For those who followed Volkie's adventures, I've bad news. It now seems that the tree Volkmar was about to use for his treehut hideout, exceeds the contest regulations.
This GeneralFailure idiot thought he had it all fixed since the tree dio base was an exact 6 inch circle diameter. The fact that the crown of the tree exceeds these limits did not seem to bother him at the time. Overlooking the small print is simply not acceptable for someone with a degree in law, but the fact is : he simply did.

For poor little Volkmar, there's only one solution : chop down the whole tree and take his business elsewhere. Saddle up and find a new dio.

Volkie hereby apologizes for all inconvenience you suffered because of the gross negligence of his patron GeneralFailure, and hopes to meet you again soon.
(To be continued)

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Since I promised to bring an article on the making of trees, I'll continue to make the current dio project, and use it to illustrate the tree article.
For the competition, I may make another dio. I'll think of that.
First, I need a few days of mourning to overcome the fact that the tree dio is not acceptable for the campaign .

GF

I and probably more with me feel your pain man


hope volkie will find another dio as soon as possible

Sorry general !
Since you've already come up with two great ideas, what's gonna be he next one ?

Aaaaaah... that'll need some thinking. Part of my modeling time this weekend will be spoiled here at the airport (preparing the return of Belgian astronaut Frank De Winne after his Russian flight to the space station), but I have something in the oven already.
Keep watching these pages. I hope to post final pics of Volkie's tree (just for fun, out of competition), write an article on the making of trees, and then start working on the new project.
Brooding on a new idea is half the fun of modeling !?

I was sorry to read that your dio would not be entered in the contest as I was following the progress with great interest. With the departure of Volkmar what will become of the tree dio, I thought this was a great piece and as Rocky would say " it could have been a contender". Please keep us updated on the progress of this tree.
What of Volkmar? Is he already posted to a new assignment? Is he now a soldier of fortune?
"Maybe if you can find him, maybe you can hire Volkmar"

Deepest Condolences,
Robbo
Cold feet, rest in peace

P.S. Hallowen is over, die evil pumpkin scum

ROOM FOR SALE
Due to contest regulations
Good price
Info : call 0800-VOLKMAR

:_|

Poor Volkmar hope he finds a new home before winter.

Jan,

Three things :

1. Sorry to hear about these developments.....!
2. The picture impresses me. This really hurts to see such a fine dio exceeding the regulations.
3. There's alway a place for Volkie in my Lonely Christmas Shed..... we could share the pain since I would also exceed regulations letting Volkie in there....but he IS welcome (:-)

Sorry to hear this Jan !

Anybody know where the home for homeless plastic soldiers is? #:-)

I like that. If no alternative is found before X-mas, I'll let Volkie chop down that tree, load the wood on a truck and come over to your shed. The wood can be lit to make a cosy fire, so they both have a nice X-mas after all ! :-) (:-)

Ok Jan, we have a deal !! I'll find a barrel for making a fire near the shed... Start chopping mate...

Thinking of it....... I must change the title then..... "It will be cosy this Christmas" instead of "it will be lonely this Christmas"..

This may or may not help.
maybe there is a way that the tree could be made fit??
The tree area outside the alloted dimensions could be cut off and made to look realistic if there was something there that would have stunted the trees growth in that direction like a high wall or gavel of a factory.
I know with all the work that will go into making this tree, its not much fun to have to cut off some of it.
Just an idea??

Hey GeneralFailure

I have a spare room at my place if he needs to crash somewhere for a couple of weeks... #:-)
The beaches in Aust are really good to!...we can take him on a road trip to the beach!...And if he is lucky...maby a Mrs Volkie may appear...

Give us a ring for more info... 1800 help-the-homless-soldiers-of-the-world

from a very sorry to hear the poor man is homeless Cris

Maybe you put an axe in his hand and title your work "Stupid size limitations". Your tree is amazing anyway.

Patrick

I fully agree on the remark about the tree. Also the idea isn't the worst I've heard before....I kinda' like it I think...

(:-)

There is only one solution guys: Volkie must come back to Germany! If there is no tree to hide and no dio to stay, war, after 57 years, seems to be definately lost ...
Perhaps there is one solution: Give Volkie a bunker with a good old Christmas tree and let him look homewards through the bunker-window. Surely he´ll begin to sing:
"Oh Tannenbaum, oh Tannenbaum" and "Stille Nacht". (:-)

I had a few nice ideas, but Volkmar is quite p****ed off by the turn of events, and he's pursuing his own schedule here. I've had a heated discussion with both his lawyer AND his mom to try to bring him to reason, but I'm not sure that'll work.
He doesntet want to say what the new project will be. He closed down the vignette for construction works. I hear lots of banging and construction noises, but I've no clue what's happening inside his vignette. I'm quite curious to see the result, but at the same time frustrated I sent the box of chocolates to his mom. I could just as well have shared them with my wife. Mmmm. Belgian chocolates. Spent on a lost cause...
As soon as I get any news of Volkmar's progress, I'll send an update !