forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com
Forum Archive Storage => WW1 Diorama Group Build => Topic started by: Dave W on August 22, 2016, 03:14:35 PM
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I'm looking for something different as my bit in the WW1 GB diorama and this photo found during an internet search for inspiration got me hooked.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/british-vehicle-stuck-in-mud-western-front-ww1-drhxpg_zpsx1uun7vt.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/british-vehicle-stuck-in-mud-western-front-ww1-drhxpg_zpsx1uun7vt.jpg.html)
The mud of the Western Front sometimes defined that war and it was also a forced transition from horsepower to machinery...so what about a diorama of a staff car bogged in the mud being pulled free by a horse?
Here's the central elements to the project:
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/diorama%20elements%20august%202016_zps7e8xuue7.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/diorama%20elements%20august%202016_zps7e8xuue7.jpg.html)
The horse is courtesy of a Masterbox set and the bogged vehicle is an Airfix Prince Henry Vauxhall. A block of florist's foam sculpted into a wooden base will form the basis of the terrain. Artists materials will create the muddy terrain.
The plan is to keep the diorama fairly simple and low budget but with some visual impact. The scale is 1/32.
This should be a fun build and quite different to my usual builds.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Oh, this will be very interesting.
I will watch carefully.
Manni
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Hi Dave,
great idea! If you use Tom's Modellworks Spoked wheels set in 1/32 you'll have a much better scale effect with your wheels. Another way to improve this kit I found here: http://www.themotormuseuminminiature.co.uk/re-spoking-wire-wheels.php
Borsos
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An excellent idea Dave, I'm looking forward to seeing you make a start on your dio.
Des.
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Very cool idea, Dave! I like it a lot and will follow with great interest.
Cheers,
Bud
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Very cool idea, Dave! I like it a lot and will follow with great interest.
Cheers,
Bud
Same here.
Ed
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That looks to be a very original idea - am looking forward to following this one.
Stephen.
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Very cool idea, Dave! I like it a lot and will follow with great interest.
Cheers,
Bud
Same here.
Ed
and so says the Third Amigo!
RAGIII
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Okay so here we go with the GB diorama entitled "Bogged Down on the Western Front".
Construction is underway on the Airfix Prince Henry Vauxhall car and it's a remarkably detailed kit from 1971. The base of the diorama is a florist's foam block which has been textured to receive a coating of plaster of paris which will be rendered into a mud terrain and then suitably painted.
A horse from a Masterbox set is made and ready for painting so here's a preliminary look at the key elements:
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Diorama%201%20sep%202016_zpslygbwlk7.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Diorama%201%20sep%202016_zpslygbwlk7.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/diorama%202%20sep%202016_zps2pdt9dus.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/diorama%202%20sep%202016_zps2pdt9dus.jpg.html)
Theres a ways to go yet but the empty seats of the car will be partly dressed with scaled down prints of real Western Front maps:
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/wwi_map_western_front__44480.1417221312.480.480_zpsvc92gisq.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/wwi_map_western_front__44480.1417221312.480.480_zpsvc92gisq.jpg.html)
And even a 1/32 scale copy of the Daily Mirror
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/mirror%201_zps7izrcegy.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/mirror%201_zps7izrcegy.jpg.html)
The driver and some other figures are scheduled for work when the key elements are finished.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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That is an awesome start! This one will certainly be fun to watch come together!
RAGIII
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You have made an excellent start with this diorama David, I will be watching the progress of this with great interest.
Des.
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I can't wait to see how this develops, David, as you build on this excellent start.
Best wishes
Nigel
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That is a great idea to use contemporary material in the back of the car. Very realistic. Looking forward to more.
Stephen.
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So here we are further into the diorama build and the various elements are coming together nicely.
Work on the Airfix 1/32 Prince Albert Vauxhall is almost done.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/sep%2026%203_zpsvve5mod5.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/sep%2026%203_zpsvve5mod5.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/sep%2026%206_zpstmymfkwd.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/sep%2026%206_zpstmymfkwd.jpg.html)
The base and horse are done. The base is plaster of Paris painted with various acrylics and highlighted with Tamiya Mud. The horse is from a Masterbox set and a forlorn tree from the spares box adds some Western Front flavour.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Sep%2026%204_zpsoadls0hg.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Sep%2026%204_zpsoadls0hg.jpg.html)
The car is part weathered but not yet "muddied" into the base but its sitting in the pose it will be glued into and we are now seeing the scene as it will play out- staff car bogged down and horse pulling it free.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Sep%2026%201_zps1uryk9rf.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Sep%2026%201_zps1uryk9rf.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/sep%2026%202_zps68eger7d.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/sep%2026%202_zps68eger7d.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/sep%2026%205_zps0wgpfbq7.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/sep%2026%205_zps0wgpfbq7.jpg.html)
There's still some way to go. Lots of weathering yet and a soldier or two will be added.
This has been a most enjoyable build and a refreshing distraction from my usual WW1 builds.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Coming along very nicely, it will certainly be a little different!
Ian
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Looking really good David, love the mud effect and the horse is excellent, you have also done a great job with the car, looking forward to seeing the next update on this 'different' diorama.
Des.
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Here is my completed WW1 GB diorama "Bogged Down on the Western Front".
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Overall%20scene_zpsfprscevu.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Overall%20scene_zpsfprscevu.jpg.html)
This has been a very enjoyable project and I've learnt a lot about telling a story through models.
The centrepiece is an Airfix 1/32 Prince Henry Vauxhall in the role of a staff car bogged in the mud being pulled free by a horse. The scene is a blend of 1/32 and 1/35 items but the scale difference is insignificant to my eyes.
The horse is from a Masterbox set, the sergeant leading the horse is also Masterbox while the poor driver trying to shove the car free is an ICM figure converted. The Major idly standing by and doing nothing but look is a Brian Fawcett figure.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Dio%209_zpsulvmgzyh.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Dio%209_zpsulvmgzyh.jpg.html)
The detail items in the car are a mix of kit bits and DIY. The bincoulars, bags. helmet, shovel, .303 rifle and pistol are all from Masterbox and Italeri detail sets. The genuine WW1 newspaper and map of the Western Front are real items, downloaded from Google and scaled down for the home printer. They help tell the story.
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Dio%206_zpshwhmpyfg.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Dio%206_zpshwhmpyfg.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Dio%205_zpsb3qu02pq.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Dio%205_zpsb3qu02pq.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Dio%202_zps3nvgvwat.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Dio%202_zps3nvgvwat.jpg.html)
(http://i1146.photobucket.com/albums/o533/DaveW2016/Dio%201_zpskswnfam1.jpg) (http://s1146.photobucket.com/user/DaveW2016/media/Dio%201_zpskswnfam1.jpg.html)
The mud effect is plaster of paris painted with appropriate shades of mud colour and highlighted with Tamiya mud weathering compound.
Special thanks to Des for organising this GB which has re-energised my modelling.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
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Very cool, Dave! I love it! Very imaginative and beautifully executed.
Cheers,
Bud
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Very nicely done, and a refreshingly different subject!
Ian
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One of a kind Dave and beautifully done! The numerous extras in the vehicle really add a lot to the scene, and the theme as well. A unique subject and you've really done a lovely job of it.
Cheers,
Lance
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hey Dave! I completely agree with all tha above!
You had a great idea and succeded in developing it into a perfect scene!
All the stuff in the car make it really come to life.
very well done!
ciao
edo
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Congratulations Dave on pulling this off, your initial idea has been turned into reality and it looks splendid. All aspects of this diorama have their own story to tell but I particularly love all the small accessories you piled into the vehicle, these extras have brought the whole scene to life, very well done.
Des.
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I agree with all that has been written. A very original topic, well executed and all those extra details really give it a different feel. Finding that photo was obviously a good start but to turn that into a full model has taken some real skill. Very well done.
Stephen.
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At first I have to say, that I like your idea and the way you present the scene.
There are some points, I would like to give you some constructive criticism.
The car: Take a toothbrush or a stiff brush and put some earth coloured pigments, mixed with glos varnish and sprinkle the mixture at the back of the car and the fenders to make it look more dirty.
The mud: Add some gloss varnish or vallejo still water mixed with a tiny bit of brown colour into the dulls (sinks) of the mud to imitate some water.
Add a bit sieved garden earth to the mud to give it some struckture (here again with some pigments and some white glue)
It will give more variety to the groundwork and make it more interesting to your eye.
I hope you are now not sad or angry for my comment, but I think it will help to make your great scene look even more realistic.
Manni
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Outstanding composition and the results are awesome! Like all of the others I think the extras really help bring the scene to life.
RAGIII
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Many thanks to those who have provided feedback on my GB diorama.
Manni- I actually did quite a bit of research on the mud of the Western Front and found via contemporary photos that it was not always glistening with pools of water. The diorama has sufficient 'shine' to depict boggy terrain, but this may not show in the photos posted. I wanted the diorama to be stark, not filled with distractions and generally reflect a mid winter look, but overall to be minimal and not over dressed.
Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia