"Don't worry we're quite safe here"

Nice composition and decent build.

Couple points. The Kubelwagen...the tires look like they just got polished for a car show, yet the windshield has an impenetrable layer of dirt. Also, it might look more bneatural ilf it were parked nose in or more nearly parallel to the house front so it loolked like thee Germans had just pulled in.

Second, painting US flags in 1/35 is an exercise in futility. Get some Archer dry transfers or even print your own on white paper and apply with thinned white glue. They'll look immesurably better.

Tell that RTO to shut the hell up...

Really, that figure is totally out of place in that pose... Looks like he's calling in a pizza order... Needs to be holding his weapon, not the W/T...

Yeah, I would say to take that radio operator right out of the dio--he's out-of-place, completely. And really, you don't need yet another figure in there. The "point" is usually made better with less--not more--figures. I also agree about the "parking" of the Kublewagen--it would look much better "pulled in" at a more-believable angle. It looks like the "hand of God" just placed it there.

Other than that, I genuinely like the dio! I like the irony of title with the composition of the imminent "surprise"! It's a compelling idea, which you've executed, for the most part, very well! I think if you just modify those two points that have been made here, you'll have a genuine winner!

Thanks for the feedback gents.

Luckily the Kubelwagon isn't fixed yet so, that will be turned around. After looking at the Yanks I agree the radio guy should not be there, he does look out of place. I'll post some revised pics soon.

Mark

Whoever sees the other group first... I feel bad for the other.

Heh.. 4 staff-pukes with pistols against US Army Airborne Infantry...  Ain't even a chance of a fight...  Unless Vahalla is the desired destination for the Germans...

On closer inspection.. the grass seems... to long to me, and too flat.  (I dont know how to make it look like it should, havent figures that out yet.

Also, for the thickness of the second floor in your building, there is most definatly not enough rubbel inside of it.

smeagol the vile wrote:

On closer inspection.. the grass seems... to long to me, and too flat.  (I dont know how to make it look like it should, havent figures that out yet. Also, for the thickness of the second floor in your building, there is most definatly not enough rubbel inside of it.

I was playing on the side of caution regarding the rubble inside, can easily add more. For the grass I used a hanging basket liner, I assumed the grass would be a bit long as the gardner would be more than likely otherwise engaged. 

Mark

I'm not a diorama guy (at least not yet) but I think it looks awesome!

I gotta ask, since I can't see the other shoulder patches- are they 82nd? Or 101st?

Thanks DesertRat for your kind words.

I've tried to model them as 82nd, I did try and get an Archer Decal set, but I couldn't find one anywhere, so I took my smallest brush and painted the flag and badges. It's not perfect but I'm happy with the result, hope no offense has been taken at my attempt at the Stars and Stripes. Going to keep a look out for a set of US insignia.

Mark

Thats true smeagol, I managed to find a Eduard PE set for the German Insignia, pre-painted, part of the zoom range.

Mark

mmc wrote:

Thanks DesertRat for your kind words. I've tried to model them as 82nd, I did try and get an Archer Decal set, but I couldn't find one anywhere, so I took my smallest brush and painted the flag and badges. It's not perfect but I'm happy with the result, hope no offense has been taken at my attempt at the Stars and Stripes. Going to keep a look out for a set of US insignia. Mark

Oh no, there's no offense at all! I think you do a far better Stars and Stripes than I could ever do a British Jack!

I was hoping you'd say 82nd, though. That was my first unit in the Army, and I'd noticed that most of the credit for Airborne Operations in WWII tends to go to the 101st (in books, TV, Movies, etc). I'd just love to see more of the All Americans! Guess I'm just sentimental that way...

Any chance that when ya get the insignia, you might be able to reshoot a few pics?

DesertRat: Will be my pleasure, hope I can do them justice.

Mark

Hans von Hammer wrote:

...4 staff-pukes with pistols against US Army Airborne Infantry...  Ain't even a chance of a fight...

I agree.  The paratroopers would have shot up the Germans by the time they got that close to the building.  The Germans would have been dead or heading for the hills.

Hans von Hammer wrote:

The 82nd got the screen time in The Longest Day, Rat... The Duke played Vandervoot, remember?

Oh yeah, they did there. Didn't they?

I guess most of the exposure I've seen as of late comes more from "Saving Private Ryan, Band Of Brothers," and skads of books read. But then again, I guess I haven't seen nearly as many WWII movies that I woulda liked

Hi ya'll, ngotb here.  After looking over the diorama and all the comments and replies, may I add a few of my own.  There is really no indication that the Germans had just arrived.  The vehicle could have been moved to that position after they arrived and could have been in a ready to leave position.  There is only one obvious weapon visible among the Germans,  the one carrried in-sling by what must have been the driver.  The US troops are in a perfect position to take the Germans by surprise without firing a shot.  But, if they just want to kill Germans, the best course of action would be to heave a few frags over the intervening wall just for the h--- of it and see how many they get.  Also, from the looks of the building, back off, and go through the backdoor and catch'em that way. Also, there is no real indication that the RTO is doing anything but standing back out of the way, ready to pass any information back to a higher command should the need arise.  That is what RTO's do, they stand by unless ordered to do otherwise.  I was an RTO in college and I did my share of standing-by and my share of popping caps.  Either way can result in no US causlties and/or dead or captured Germans.  Most of the American units had standing orders to capture German officers whenever possible.  So, Mark, I enjoyed your dio and all the elements you explained you put in it.  But before you make any changes, consult some real combat soldiers.  My consultant is my son, a Captain in Special Operations.

Nuff, said

respects, Flattop57