Suggestions please. Diorama mock-up (Advances made)

Hans von Hammer wrote:

Just so ya know, the tracks, when they're getting changed, get laid out flat and the tank is towed up onto it until the the drive sprocket can engage it, then we'd use the tank's drive train to pull the track the rest of the way up over the top of the road wheels, using the tanker bar to lift the end over the next wheel, then keeping tension on it with the track jacks to link up the connectors... It takes a ot of room to do it, BTW... There is an easier way to do it, using the vehicle's power, but ya didn't wanna let the BMO or Motor Sergeant see ya doing it..  Rather than changing out an entire track, you might want to consider just having the crew changing a link or two, or changing out a roadwheel or two(which happens way more often).

Thank you Colonel. That's sound like the way to go with this.

Just so ya know, the tracks, when they're getting changed, get laid out flat and the tank is towed up onto it until the the drive sprocket can engage it, then we'd use the tank's drive train to pull the track the rest of the way up over the top of the road wheels, using the tanker bar to lift the end over the next wheel, then keeping tension on it with the track jacks to link up the connectors... It takes a ot of room to do it, BTW... There is an easier way to do it, using the vehicle's power, but ya didn't wanna let the BMO or Motor Sergeant see ya doing it.. 

Rather than changing out an entire track, you might want to consider just having the crew changing a link or two, or changing out a roadwheel or two(which happens way more often). 

I decided on this lower bulding instead of the two story house I had originaly planned on.

It's a Miniart kit and a pretty shoddy one at that. Molded in thin plastic with no "fit" whatsoever. With some work and paint though, it turned out alright. There are a few issues on it but they will be covered by folliage, dust, dirt and rubble I'll add once I place it on the base.

As always, all your comments and suggestions are welcome.

Thanks Deafpanzer!

I have that exact same field tool kit and will be using it in the dio. I had planned that the Kubelwagen would be getting repaired as well and that might add to the field "garage" look. However, I can see where that may make the whole thing too busy. It may be best just to focus on the thread reapair.

deafpanzer wrote:

It sounds like a fun project!  I have to agree with the guys... I am seeing alot of things going on with the proposed diorama.  If you want to focus on the tank repair and its crew, then I would remove the Kubelwagen.  The Kubelwagen may be blocking the view if you keep it there.  And replace it with related stuff such as a shop table or equipment.  You can easily get the repair/shop kit... I got mine from Italeri thru eBay.  Hope this helps... good luck!  And just have fun too!

It sounds like a fun project!  I have to agree with the guys... I am seeing alot of things going on with the proposed diorama.  If you want to focus on the tank repair and its crew, then I would remove the Kubelwagen.  The Kubelwagen may be blocking the view if you keep it there.  And replace it with related stuff such as a shop table or equipment.  You can easily get the repair/shop kit... I got mine from Italeri thru eBay.  Hope this helps... good luck!  And just have fun too!

Electric Blues wrote:

Gentlemen's clubs... what are those?

I'm really not sure... I think I read about one... once... in a book.... or sumthin'.....

bbrowniii wrote:

Ooo, and another: http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/cross-search/search/_1256148285/?search=detail&search[focus]=59 Sorry, I'm on a bit of a roll!!

Thank you very much Bbrowniii! I can't see the pictures here at work but I'll check them out as soon as I get home today! I'm sure they will be a great help.

Gentlemen's clubs... what are those?

I'll tell you what, go to this link:

http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/

In the search engine at the top, enter 'Panzer' and for years 1942 - 1945.  On the first couple of pages, you'll see a bunch of repair photos (plus a ton of other great stuff...)

Ooo, and another:

http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/cross-search/search/_1256148285/?search=detail&search[focus]=59

Sorry, I'm on a bit of a roll!!

And here is another one, this time doing track repair on an SdKfz:

http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/cross-search/search/_1256148285/?search=detail&search[focus]=55

Hope these are helpful...

Electric Blue,

Great screen name.   That's the name of a... ahem, 'gentlemen's' club here in Eastern CT.... Not that I'd know anything about that...

But seriously.  Your dio.  If you want the tank track repair to be the focal point, check out this photo of a German Panzer IV crew doing just that near Monte Cassino:

http://www.bild.bundesarchiv.de/cross-search/search/_1256147915/?search=detail&search[focus]=113

There is another pic in my Pz IV book (the 'In Action' series from Squadron) of another crew doing the same thing in the snow in Russia somewhere. 

Hopefully this will give you some ideas of how to make it look 'right'.

Good advice Vespa. Thank you very much!

Something to think about is the story you are trying to tell, and then use the composition to lead your eye around the dio to tell that story in order. At the moment, my eye is lead in a circle, so whatever is in the middle of the circle is the most important thing, like a bullseye. Another way to think about is is in abstract shapes, circles, lines, etc and don't forget the importance of negative space,  and see where your eye moves as you adjust the components. Get this part right and the rest falls together with a little tewaking here and there.

vespa boy wrote:

The composition at the moment looks like a circle inside a square base. Careful of dead corners. Have some things there that suggest activity beyond the edge.

You're right. I'll look into that. I think I did that to avoid empty air and not have it look too spread out but it looks like I compacted it too much.

I know  a lot of a dio's appeal comes from a good composition or layout. That's why I came on here to look for help. This was my first attempt. I'll let it sit a few days while I move pieces around and learn where they have to be and what other parts are needed.

ajlafleche wrote:

AS you have it now, you are setting up the guys playing cards to be the main focal point of this scene. There are multiple straight lines drawing the eye to their location...the front of the Kubelwagen, the edge of the building and the side of thh Pz IV. Is that what you want as the primary focal point? In this lauyout, the track repair kind of gets lost. On the repair, hopefully some of our tanker guys will chime in, but my gut says you wouldn't work on tracks on the bottom run and you'd probably need some sort of mechanical assist to move the tracks or a whole bunch of guys throwing their sholders into it.

Thanks very much!

So I should possibly make the thread change the focal point of the dio? That sounds good. Would the work on the threads with the break on top?

AS you have it now, you are setting up the guys playing cards to be the main focal point of this scene. There are multiple straight lines drawing the eye to their location...the front of the Kubelwagen, the edge of the building and the side of thh Pz IV. Is that what you want as the primary focal point? In this lauyout, the track repair kind of gets lost.

On the repair, hopefully some of our tanker guys will chime in, but my gut says you wouldn't work on tracks on the bottom run and you'd probably need some sort of mechanical assist to move the tracks or a whole bunch of guys throwing their sholders into it.