Hi all!

Im currently working on this diorama showing a scene at the Eastern Front in the late war period of ww2.
It is still far from finished, but alot has been done also.
What i still have to do:

-add bushes, grass, plants etc.
-finish building the tankdamage+the tank itself
-still have to paint 2-3 figures
-attach all the models to the base (tank+figures)
-weathering and burnmarks
-Im going to try to add some smoke pooring out of the tank, dont know if it will turn out ok.....if anyone has some tips, i'd gladly hear them!

Im planning to use this diorama in the upcoming nationals here in 2 months.........should be enough time to finish it dont you think?

Here are some pictures....none of the models is attached yet, they are standing loose.

Looking good Thor! Like it! What figs did you use? Haven't seen those poses from my LHS here.

Exellent work so far. Your figures look very good. Can't wait to see it when finished.

Cheers
Erik

Everything looks great! good looking dio should do good in the contest

Frank

Great looking diorama!

One of the best ways to display smoke coming out of the tank I've ever seen is to use the real thing. You can buy a low voltage smoke generator for model RR use, rig it into the tank, then turn the smoke effects on and off as wanted. Seuthe is one manufacturer of these smoke generators. The are available from Walthers [url=http://www.walthers.com[/url]

Sometime in the recent past, FSM published an article on doing this with a French tank in a dio from the beginning of WWII. The results were fantastic looking. If interested in that technique, let me know and I'll look for the issue in question.

Hi Thor
Very good work. Nice T34 you got there. And the figs aswell, great job.

Simon

The figures look excellent. The guy holding up the panzerschreck doesnt look like he has a realistic grip to it.

Very nice, layout looks good, the only thing that strikes me are the color of the figures, dont know why but they seem to have a blue tone to them.

Excellent work so far. Please keep us posted. Cheers Kevin

Thanks for your replies all.
To answer all your questions:

The figure posing with his panzerschreck and the photographer are models from Warriors.
The two standing at the front of the tank are Verlinden and the dead tanker is of an unknown manufacturer (bought it once on ebay).

The grip on the panzerschreck is unrealistic indeed, but as i mentioned, this is because none of the models are attached yet.....i will put it in the right angle when i do this. And i must admit that the uniforms do have a blueish tone on them, but i can assure you that i only used dark and medium gray colors

The idea of using real smoke is a very very interesting one! Nothing beats the real thing for sure! Im definately going to look into that, i'll keep you posted.

Now, back to the 300 orso pieces of track i got to cut and clean

Thor

Nice dio. I like the damage. The figures are nicely painted. The dead tankers really adds to the diorama.

Keep it up

Brian

Wow Thor... this is looking impressive. The best part is that in an instant it shows a complete story which is the very essence of dios!
--For the grip on the panzershreck maybe you could use a clench-fisted hand, and cut out a section of the ring he is holding...
--maybe in addition to extra bushes, a couple of rocks could be placed in the transition from the wildgrass to the earth... Break up the contrasting surfaces a little...
Something to consider if you want to
Brad

Your figures and your tank look very nice Thor. If you work on that base as fastidious as how you've worked on these figures this will be wonderful dio. Can't wait to see th final.

Excallent techniques so far, very well done.
A couple of things I see. I know it's not done, so if I mention something you're planning just ignore it.
If the bruned out wheel is going to be off the tank, I would expect damage to the axle.
If he tank isn't fixed yet you may want to consider turning the tank a bit to its right to give a bit of an angle to it as if it took a bit of a right turn as it came out of the grass. Also add a bit of a rut between the grass and tank where it drove.
My personal opinion of smoke is to go natural, I have seen just a very few imitations of smoke that really work. The RR idea is the best one.

great work so far Thor. The tank and figs look really good.
I really like the texture of the ground work. How did you achieve this?

Most impressive indeed I like the whole layout and story to the dio and good luck in the comp.

Ron

Those are some great tips you all mentioned.
Im definately gonna use that; more damage in the wheel/axle area, add rocks to break up the vegetation and the right turn of the tank, that will be a nice touch to the scene. So much to do, so little time !!

As for the groundwork Hwa-Rang, i used real dirt from my garden and some static grass from woodland scenics. And yes, i treated the dirt before i used it......dont want no bugs running all over my diorama

Thanks!