My next dio (only my second one in over 20 years of modeling)

that's going to be great Danny can't wait to see your progress enjoy yourself that's the main thing.

Thank you for the input guys.
Actually I was thinking of making the diorama base wider than the actual dio itself, so that I can place the platified newspaperclipping next to the dio.
As for the dio, I definitely want the background (with the wall and barbwire), I'm sure yet if I'm going to do the foreground as well, but I think will need to do some foreground, otherwise the soldier is walking to nowhere.

Now that you have started with the kit..for the base you need to decide on the following:

1.) Size of the base

The photo depicts a rather wide area (from foreground to background). Try to choose whether to include only the m113 and the foreground, the m113 and background or both with the foreground and the background.

2.) What goes in the diorama:

While the picture showed the basic scene, you should decide on those which are not clearly shown in the pictures or are assumed to be hidden from the camera angle. The diorama is 3 dimensional and will be viewed from all possible angles. You need to fill in some things to complete the scene. You may need to do some research on this one if you want to be more convincing. Or you can be very immaginative and creative, too.

Once you have completed the base, weather your m113 appropriately to blend well with the base. This will give your diorama a sense of being in harmony or being solid.

I'm not an experienced dio builder either, but what I found out with the diorama i am working on right now, the hardest and I mean the hardest part of a diorama is coming up with a golden idea. once i got my golden idea, I pretty much took off from there and its been smooth sailings. from what i see, you have a golden idea but like its been mentioned... can definantly use a better title. The Seige of Ramalah sounds much better!

You are right, about "Search for Arafat", there could be a better title, after all he's isn't hiding is he, what would you think about "The Seige of Ramalah" that's where the picture is taken...

I alwayS wanted to build a diorama based on a photo. Nice subject, although I am not sure about the Arafat theme, maybe Sadam or Bin Laden. Either way, it's pretty cool.

Ted