First of all let me say howdy. Looking to getting back in to building models after 20 odd years.

I'm looking for some advice on how big my first project should be and how I go about making the base and all that stuff.

By the way I'm into world war two scenes innvoling British or Canadians. Any help in this would be greatly appricated.

Have A Good One

I think you should start in an other way.
Start by thinking about what scene you want to make. What is the story of your diorama?
Then you have to figure out what you need to tell that story.
Some figures, a vehicle or two, maybe a building?

When you have gathered all the items you need to tell the story, you should try to lay it out on you table to see how much space you need.

Since this is your first diorama, you should try to keep it pretty small. Try to come up with an idea that requires 3-4 figures and a vechicle. That should be enough for your first dio.

A quick and easy way to create the base is to buy a picture frame. I buy mine from IKEA. They have a good range of frames, and they do not cost much.

Good luck!

HI Randall

First allow me to welcome you to the greatest model site on the web. Now, on to your question. The first thing I think you should do is pick up a copy of "How to Build Dioramas" by Shep Paine. This book is one of the greatest "how to" books out there. It covers pretty much all aspects of a diorama build.
As far as your first project goes, I would think small. A vechicle, and a figure or two. Keep in mind the "K.I.S" method, keep it simple. Any questions or problems you may have along the way, feel free to drop by the site and ask. You will find the folks here are a very big help.
Good luck & Welome
Harry

Welcome back and welcome to the best website for modeling.


The above advice is good. I'd offer that you start right here.
Check out the Features section - Digital Diamonds are great quick hints
Gerta is a favorite https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/142

Got'cha Covered is another start to finish feature https://armorama.kitmaker.net//features/751 There is a gallery problem right now so some images may not show up..

Hi and welcome,

Some good thought in the posts above. Probaby the first thing you need to think of is location. Do you want a NWE dio, one set in Italy or one in N Africia or the Far East.

Once you've decided on location, I'd do a little on line research, find out a little about the regiments, units and so on that fought in that theatre of war. You should come across some inspiring stories and pictures that may help you decide.

Then think of the season, winter, summer, spring and so on.

As you come across more information you ideas will change and develop. Do you want to show a particular vehicle or just representation of say a Bren Carrier in N Africia. A lot will depend on how accurate you want to be. If it's a specific vehicle at a specific time/location then the more research you do before hand the better. If it's just a setting to displpay the model then you'e got more freedom of choice and setting.

Try something small to start out with, try some techniques to see the effect, don't be afraid to change things and develop you ideas

I get most of my ideas from history books, pictures and things that I stumble across on the web. Once you've decided on what vehicle or vehicles you want to build have a look at the various galleries on the different web sites, and see what other folks have done with their kits.

If you're using figures, how well do they fit in, do they look natural - and link with your story line. There's a good example on the forum at the moment of a really good/bad dio, with an LCM landing a vehicle onto Omaha beach with lots of action figures in the foreground, but if you look at the figures on the LCM and the Tank Crew they look like they are just there on hoilday and have nothing to do with the action that's supposed to be taking place.

Then link in with the thoughts above and you'll be well on you way.

Above all have fun.

Al

Hi and welcome to the Big A Randall. One of the things I like to do it to build a cardboard mock up of the scenes and major players. It allows me to visualize things a bit better and make adjustments when it wont ruin anything. Here is an example of one I am working on.



Good Luck and keep us posted!

Thanks for all the good advice.

Been doing some thinking regarding my setting.

Thinking of the Italian campagin going up the east cost with the 1st CDN Div. Setting up an ambulance rely point.

Now the only problem I am having is trying to find an ambulance. I am certian that the Cdn didn't use the amercian style ambs. but will research that some more to make sure.

However, the real problem I am having is getting soft skin vehicles and non-combatant figures. Lots of AFV's and axis soft skins along with lots of AFV crews and section figures.

Does anybody have an idea were I might find kits along the line of ambulances and medics and all the sundry kit that goes along with it..

All the help given will be greatly appricated.

Tanks

"There is no problem that cannot be solved by the use of high explosives." Bumper Sticker

Hello again,

Italeri seem to be the best plastic injection mould company for softskin vehicles. They do a Medical Jeep No 326 and the Dodge Ambulance WC54 No 226 and the Chevrolet 15cwt No 233. Unfortunately I think they are all out of production at the moment. However, these kits may still be available and they are often re-released.

Resicast do a Para Medical Jeep conversion set for the Tamiya willys Jeep and also a couple of wounded infantry. They also do some wounded Paras and a Medical Orderly and Stretcher Team.

Dragon have a good set of German Medcial Troops if you want to mix the troops up which would be a possibility at an aid post. and a Kubelwagen Medial conversion set.

Tamiya have the 6x4 Krupp Truck which could have have been 'Liberated' - which often happened

Accurant Armour have the best range of Commonwealth trucks including the Austin ' Tilly' 4 x 2 Utility Car, they also do the Austin K2Y Ambulance and a range of other WW 2 British/Commonwealth Trucks but they cost a lot of money and are too expensive for most people including me. That doesn't mean they are not excellent kits, they surely are, just depends how much you can afford to spend.

Unfortunately when It comes to British/Canadian Trucks and Figures there's a sever shortage of choice, which for trucks/figures means going resign and that can be costly.

I'll be watching this post to see if there's something out there I haven't discovered yet.

If Dragon are watching, come on guys lets have some Staghounds, 4x2 and 4x4 Commonwealth Trucks and Artillery for the WW2 Allied side and don't forget the Commonwealth Medical Troops and Engineers!!!!!

Hope this helps

Al

Edit - Later

I should also have mentioned Ultracast who do some good figures like their Jeep Driver and headsets and helmets along with Canadian Decals for specific Canadian Regiments.

Archer Transfers have medical decals and lots of vehicle markings for all occasions. I think I read somewhere their Maple Leaf is a modern dsign so check first.

Hornet are excellent for figure heads and it's either Hornet of Wolf who do a walking wounded Infantryman.

Have fun.

Al

Welcome back! You sound like me... Model till my late teens teh noff to "LIFE" and no time to model. Stepped back a few years ago when I was doing a garage cleaning and found an old Tamyia M3 Stuart" left over from the "old Days" and thought.. What the heck...!

My suggestion is based on your specific situation"

1. how much space do you have to work and then store the project? (This always include a realistic assessment of the stomach acid level you can handle when confronted with your wife, girlfriend, roomie, etc's reaction to your renewed joy of modeling)

2. Your own patience or interest. What I mean is I would start small because a big project can take lots of time and frankly it might get frustrating and a bit tedious, thus causing you to simple stop rather than finish.

3. A smaller project will get done faster and then you can look to the next idea and inspiration and begin refining your craft as you regain your old skills and acquire new ones.

And as a side note, Small does not mean simple.. here are some very small ( under 8" square) projects that were relatively fast, fun, yet detailed and challenging at the same time.

Good Luck!

Neill

Alanl

Thanks for all the good advice. Have checked out a fair bit of information on the web and such even found a number of photos showing a Canadian Aid Station in Italy which has given me a good idea for a lay out.

the only problem I am having right now is trying to find figures for the secene. Checked ot a few sights regarding doing scratch figures and am thinking that this is the way to go. For the layout of my figures and what I want them to be doing

However, to be totaly honest I am not very artistical inclined and a bit nervous about doing those. Checked out this sight http://home.planet.nl/%7Eklink244/home.html and found some ideas. But if anybody could give me some direction on where I might be able to find figures that are only needing painting that would be great.

Well thanks again AlanL