Just some very early in progress pics of a dio called "Which Way". The dio will include Dragon's Early Sherman, Italeri's M8 Grey Hound, a Verlinden cast plaster bridge, and about a half dozen Verlinden figures.

The Concept of the dio is a unit on the move trying to decide "Which Way" (is the right way) to the front lines. One vehicle, (the M8), has already started across the bridge but has stopped as the Sherman crew believes they should be staying on the road without crossing the river. In front of the stopped Sherman will be placed several Verlinden figures consulting a map and arguing about directions.

The base is made up of layered pink rigid construction styrofoam, with the edges finished with dry wall plaster and sanded smooth. The rock is cast from a model railroad rubber mold. The river bed will be finished with various sands, and model railroad foliage and water. The figures include Verlinden's US Army tankers (photo's attached). My figure painting leaves a lot to be desired, so I should probably just cut out the box art figures and paste them to the dio (but I'll try my best )

I realize these pictures are early and the overall concept may be a bit difficult to comprehend, but more pics will be provided as the dio moves along.

Thanks for looking.
Steve


The layered pink styro foam pieces formed to the shape of the dio scene.



A view of a sanded/finished edge, prepped for paint


Plaster cast rock for the river edge, from a model railroad rubber mold.


The Verlinden plaster bridge, painted and weathered.


Rock and bridge placement.


Approximate positioning of the vehicles (sorry for the pic quality here)


The Italeri Grey Hound--still to be added--storage around the turret.


Box art of the Verlinden figs. These figures will be positioned in front of the Sherman.


Box art of Verlinden figures to be placed (somewhere on the road


The Sherman.

Steve I think the concept is very clear. The weathering on the bridge and rocks are great. You have also chosen some nice figures to use. Youre afv's are very nice as well. Stay at it Im sure this will be great dio in the end.

Kenworth Jr
I love what I see The rocks look real So does the Sherman and the M8 I can't wait too see this one finished Please keep us posted (++) (++) (++)

I concur that the weathering for the rocks and the bridge are fantastically done. Be interesting to see how you placed these models onto your base though. Perhaps placing up a sketch on how you hope it would look like so that we can share in your vision?

xxxxcellent work on that rocks and bridge....

Hi Steve,
Its great to see you back building dios. This one should be a very good. When I first saw the rock I thought it was real!. Excellent work on the bridge as well.
Looking forward to seeing more.

Steve, the armour looks terrific! What mold did you use for the rocks?

Steve, the armour looks terrific! What mold did you use for the rocks?

Sorry, double post.

I love it, everything looks great so far..this is something I would do..the non combatant dio! Please keep us posted.

Steve,

Although it has been said repeatedly, I will say it again that the rocks look spectacular. Nice start and I look forward to seeing the progress.

Cheers
Jay

Steve,

great concept. This will become onother beauty !!

One thing on the bridge though, I thing it could use another wash of dark color to make the individual stones stand out a bit more. Right now it looks (but pictures can be deceiving) like there's no difference in colour between the stones and the cement between them.

For the rest....great !!

Steve,
This looks great mate, I really like what you have done . I am working on a bridge diorama too with Richier , I think he will post some pics soon in progress . "get off your butt Rich!! " . I really love your diorama & from the figure in the armoured car , there is nothing wrong with your figure painting !!

Jenny

Steve, lookin good, great bridge, I am working with the Verlinden bridge myself, how did yours fit out, mine was a gap filling, rescribing horror.
I have to agree about the stone mortar, but maybe its not done yet, your still in progress, maybe a little Cadilliac pimp green paintwork for use as mossy bits around the stonework and mortar also ?
The stonework came out beautiful [ more mossy stuff in cracks and cleavage areas ]
Who makes the stonework moulds ?
Cheyenne

Steve this looks great!
The rocks are amazing!
Please tell us where you found the molds!!!
The bridge also looks great and the vehicles!
Good job!
Keep us posted!
Cheers!

Very nice so far

I'd love to see a feature come out of this. You already have a nice start on 'in progress' photos. Love to see it.

I´m not sure which molds he used, but the rocks look like the Woodland-Scenics molds.
There are a dozen or so different molds for different shapes and sizes of rock. They are normally made for 1/87 (HO railroads), but as we can see they also look awesome in 1/35.
I also own one mold, it is made of very thick rubber (so it will last a long time) and I highly recommend them!

Greetings, ekke

PS: check out this link for some more information: http://www.woodlandscenics.com/items.htm/RockMolds

Steve that is going to look great. Once again your idea is taking shape in only a way you can do. The painting of the bridge shows the quality this dio will be when finished as you are the master of painting and weathering. Look forward to seeing finished pictures of it.

cheers
Cliff