Working that M-10 with armor top plates into a city Ambush Diorama. Using the same technique describe in my article, first I

1. lay-out a plywood base and drilled random depth 1/4 wide holes every 1-1.5 inches.
2. Pouring Durhams Water Putty, mixed with a little white glue and tinted dark gray with black acrylic paint, on top and shaking to release any air bubbles, I cover the base and then pour on extra rubble I have stored ina mason jar. (extra from old projects and freshly made from Druham.)
NOTE: I always sprinkle on some dry Durhams to the still wet base. it tends to collect in a great dirt/gradually pebble effect in the area were larger rubble does not cover the wet water putty.
3. Dry for 24 hours and shake off the excess (save extra for later)
4. I add various washes of Midnight blue, Black, Burnt Umber and Forest Green to give depth and texture to my rubble.
5. Dry brushing begins
5. Adding detail - floor joist, flooring, debris, wire, trash, etc.



I am about 70% done with this one... more debris, rubble, some crew members (1-2 Visible), camo Net and personal gear /Tools on the back of the M-10 need to be done.

Comments appreciated.

Neill

Ahhhhhhhh nice to see your M10 again and in a dio to boot , great work John keep us posted , cant wait to see it all complete. The rubble looks great , very effective


Ian

Yeah John I like it!
Have seen pics of TDs in concealment that have had paling fence sections stood upright against the front of the TD for extra cover, as an option. Will the figs be TD crew only? MAybe one at the front left corner where the large post is, with 'glasses' sighting for the TD? Impressed thus far, keep the pics coming in! When is it set?
Cheers
Brad

It's amazing how different the pictures look when taken close up (first 2 pictures) compared to the 3rd one.

Looking forward to your completed Dio..

John, very very nice so far. I will have to try your technique for doing bases one of these days. I think this will be another fine work when its finished. cheers Kevin

Beautiful, are you going to add figs? Is that the Academy kit?
~Chip

It looks good. Really good.

I love the base really impressive , rich it ! Good job

Thanks all -

Definitley adding 1 or two crew members may add someone else... not sure

the kit is an old Academy M10 I found at a Garage sale




Lots more detail needed, but having fun messy with it...

Neill

John,

Looks great. I like the technique for the groundwork. How bo you create the rubble though? Is it purchased or do you build id, if so, how do you do it?

Charles

Thanks Charles

I create my own rubble. Mixed up some Durhams Water Putty ( or plater or what ever else you might use) and pour it out on a plastic bag ( I use 1 gallon zip lock pbags thicker and will not crumble up). I spread it out to the right scale thickness and the nlet it dry a little. before it hardens I score the surface the width of the brick or block I am trying to recreate. Once dry I simple snack it into the right length piece and toss it all in the bag and give iita few wacks witha rubber mallet to break it up and give mea variety of simplesand shapes.

Note: I always tint my putty mixture a dark grey to make it easier to paint later

AND

Before I pour the putyy out on the plastic bag, I spinkle or powder the bag with Dry Durhams. This way the back side of my bricks are not slick and flat, but have a textured finish.

hope that makes senseand helps.

Maybe I can do a Article on my rubble technique with PIXs. Would that help anyone?

Neill

it looks really realistic. keep up the good work

Looks good John.
I too, am a great fan of Durhams, been using it for years.

John, thats a beautiful dio you made.

I for one would love to see a pictorial how-to on that base.

Thanks.. finish some details tonight. nearly ready for final wheatheringand paint job. PIX soon Neill




Great Stuff. Found a Ray Anderson Diorama Book on EBAY. Had most the oringal articles from my old FSM collection, but it was a great reminder of what you can do with the Durhams. Neill




Check out my Basic wall construction Article the basic technique is the same.



Maybe I should do a start-to-finish "How-to" pictorial article. Might be fun... I have a 37mm Dio I been startting... and starting the last few months...

Neill