opinion, the plan looks good and all you would have to add (like almost everyone else said) is one of those signs saying 'keep away' and stuff like that. Great job!

Any one know where to get one of those signs? I have looked around with no luck.

more than likely gonna have to make on eof those yourself!
good plan and im looking forward to seeing it!