death on the battlefield

Remember though, that if you're doing a dio for competition, you might want to minimize your use of dead bodies or dying troops. Bloody figures are generally not well recieved by the judges.

Many years ago I saw a dio of the Battle of the Bulge, which really did look good, but the depiction was of a soldier taking a round through the chest. It was explained to the modeler (and to the rest of us) that there's sometimes a limit to the realism that's desired. There can be a difference between realism and realism...

Yeah I know what your saying outlander, but thats just a few. What if you did a bloody street scene with half a dozen dead and walking wounded as with what would happen if an MG opened up on a patrol. Thats what i dont understand about the modelling companies, the best set i have seen is pegasus rangers on D-Day, could do a good scene with them if anywhere in the UK actually stocked the buggers.

Esci - Sturmtruppen, wounded with caretaker

Italeri - US Marines, wounded fig w/ medic

Heller - Stretcher-bearers w/ wounded fig

 

Seems like there's a few more, but I can't remember exacts off-hand.  I'd say you're most likely better off modifying fig's to be casualties.  If ya do, post lots of pics! 

You have a very good point there Wolfie. If you are gonna make a diorama of a famous battle, it would be more realistic to include casualties in any depiction of something other than the preperation/approach phase. Dragon for a long time in plastic was the primary line in this area. Other than some very rare old Esci sets and the sole Tamiya offering, they were non existant in 1/35. The resin companies have stepped up somewhat, but as you have said, they are on the pricey side. One other option I just remembered, in 1/32nd is the Airfix Multipose sets. Their Japanese infantry set comes with a figure molded in the down/dead pose. I once did a diorama using that set and the  US Marines set in a close quarter beach fight (also notorious like the Somme for their carnage). Yes there were downed bodies. Try the repositioning of some figures for practice and see what you get.

thats some great suggestions, thank you, will have to get practisicing, i know when it comes to 1/72 the pegasus US Rangers on D Day set has some good poses. Might get in some of the dragon sets for the 1/35. Just amazes me for the amount of modellers who make dio's nobody has ever thought of making such a kit full of the injured, am not planning on it but can you imagine how unrelistic a dio of the Somme would be if there were no bodies

 

A few sets of plastic figures come with one in wounded poses. Dragon makes two German WWII sets:Fallen Comrade, German Medical Troops with downed figures,  and two sets, German Infantry Battle of the Hedgerows, Stalingrad Inferno, with "walking wounded". They also make two US Marine sets for Vietnam, Khe Sanh and Hue, that have wounded figures. Tamiya has thier old British Army stretcher set of post WWII figures. Last coming to mind are some new recent release from Master Box sets (US Paratroopers, US Infantry Normandy, Soviet/German close combat sets) that have figures in the being hit mode or dragged out of line of fire poses.  Otherwise you will have to do the old fashioned way of selecting a suitable figure, cutting it apart with a razor saw, repositioning it to the desired pose, then filling as needed. Some Resin head sets do come in handy here that have field dressings on head injuries, etc. They are worth the money.

Yeah I have seen those resin ones, but there just a little too pricey for what they are, in any era, I was wondering if there was a way of modifying the plastic sets, that was a few more casulaties in diffrent poses at less cost.....oh i like to ask alot!

The resin figure makers in 54mm and 1/35 scale have stuff up this alley. Especially Verlinden and Warriors. What are your basic ideas era wise and nationality?