M 10 tank destroyer in snow WIP more pics 1/12/2008 7PM update

   Looks like a good start dostacos. I am not an expert on composition, but is it good to have equal number of trees on each side? Dioramas need to have a random and natural feel. You may be right here though because the trees are different shapes and sizes. I just feel the trees either side hides the tank a bit too much. Just my opinion.

   What are you going to use for snow?

   Boomer...

   I would remove the small tree to the right rear of the M10, then move the tree at the right front back to almost the position of the removed tree. Maybe in the vacant space left at the right front you could make a stack of logs. Fill that space with something that does not have a lot of height. It needs something, but not something that distacts the viewer from the tank.

   I am not an expert here. Just throwing my thoughts your way....

   Boomer...

 I added two hills, question: large logs, small logs or no logs?

   Wow, you have changed the entire feel of the diorama! Looks like it has gone from an M10 hunting german tanks, to one that has taken a turn.....straight into danger, a possible ambush maybe? The situation your M10 is in now is one i think most tankers would not like to be in....

    I almost feel that what you have done now doesn't lend itself to a snow setting. Are you still intending on using the trees? I am not sure they will fit here now.....This is looking more like a Normandy bocage diorama.  As to the logs, if you use them, go with the ones in the second pic.

    Personally, i liked your first attempt when you had the trees.

    Another hint, when you apply the ground material to your base, mask off the edges. It will save you a lot of clean up time.

    Hey guys, am i the only one going to offer opinions here?.....

    Boomer...

my thought is he is in a defensive position blocking a narrow dirt road into Bastone. and yes I will still use the trees {three, with MAYBE a fourth layed a cross the wood pile

Mask, duh...the next one for sure. I can always make it a wadi and have my German tank rolling through and start again 

If you still put up the trees, it will hide much of the tank and scene. If I were you, I would remove one of the hills, and maybe put a foxhole there with a Para, and make the other hill a Hedgrehrow in a Normandy setting.

Theres a picture of a typical setting around Bastogne. I would think the tankers would go for camoflauged concealed positions with good escape routs. Your scene is like making a last stand. If you really wanted to salvage that scene. In my opinion, have a jeep with a MG and a couple of Paras crouching/ running after it. Or put a AT gun, which makes more sense. a 57mm maybe.

Just suggestions,

David

Ok, this is 1/48 so there are not alot of machine gun crews available I thought they were rather dug in around Bastone and from the various movies and all they had lots of trees {Band of Bros, were in the tree line.}

how about a German Afrika Corp tank driving thru a wadi? I can still go with sand instead of snow

ok here it is with snow and 3 trees

awesome snow effect!....makes you forget about the tarp!

Man, really good snow.....very believeable! 

It it just me or is the right (looking from rear) track loose. Great snow affect, although the tank looks like its been sitting there for a while, maybe lighten up the snow on the vehicle and deepen it at the bottom of the hill.

David

ww2modeler wrote:

It it just me or is the right (looking from rear) track loose. Great snow affect, although the tank looks like its been sitting there for a while, maybe lighten up the snow on the vehicle and deepen it at the bottom of the hill. David

the doog wrote:

I'm almost afraid to ask this but...what did you use for snow?

haha Doog, I think he used the Woodland Scenics snow, or at least that's what he said earlier, i dont think he used the , um, you know.

the doog wrote:

I'm almost afraid to ask this but...what did you use for snow?

Woodland Scenics snow, soft flake, they have a watered down white type glue {dries clear and flat} spray some on, sprinkle, and until there is too much

I used artist board to build up under the tank, then covered with celluclay to {hopefully} give the idea that they were plowing through drifts and have stopped with the snow still coming down it has started to fill their tracks in.

Hope you liked it.

Dan