My first diorama: comments please

Overall, pretty good construction and paint. I like your label a lot, really creative.

Couple things, though.

The most obvious is that the three at the side of the tank guys appear to be walking out of the tank, especially the enlisted men who are no more than a pace from the edge of the vehicle. The guy toward the front of the tank looks incongruous to the others.  His carrying a shovel while the officer and the other rifleman have weapons at ready looks "off," as well. Also, he's holding his rifle too far forward, i.e., there's too much weight at  the back of his hand. Having "binocualr guy" where he is says the tank isn't moving, which could have accounted for the position of the other three guys.

The other tings is the air regognition flag. While it looks good itself and adds some color to the scene, if you're representing late war, this would be very incorrect unless you want to do alternate history. At this point, the allies have air supremecy and putting this bright red flag on the top says to patrolling Jabo, "Hey, look at me. I'm a target.!" 

ajlafleche wrote:

The other tings is the air regognition flag. While it looks good itself and adds some color to the scene, if you're representing late war, this would be very incorrect unless you want to do alternate history. At this point, the allies have air supremecy and putting this bright red flag on the top says to patrolling Jabo, "Hey, look at me. I'm a target.!"

The flag is saying come shoot me.

Other than that I like it. Better than my first.

1) Your point on the flag is well taken.  This is what happens when you get a new toy and are too eager to use it (ie archer transfer flags).

2) The tank is stopped and the turret and figures are focused in the same direction signifying some trouble that way.  (hence the title).

3)  The position of the figures has more to do with bad planning than anything else.  When I built the base, I was considering something simple just for the Tiger.  However, the local hobby shop then had some panzergrenadiers on sale.  Therefore, they were incorporated into the scene after the fact.  If I have learned anything, it is that you must plan out what will be incorporated BEFORE you start to place anything.  Had I thought ahead, I would probably have given the scene a little more room and pushed the Tiger back, giving more room for the figures.

I REALLY appreciate the comments.  I have definitely learned that there is alot more to building a diorama than just having the parts.  I have also enjoyed building this dio more than simply building a piece of armor alone.  I'm now building a Tiger I (late) and also a U.S. Light Tank (Stuart) which I have a feeling will meet on a piece of terrain yet to be decided. 

jlaw22 wrote:

I'm now building a Tiger I (late) and also a U.S. Light Tank (Stuart) which I have a feeling will meet on a piece of terrain yet to be decided.

Reminds me of  the comic books of my youth featuring "The Haunted Tank," an M3 Staurt protected by the ghost J.E.B. Stuart. http://www.toonopedia.com/hauntedt.htm

Overall this is a pretty decent diorama.  Some good critiques were pointed out so I'm not going to hark on them.  My only comment is that you remembered to make the ground behind the tank look like a tank just went by, but the Tiger looks like its just sitting on its tracks.  You have to remember this was a 56 ton baby and the tracks should be into the ground, thus conveying the weight of the tank. Just my 2 cents.  Like I said, this is a nice dio.

TigerII

Hey nice first attempt! Like the cammo on the big cat, very well done. No further comments on what has been mentioned, at least you have a few pointers for the future. Just remember that nothing is ever perfect, and we're all gonna get critiques and tips to help us along, that's what's great about these sites, and don't know about you, but probably like many others, I'm my own worst critique! LOL

Keep up the good work!

Kelly

Thanks for all the comments guys.

Hey, ajlafleche, regarding your comment and link:  I've printed that web page for inspiration and may do a bit more reasearch into that book.  As a former comic book geek, I was surprised to have never heard of that one before (perhaps a rip-off of the "original" ghost rider?).  I also can't resist doing something with that inasmuch as the namesake of my junior highschool in Jax, Fla. was none other than "Jeb Stuart" himself.  I'll post my ultimate creation.

Good job on your first try.

Just a comment 'though. The upper part of the right tracks looks like it is floating above the roadwheels. It should rest on top of the roadwheels from the 2nd roadwheel to the back.

"With the introduction of the first motorcycle-riding, supernatural Ghost Rider (see below), this Western character's name was changed — first to the unfortunate Night Rider (a name that also refers to members of the Ku Klux Klan), and then to Phantom Rider.The second Ghost Rider debuted in Marvel Spotlight Volume 1, #5 (Aug. 1972), co-created, like the Western Ghost Rider, by Roy Thomas and Gary Friedrich, plus artist Mike Ploog." Again, Wickedpedia.

The "Haunted Tank" had its  "First Appearance: G.I. Combat #87 (April-May 1961)".

Source: http://www.dcuguide.com/who.php?name=hauntedtank

Boy, do I feel geeky, now!

good job for a first. do more and post more.

listen to the guys here and your next one will be better and next  etc....