Hi all,
I just finished this dio this morning and wanted to share, and get your opinions. Tell me what you think please. You can also see more in my gallery.
btw-It's the DML Coelian kit#9022. This tank was never actually manufactured, but I thought it was unique looking. The kit was a pretty good build, with no problems, I added two aluminum barrel, some pe stuff. The four tankers are also DML, and the bike figure is Tamiya.

Brian,

If I didn't know any better, I'd say this is the 1st time I have seen anything from you. I like it very much! I noticed that the cast housing for the hull mg seems to be off a little (it is not at 6 o'clock) - one of these days I will try to do something that involes a base - or at least as soon as I can find some Heki Grass from a place that doesn't confuse the heck out of me in finding the right kind!

Good eye, by the time I noticed, it was dry and not worth risking trashing the hull trying to fix it.

Brian, you have done an excellent job, Your ground work looks great!!! Great scene. Cheers Kevin

Very nice, the figures motion really make this diorama.

The trees are nicely done as is the grass (Heki?). I like it because it's not all mud and grime, just a bit of dirt and that's it.

If I had to do something different next time I would to the signs with some rub-on lettering vs. the hadn made ones. Nit pick I know.

Nice job

Excellent diorama...small, static and though full of action. You managed to use your figures to tie all the things in the diorama together...excellent use of their expressions !!

A Great Piece !!!

Very nice indeed! In fact it's great! Everything ties in brilliantly, and the finish is very good indeed. Just 2 little nitpicks...sorry! The camo would come off better if toned down a little, it looks very stark, and the other is very minor.....finer wire for the cut telegraph wires! Still looks great though! What did you use for those wildflowers Brian?

Vinnie

Great diorama.

The only thing I would add is something that I have seen in a lot of pictures of German AFVs in Normandy in general, some tree branches. Some branches for cammo on a German AA tank, esp. in this time period would be a plus, I think.

Thanks for sharing.

Shaun

Hey Guys, thanks for all the kind words.
Scott, yes the grass is Heki, it's the first time I used it, and I love it!!!
Vinnie, Thanks for the info on the tele lines. As for the paint, I was kinda of going for that contrasting look, I wanted a bright yellow.
Shaun, I had some small branches all ready to go onto the tank, but I just couldn't bring myself to cover up all those hours of hard work!!

Awesome dio! We can feel the tension in the air! Congratulations, Brian, both for the setting and for the vehicles and figures!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Nice work
ian

excellent work brian. everything looks good... the tank, figs, groundwork and composition. personally i would tone down the camo on the tank but what you did was allright.

one eyecatching aspect of your dio are the pose of the figs, looking outwards/upwards for low flying jabos... it really captures the tension quite well! congrats...

It looks great. NIce work Brian.

WOW, looks great.

How did you do the flowers?

They really add to the look.

great job man i love it. Good detailing on the grass alongside the road where you dusted it up. Great work, did you use that foliage stuff from woodland scenics? If not what did you use?
Ian

It's very nice. I like the action....it's very graphic and emphasized. The groundwork is very nice too.

How did you make the trees? ARe they scratchbuilt?

The tank looks a tad too clean for me. Weather it up a bit.

This dio is a winner.

Angela

Brian, That is one great looking dio you have there. I love the tightness of the scene..Lots of details, but not so many that it is overwhelming..I love it..Can't wait to see what else you have in store for us..
Mary (++)

I bought this kit years ago when it first come out and I have to say yours is simple awesome the colour scheme is really well done and the layout is great.

Ron

Amazing piece of work Brian. Great composition and briliantly executed. The tank, the bike, the figures, the gate and the ground work all look fantastic.

Thanks again for the compliments!! To answer a few more questions...
Vinnie/Joe, the wild flowers are Baby's breath-easily found in flower shops.
Ian-the vegetaton is a mix of Heki grass, baby's breath, and the tree kits that Woodland Scenic makes.
Angela, I scratch built the one tree to the right of the tank using a "trunk" cut from some shrubs in my yard, drilling some holes in it and adding "tree limbs" from the above mentioned Woodland Scenic tree kit. The other two trees to the left are the ready made trees from the same WS tree kits.

Looks great Brian. The camo is really well done ... the weathering of it is a personal choice, so no point in me adding to that. The scene is simple but very effective and all tied together well.
My only nit-pick is the two gates ... opening in different directions. Personally I think it would have looked better, if both opened out the way. Small, I know

Nice one.