Hi All

I am planning on building a diorama from 1944 in the Normandy region. The main kit that will be used is the Master Box "France, 1944" kit.

The story is that a nun filled up her wagon with food to take to needy refugees etc. On the way she finds a number of "passengers". She picked up two wounded German soldiers (From the Master Box "Ticket Home"), a wounded paratrooper (Masterbox "Paratrooper") and an escort of some American Soldiers (Soldiers from Masterbox "France 1944" and Tamiya). The wagon and entourage drives down a rural road where they are pulled into a farm yard by an American Soldier. A group of American Soldiers have made a temporary base at the farm where there is some relaxation time with the farmer and his granddaughter watching on. Enough said.

Firstly a picture of an overall view of the diorama:


A close-up of the wagon:


The entourage behind the wagon:


Grandpa and girl


Some soldiers chatting over some coffee:


Another view of the diorama:



Comments, Critique?

I think that your idea is very unique. It is a wonderful concept. There is room for a lot of expression with the figures.
J

Something special no doubt!!

Your figure builds/conversions look very promising already!!

Impatient to see more!!!!

Cheers

Romain

Hi

An update:
1. I have scratchbuilt the buildings (no roof yet).
2. I have built most of the figures although they need cleanup and painting.
3. I have changed the layout so it uses a smaller base
4. I have scratchbuilt some benches and other props.

In general the figures built easily except for the nun who I could not fit onto the wagon with the shape of her habit. I thus made it smaller and filled it with epoxy putty.

Some pictures:
An overall view of the diorama


Grandpa, granddaughter, dog and soldier scene (see bench and table)


A closeup of the very nice wagon from masterbox and its occupants and cargo.


The barn. The soldiers on the platform will be talking over a radio that I scratchbuilt over the weekend. (Not on the photo yet)


Another overall view


Comments or questions welcome!

Regards
Johan

Looking good. What did you Make the buildings out of?

Dan

Hi

The buildings were made out of Styrofoam sheets and various types of wood sticks. I used a steak knife (got into trouble for this one!) to give the sticks a wood grain look The house's door and window is from a Miniart kit. The "stone" is from polystyrene food containers.

I covered the buildings with a plaster and wood glue mixture.

Tried to improve the building's paint job last night, I think it made it worse! Will have to try again tonight.

Regards
Johan

Looking good so far. like the food stuffs on the cart who made it??
like the use of the tamiya livestock set, I have just been using it for a dio soon to be on here I hope if the bits I've ordered turn up!

paul

Hi

The foodstuffs were scratchmade from epoxy putty.

Johan

Well done I have a small old set from Verlinden, but I have just made some Russian Black Bread from clay.

Paul

An update:
1. Roof structures built.
2. Final layout made
3. Most of the figures partially painted.

An overall view:


Closeup of the wagon:



Some other shots:



Comments welcome