Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:04 PM UTC
I am nearly finished with an entirely scratchbuilt (car, building, figures, etc) diorama of the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand at Sarajevo in 1914. The shadowbox portion depicts a trench warfare scene showing how one event influenced the other.
I will be taking this piece to the Chicago MMSI show in October. This is the second dio in a trilogy of WWI's first few months. The other piece I did depicted the Taxis of the Marne and the last of the series will be on a Belgian armored car chasing down two German Uhlans.
You can see SBS of this at
www.planetfigure.com under my VBENCH section.
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: June 16, 2002
KitMaker: 2,312 posts
Armorama: 1,054 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:09 PM UTC
Bob, I remember your other piece in this series and I still cannot believe you scratch-built everything. Your works is simply superb. For your dioramas, do you work off of historical pictures or just improvise particular topics?
Marty
"If it's not messy it's not creative"
Metro Manila, Philippines
Joined: February 20, 2003
KitMaker: 5,762 posts
Armorama: 2,283 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:12 PM UTC
Oh wow! Are the soldiers on the above pic (with the horizon background) painting or figures?
--==Shonen Red==--
-=Filipino Modeler=-
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:14 PM UTC
Marty, thanks. These dios take a tremendous amount of research (not to mention time to create) and despite the significance of the event resource material is always a challenge. The car still exists and is in a Vienna museum. I do take some poetic license to dramatize things (obviously the shadowbox is an impossibility) but I feel that the diorama has to be a metaphor to be true to the story telling aspect which to me is what a good dio should be.
I started this project in February so it took about six months and I still have a couple of things left to do. If you go to Planet Figure you will see a lot of the source material I had to work with.
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:17 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Oh wow! Are the soldiers on the above pic (with the horizon background) painting or figures?
They are all scratchbuilt 54mm figures. The sky is a transparency that is backlit. Here are some detail pics of the shadowbox portion.
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 05, 2002
KitMaker: 8,074 posts
Armorama: 3,293 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:31 PM UTC
All I can say is WOW!
The Taxi de la Marne was a great piece I saw grow on a couple sites. This overshadows that wonderful piece of work.
Wings & Wheels Modelers-IPMS
"Whatever your hands find to do
You must do with all your heart."
From "Through Your Hands" by John Hiatt
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 10:35 PM UTC
Quoted Text
All I can say is WOW!
The Taxi de la Marne was a great piece I saw grow on a couple sites. This overshadows that wonderful piece of work.
Pardon the pun but this one perhaps "over shadowboxes" the other one. Thanks for the comment.
New Jersey, United States
Joined: June 18, 2003
KitMaker: 1,876 posts
Armorama: 1,120 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:10 PM UTC
Fantastic work! Makes me feel like the amateur I am!
Why not make the whole plane out of the same material the blackbox is made from?
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:27 PM UTC
Quoted Text
Fantastic work! Makes me feel like the amateur I am!
Let me tell you that I have only been modeling for five years and still have many problems when it comes to sculpting, painting, etc. I only started scratchbuilding last year and really had problems with my skill sets (still do). Fortunately I am stubborn and very patient (I think raising kids gave me that). Just set goals for yourself that are attainable and work at it. Over time you will see improvement and most of all, gain confidence.
England - South West, United Kingdom
Joined: March 13, 2002
KitMaker: 2,454 posts
Armorama: 330 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:32 PM UTC
Wonderfull work Bob,top notch,congrats.
Arthur
Kharkiv, Ukraine / Україна
Joined: August 21, 2003
KitMaker: 705 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 28, 2004 - 11:46 PM UTC
Wow, I like it a lot! It is very colorful and has lots of action. You've documented such an important historic event. I admire your scrachbuilding skills.
A common misconseption, I currently live in US but was born and lived in Ukraine for 12 years
Павел Доценко
Singapore / 新加坡
Joined: May 09, 2004
KitMaker: 1,041 posts
Armorama: 533 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 12:47 AM UTC
awesome stuff!
i went over to planetfigure and read over your progress of this project and WOW
you did a hellava job on scratchbuilding!
Pig #126. Lord of Mental Institute, Minister of Chewing Gums
A self confessed Panther-holic
Illinois, United States
Joined: September 16, 2003
KitMaker: 257 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:33 AM UTC
amazing work. and i mean work! not only is the layout beautiful and makes you think, but it is truly yours. everything is your work. that must give you quite a good feeling. superb job, my hat's off to you.
Indiana, United States
Joined: January 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,716 posts
Armorama: 1,864 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 03:59 AM UTC
For those that don't speak the language, could you translate the sign. I know most of it, but it would be nice to know the whole thing. Personally, putting signs is a foreign language is a great way for people to take notice because they wonder what it means.
Otherwise, absolutely wow, to echo others. I always wonder how many screws are loose for some of the complete scratchbuilders. Now I don't want to know. I just want to stare in amazement!
Sua Sponte - Ranger Challenge 2006
A person does not grow old and wise but for surviving the dumb "stuff" when they were young.
Life is tough. It's tougher still if you're stupid.
Slovenia
Joined: May 26, 2004
KitMaker: 87 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 04:14 AM UTC
I can translate hte first line. "Welcome to Sarajevo".
I'll se you on the Dark Side of the Moon...
#003
Donegal, Ireland
Joined: May 14, 2002
KitMaker: 9,763 posts
Armorama: 7,444 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:08 AM UTC
Your skills of sculpting and painting are obvious. What I like about both dios is how unique they are. Today, all modellers attempt to go beyond the obvious tank and crew staring at something, looking to create something that stands out as having their own stamp on it. Both your dios have an unmistakeable appearance and will be remembered. Congratulations again!
IPMS Stockholm
"The problem with common sense, is that it is not that common"
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:21 AM UTC
Quoted Text
For those that don't speak the language, could you translate the sign. I know most of it, but it would be nice to know the whole thing. Personally, putting signs is a foreign language is a great way for people to take notice because they wonder what it means.
Otherwise, absolutely wow, to echo others. I always wonder how many screws are loose for some of the complete scratchbuilders. Now I don't want to know. I just want to stare in amazement!
The sign says, "Welcome to Sarajevo Archduke Ferdinand and Archduchess Sofia." They picked a bad day to visit and it was the first time Sofia went into public accompanying the Archduke.
The street where this occured was named Franz Joseph street and actually was the wrong way for them to go as there was a change in plans the chauffer was unaware of. They were supposed to stay on the Appel Quay to go visit members of their royal party who were wounded during the morning bomb attack. Gavrillo just happened to be on the corner and took advantage of the time it took the driver to reverse the car to fire two fatal shots.
As far as screws loose I think it is a fine line between hobby and insanity
Texas, United States
Joined: March 12, 2002
KitMaker: 219 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:26 AM UTC
Quoted Text
Your skills of sculpting and painting are obvious. What I like about both dios is how unique they are. Today, all modellers attempt to go beyond the obvious tank and crew staring at something, looking to create something that stands out as having their own stamp on it. Both your dios have an unmistakeable appearance and will be remembered. Congratulations again!
I really appreciate the comment. Yes, I try to make things a little different. I think a long time about the subject and do extensive research before I start anything. To pull this off requires meticulous planning and lots and lots of patience. Once you know what you are going to do, have a compelling subject and work out the drama the actual model building is pretty much grunt work.
I learned alot on this particular model particularly about the wiring for the shadowbox. Here is what the inside of the box/building looks like.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Joined: March 05, 2004
KitMaker: 1,735 posts
Armorama: 586 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 04:19 PM UTC
Ditto on what everybody has said with the addition that viewing your diorama has been both an awe inspiring and an extreme humbling experience for me. Just when I felt pretty good coming close to finishing my 3 rd dio too.
Well at least now I know how far I still have to go in my scratchbuilding skills. One can only dream. Great work.
1st. Law of Underachievers
Aim Low Hit High
Victoria, Australia
Joined: November 08, 2002
KitMaker: 2,832 posts
Armorama: 1,500 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 05:53 PM UTC
Well, what can i say, thats simply outstanding Bob.
the concept, the way you have the two parts showing the outcome of this event.
the way its all put together and the fact its ALL scratchbuilt......Brillaint.
cheers mate, and a very very big congratulations!
Upon Being asked why he was being pushed back by a "Comonwealth" division at El Alamein, Rommel replied,
"it is not a Commonwealth division, it is an Australian Division, why, give me 2 Australian Divisions and i will conquer the world for you!"
Ankara, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: December 29, 2003
KitMaker: 15 posts
Armorama: 0 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:16 PM UTC
I served two years in Sarajevo as a diplomat and lived about three hundred meters from that very corner where it happemed. Marvelous dioarama, fabulous work. Congratulations. It reminds of my time in Sarajevo.
Ahmet Yazal
Nebraska, United States
Joined: August 12, 2003
KitMaker: 2,394 posts
Armorama: 1,695 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:36 PM UTC
This is just outstanding workmanship!! I commend you for your efforts in every aspect of this project. Bravo!!! Kevin
Kikladhes, Greece / Ελλάδα
Joined: September 30, 2003
KitMaker: 6,871 posts
Armorama: 2,071 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 06:37 PM UTC
Well different themes cause a lot of interest , and especially when theyre well done like this.
Bravo thats all i have to say .
Costas
Always look at the bright side of life.....with sun glasses !!!!
Graywolf
Senior EditorIzmir, Turkey / Türkçe
Joined: December 01, 2001
KitMaker: 6,405 posts
Armorama: 1,850 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 08:35 PM UTC
this is more than modelling as other Bob Tavis models i have seen before. very very congrats Bob .i had great pleasure trying to see all details on that.
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: May 21, 2003
KitMaker: 1,120 posts
Armorama: 1,002 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 29, 2004 - 08:49 PM UTC
Wow, what a fantastic diorama ! We need more WWI stuff like this. This is incredible work, and your concept is awesome !!
Cheers !!
Alpen
