Introduction

Black Dog has sent Armorama samples of their latest diorama bases for review. This particular review looks at a diorama base titled ‘House Corner No4 Base’. this offering features a corner of a building perched on a rocky outcrop.

Contents

This offering from Black Dog is packaged in a reasonably sized end opening card box. The box does have an image of the painted display base on the front, inside of the box two Ziploc bags, one which holds the four resin detailing parts for the base and the other the two main parts for the base. Further protection for the parts is supplied through the use of foam peanuts.

Review

An examination of the six parts that make up this diorama base finds no issues to confront the modeller. The building portion of the diorama does have a substantial casting block that will need to be removed with a saw. The four finer detailing pieces also have casting blocks attached, but with these being so much finer they will be far easier to release, however these being finer more care will need to be taken to avoid damage. The base plate of the diorama will only require a light sanding to ensure everything is perfectly flat.

Once removed from their casting blocks and washed to remove dust and release agent the minor assembly can begin. The building structure is easily placed, but some filler will be needed I feel to make it look as one. The random nature of the stone effect base will make clean up of excess filler a pain, but due to the random nature of stone a perfectly smooth finish is not going to be needed. The building has a significant recess to locate into and so the joint should be a good one. The finer parts consist of a wooden fence, window frame and two wooden sashes. These parts are nicely thin with good detail on both faces. The fence does have some very fine flash present, but this is to be expected and will be very easy to remove.

The various textures of the stone, plaster, brick and wood that are present in the elements of this diorama have been very well tackled; as such it is really up to the skill of the modeller with a paintbrush and their weathering skills as to what you get. Black Dog have provided a very nice backdrop here for the display of one or two 1/35th scale figures, perhaps a couple of German Gebirgsjäger. The design of this diorama or vignette base does limit the position and number of figures that could be displayed, but its design and materials represented does cover the period from about the 17th century on as regards the Italian Alps, I believe.

Conclusion

This is a well presented and thought out diorama or vignette display base. The painting of the model is what will make or break this offering; I have to be honest in that I am not a fan of how it is presented on the box art as finished. I would have liked a recessed area in the building to allow a figure to be placed behind the window if desired.