Hi,
I was wondering how could i make a wietnam dio with a M113A1 using cheap materials and accessible.
Thanks, Tom.

I'm assuming you have the 113 kit -
The jungle can be made cheaply using kitchen foil. Use this technique and adjust the size and shape of the leaves as you like to vary the look.

https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/200

Hobby Lobby has some really nice bases I always use. One is 18 by 13" I think and it cost $5 and a smaller one is $3. YOu can use textured ground by puting faric softener sheets, the only problem with these is the add exture only and make a great base and wont smear as paint when glue touches it. Im happy to say I made a Awesome diorama for just a little over $40 the other day.

Another idea for jungle plants is cheap plastic plants from your local supermarket or aquarium store. They should be painted to lose the shiny plastic appearance. I used a few variations for a vietnam base recently and was well happy with them.



For a base, you could use this article Diorama Base from a Picture Frame by: Keith Forsyth

Wow - PlasticBattle those plants look amazing!
I have had some aquarium plants on the bench - inspired now - where's that airbrush?

For bases you can also check out any local wood shops or lumber mills.

A lot of them simply throw out there scrap wood.

Hi Tom,

Was thinking of doing a scene with a M113 myself provided I get off my lazy posterior to finish a long overdue dio. Anyway it depends a lot on where you want and how to portray the vehicle. Is it going to be at a firebase, on the move in the boonies or at rest or in action.

The suggestions already offered by the guys are great especially if its to be placed in the boonies. The base can be cheaply made with a combo of plaster mixed in with a bit of reddish brown watercolor. Of course not all soil is reddish in Nam so you could also mix in medium brown watercolor instead.

A grassland with the odd mid size trees/shrubs would be another cheap bet. If it helps got some cheapo suggestions in the 2 part feature below:
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/572
https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/587

Made this small little vignette for my brother which on materials alone probably cost below USD 10.