Hey guys, heres what i have going so far...Ive done the groundwork basecoats with shadows and washes. I've done the rough placement of figures and vehicles, and i still need to add the figures that are on the way from greatmodels (all warriors figs). I repositioned the trailing halftrack driving over some shrubby twiggy stuff and down the slope to avoid the ambush. (still not 100% decided on this, what do you guys think?)

On the list to do:
color roots
color rocks
drybrushing
coloring pines and trees
Add broken pine twigs below pines
Add leaves and random branches around
Add grass

Well here are the pics, tell me what you think and any commentary is appreciated.


back view...

cutback bank and roots exposed

need to fill in pine tree holes once they are permanently fixed

Empty space will be filled with incoming figures...

taking up firing postions

Marder disabled...crew injured

better view

overall view

Hope you all like it
Ian

Ian,

It's looking really nice so far... I really really can't wait to see more... love the guy "hopping" out the half-track...

I think you missed out one thing on your "to-do" list... paint vehicles... :-) :-) :-) just kidding...

btw, the angle at which the Wespe's cannon is "hanging"... is that the way it would "hang" in real life?

Rudi

It looks like its coming along really well there Ian. Great job on the roots too! Are you planning on adding snow to this dio? As i recalled, the Ardene offensive occured in Winter.

really dramatic! - so far the grundwork looks very good, I like the elevation of the terrain.

I only have one question, and I ask with respect. Maybe I missed something, but, here goes. Why is the half track in the back empty and the one in front still unloading? It kinda makes sense that the reinforcements would be still arriving and unloading while the first vehicle has its troops on the ground. There's no way that first vehicle could have parked where it is if it was just arriving. See what I'm talking about?

Thanks, respectfully

EasyOff

wow!! that's looking good !! An ambitious project it is too !!


Hey ! I have just the thing for you Here's some source pictures showing some nice (and running too!) Sd.Kfz 251/1's in the Ardennes The pics are some grabs from a DVD called "Saints and Soldiers" which is set in the Ardennes, developing on the survivors accounts of the Malmedy massacre (if thats the right name?)

here we go....hope these links work, the images are in my gallery if not

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack11.jpg
broken down halftrack in winter whitewash

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack21.jpg
closeup of the fore machinegun on the halftrack showing nice brush details in the whitewash

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack31.jpg
a shot of 2 halftracks, 1 in whitewash, 1 in camo with a net

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack41.jpg
another overall shot of the halftracks

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack51.jpg in the back of a "lived in" halftrack

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack61.jpg the camo halftrack and several varying uniformed Waffen SS and panzer grenadiers, unloading on the unarmed US prisoners the pic has nice details of stowage etc.

http://photos.kitmaker.net/uploads/7579/halftrack71.jpg
not a nice sight for those poor GI's but useful for modellers

hope those work

edit: no they don't but I'm working on it

Jon, the links aren't working---- the dreaded 404 error....
But checked you gallery..... nice photos.

yes and my personal webspace has broken down too check my gallery people, the pics are there as grumps pointed out

Ian

Wicked. The terrain is great. Was the Marder knocked out or just drove off the road? Trees are great too.

Keep us posted

Ian, very nice thus far. The figure bailing out of the half track....who is that made by? I have two Warriors figures that doing are the same, only off the left hand side. Would be interested in getting one like yours here. Thanks. "Q"

It lools like it's going to be a great project! One thing you might consider is adding considerably more wear on the 251 C than the D, since it would have seen a lot more action probably.

Vinnie

Hi Ian

Thats looking bril love the set up like the way you have developed the setting ,really like the guy jumping out of the vehicle a great sense of movement and urgency your eyes are taken on a great trip of present detail and one knows there is more to come,as you progress,very much like the action up by the trees and the guys by the halftrack helping the wounded crew member, great job looking forward very much to seeing more .
Cheers Chris

Looks good. When do you think it will be finished?

-Jay-

Hey guys im very pleased with the ammount of responses. I was actually pretty surprised considering i just came back from a surfing session. Let me answer your questions...

Rudi: Haha yeah i did kinda forget that! :-) the cannon on the marder is adjustable so ill fine tune that later.

Jeremy: The diorama is sorta placed in the ardenne. I just called it taht because i havent thought of a proper name yet. Its actually taking place in eastern france toward belgium area during the late fall.

EasyOff: Im sorry i didnt specify but I have some more figures en route to my front doorstep from warriors. I have a set of 2 germans jumping out and a few running ones. This is just a temporary placement just give u the feel.

Jon: Thanks for the links even though they dont work, but im sure youll get em to work sometime!

Brian: Thanks for the comment, the marder has been hit with a US antitank round which blows the left track off...consequently sending it veering off the road.

Matthew: The figure is from warriors titles "SS Greneadier jumping over wall" WAR-35205 I have bought the 2 figures that are jumping out of the sdkfz250 but theyre on the way...how are they? good quality?

Vinnie: Im actually gonna have 2 D's in the dio....the C is just a standin to show the position because the other D is still in the box hehe.

Chris: Thanks for the kind words and i hope my progress turns out well since theres such high expectations haha

Jay: Haha i have no clue....i tend to have alot of spurts and breaks in the hobby so who knows!

THANKS for all your comments....please comment some more though!

Ahh, thanks Ian . I'm with the others, I can't wait until I see it done. I love the action.

Ian, yes the Warriors figures that are jumping from the half track are great. I am going to order this other one as well. Thanks for the info. "Q"

Ian, sorry for taking so long to post on this, I have been gone to Kansas City and just got home today. It is looking great so far. I like the placement of everything. I look forward to seeing the rest of the figs added and the other D put on it. Keep us posted. Cheers Kevin

Great layout, you have set up a nice series for excellant eyemovement. The placement of figures and vehicals add a lot of drama and I do have the feeling of quick movement. Well done, good planning. Wouldn't mind seeing a few more figures. The only area of concern I may have, and I realize this is work in progress is, the corner area opposite diagolally from the trees (in the last photo there is a figure lying in that corner) could use something there for balance. Some kind of natural structure there... Maybe you have something else planned? Good work though. Looking forward to an update!

WO!! It looks awesome!! The layout is superb! The pine trees too! Keep the pics coming!!

Wow that is comming along extremley well the layout is great and I especially like the trees very realistic.

Ron

I'm with Tarok. I love the guy jumping from the half-track. The coat really makes the difference.

wow!
great job on that on-progress-dio mate!
i just love that ground work.. can you please tell us a bit about it?
how was it done?
when were the roots and littel stones added?

GJ!

Ori

Well basically what i did was put down a thin layer of spackle (drywall hole filler) and sift sand, sifted dirt, and some rocks over it. Then once the spackle is dry i spray a generous layer of 50/50 white glue over and it seals it down pretty well. Thats pretty much it!
Ian