Total newbie to the site here!! I have built models for most of my life. I have done cars, planes, tanks, sci-fi, 1/6 figures and have worked with all (I think) types of model material (plastic, vinyl, resin). I'm about to attempt to build my first scaled diorama and I'm doing a river scene set during the Vietnam war. I just ordered a sampan and I plan on adding a pibber. My idea is to create a scene reminiscent of "Apocalypse Now" with the pibber encountering a Vietcong attack.

Like I said, this is my first attempt at a scaled diorama. I have done backgrounds for aquariums and a diorama for a small statue. My questions are going to be very basic to begin with. I figured I'd start with a 2" thick styrofoam base and add on from there. I'm thinking of laying out the design on the styrofoam with a marker so I have an idea of what I want and where I want it.

I just wanted to post this so I can connect with other modelers and to share my progress. I already see a few posts that can help me, so I plan on exploring them before I ask a lot of questions. I'll add a couple pictures of what I'm starting with for models.

The woman I plan on adding an Asian style bamboo hat to the woman, painting her hair black and her skin a proper color to reflect a Vietcong woman pulling a pistol. I'm not sure where she will fit in, but when I saw her, I knew that I had to add her. Maybe she will be on pibber. Anyway, I'm dealing with a fixed budget so this will be a time consuming piece, but I hope it'll be a fun one.

If you have any suggestions on suppliers or figures that I might add, please feel free to comment. This is going to be an interesting project for me and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it once I'm done!!! LOL!!!

Welcome Jesse, and good luck with your project! Do not expect much help from me as I am terrible at dioramas, but surely you will find good advice here

Thanks Carlos!! I appreciate the welcome!!

I wasn't sure that I was going to get these two kits yesterday. I ordered them from a place in Hong Kong. Since I'm in the US and I don't normally buy internationally with my card (it has always been paypal up to this point) my bank denied the charge. Once I cleared it with my bank, I sent the HK company two emails asking them to resubmit the charge as the sampan and figures kit was the last one they had. They responded to my second email and now I have these coming to me also. They are both by Paracel.

Looks like a cool project. Please keep us informed along the way ? And welcome aboard !
J

Thanks Jerry!! I definitely will!!

I received the "pin-up girl 1" today. I didn't realize the details that one can get in 1/35th scale!!!! So, I decided I need to do a test diorama first. I've never tried making water before, so I want to make sure I like the end result before I put all the effort into making a larger diorama. With that in mind, I decided on a rice paddy ambush with a VC sniper in a tree. I may have to adjust that a bit as I'm not sure what figures are available for snipers. I may even add a scratch built bamboo hut to see if I can do it. I'm going to lay it out on the styrofoam sheet today. I found some 3/4" insulation panels that should work well for this project.

Fingers crossed.

Welcome aboard Jesse, and your project sounds very cool indeed!
There's always quite a bit of info, support and fun going on around here, looking frwd to your progress.

Cheers
Dave

Hi Jesse and welcome -

There's a lot of talent to be seen on this website - you'll learn plenty! I sure have.

Regarding your build and the desire to keep the cost managed, you might try and look out of the immediate world of model building for materials - there's a big art store near me called Blick's - I visit there pretty often looking for materials - the folks working there have always been willing to help me with finding odd stuff that I'm looking for - or, that I'm not aware of, but will do the trick. Most recently I found something called acrylic gel with pumice - this stuff works very well for highly visible ground surfaces. You can paint etc over it as you wish and get nice texture etc. You can also pour "water" over it for river bottom. Model rr shops are good sources too - crushed rock for balast can work well for rock that we use for ground surface. I try and keep an eye open for things that can be repurposed to suit my projects.

Good luck and keep posting!

Cheers
Nick

Welcome to the site, Jesse! Lots of talent and experience on here to help you if you need/want it. Paracel makes at least one really nice VC sniper figure that I can recall as well as a bunch of other items you might find useful in your diorama. I've bought directly from them in the past, gotten very good service with no issues, and their stuff I've used is good quality.

Welcome Jesse! Looking forward to seeing more photos! Please post more and wishing you many fun hours in the diorama build ahead.

Thanks everyone!! I've been scrolling through the forum and found some great ideas on how to make things!!

And Nick, I'm definitely all about being creative when it comes to sourcing supplies!! I actually just bought a bamboo weave Easter basket on sale at Walmart. I figure that will come in handy when I want to build a hut. My idea is to cut the strips into thinner pieces and use them to weave bamboo mats for doors, etc. I also got some square toothpicks to use as posts. Plus, I have experience with painting pictures, so I am familiar with the acrylic gel with pumice that you mention. I really like the idea of using that like you said. I'm out of it right now, but I will add it to my Blick list!! I don't have a local hobby store, but I have ordered from Dick Blick MANY times!!! I'd be in heaven if I lived near a retail store of theirs!! LOL!!!