Since I'm a beginner I just have to ask this question...
Where do you get the ideas?
Does the idea come first, and then you go and buy what you need to build it?
Or du you look at the stuff you already have and then get an idea for a diorama.

I read Envars post on the church tower. This is an idea I think is great. The problem (for me)is that I never think of such scenarios.
Argh.... I wish I could come up with an idea like that.

For me, diorama ideas come from three inspirations - First is the kit. I don't think I've ever planned a diorama without having the kit(s) on hand. Next, inspiration comes from either reading books, especially the pictorial histories. These typically give good shots that get the creative juices going. The last source of inspiration is wargames. I'm in the process of putting together a diorama (yes, I know, more work in progress than finished) of a Russian SU-76 in Manchuria in '45, being charged by a Japanese infantryman toting a explosive charge. This idea came about from a direct situation in a game I played.

For me, the difficulty is not with ideas, but with the time / skill to execute them all.

My insprirations come from reference books, magazines etc. Not that I build an exact copy but the reference material will give you an idea of setting, vehicles, extras. A couple of examples are:

A Tiger I in Tunisia with locals trying to sell their wares to the German crew.

German paratroopers in the ruins of an Italian church waiting for the allies to make their final attack.

Russian Winter 1942-45, German or Russian troops, tanks etc. enduring the brutal weather.

So get yourself to the bookstore or library and research...

Hey Norseman

When I am about to build a dio I always look around the shop for something that I like.
It might not be big or complex but the important thing is to like what your building!
One I have found something I buy it, then I might look up some background on what I have chosen ang fund some ideas from that...eg...if it was used in France I might put the modle next to an old ruined Frence church.
Once I have an idea I start to sketch it, see if I have the maetrials, then get to building.
It might help to get an idea if you build the model first.

Good luck!...

I think a good way to look at it is to decide what you want to build your dio around. Pick what you want to be as a focus of your dio; a tank, soldier building, etc. and build around it.
Say you have a jeep, and a crouching soldier. Where are they? Why is the soldier crouching? Is he looking at something on the ground? Is he looking at the jeep? Is he ducking from enemy fire?
If there's enemy fire, where is it coming from? Are there any allies of the crouching soldier running for cover?
This could go on, but it leads to what will become a solid dio idea. One of the most important things about a dio is that the viewer needs to know whats happening . If viewers can see a crouching soldier looking at a jeep's fully inflated tire, they'll wonder what's going on. But if the soldier is looking at a flat tire....

See what I mean?

YodaMan

I build models professionally, and have for many years.... many of the projects that I do give me great ideas. For example, once a client wanted an aircraft diorama featuring a specifc plane (P47D - "Dallas Blonde"). I built it to his specs, but in doing the research to get things the way he wanted, I became fascinated for a short period of time with North Africa scenes.... and then one thing led to another. Also, a lot of work I see on this (and other similar) sites give me good ideas.... I work on so many project peices at once with no real goal in mind... then one day I think "Hey - that field kitchen would look great near that windmill ruin... and I have enough spare arms and legs to create a full platoon taking a nice warm meal"... before you know it - wham - a new diorama!

Oh - and I watch a LOT of History Channel shows and movies on WWII and the Civil War.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it!

I think by the time you have built your first dio you will have ideas for the next five. There will be something you liked doing and want to to repeat it to improve your skill or just see another way of incorporating into another dio. Mostly they will come from nowhere.

I have never planned a dio where I had to buy everything that was needed. I usually see something and wonder what kit I have at hand would suit that scene or else I am browzing in the model store and see a kit that takes my fancy and build the dio that suits the kit.

And as the guys have already said, viewing these sites and military magazines give ideas also.

Another thing just came to my mind
Why not source some of your local history in Norway, and build something that happened near you or something that stood out from your history books from school. There also the Viking sagas, if you dont limit yurself to WW2.
If you read about a particular event and fancy finding out more and cant find the information you need, ask on here and somebody will be sure to help you!

I'm a jack of all trades a master of none.
I do armor, dios, figures, vignettes, aircraft, even space craft (with the kids). My insiprations come from various places.
I get most of my inspiration from research photos. I Love 'coffee table' books, nothing but photos. They give me great inspiration. As to what the inspiration leads to is up to availability. If I see a photo and I know of a kit or kits that will combine for a great dio, then BAM - DIO. If I see a photo that a static kit would fit, then done, Kit On Base.
I have kits on the shelf that are waiting for detailed inspiration. i like the kit and its driven an idea in my head. Now I have to research the idea and kind a dio in it. So the kit drives this one.
I can't put my finger on one thing that inspires me. It depends on what it is... Tamiya's Chevy Long Range truck is inspired Only by my youth, I built it when I was young. Tamiya's Krupp Protz truck is inspired by a vision of 'restocking' a unit.

It all depends on YOU and what drives you. My best advice is to read, read, read. Ideas are usually recycled images, combined images, or refreshed images that you've seen, heard, or read about.

Im quick and simple.My ideas come from 1)My own imagination.2)Reading something.3)Looking at pictures.4)Watching something on tv or a movie.