Here is the beginning stage of my dio showing one of the thunder runs into Baghdad, 2003. I wanted to show a highway overpass since this would be symbolic of the heavy fighting of the mission. It was at the overpasses that enemy fire always seemd to intensify.

I plan on adding guardrails to both sides of the medial strip on the bottom highway section. There will be weeds and such on the medial strip. A guardrail will also be along the sidewalk on the overpass. There will be a railing along the edge of the bridge as well. The brass square is a sewer grait. There will be a corresponding pipe underneath the roadway leading down to the medial strip.

You can just make out the squares in the "concrete" medial strip. I have yet to sand smooth the sidewalk on the overpass.

I'm planning on placing a light pole on the overpass to create more height/level interest.

Bob

Bob, looks like you are off to a great start. Looking forward to seeing progress. Cheers Kevin

Good start and a different structure
waiting to see more

looking nice so far, I like the way the overpass is set up.
-Shain

Burik that's going to be a great dio, don't see many OIF dio's. This one is going to be interesting. What are you using for the overpass, and are you planning to put anything on top of it. Keep us up-dated

The overpass is a combinatioin of styrofoam, cork, and wood. The styrofoam is the main portion. I laminated some cork to make the sidewall along the sidewalk, and the roadsurface is wood. I will later cover it with sand which will make up the asphalt surface. The "concrete" is spackle which covers the styrofoam and cork.

You can see an enemy casualty on the sidewalk. I plan on having some debris lying around on the overpass, along with the light pole.

Since this thing has to fit on an airplane, I have to plan on this not being put together til I deliver it to Sgt Olson. To secure the overpass I will use a long wood screw to go through the top deck, into the support post. The screwhead will be covered by the sewer grait.

I'm still worried about getting both pieces through the airport and onto an airplane (twice, since I have to attend a business meeting first).

Wooooo. Can't wait to see the finished product. This one is going to be great, Bob! Keep up the good work.

Looking good so far. Very interesting, very interesting in deed.

Bob, your the man!

I wish I could be there when you give the finish product to SGT Olson.

Looking good.. I would love to see the completed dio.. Keep it going my friend

Bob,
Looking great so far. A great dio to showcase a great model. Good job and kep us posted.

Gino

Wow, I can't wait to see more of it. Please keep us posted as much as you can. I'd love to see how this develops. I don't think anyone will get sick seeing this dio come to life, its like watching something from CNN, I can picture in my head exactly what you want to portrait. So cool.

You are definitely the pathfinder here. I am amost positive that no one has done a Thunder Run dio here yet (and posted about it). Also not many road/urban scenes of any time period.

With all the OIF stuff I am making, I hope to someday incorporate them into dios of some sort, so I hope to follow this closely.

Keep it up and best of luck.

Jeff

Thanks for all the positive comments. I wanted to make something unique and it seems that many agree this one will be at least a little unique. My wife has been wondering why I stare at highway overpasses as we drive along the road.

I have been studying my photos from OIF and one thing I did find is that there are many, many styles of bridges, so I was able to make my own interpretations. THe fun part will be painting it, as that will make it come alive for me. Right now it is just some basic shapes.

I would have gone with a highway sign on the overpass, but there are not any good OIF signs available from my sources. I know of only one company that makes OIF signs (can't remember their name) and I can't get them. Someone was nice enough to email me a sign, but when it is printed out on paper it LOOKS like it was make on a computer. So, the plan is to go with some debris like newspapers and such on the ground of the overpass. The casualty will have Iraqi money lying around him. That seemed to be a common comment made by troops who came upon dead enemy; they always seemed to have wads of cash on them. The one in my dio will be a Syrian fighter, so no need to worry about uniform colors (plus the figure has a shawl around his face).

Anybody going to the Atlanta show will be able to see the dio there, and will be able to meet Sgt Olson as he is giving a speech at the show.

Burik,
Looking very good.
Something niggling me about the way your going to fix the overpass to the base. Would there be a sewer grate on the overpass. A sewer grate would need to lead to the sewer pipe below it wouldn't it?
Or do you mean a storm drain grate?
Tom

Tom:

Maybe a storm drain is a better way to put it. Many bridges have them and I have noticed large pipes leading from them underneath the bridge and down to the surface below (in this case the medial strip).

Bob

I like where it's goin Burik, but I have a suggestion for HOW it's goin.
Ya know, the actual trip it takes to it's destination.

I would pack the main base and the overpass in separate containers, very carefully of course, with a lot of peanuts and stuff.

And then ship it VIA UPS or FedEx to a temporary P.O. Box or to the hotel you'll be staying at. They should have no problem accepting the packages, and you pack the model and "extras" in the same fashion as the base parts and only keep that for your carryon.

Just a hopefully helpfull thought,

Cuhail

That's a very good start indeed. You started a diorama that will look mighty impressive when it's done.

I've seen a similar overpass in "Keith Forsyth's arnhem diorama" and both your overpasses add real drama to the scene.

Yup, your on your way to giving birth to another winner diorama !

Please keep us posted !

Bob,

Looks very good. I know that was a preliminary shot, but I want to mention that I've read Thunder Run and most of the gun barrels were pointed off to the side, not straight ahead since the enemy bunkers and the enemy came from the side. Something to think about as you plan your dio.

Cuhail, that is an interesting thought about transporting the model. I will probably still take it with me as that way I have almost 100% control over it. No matter how well I pack it I know that things like railings and whatnot will snap. I will be arriving at the show with only a few hours to spare for registration. I don't think I can handle every contingency that might occur in mailing it. Plus the heat of wherever it is might be a problem.

My plan is to put the base under the seat in front of me and the overpass packed similarly to your description, but in my carry-on, and placing that in the overhead compartment. I hope to discuss w/ the gate people that I need to pre-board so I don't have to fight for overhead space and I can take my time getting things stowed.

Peter:

You have a point on the turret facing. Of course, not every tank at all times was oriented that way and I have photos and video that show turrets facing straight. It all depended; lots of variables. Facing at least a little to the side should create visual interest, so there is one more reason to do it. I will wait til "The moment of truth" to determine that I suppose. One last thing to consider on that topic is the fate of Creeping Death that is described in Thunder Run, when the crew forgot about such things as I am modeling - bridge abutments. DOH!

Hopefully in a few days I can gain more ground and post more photos.

Bob

I don't know if this will help you but Verlinden did an Arabic road sign set around the time of ODS. I have one but alas it is packed away. I can check my LHS for you it might help. They were 1/35th highway signs on heavy card stock.

Thank you very much Scott. I have those signs. No good for OIF. All are signs for Kuwait or Saudi Arabia. I think there are a couple of "Road End" signs but they would not be appropriate for this highway scene.

Bob

Very nice start...I love dios with height....adds so much more interest to them!

Here is an idea about finding signs.

If you search hard enough you might be able to find a free Arabic translation site on the web. It won't be too easy as all the Arabic translation sites that I found are not free.

If you should find a place, you can type in what you want the sign to say, copy this into Photoshop and go from there. Sort of like making decals.

Your other option could be to search for pictures of Baghdad, either from servicemen, or from online sources, and kind of ad lib it.

A third option would be to find an Arabic alphabet, and recreate the letters on Photoshop and then just recreate a generic highway sign background to put the word onto.

Jeff

Thanks Jeff. Your last idea sounds plausible, but I am not adept w/ this computer stuff. I don't even know if I have Photoshop!

It looks like I can get some help with your other thoughts, so I may be able to get away with something. I will be experimenting over the coming weeks. I will post the best turnout(s).

Bob