*LOL*

No, everytime they try to clone me, they get Bill the Cat!

ooop acck phffft!

:-)

Crashed early last night then the Drs. this morning -- just catching up on the worlds biggest wet dream.
Two things - Al LaFleche's great interlocking thingie on size issues idea, very workable, one step closer to " doin dis thang "
Arts fantastic logistic solution --- screw logistics ---- each side of the pond make and contribute. Europe in Normandy, and us colonials in Loozeeanna.
Another problem solved.
Also the idea I started with only encompassed modelers from countries involved on D-Day . Sorry
Extremely rude on my part. My wife said if she was a member on the site and a potentially large project like this pipe dream came up and she couldn't be included cause she's Swedish. She would tell me to go sh*t in my hat.
If this thing can fly all Armorama members should be included, I'm not going to go around checking my hat for the rest of my life.
Reading the posts, well it looks like it could fly but what next ?
We need to take names , a ton more ideas on connecting the individual builds etc. A certain amount of us to build armor, this that and the other.
A Monty to run the European contingant, and an Ike for the Rebel type colonists.
Similar style builders in thier respective " build fields " will have to work close together so everything flows visually when put together.
My heads spinning I NEED WINE.
We need a ton more people. Hell I'm in lets keep up the chatter and mostly ideas. Not the nonsensical lame humor I usually throw around.
Cheyenne

I think with something on this scale, you don't just want one person organising each bit, I think it might take five or six.

O.K., let me throw out a planning list as a draft:

. First, we should have someone contact the respective museums to see if this project is acceptable to them.

. Then we need an "Overlord" staff on each continent, to determine things like what we need (equipment/figs, etc), quantities and placement of each, and so forth. Also to coordinate shipping/receiving, in progress pix and reports,etc. The "Staff" could also handle recruiting duties.

. We should also find any Euro member(s) that are willing to get/take pix of the beach area(s) to get a general idea of the geography.

. Start putting together actual pix from D-Day, especially defensive positions, etc.

. Check with our staff and see if we can get a gallery set up for in progress pix.

That's all that comes to mind right now. Comments/
other suggestions welcome.

Art

Yeah your probably right Dave, someone for each type of thingies being built, armor, terrain, figs, etc.
But then again thats something to tidy up on your side of the pond l.o.l.
Another thing to consider, thanks Dave
Cheyenne

Just thought of something else. If the project is acceptable to the museums, we should find out how much space will be involved so we can plan accordingly.

Art

Art ---- Bingo. What should we do draft Steven Ambrose a letter ? With the talent we have here on Armorama references on the work should be no problem.
Cheyenne

Stephen Ambrose died in 2002.

That would be a good start. I would send the director of each museum a proposal first. See if they'll bite and if they do then go from there regarding the required space, the period in which the exhibit would be active and other logistical and adminstrative matters.

Remember, you'll be competing with existing in house and traveling rotating exhibits, so not to put a too fine of point on this...you must sell this idea and make it so they want first crack at it. If you can tie it in with something like an event they're hosting even better.

As an aside, I'm not sure if your comment was tongue in cheek...Stephen Ambrose passed away two years ago from lung cancer.

Take care
Steve

Sounds like a great project.. Considerations for the base - Standardization of the interlinking sections would be key for setup, breakdown and shipping. If a display is permanent then not that much of an issue,, but if a display is up for only a period of time then break down, ship and storage capability could be an advantage. Standardized sections would also allow modelers to work on separate sections.
If the whole size of the end result project was planned initially, neighboring sections that are fully completed could interlock and still make a smaller display as the full project progresses..
Space available at a museum that might be offered initially may not be available when the full project is done,,, or if space is provided it might need to filled in a certain time frame inconsistent with the project? Maybe sell them on the whole scope of the planned project and then the growing display can keep the space active.
Seeya Chris

No guys, sorry, didn't know he died.
More project thoughts later. - Cheyenne

Cheyenne,
I think that the concept of the project is far from "far fetched" and with the talented members that this site has brought together it would not be to difficult to find sponsers of such an undertaking with the right proposal.

Knee surgery, painkillers and wine, good combination for alot of thinking :-)

Jay

No sweat, I wasn't sure if you knew that or not, thus why commenetd as I did.

Back to your idea... As Jay pointed out, I too believe that there are a host of museums who would be willing to add this as a temporary display, perhaps even, in conjunction with something else.

Another potential location for all to consider, would be the Eisenhower Presidential Library and Museum here in Kansas, in Abilene. They have a large section regarding WWII and they have (if I recall correctly) a model of the docks in preparation for Overlord but not of the landings.(it's been about ten years since I was there...pathetic considering I'm only two hours away)

As I said before, this is a wonderful idea. It will take a serious commitment from those involved and a considerable amount of leg-work, but I think it can be pulled off if the time frame is realistic enough.

Again, my two cents worth.

Steve

Just a thought but would it be easier once a location has been decided to have someone do a story board of the diorama, then perhaps those closeset to the action to build the basic landscape work such as roads, trees. grass, hill and the like, then have any areas where buildings would be built by modelers according to a floor plan with dimensions of where said building was to go on the diorama and what dimensions it was to fit? Then a list of models , figures and other needs and what colors, markings and other info that modelers could pick from and build to suit the diorama. As well as a section of a forum with all info as to who is doing what and what still needs to be done and who will volunteer to to it??

Hi all,
I guess i butting in a bit as a newbie.
That really does sound like a good idea, but an awesome undertaking.

Just an idea but what about the Bovington Tank Muesum in the UK. Lots of tanks + its got a hall sponsored by Tamyia!! - Free kits!

This is what I was thinking of.
Airfields on tables #1 & #5 for our zoomie builders, scale 1/48 or 1/32 whatever has more build possibilities. Encompasses German & Allies.
Tables #2 for our swabbie buddies. The invasion fleet.
Tables # 3 Landing craft, infantry, armor.
Tables #4 Paratroops.
Tables #5 German troops, armor, railheads, getting ready to head to Normandy, airfields [ maybe a tables #6 so as not to mix the 1/48 aircraft with the 1/35th stuff ]
Simple - huh - good lord what a project!!! - Cheyenne

I like the concept that you've drawn out here it would make an awesome display! But.....and I'm not trying to sound as though a wet blanket, but given the size of 1/35th scale Dios, the extensiveness of this display, it should be kept in mind that museum exhibition space is limited and at a premium.

Another suggestion..you may want to consider is, adding a plexi-barrier to the display...despite the numerous signs that will say "DO NOT TOUCH" the public will touch them anyway....And unless you have a person there to prevent it...it will happen.

I don't want to sound like I'm trying to foist myself upon this project, I just want to share some of my own experience with museum work.

Steve

Well, if it comes to a space issue then 1/72 is about the only real choice. This is the scale that has the widest variety of options from planes to armor and from buidings to trains and people as most of it is also railroad compatible.

Cheyenne
We have a member in our club that makes frequent trips to New Orleans and the D-Day Museum. I'll ask him when he's going there again and see what he can do for info. I know that they are planning to expand the museum, I don't know how much, or when. So count me in to.
I feel with the caliber of the people on this site not only is this possible but very doable.
Jerry

Just some thoughts on this massive project. I think it is a wonderful idea..but lets stop and think for a sec..

First off...
The Base....Will one person complete the entire base or will several people contribute as has been mentioned before..if several people are working on a base..lets think about a few things..exact measurements, and i mean exact, will have to be put into place if we hope to achieve any type of continuity. Ex..the exact thinkness of celluclay, grass to be placed here, water to go here, sand exactly hear...etc. Interlocking pieces would have to match spot on..
Next...
Say we have one person be the one to put the base together...this person would have to be responsible for a lot of things..ex. would have to recieve all shipments of figures, vehicles, etc..would have to have every piece of the puzzle before beginning any groundwork..as vehicles would be needed for tracks..if vehicles were coming out of water ..they would need to be put into place b4 water could be poured, footprints., etc.

This is just a few examples of some trouble spots that i see.
However, perhaps a series of small dioramas built be diffrent individuals, each diorama depicting a specific scene, that will be placed side by side with all the other dioramas to tell the overall story..

Just my two cents worth here..I'm in whatever way we decide to proceed with it..
Mary (++)

Good morning Mary, and I do mean morning, pondering this dilemma at 3a.m. your crazier than I am. l.o.l.

I mentioned some of these logistical roadblocks in earlier posts. Even as I posted the original topic and used the title " very, very farfetched "
I have a bad habit of thinking big in a Darryl F. Zanuck sort of way [ and hell I ain't even from Texas ] kinda like " hey everybody lets sneak into the White House and get the presidents autograph " May or may not be a good idea but absolutely dam near impossible.

The only thing I can think of now is to see if Zoomies friend can come up with anything positive as to if ,how ,where and when we can get involved with the museum.
In the beginning I was thinking of a permenant loan type of deal, and Mary, I think like you suggested
individual projects donated there would [ realistically ] be the way to go. This way the museum could use them where they think they would fit.
After all museums have staffs for exibits, set-ups and content and such.
I've got alot of dumb-ass stuff to do around the Ponderossa today, but later on I'll see if I can e-mail the museum with some questions and proposals.
Either way I'm in and if anyone wants to colaberate with me on a smaller version of " a very, very, farfetched idea " p.m. me.
Cheyenne

Hi Guy's,
I have been watching this thread develop with alot of interest. I admire all of your enthusiasm and willingness to donate your time and money as well as your skill to a museum. This is truly a noble cause. But if I may, the cost alone can be more than the average modeller can afford. I know from personal experience that mailing just a singel model is a risk and mailing a dio is even greater. What I suggest is that you broaden your scope. Make the idea a bit simpler and include serveral if not dozens of museums or legion halls. Why not break it up into several regional builds and then donate your dio to a local museum or library or veterans organization. The costs from transportation alone will drop and the risk of it breaking into a thousand unusable pieces is minimized. You also get the satisfaction of being there to see the Vets eye's light up or the school kids gather around the dio to have a peek. If there is only one guy in an area he can maybe do some figs for a dio in another or anyone can sign on to any number of projects. The number of possible donations has just gone from one museum to any number. All you have to do is find out first who would be willing to work on this..YOu need true numbers. If only 10 people are interested then you know exactly how many organizations and locations are "doable". Just some food for thought guys, dont let your enthusisasm blind the reality of this. We build very fragile and expensive peices. I would hate to see it crumble because of the post office or whatever... I am always available to help out just shout.
Cheers,
Bryan

Cheyenne,...I don't consider us to be crazy...its just that Great Minds think alike..

Count me in if this happens, keep us up to date, I just got back from my trip to the UK so I have been out of the loop!

Paul