This is my first relatively large diorama in 1:32 scale and was entirely scratchbuilt.

You can read more about it here:

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=474&st=60

WOW! Thats one beautiful dio Bob! Geeze... I don't know what to say.... "Awesome" I don't think will cover it! :-)

outstanding dio! the figures are very well painted and the flags are awesome!

WOW that is awesome!!! Great painting!!
i'll give you 10 points for this

This is incredible! I mean it. I really like the shading on the blue uniforms. Outstanding!!!


Are you saying that you scratch-built all the figures? I would love to see some close-up photos. Please, please...I must see more photos.

You can start reading here and it goes in to some detail about how the whole thing was created:

http://www.planetfigure.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=474&st=0

I sculpted the figures, scratchbuilt the Renault Taxi, constructed the buildings, street scene, etc.

excellent and I also checked the photos in planet figures and my final comment is the same as Johan did. :-) C'est magnifique, mon ami - superbe!
congrats Bob

WOW!!!!! What talent!!!! All I can say is that is SWEET!! Applause!

I saw your dio while cruising through Planet figure a while back. I'm glad I have the chance to see the finished product.

Truly amazing. The figures all look to have a purpose and the scenery ties everything together well.

Amazing.

Can tell more than what s said above...Wonderful work . Nothing more to say

WOW..lovely work.

Bob has given permision to put his work up as a On Display, so bear with me a few days and it wil be up there.

Bob, this is one of the most beatiful dioramas I have seen in a long time, congrats

Thank you all for the kind words. It took five months of actual work and a few before that in research. It is as accurate as one could make considering the sparse amount of material available on the subject. I took some liberties for the sake of drama as I wanted to show emotion as much as historical accuracy. For example, General Gallieni is shown in the front seat of the Taxi next to the driver but it is not documented anywhere that he actually rode to the front in one of the Taxis. Hopefully I am forgiven this display of artistic license for the effect of the overall presentation.

I appreciate the gesture to have the piece featured here and for those who wish to see it in person it will be at the Atlanta Military Miniatures Show in February, SCAHMS in March and Tulsa in June. I may also take it to the MMSI show in Chicago in October.

Thanks again for the opportunity to share. Incidentally, I will be taking better close ups with my SLR camera this weekend as my digital does not have macro capability. I will post those after scanning next week.

looks great, really good painting, nice and colorful, cheers

looks great, really good painting, nice and colorful, cheers

A better picture.

Wow, It looks really great. That must have taken yoou a long time, When you say scratchbuilt do you mean that you made molds for the figures and poured cast them yourself too? Youve made the best WWI dio. I've seen.

Katyusha

Scratchbuilt means I sculpted the figures out of wire armatures and epoxie putty. No molds were made as the figures are one of a kind and will not be reproduced. Things in the diorama that are NOT scratchbuilt are the street lamp, fire hydrant, gutter and drain. Everything else is made out of plastic, epoxie, brass, wood and wire. As I said up thread it took five months to make.

I'm caught without words here.... Excellent is the only thing I can come up with..... this is one of those beauties that catches the attention at shows.... color, action, craftsmanship, the works... Splendid !!

Top notch work Bob. At a glance its great and when inspected further it only gets better. There is nothing left out! The leaves along the footpaths are a great touch ... giving a natural weathering that adds life to an already action packed scene. I love the pose of the driver ... the way he is hunched over... steering .. concentrating.
Im glad you gave permission for this piece to become a feature article. This is a timeless piece that will be a joy to see again and again!