My first dio for 2005 in progress for the Ardennes Offensive campaign.

Basically, the story behind this dio would be an ambush scene. 2 Us infantry at the rear ready to hop in the Steyr, shoot the driver (not yet finished) and the US rifleman hiding behind a rock (or a small German guardhouse) is ready to shoot in the German officer observing the battlefield.

The setting would be in a snow battlefield. Some big rocks on the empty sides. The Steyr is passing though an improvised (dirt) road.

I'll be putting in a lot of stuffs in the rear of the Steyr such as medicine packs, ammo etc.

Photos:







Some problems:

1. Is the title good enough?
2. Would the finished dio itself give the viewers a complete story of what's going on?
3. On what side should be the front in which I can put in the title?
4. The dio is a combination of snow, dirt and some wet mud, what sould the color of the frame? Ideas?
5. Suggestions? Other ideas to make the dio better?

PS. the stuff I'll be using here is pure Tamiya stuff in preparation for the Tamiya con here. So no DML etc stuff to be added

Ahh yes, the Battle of the Photo frame, 1944, i remember this one well... :-) :-) :-) well the figs and car look good mate, so start the dio!
cheers

Oh yeah. Just got an idea.



Is this fig set good in terms of detail? I want to spice the dio a bit

Maybe it's just me, and I've never been in combat, but the spacing seems a little tight.

Like everything is a little too packed together.
I think it would be hard to get that many guys that close to the enemy unnoticed.

If you can get a really surprised look on the Germans faces "Where did they come from?!?:", maybe that would sell the story to me better.

But since the groundwork is not in place yet, maybe the cover/concealment will help with the story.

Mike

Thanks MLD. Yep, there would be lots of concealment, especially near the rifleman. Rocks and such would be placed there.

1. Is the title good enough?

Although you're not the first on to use it, I really like the ambush theme and the name "Ambush" for a diorama. I'd keep it!

2. Would the finished dio itself give the viewers a complete story of what's going on?

If you'll complete it like you tell it here, I think it will!

3. On what side should be the front in which I can put in the title?

I'd put the name on one of the long sides of the dio.....probably the opposite side of your keyboard if you understand what I mean!

4. The dio is a combination of snow, dirt and some wet mud, what sould the color of the frame? Ideas?

Black....maybe gloss, just what you like. But black is for sure!

5. Suggestions? Other ideas to make the dio better?

I like the idea of the rocks, but how about a tree on one side of the road, and some sort of a fench along side the road (not sure if fench is excactly the word I should use here...but I hope you get the point anyway)

Well, hope that was of some help....sounds like you're gonna make a wonderfull dio!

Greetings

Shonen, when I think of the Battle of the Bulge...

1) I think of an initial German armor onslaught that crushed the Americans.
2) I also think of Bastogne where paratroopers were defending the town.
3) I think of a lot of small groups of mixed American units confused and fighting defensively against German tanks
4) Unfortunately I think of Malmedy
5) I think of an organized Allied counterattack.

A small American ambush of a German truck does not come to mind. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there didn't seem to be too many images of American victory at the Bulge until organized units started pushing back Germans in force.

That is my initial thoughts

Ralph ...your command car is the wrong color bud! Grey went out by the end of 1943 we are supposed to be in December 44 ...At least is should be dark yellow if not 3 tone camo.

Rick

I disagree. Due to the shortcoming of paint, some vehicles were painted in grey again, some even in german uniform paints!

So a vehicle in german grey wouldn't be impossible!

However I think the 3-tone was more seen!

Shonen-red -

I think the space is a little cramped for the idea your trying to portray, but that the theme of "Ambush" or "Surprise" is definitely a very good one and plausible. Remember that early in the "Ardennes" offensive, though it was not snowing, there was a great deal of fog (almost impossible to "show") and much fighting took place at night (again could be hard to "model"). Roads were not always roads but could quickly turn into "trails". The closeness of trees, rocks, etc. along some of these roads made them seem almost on top of you. So coming out of the woods or around a corner on patrol or scouting, you could be almost on top of someone before you knew it or even pass by without seeing each other. Additionally, in the confusion and lack of visibility, it was probably a fairly common occurance where advance elements of German forces would be checking terrain/location, and run into a patrol or the other way around. So maybe an "Ambush/Surprise" combined theme would work better? Also I think the Schwimmwagen you showed would work better and fit your more into your space. Just some of my thoughts that may/may not help. I definitely think you're on the right track with a great idea.

Blade48mrd

Thanks for the comments guys! I really appreciate them

About the color of the vehicle:

I choose to use German grey because:
1. It's easier to do (I still suck in using my AB)
2. It's an unusual vehicle (I know MOST are in camo but I still THINK that there'll be left overs from previous battles)

About the timeline...

I guess it'll be the counter offensive of the Allied during late Dec to January so there'll be quite snowy. However, I am also thinking of that fog effect Adding some trees and such would be a nice idea too.

I was thinking of getting a bigger frame for the dio. Probably around 2-3 inches longer than the previous one

Thanks again guys!

Martinnn you are reading from books written 20 or 30 years ago ...The idea of grey coming back at the end of the war has been disproven and if anything the color was a dark green .Apparently the grey was all used up on railway equipement so there were no stocks of grey left. As for Ralphs idea it might make more sense but trucks and cars were in such a big demand that I don't think it could have stayed grey from the beginning of 1943 till almost 1945. You could over spray it in just dark yellow and show the paint worn off in places showing it is an old veteran that has seen alot of action . I'm not saying it is impossible but very unlikely.

Rick

Thanks Mr. Craig.




Spraying dark yellow would be quite hard for my skill (am still experimenting with the AB). However, would adding whitewash would be better?

No! Don't add a white wash ...When the attack started on the 16th there was no snow on the ground and once the troops were on the move ,they didn't stop to add paint ...Unless this is in the beginning of January 45 well maybe then they took the time to add it . Not during the attack but durring the retreat when the lines had stabized a bit more.

Rick

The timeline would be around January. Around the time when the Jerries are retreating

Okay Ralph ,by then it could happen.. I'd think of finding another German officer though cause he's driving around with the top off in a summer uniform ..I know they were tough but brrrrrrr.

Rick