Looking for input.

I've seen some convincing flames and smoke done with tinted clear resin and plain ol' cotton.

Thanks for idea. It's a good one. It got the wheels turning in my head and I'll give it a try.
Trevor

Two votes for the Cotton thing. In one of the very early issues of FSM there was an article about an Me 163 and the guy did a diorama of the thing taking off, using the Cotton-Ball method for the smoke and flames. Looked REALLY sharp! I tried it (was a kid at the time) and remember it being fairly easy to do. (But then, what does a kid know? )

I'll see if I can dig up that ish!

Fade to Black...

Make it three votes for the cotton. It's the only effective way that I have seen but remember it takes a little time and practice to get the desired effect.

I suppose for real smoke you could do something with those little railroad smoke pellet things!
Nah, doesn't look scale at all. Forget it!

The smoking effect with cotton is interesting but in my opinion, it just looks like painted cotton. My opinion with dioramas are that they are a limited medium in that they capture a single moments in time and one should try to be too gimicky.

I know I'm sticking my neck out there but this is my opinion.

The best dramatic AFV dioramas are always due to the presentation and quality of the vehicle and its interaction w/figures. I think the Japanese have consistently good published photo spreads of great dioramas. Try sneaking a peak a "Armour Modelling" magazine.

Hope this helps.

Oh yes, anyone interested in armor modeling should sneak a peek at "Armour Modelling!"
BEAUTIFUL pix, and a smattering of English.