Stalingrad Diorama WIP *UPDATE* 2/27/11

Ryan

Judging by your previous work, this should be a nice one!  I'll be excited to see how it goes.

So, got any WIP pics yet???.....  how 'bout now?.....   now??

Wow, a good amount of figures! This seems like a very interesting and ambitious project that I'm anxious to see.

I've put those Russians together as well as those Germans from Kharkov (top photo). Both nice kits and good looking figures. The only thing I noticed was that they scale out differently. The Germans are Dragon figs and the Russians are Tamiya. Compared side by side the Russians look about a foot shorter and a lot more malnourished, so to speak.

Since you're doing an urban scene where the Russians are inside and the Germans are outside, the difference in size may not be that noticeable. I like those stairs too, like I said, I'm anxious to see how this pans out.

gosh how are you going to complete all of those figgies! I finish one at a pace of a week and you have 22 figures!

But on topic, the project looks cool. Looking forward for some urban rubble. Tanks too?

Total american patriot - It takes me a while to make figures too, but I am not using all of the figures in each kit just some of them. This ones going to take a while though.

bbrowniii - here are some wip pictures:

I painted this russian guy's uniform wiht Tamiya Khaki (XF-49) and it seems to dark for russian uniforms. Does anyone know a better color to use for their uniforms?

This is looking interesting.

I LOVE that tamiya russian set.  there are so many figures in there, so many good poses.  get a few just to have extra parts laying around.

The stair set won't do...it's way too modern and throws the thing off. It looks more like an element from around the 1960's. But you could make something up out of wood, no doubt.

The stair set is for outside the building, there will be wooden stairs on the inside.

Some nice WIP!!! Keep in mind that the two German figure sets are different; one is Heer and one is Waffen SS...

bondoman

The stair set won't do...it's way too modern and throws the thing off. It looks more like an element from around the 1960's. But you could make something up out of wood, no doubt.

Or modify it so it looks like it's from an earlier era.

Nice so far! But make sure to tone down the white and highlight the stitches on the russian figs

Thanks for all your input guys! I know it will help make my diorama better.

Does anyone know a good color for the Russian uniforms? I used Tamiya khaki (XF-49) and it seems to dark. Is there a better color from Tamiya? From another brand?

I'd say a bit brownish colour almost tan.

i need to do more research, i dont know if it varies by period

This one will definitely be interesting to watch.

Plans for any vehicles, or only the building plus figures?

zokissmo i think i saw a sdkfz 251 in a previous picture for his dio

Here is a small update:

I did some work on the building by adding joint compound mixed witha little grey paint for the grout in between bricks and added some pastels to give it a dirty look. I have one window for it and have seemed to "misplaced" the others.

I also did a little work on some figures. I finished one Russian guy, I think he turned out ok. I still need to dirty up his clothes and equipment though.

Your building is really excellent, and the Sdkfz is really nice too.

I think you should work a little more on the shading of the clothes though. If you have figures in a dio, they make it or break it depending on how competently they are finished---or not.

the doog

Your building is really excellent, and the Sdkfz is really nice too.

I think you should work a little more on the shading of the clothes though. If you have figures in a dio, they make it or break it depending on how competently they are finished---or not.

try using burnt umber thinned with80% thinner and 20% paint and run it over the entire figure. Then, with oil based white paint, drybrush all raised details (folds, between fingers, shoe laces). Trust me, the finished product will make it look A++! as for weapons, drybrush them with alluminum paint and use the same burnt umber wash to coat it

Another little update: I am almost finished with some figgies, and a made a ton of furniture for the building. I don't know why but I love to scratch build furniture. I make it out of sheet styrene and sometimes wood. And I found those windows that I misplaced.  

the dresser can have the top drawer open or closed.

 I made the lamps out of sculpey clay.

 and put a lightbulb in

these bookshelves still need another coat of paint.

More to come!

Astounding furniture.  Im glad im not the only one using non plastic stuff for their dios, I love how you used real fabric for the chairs and such

Really excellent, Ryan! Small details very well done.

Thanks everyone, it means alot.

You should get a flickering LED light and install it where that lightbulb is, put the battery in the desk, add some really cool realism to it.

smeagol the vile

You should get a flickering LED light and install it where that lightbulb is, put the battery in the desk, add some really cool realism to it.

I'd agree with that.... except...  judging the condition of the building, I'd assume the power would be out...

Ryan

This is really starting to come together.  You have set the bar pretty darn high!  I love those extra details you added - I don't know why you love it so much either, but keep scrathing that furniture.  The pictures in the frames - a great, and I do mean GREAT, touch.

I agree with you bbrowniii, there would be no power going to the building. And a question to anyone who knows the answer. Did they have electrical outlets back then? (they probably did but I just want to make sure) If so what did they look like?

WOW!  That is a pretty good question, and one I never really thought to consider.  I agree with you - they had electricity, and I doubt things are hardwired.  I just did a Wiki search and got some good info on wiring in the '40s, although I could not find a straight answer to your question.  I did find this:

but I'm not sure how much use it'll be to you.

The pictures and the furniture are a masterpiece. Although why are they the only aspect of the building that is not destroyed?(besides the shelves) The building looks as though it were hit with artillery, a broken lamp would fit right in place in my opinion

There will be some destroyed furniture, I just haven't made any yet.

Sounds like a good plan....    looking forward to more production pics

Awesome work, looking great!