This is my first attemt on miniature building. I just bought a tank-set and 4 soldiers, and started from scratch. It still lacks some props and detailing.

The diorama is not by any standard "historically correct",
but that was not my point either.

Some ideas and feedback would be nice

Here are the photos!

well to be honest it looks good but the idea is not, i just dont like that poor cow being mutilated. i like to have animals nice and healthy in my dioramas.

Did they shoot the cow or hit it with the tank?
What it the huge net like thing to the right of the tank?
Why is the air identification flag draped across the front fender of the tank? usually they are on the turret or rear deck of the tank.
I think you have an interesting diorama here however I question whether the subject matter will not be considered too graphic for most who view it.
I also wonder what exactly is the storyline to the diorama?
Again, just looking at the photos I'm not sure if the cow was hit or shot. It looks like the guy is taking a photo of the cow? Pretty grim.
At this point it leaves me wondering what the purpose is other than the shock factor.
Cheers,
Charles

I have to agree that I'm not sure of the story. There is a tank and dead cow as the main features. If you had some more wounded and dead it could possibly show the results of heavy fighting.

The tank looks too clean. The groundwork looks nice and muddy but there is nothing in the tracks or lower hull.

There is also a lot of open space that needs to be filled.

There doesn't appear to be any rubble where the wall was knocked down.

I think some weeds and grass would give some color to all that dark muddy groundwork.

As for the subject matter, I have no issues with it as I am not easily offended but please be aware of others especially if you plan on posting pics.

Interesting first project. I give you credit for taking on the subject matter on the first 'go round'.

I think some rubble (as mentioned) and some weeds and grasses or clumps from the crater.

You've done some nice things with angling the wall and road so they aren't perpendicular to the edge. You have added color and detail that is usually not in early dioramas.

One thing I'd like to see is a nice trimmed/painted edge. It gives it a nice 'finished' complete look.

Too many open spaces...I'm not sure if you still plan on putting some things there such as vegetation. The color of the center of the dio is totally different from the outer edges-- looks monotonous? Just my two cents

Cheers

That's a good start, Roy. The comments about foliage and rubble are quite valid, and you can still take care of that. Also, as Scott said, neaten it up a bit.

I actually like the cow and thw whole tragedy of the orphaned calf . War's pretty bloody.

When doing a dio (just like you would when drawing a pic), consider whether your story is clear (however basic it is).

I was wondering about the net too. Sometimes there are odd unexplainable things in scenes, and that's ok, but remember that people are far more critical of art than reality. I've often heard someone say "Nah, the sky's never that red" of a painting, but rarely of a photo.

People often look for typical things in dios, but if you like it, put it in. Just be ready to argue :-) .

What the other guys said. Construction looks to be pretty good. But I, too, have some questions. Is that a jelly sandwich at the back of the tank? The line between the grass and non grass looks too straight. The debris along the edge looks out of place.

Hi Roy,

Nice start, I like the idea, it's barron, stark and that fit's in well with the dead cow and the orphaned calf. The pointlessness of war?

Some might think it's a bit grim, but lots of animals were killed by shelling and just by just being in the way.

Not quite sure why the soldiers are looking at the cow. The smell would be awful, so unless they are after some fresh meat, they probably wouldn't go near it.

Might be an idea to give a short written lead in to let people know what you're meaning to portray, or they can just decide for themselves.

You should think about moving the flag, it looks like it's over the drivers vision hatch but I can't see clearly in the photo's.

Tidy up areound the edges a bit and the points about the weeds etc are valid but then it depends on what you wanted to show.

Anyway, a good effort, it's up to you to decide how you want the space to look but as you said you still have some stuff to add.

Cheers

Al

I mostly agree with what the others have said.

As a hunter I must admit the cows um.. Internals? look realistic I’m just not sure what actually happened to it.
I’m wondering what you used to make the blood?

I must say I think I like what you have so far. Gives an idea of the sorrow and horror of war.

A good first effort but I like others am not a fan of the gore. You can do an excellent job and still use gore just look at Greg Cihlar. Check the cover of his Verlinden softcover "Greg Cihlar's Fabulous Military Dioramas" for an example. Or better yet pic up a copy. He's excellent.

Thanks for the critique and tips!
A good help.

It's hard to start modelling on your own. I don't know anyone who models, so this site (that means you guys)keep my spirit up!

back to the diorama.

First of all: this diorama is not by far finished.

Second: War details is not my table, but it is great if most details are correct.

Third: For me, since it's my first, this was a visual project for me. learning to handle different tecniques.


The idea behind this scene was to show the war from a different perspective, blood and gore, yes, but a calmness and daily feel.

Many may see it as repulsive, but the way I see it, the beauty is in the contrast between the gore and the casual acting soldiers. They have seen everything.

Answers to your questions

-The vehicle has stopped. that is why the flag was on the "hood". (and of course that i don't have a clue about tanks

-The blood is actually mostly glossy black paint, with tiny fades of "real red" on the surface for depth and warmth.

-Jelly sandwich and egg-sandwich!

-I made the diorama on the sidecover of an old computer. The edges are not covered but will be!

And thanks to David Blacker for giving the scene it's name:

"Tragedy of the orphaned calf"

So long!

Good to see another Norwegian in the Forum, Roy.

I think most thing has been said about your diorama. Personally I have no trouble with blood and gore in a dio. It is a part of war. How you display it up to yourself. However, a great start, keep up the good work.

You said you are a "rookie" with modelling, and I just want to remind you that we have a very active Norwegian IPMS site. Lots of great guys, and the language is your own. :-) .

Here is a link . See you around.

Cheers
Erik

PS. You have to sign in to use the forum.

i dont mind the cow, but i would have enjoyed more pics of hte ground work and tank...

Frank

I'm with David (Spooky6) on the importance and clarity of the story taking precedence. It is a good first effort nevertheless and I'm sure it will get even better with future dios.

For me the story that war is a waste of human as well as animal lives took a bit of time to sink in. Perhaps it has to do with the positioning of the animal versus the tank and the color contrast of the animal itself. If the tank was moved to the front pointing towards the left corner (top down view) and you had some riders and the tank comander peering down at the dead cow as the tank went past it may help tighten the story a bit more. Remember soldiers in constant combat tend to be a bit immune/jaded to death otherwise they'd lose it, so for a tank and troops to stop to look at a dead cow might seem a wee bit stretched. Just my 2 cents though.

All in all a good effort.

I'ld say you definately got the carnage and sadness of war thing right.

Its a combat scene and combat is not nice and healthy. It may be correct that portraying the result of combat is not suitable for everybodies eyes, especially minors.

On the other hand, covering up reality and making a combat scene look like a summerday picnic does not seem very healthy to me either.

I guess that you have some realities quite well covered, although I support many of the comments made by others.

well, I wont repeat the things everyone else here has said. Honestly, for a first diorama, its pretty good. My first when I was 12 wasnt that good. IM kind of not into the whole dead cow thing either. Did you ever see "Saving private Ryan"?? Awesome film, isnt it?? I have that on DVD. every once in a while I will watch it again. But no matter how many times I watch it, there are still parts that make me really upset, really angry, and a couple I just have to close my eyes. The reason this movie provokes strong emotions for me is because I know that D-Day was just that bad and probably worse then I will ever know. The movie disturbs me, but the writer intended for me to be disturbed. I think if I werent, there would be something wrong with me. there isnt something wrong with the movie, its the way it was. Perhaps if people found war as disturbing as I did that movie, we wouldnt have so many. So, if your intentions with that Dio was to disturb people, good job. You did. And your not wrong for doing so even if it isnt politically correct. Sometimes, people need that reminder. Lest we forget history, we are doomed to repeat it.

That's a great first effort. I'm a little offended by the treatment of the cargo net though. Sand works into the fibers and the next thing you know...
Seriously, it's a good story line. I like the small crater. It's very well done and looks about like one an 81mm mortar would make. I'm guessng that's what did Bessy in. The only other thing that really strikes me is how pale the one soldier seems to be. Or is that exactly what you wanted to convey?
I've wanted to do a UN Warrior which has slid down an icy road and killed a horse, with the driver painting a kill mark on the hull. So no problems with the subject matter. Accidents happen.
The soldier's reaction is to be expected. I was like that the first time I saw a goat that had stepped on a land mine. After about the fifth one I thought, "Anyone for kebabs again?"

Like Erik says, you should join the IPMS Norway forum. I don't know if you heard of it, but IPMS is an international club of plastic modellers. Bergen has it own local branch.You can get the contact info from the IPMS Norway homepage. They might have some meetings and stuff. Don't know how close you live to Bergen, though.