The planning stages for laying out the diorama. The base is 1.5 inch thick insulation foam.
The easiest way to cut this foam board is with a hot wire tool. I used Woodland Scenics' hot wire tool for this particular diorama.
Looking at the final version of the diorama, you can see how I changed things.
The buildings are Mini Art from set 36015. I rearranged the components and cut the street section to size. Mini Art buildings are a great product. The loose bricks are from Plus Models and Verlinden.
A belt fed MG34 ready for use. Expended shell casings lie on what's left of the homes plank flooring.
Tamiya's Horsch truck ued for pulling the Pak40 anti-tank cannon.
The focal point of the diorama is a card game.
The looser of the game looks put off. Th other players folded last hand.
Onlooker tank crewman watch from the heights of their Jagdpanther. This is Tamiya's older version of the kit with lots of Eduard photo-etch parts to add details.
Another view of the Jagdpanther.
This tanker is more interested in Goebbels' propaganda, then the card game at hand.
The house's entry door and long floor planks are used the help camouflage the "crouching" Jagdpanther.
The make-shift camouflage falls away as the Jagdpanther moves after firing.
A make-shift private area for the troops.
The glass panes are made from the plastic found on most house hold items.
Chickens feed away from the troops in hopes they will not become tonights dinner.
Flowers still bloom under the front window of this shattered home.
The barrel of the Pak40 looms out the front entry of the house, while a chicken looks in the direction of the card game.
A detail shot of the scenery. I stared with a grass matt from Woodland Scenics. I sprinkled static grass and leaf litter to to help break up the monotone grass matt. The tufts of tall grass are pre-made and come in several colors and heights.
Leaf litter finds it's final resting place in the corners of buildings. This is true of plant seeds as well.
The Pak40 is Tamiya's kit, enhanced with Eduard photo-etch. Ammunition is piled, ready for use. Expended shells are thrown to the left side of the cannon.
In addition to pulling the Pak40, the truck stores more ammo and other supplies to keep the troops effective. This is another Tamiya kit with lots of Verlinden stowage.
A place to sleep out of the rain. Four rain ponchos are buttoned together to form a tent for four. They are made by printing the camo pattern on my ink jet printer and gluing the triangles together. Also in this shot, the window frames and floor boards that were once part of this Eastern Normandy "villa".
A leaning power pole helps add detail to the scene.
More shattered landscape. The wood pieces are craft sticks dipped in a wood aging solution. The effect is convincing and easier to apply than paint.
Actual photo reference I used for the Jagdpanther camouflage setting.
My attempt at making the modern dio look like a period photo. This was all done using Picasa 3.5, which is no Photo Shop, but does a good job.
My attempt at making the modern dio look like a period photo.
