Hi all,

Here are some pics of my project for the By the Book campaign. I've used a part of Osprey's "T-34/76 medium tank 1941-44" for inspiration. The T-34 is from Zvevda with Dragon tracks and the 3,7cm PAK is from Tamiya. The figure is a combination of parts from several dragon kits.

The story this diorama tells is about the encounters between the new T-34 tank and German forces with their 3,7cm AT guns. I don't think I am allowed to copy the text from the Osprey book so I'll tell the main things the story is about:

The 3,7cm PAK wasn't able to do much harm to a T-34. There are several reports by German units that tell us how helpless the gunners must have felt when they tried to stop a T-34. Even after tens of hits the T-34's just kept advancing and drove right through the German lines.

However the Soviet tank crews often didn't have enough training to use this tank effectively. Also, many tanks didn't have a full load of ammo, and almost none had AP rounds. Crews often preffered crushing the German AT guns under their tracks rather than using their gun as they'd miss their target anyway.

So, several things I wanted to include in my diorama:

- Of course the T-34 which is about to crush a 3,7cm PAK
- The T-34 is driving down some trees to give the feeling the tank isn't going to stop for anything
- The T-34 is driving through a barbed wire obstacle to give the impression the tank is breaking through a German defensive line.
- The German has to express the helpless feeling the AT gunners must have had when a T-34 showed up.
- I wanted a ltitle frame with text about the background of the diorama.

Well, these are the results so far. Still got to paint everything (exept for the T-34) and add some low grass but this is about it. The barbed wire has been removed from the diorama for now to make painting more easy but it will be put back after painting again!





















Hope you like it,
Martin

hi Martin, you forgot to tell me about this one!

looks great! cant wait to see it finished!

Frank

That's an interesting bit of history I didn't know! Cool! That's a good idea, although, my only nitpick is the guy lying down. I haven't seen the picture, but if I were the guy, chances are I already would have left, or been gunned down by the hull machine gun. However, that's my opinion and your diorama. Do it as you see fit. Either way, it's still an awesome diorama and idea! Thanks for your time and that bit of info!

Yeah he has been shot in his leg or stomach or something like that....that's where his second hand is

He was immobilized before he could run!

Martin

Martin-

Looks great so far! The sense of doom of the German soldier is very good IMHO, as well as the forward motion of the T-34...nice start, can't wait to see it done.

A question for you copyright savvy folks out there...and I think I know the answer- My understanding is that quoting passages of books, etc. is legal in the context of something like this Campaign? So long as the book and author are attributed and there is no commercial use of the text-correct??

Jim

Very interesting idea.

Ah, perhaps I will pay attention next time! Sorry, now it's perfect! Thanks for your time.

Looks good so far Martinn....
Looking forward to seeing this one finished.

Wow, that is one quote that only a model diorama can show to effect! Great thinking and layout.

Interesting idea! The layout and groundwork looks great too.! I'll be keeping a lookout for the completed dio.

Martin its going to look fantastic!!! keep us posted. Cheers Kevin

Martin you cruel man! :-) :-) :-)
I like the idea, ive heard many stories of cases like this, as horrible as it was, the scene is slightly humerous to me, as it reminds me of that part in Austin Powers with the steam roller :-)
Apparently this german does not know how to run!
ok seriously, its looking good mate, the T-34 is very well done!
Cheers, keep us posted

Hi all,

Thanks for all those kind words, I'm glad you all like it.

I'm planning on actually finishing this one so... (campaigns are good for making me finish projects hehe, that's why I like 'em so much )

Martin

Looking good Martin! It kinda reminds me of that scene in the Austin Powers movie when they were on the steam roller and the guy was screaming Nooooooooooooo from across the room but wouldn't step out of the way so he wouldn't be run over. :-) :-)

I'm looking forward to joining my first campagne after the holidays. Once I committ to a campagne it will be motivation to complete or face the shame. Its really quite exciting for me because it just may be the jump start that I need to get my rusty old gears turning.

Hey

Martin Looks really nice!!!
Looking forward to see it getting finished.
I made my river today with the clear resin.

Greetings Roel

Update!











Martin

looks very good martin,the different shades of the groundwork look very realistic[echt] will be a very nice dio when you put the rest of the pieces on that groundwork

Hey Martin,

Wow Very nice! I like the whole Idea behind the dio. The story is clear. The model is good too. Can't wait to see more pictures.

Very cool from idea to ground work stages. Impressive. looking forward to seeing everything on the base. cheers Kevin

Martin, You have been holding out on me!!.. That is some nice looking groundwork. Can you tell us how you did it?..

Looking forward to more updates...

Mary (++)

Nice so far. You are nailing the concept of by the book.
How about a couple of glancing blows to the front of the T 34?
Did you put some clear styrene over the paper telling the story? Might be a good idea to keep the paper in good shape

Martin, your Dio looks excellent! how did you do the groundwork? and il agree with scott, some 3.7cm pak hits on the front would fit in very well!

Frank

Hey

The PAK-hits were already on the planning
The paper is protected by something of which I don't know the name in English lol....It is atcually ment for protecting books....

Glad you all like the groundwork so much! To be honest I just grabbed some ground/sand/stone colours (humbrol and revell enamel paints) and started painting. In steps I did the following:

- First I painted the whole base with dark earth from humbrol and later again with the revell variant.
- Then I painted the lower parts in the diorama (track marks, the Pak36 position) with a dark brown revell paint (can't remember the no.)
- While the dark paint was still wet I used a sand colour to blend the dark paint with the dark earth base colour.
- Then I drybrushed the whole base with humbrol no.72 and 93.
- I painted the stones with humbrol no. 72, 84, 94 etc.

With the results you've all seen

Martin

Ok again an update but without pics:

- I've painted the German soldier
- Added battle damage to the tank
- Weathered the tank a bit more and I gave it a drybrush
- I've added leaves to the trees and painted them
- I've added grass and painted it

So, what I still got to do:

- Paint the PAK
- Finish the plexiglass cover etc

Almost done

Martin

Martinnnn -

This is superb. Great plot and you've supported it extremely well. The T34, PAK, figure, and groundwork all speak for themselves and attention to detail is excellent. As others, anxious to see more. The "damage" was a good suggestion and maybe several more "spent" PAK rounds laying around would stress the frustration. Really nothing needs to be done to this other than what you've already planned. The only thing I thought of was maybe another figure say near where the machine gun is, running and firing behind in desparation, leaving the other to his fate? Just a thought. Great job.

Blade48mrd