I have always been a fan of Shep Paine's boxed dioramas. So finally I decided to have a go at one myself.
This represents an old barn somewhere in Normandy on 6th June 1944. 506th airborne infantry, part of the 101st airborne Div, are assembling an ad hoc group after getting lost following their drop.
The local Maquis are trying to help them find their way.
The whole is scratch built from thin wood, and lit with small LEDs powered by 9volt batteries. The figures come from MB, Miniart and Italeri but have been much altered, including hornet heads.
I hope you like the result.





John

Very nice. You capture the spirit of Shep Paine very nicely. The only "down" I can see is that the barn seems a bit clean to me.

This does remind me of Mr. Paine's work. Agree that the barn needs to be messier. And more photos, please.

my father car pooled with a guy from the 506th Infantry a long time ago. I asked him about it once after watch a documentary on TV. Wow! Those guys were tough. Mohawk hair cuts with a hatchet on their belt. Bill said he had so much camo make up on that it was still there two weeks later! A lot of guys had netting on their helmets'

Beautiful diorama, and I'd be proud to say it was mine.
gary

Beautiful job! Thank you!

This is very interesting, and very well done.
I also would love to view more pictures, if possible.
Were the figures conversions?
Regards
Dave

Very nice !! Haven't seen one of these in a long time.what did you use for the backdrop outside tge barn doors?

Well done, thanks for sharing
Álvaro

Great work. Any chance of a few more close up photos?

Gentlemen you are all too kind, I really appreciate your taking the time to post your constructive comments. I am certainly going to dirty up the barn floor and add some clutter. I have a couple of more figures to add, and I will be taking more photos although the constricted nature of the scene makes it a bit tough.
Thanks again to everyone and watch this space.

John

I have finished one more figure and have got together a few other photos. First up most of the cast.




I managed to get my phone into the box for these couple of photos. The lighting is not right.














Now just to put the whole thing back together
John

Hi John, very nice......I don't know if you knew but the 101st didn't wear US flag I'd patches on their sleeves during the Normandy drop, 82nd did.! They look good anyway.

Jason
Thanks for the info. I did not know that but I think its too late to change and I quite like the little splash of colour.
JOhn

This is such a great idea, and your detail is fantastic.

a very nice diorama with great detail. Love it.
Couple observations:
I would still add more loose hay to the barn floor and maybe the loft (that's where hay is stored in barns? or is that just TV barns)
Also the shade of green on the paras webbing looks too bright(it might be the lighting) most webbing from that era is olive drab color like the uniforms.

Cheers,
C.

Very nice work !!

Outstanding work, you nailed this one perfectly!

great dio excellent subject !!

It was already very good but the new small details made a big difference.
J