Hello everyone. I wanted to show my current work in progress (specifically the dio base) and get any constructive feedback on it. The scene will be set in Poland 1939 and will be in 1/35 scale. The base will have four Scenic Factory Pine Trees in the spots where there are toothpicks sticking out. These are already completed, but will be put on after all the models and figures are in place.
Future photos will show my WIP of the vehicles and figures I plan to put on the base. These will include an Sd.Kfz. 222 (Tamiya- primed and ready for painting), DKW NZ 350 (Tamiya- built, now adding cables and fine details), and a BMW R12 (Zvezda- not yet started).
Let me know what you think.

VR
Tim

Judging by the ground work I'd say you are off to a good start. Anxious to see more.

Superb looking groundwork ! I will stay tuned !
J

Thanks, guys!

I will take some photos over the weekend of the WIP on the models.

Appreciate any and all feedback.

VR
Tim

Great attention to detail ...realistically random forest debris. Nice touch with dust/mud wash on roadside grass, also.
Often overlooked is the framing of the diorama itself, which you've achieved to great effect...very creative!

Overall - Two Thumbs Up!!!

Looking forward to the finished product.

Looks very nice. Love to know what products you've used.
I usually build the base after the vehicles and figures. I wonder if you, or I, am the norm...

Richard- thanks for the compliments!

Ralph- Most of the scenery products I used were from The Scenic Factory (the pine trees, the forest floor, dead fall, grasses, bushes). John Hoenig has a great line of products that really are helpful to modelers.
The rocks in the forest are made from hydrocal using model railroad castings.
The road is made from a mixture of Durham's Water Putty, gravel from outside, brown acrylic paint, a dollop of white glue and a little bit of fine sand. I eyeballed the mixture and did not really measure specific quantities of each ingredient. The ruts are made from a home made "wheel" jig.
Once the road was dry I applied various brown washes. Once the washes were dry I used pigments (brown, grey, tan) in random areas over the road.

VR

Tim

Hello Everyone,

A quick update with some WIP photos. Let me know what you think. I apologize if the photos are a bit dark.

VR

Tim

Yep,that'll work. Johns' stuff really is top notch,I agree. The trees really pull it all together.
J

I had a vision of the scene and the vehicles I wanted to depict in that specific setting. So for me this specific dio was built around the dirt road and the pine trees. I made a very detailed paper and cardboard mockup of the scene and the models that I wanted to use. Everything seemed to work so I went for it. I did not want to lose what I had in my head so I started the base and groundwork. As I was going along I decided to begin work on the 222 and DKW. Not sure how most do it or what the norm may be, but like I said, this worked for me!

Thanks for encouragement, Jerry!

Those tall pines are a great addition. Also looks like you are tricking out the motorcycle a bit. Great work.

Spent some more time last night on the motorcycle. Will take photos soon.

Hello Everyone,

Finished up the wiring of the DKW NZ350. Here are the photos before priming. The saddle bags are not attached yet. More to come in this build.

VR

Tim

I was looking at my Sd Kfz 222 and I am unhappy with the MG34 that came with the kit. Any recommendations on an aftermarket one?

Looks like this is going to turn out great.
Ground is very nicely done.
Will stay tuned.

Tom

Stunning work on the dio, just a question, someone told me that the version of the Tamiya's 222 cannot be used in the first stage of the war, it's true?

You are correct, the Tamiya kit (if built OOB) would have been a sub-type used later on. With modifications (as I have tried to depict) the Tamiya kit could be used as a vehicle that might have been used early on in the war. I have modified a few parts of the kit such as the stowage box on the left hull. I cut off the rear part of the box and added plastic card to fill it in. I also added a storage box to the back deck area above the engine. I intend on leaving off the rear armored cover for the engine access louvers. The smoke canisters will not be used on my build. Also I filled in the kit mounting holes for the jerry can racks. Overall I believe the minor modifications that I have made will make the kit appear to look like an earlier version. I know that it may not be the "perfect" example of a 222 used in Poland, but it makes me happy to try my hand at modifying the great classic Tamiya kit.

Tom- thanks for the kind words!

I know that it may not be the "perfect" example of a 222 used in Poland, but it makes me happy to try my hand at modifying the great classic Tamiya kit.

That's what modeling is all about. Have fun, be happy!

Tim This already looks outstanding, and that was b4 you added the trees! You will be adding troops or just the vehicle crew? Great start, Keep at it, I'll be following this!
Dave

Dave- Thanks for the compliments! I will be adding the 222 crew, motorcycle riders and a couple of dismounts.

Quick update: started work on the Zvezda BMW R12. It's a really fun build so far. Lots of little pieces and weld seams to fill. Each of the wheels is split into two pieces as well as each fender. Also the saddle bags have a seam all around them because they are split into two sections. Nothing a little Mr. Surfacer 500 and some sanding can't fix.

Progress has slowed some on the dio so I thought I would give a listing of the scenery products I used.

Scenic Factory:
Pine Needles (Fine) Distressed
Pine Needles (Fine) Green
Scenic Shrubs (Dark Green/Medium Green Blend)
Scenic Tufts (Autumn Blend) 6/12mm
Scenic Tufts [Summer-Late Summer Blend] 4/6mm
Shrubs/Flowers (Yellow)
Dead Fall Mix
Forest Floor - Green/Summer
10" Pine Tree Kit - 2 trees
8" Pine Tree Kit - 2 trees

Scenic Express:
12MM Late Summer Pasture Mat(ripped off pieces, not the whole mat)

Verlinden:
Static Grass (green and brown mixed together)

The rocks are made from Woodland Scenics Molds and hydrocal with grey, tan and black washes.

Ground Work AWESOME. Waiting for more on the vehicles. Thanks for posting.