Hi guys,

Before I finalize the dio I need your opinion . Below are two versions regarding the positioning of the guy with the binoculars.

Original postion


New position


Some additions

Tank Crew reading newspaper instead of map. I'll probably get nitpicks on this because of the uniform...do you guys think he looks out of place(?) -- it is from the Tamiya Ardennes front kit.


FJRs playing card game of Skat:
Story line: The guys ran away because the one on top of the tank alerted them. The guy in front of the table called on the tank crew in the house


Additional Propaganda posters





Other angles




This probably be the last before I glue everything together.....

Thanks

With part of the story being that he alerts the others, I vote for on top of the tank.

Other random thoughts on the guy. I like how he fills the front emptyness, but there is no clear path back and no easy way for him to notify the others without making a loud noise.
On the top he looks more connected and part of the unit.

Nice detail all around - very well done!

Thanks Scott...do you think the tank crew the house...still fits in the picture considering he is using a pea cammo? As for the void in the front...I'll probably put a bush or something....

yeah i agree with the ontop of tank position...i would like to see the tank gun lowered more level. i dont know what the other soldiers (fallschirmjaeger) are doing ... they kinda look at a different attention level than the tanker reading the ppr. i dont know it just doesnt look that natural how they are all taking cover like they are going to ambush or attack while the tanker who should be leading the offensive if any would be in the tank....just my 2 cents. OOO almost forgot what kind of dunkelgelb or whatever did u use for the soldiers uniforms? i like it keep up the good work
ian

My vote would be for on top of the tank as well. He would be a little exposed up front and for an ambush position, I'd want to be as well hidden as possible. Looks really good otherwise! My only other suggestion would be to move the fuel drum and Gerry cans from behind the vehicle. If things got hot , they might want to get out of there in a hurry and the CO would probably kick the butt of the guy who blocked the exit!

Arvin this is a fine dio I like the guy on thee tank best. cheers Kevin

Very nice detail your dio is inspiring me.

Bodymovin: The story behind the dio is...

The group was supposed to be just resting behind a damaged house (they did not cause damage). The three (FJRs) were playing card game of Skat and the tanker was reading an old newpaper, map and some documents (not clearly seen...it is behind the map) the other FRJ on top was surveying the area (acting as look-out). The lookout suddenly saw something/someone coming and alerted the guys. The two FJRs suddely bolted from their position (see some of the cardsdropped on the ground and table) while the last FJR remained to tell tanker to stop reading and go back to his post.

That would probably explain the different attention level....what a vivid imagination .....

About the uniform...I used dark yellow (XF-60), then I washed it with burnt sienna (oil)...that explains the gloss (not yet dulled).

As for the drum and gerry can...yup, I agree...I'll relocate it probably to the right of the table....

Thanks guys for the very good suggestions and opinions.....

Arvin

ohhhhh i get it!!!!!! lol. sorry bout that. sounds good go with it
ian

When the guy is on the tank, it looks a lot more realistic when considering the story behind it. Vote for on the tank

Top of the tank. Thats my vote

Costas

My vote for the Tank too more realistic, he would be "sitting duck" outside for enemy snipers

One more thing, that propaganda poster is nice, only thing you could make some "damage" to it, its standing there a long time....


anyway, this one has gone to a PERFECT dio


cheers
Mirko

All of you guys so far voted for "Top of the Tank"...then its final...top of the tank it will be...

I agree with you Mirko...the poster in the front should have some wear and tear (weathering)...thanks. And for the rest...thank you guys all of you gave very useful and good comments....

Happy modelling...

Arvin

So can we now agree.... Top of Tank is obvious. Well done, I like the actual ruins and the roofing.

That's one cool diorama, dude. A lot of good details. I like it too because it sort of elicit a "delayed" reaction theme. They were having a card game when they suddenly spotted enemies. I didn't read your story but I suddenly found out the story after I looked longer at your diorama.

One thing though. I assume this is a 1/35th scale diorama, right? The tank commander (or the figure with the newspaper) has eyes that seem to pop-out and bulge out. It looks out of scale. In 1/35th scale dioramas, it's best to just have a wash accentuate the eyes. That would be more in scale. Besides, the soldiers are outdoors so they have to squint, making the eye details less obvious.

Just a suggestion. otherwise, this is a really great diorama.

Angela :-)8

Ciao Arvin,
I have followed you from the beginning, and I am really becoming a fan of your work. I think that the guy on top would make the most sense (height for observation is critical) and I think the differing uniforms wouldn't be too bad, since in the latter part of the war (especially in Italy) the Germans would be wearing anything that they could (including captured allied gear - especially footwear). I thought the tanker blended in perfectly with the dio since he was a veteran of the eastern campaign transferred to Italy and that he was not about to jump up for anyone or anything. He has seen (and survived it all.) He wears the jacket due to frostbite injury suffered in the Russian winter. Now, he is just cold-natured.
I really love your work. Congratulations on a true work of art!
Ciao for now
Rob

Ciao Arvin,
Almost forgot - shouldn't the piping on the jacket be pink? Also, did they make that type of jacket in Camo? I thought it was either black or field green (for assault crews.) I don't have my references handy, so I have to go off memory.
Ciao for now
Rob

With only two choices top of tank and in front of wall... top of tank wins hands down. However I would have put him closer to the wall like on top of the ladder.

Surprised look? :-) ...just kidding, I'll look into that...I'll try to fix that if I still have the time...I hope. Regarding the scale...its the same as others 1:35




Probably...I'll look into that...The jacket camo I used is based on the Ardennes front kit (Tamiya). I could repaint the hands...my problem would be the neck...but I like your imagination regarding the eastern front w/c I think was near the truth because from what I heard they re-inforced the Italian contigent with guys from said front....

Thanks

Rob,

I found it....



I think this similar to what the tanker is wearing in the dio

Great stuff. I think the presentation is terrific and the details are top notch. I like the "you might want to take a look at this" approach and as such the troop on the tank is perfect for this. The idea of the tanker being a veteran and not as anxious to respond, I thought could be taken just the opposite way. Since he has survived, I'd think it would be because he'd not be taken by surprise or for lack of hussle into action. With that in mind I was wondering why he'd be caught outside a "buttoned up" tank? Just some thoughts from the new guy on the block. It works great both ways. Great job and has given me some ideas to work with. Thanks,

Blade48mrd

Blade48mrd: Hi thanks for taking the time to inject a few more good ideas. From what I see you're a person with a good imagination...don't get me wrong...in our world of modeling that is one big plus factor. I also like your interpretation of the dio... ...some aspects I did not consider myself. I'm glad my dio gave you some inputs the same way you gave me....in fact, I added your "you might want to take a look at this" comment in my title list.

One thing Iearned here is that other people may have other ideas that could help improve your dio. In fact this dio is a product of more than one modeller...they are those who gave different comments, opinions and suggestions...