My new project:
Small diorama of IDF forces in Lebanon circa 1982. still working on the layout while I start on the shmira. I am using the old Tamiya m151A2 kit and CMK accesories and Legend figures:

some modifications have to be made to the basic kit, including the rollbar.

I just realized that if I use the third figure from Legend , the one standing in the back seat there won't be room for the 50 cal. Oh well, not all M151s in the IDF have the MG in the back. What do you think guys?

Of most photos I was able to find during the start of the invasion of Lebanon,most of the M151A2 did not have any weapons in the back.You try also try googling "Operation Peace for Galilee".

Hello, this seems to be going very well! Would you please post a couple of photos with the figures on the vehicle? I had the same set to use with an academy M151 but none of the figures seem to fit to their respective positions. I was so frustrated in the end that I abandoned the project I'm ashamed to say. I am curious as to if it was just the sample i got my hands on.

Thank you both. And sure, i will post a pic with the figures. I already placed them in their positions and they seem to fit well. But I will post a photo.

Here you go:



Now, the basic Idea for the diorama is a small mountain road in Lebanon where the shmira finds its way blocked by a donkey pulled cart and they start to argue with it´s owner. Or somthing like that. This is the very first scketch. very basic but it gives the idea:

This is what I mean by a donkey pulled cart:

Which actually are very common in the mountain towns of Lebanon. Also there will be a roadside sign to give a sense of place.




Although Tripoli might get people confused with Lybia.

Hey, Marcos, very nice start.. I look forward to seeing your dio finished, since I was born in Beirut and grew up there

Just one comment about the Tripoli sign.. the Arabic part of it is not correct.. Well, the letters are correct, but it should look like this طرابلس because Arabic is not written with separated letters like that.. (except for some letters.. like with Beirut.. when the "و" comes after an "ر" for example, then it is written separate as "رو"... but if the same "و" comes after a "ت" for example, then it has to be written "تو" and not "ت و"... I know, it's complicated.. but of course, it depends whether you care if the Arabic is correct... I mean no one else will know

Hisham

Thank you Hisham. My wife is Lebanese also, and she already is giving me a hard time because of the subject. She tells me that donkey pulled carts are not a common sight. Then again she is from Beirut, and yes, in the big city you really don't see them. But I have seen them in some villages in the mountains. That is what I intend to portray. As for the sign I will still look for more options. And I will run it by you before I show her, so the arabic is spot on! Thanks again.

Well, you don't need any help.. you have a Lebanese living right there with you

Seriously though.. your wife is right, as far as I remember (I left Lebanon in '82) donkey driven carriages weren't really popular in Lebanon, at least not like they are here in Egypt for example.. but if you plan to set your dio in, or around a small village in the mountains, then it would be possible to see one of those carriages.. but be careful with the clothes of whatever figure you put on that carriage.. the guy you have in the first pic with the carriage definitely wouldn't work for Lebanon.. farmers' clothes in Lebanon and Syria are completely different than in Egypt.

Have fun with it

Hisham

some advance:

A photo with natural light so you appreciate the base color:


And still the picture looks more gray than the actual model!

My Lebanese farmers:

I'm back!

Some pictures of where I am at with afternoon natural light:

Everything is looking great.

Hisham

Thank you Hisham. Now on to pigments and mounting the equipment. Then I will start with the figures.

working on pigments:

Very nice Marcos. it is a pleasure to follow this one. keep safe
Engin

I have a question: The CMK kit comes with a fire extinguisher. But in all of the picture references I couldn't see one nor in any of the better built model shmiras. I am thinking of not using it. I also I won't be using the half windshield as you don't see it much in most of my reference pictures. Also the Tamiya round rear view mirror is going to have to go! As all shmiras in the reference pictures have a rectangle one.
Working on the rectangle rear view mirror:

Now all that equipment has to fit on the vahicle, plus a box of rations:


The pieces on the upper right that are unfinnished will go to the scrap box, exept maybe one of the helmets.

a close up of some of the equipment:

Thank you Engin. I am glad you are enjoying my posts.

Done with replacing the round rear view mirror for the rectangular one. Also had to replace the CMK RPG-/ for a better quality one.