well thanks guys you've really helped me along with the comments - I think I'll get to work converting a few figures to suit the scene, maybe some guys in the back of the truck, or milling around.

Perhaps they are just setting up position on a glorious day in some beautiful countryside, the allies had only just landed - not a care in the world at the moment. Hitler is promising them victory and early reports are heavy casualties for the invaders. For that one blazing hot day those winding lanes were quite a pleasant place to be...

I'd like to avoid going TOO far with the opel as I'd like to see this diorama finished just out of principal and it would chew up a lot of time. It'll get a good seeing-to detail wise but it will be purely scratchbuilt stuff.

Jon, you have some real serious ground work here, congrats on that! You have a very good eye on how things should work together and I think this is a key factor when doing rural ground work. Can't wait to see this on the next steps. Keep posting progress. Kevin

I know I must sound whiny, but...

"I wanna learn how to make groundwork like BigJon!"

How do I say that I wish I could get a tutorial on how to make plants (and grass) like these, without actually coming out and just plain saying it?

mate, the WHOLE diorama - from picture frame + tissue paper right the way up until the point it's at now, was covered in step by step pictures in this very forum under the name "Winding Lanes" in progress.

this would have given you all the techniques I used, the thing is - the forum search is turning up nothing I do not know where this old thread has gone - if anyone has free time on their hands to go searching....

thanks for all the comments guys I really appreciate it!

Cheers
Jon

Gday Jonny H
Either way the vehicles suit, IMHO...
The wheels look turned a little on the truck. Does this mean they are movable? If so, maybe a little more would suit the lanes' angle...
How about all soldiers relaxed, save for one near the right side of the truck who could be on guard/looking down the lane running square? (One would imagine to extrapolate the groundwork beyond the diorama would mean to have more hedgerows and therefore view would be limited to down the lanes themselves, from the lanes...)

I know it would be tough to change the hand angle on the bloke crouched over the map to look more natural, but I'm certain a ciggy would look good between the fingers... (If Overlord don' getcha, smokin' will :-) )

You mentioned camo for the truck... Was this just foliage/branch work?
If you choose this, it may not suit to have 'matching' foliage to the ground work. What I mean is that even though it logically would be the ideal real-life choice, in a diorama it may cause the truck to become too blended in; defeating the purpose of displaying something to be seen... Does this make sense?
But yep, as mentioned it will give you good scope to apply the figs to 'menial' tasks when the focus is not a whirlwind of action...
Sorry for burbling...
Cheers mate
Brad

https://armorama.kitmaker.net/forums/74370&page=5

the old thread!!

all the step by steps and in-progress pics, as well as materials explanations, all in that thread!



cheers
Jon

ok guys a few more shots, done a LITTLE bit more work on the figures but theyre nearly ready for painting now (just stuff like weapon slings and helmet straps to make now).

the top down photo is for those interested in the overall layout. I am still undecided on which figures to include over on the other side of the truck...

sorry for you guys on slow connections.... the pics are pretty large...

It just keeps looking better. Great work.

Found some great basket liner like we discussed, Nortene Juna, the right colours and the right texture. £2 for a bag though, but saved me going over to Brighton. Also found photo frames for £1.50 so all set now!

£3.50 and you've got the start of a basic diorama you cannot say fairer than that.

That one basket liner should last you a long time though. the stuff goes a loooooong way!

Hi Jon,

For some unknown reason i did not get the occasion to comment on your dio, but i hope it isn't to late to gratulate you on your detailed work.

I got back this morning to both threads and see that you the evolution of the dio would make for an excellent Groundwork Tutorial and is indeed very helpful for everyone.

Waiting for the finish now

Cheers

Claude

Nice display for a very good base!
Cheers and happy modelling!
Prato

Hi all - me again


With my first diorama comes my first serious efforts at painting WWII figures. I wasn't too bad at painting figures back in my Warhammer 40,000 days, so I have been quite looking forward to this.

I have been doing some research and found out that the 12th SS Hitlerjugend division used a real mish-mash of camouflage gear, including lots of Italian material and of course a mix of their own SS camo.

This figure I have decided will wear the M1944 oakleaf pattern, and his trousers will be in Italian, whereas the other guys I think will wear mostly italian schemes with a guy also wearing some of that lovely orange camouflage - to represent one of the veterans they folded through into the 12th SS to bolster their officers.

anyway heres my effort so far...






cheers
Jon

TA-DA! Thanks mucho.

And nice fatigues Jon!

done a little more grassing







the groundwork is really close to being finished. There's still a whole hedge to do - but I have the technique for that down now so I should fly through it. I still have a bit more grass to plant too for texture, and some weeds to add.