Hello,
This is my latest diorama, of a Kaiser Jeep M-52 Tractor Truck, based on the 8th Transportation Group in Vietnam, around February 1969.

This kit does not exist as a ready to build model, so this is a AFV Club M54A2 base kit, with Real Model Resin parts and Photo Etched, with extensive Scratch built parts, such as shortening the chassis in 3 areas, axles, shafts, springs, reinforcing the chassis, adding wiring and air hoses, air connectors, fuel tank lid, inner tarp structure and a few other improvements.
The Resin weighted wheels are from DEF Model (2 sets) and the figures from Bravo 6 which I modified the black soldier a little to fit a jungle hat.

The Vietnamese temple is made by BlackDog (resin) and all the ground work is scratch built using epoxy and Greenstuff World Rolling Pins. The vegetation is made by The Scenic Factory and Joefix, and a few resin details by Plus Model, such as the rice pan and the little mouse (Could you find the mouse ?)

The wood base is custom made by Hydra Models in Italy.

Painted with Mission Models paints and oils (abteilung 502) over acrilics for skin tones. All weathering is done with VMS pigments and binders, also used for the first time the AK Interactive Pencils, which I loved, for precision details, streaks and subtle effects (such as the "Grunt" written on the door).

Let me know your toughts,
Best
Julian















































Now, some photos of the assembly and painting (Warm light Bench photos!):

Impressive!! The weathering and conversion work are superb.

Thanks Chris !

Very very nicely done!! Reminds me of my first months in the Army because we still had a lot of gear and trucks from this time period.
Clever use of the 'sh-t burning" detail guys as well.
J

I might be wrong but the language on the sign looks more Chinese than Vietnamese. I'm sure I'll be corrected if I am. Very nice composition and details nonetheless. Really like the weathering on the chassis and wheels.

I took from a sign of a real temple in Vietnam, but I have no clue what it says. The photo looks to be mid 70's and that was painted in free hand, so I might have done some of the design slightly wrong.

It was just a nit pick. Overall though an outstanding job. Really like the look of the truck. Mostly a tracked vehicle guy but lots of trucks/heavy equipment on the site tempts me to try one.

Thanks Bud, this one was a challenge.

there are numerous Chinese temples in Vietnam as there has been a heavy Chinese influence in thier culture. cholon which is district 9 in saigon/ho chi Minh city is knoen as the chinese quarter, to a chinese temple would be a perfect depiction during the war in Vietnam

Thanks for the Input David !

I suspected that might be the case and hence the Chinese characters.

I knew that others would be able to confirm one way or another. Thanks.

Very nice. Great job on it.

Very nice man , excellent job , cool !!!

Thanks guys !

Sheer brilliance!!! A masterpiece!

Mouse target acquired! 🧀🐭╳ 😄
Beautiful painting and weathering, and outstanding composition! Thank you for sharing the WIP images as well!

Cheers!🍺
—mike

I thought it was a Chihuahua

Very well done indeed. Excellent layout with lots to grab the attention, but not too much to take away from the build.

Thanks guys !

Peter, don’t offend my mickey mouse lol.

I am always in favor of a nice base for the model, and also at least one figure to give some sense of scale to the vehicle. This was my biggest scene yet.
Next year I have plans for a bigger WWII diorama with a 1/35 Vomag Ausf 88, a Flak Horch and some 8-10 figures with some great ruins and small building section.

Let’s see how it goes. I have some commission work that will take me now some good 5 months of work.

Best
Julian

Wow! You really knocked it outta the ball park! Maybe a little more red dust and some white dust to finish it off. Most people don't know that the main roads had a layer of limestone gravel.
Only wish I could model that good Sir!
Gary

Thanks Gary !

Great work Julian!
Don't know how I missed this before. I'm glad you've shared the build fotos too because it gives the viewer (someone like me who has never attempted PE) a true sense of how much actually went into this fantastic work of art.

Cheers
Dave

Thanks Dave !