How to build a Large Normandy Dio in 1/72 scale. Finnished!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Don't know how I missed this thread the first time around, but the work is outstanding! The ground work, especially the trees are just fantastic. Can't wait for to see you continue this dio.

Hi Mark good to be back. The figures i plan to use are the ones youve mentioned, mainly Prieser.

Nice to see you back Bodge.

I've been bitten by the 1/72 bug also, I want to do a dio using the Nashorn I've just done for the 1000 Wheel GB. Could I ask what figures your planning to use? I've been looking at some Prieser and Millicast, Netmerchants have some Mig and VLS sets that look interesting, my knowledge of 1/72 is very limited

It was nice to see some proper snow for a change, been a while lol!!!!

Mark

Thanks for the comments, i take them ,absorb them and use them for fuel

Seriously guys, thanks.Andy.

As I stated in my thread, you have inspired me to take a shot at this scale.

 And count me in as to waiting for this dio to continue, I've not seen a museum dio come anywhere close to yours.

 

Karma

Fire it up, Bodge. Been waiting for you to come back tp this one.

Steve

No guy its where models arnt used to coming out onto the workbench of late and i think there just blushing. What with that and the fact its like minus 4 out there and today weve had 5 inches of snow they are also cold.

Very nice stuff, Andy. Those kits are superbly detailed. Are you going to portray captured vehicles? As they look a lot like 'Reds' to me...boom boom.

...Guy

Durr thanks for your querey . Up untill now no brand has been used  its all handmade apart from the farm accesories from model railway shop.Here are some models ive been working on for possible inclution on the Dio, Famo, and 2 RSOs and a field gun from SHQ models which are all lead and heavy for size. then i have made and basecoated Dragon models Mid Tiger1, Panther G and Jagdpanther with zim

HEY MATT  AND THE FSM TEAM   ARE YOU FOLLOWING THIS 

IT IS A MUST  FOR THE MAG. TO PRINT

now Bodge  a little about the models you are using.  brand , reason if any you chose the brand etc.....

Bodge...you have a masterpiece in the making...just magnificent to see!

I do hope you do. I want a full record of this with photos so I can try it someday too. This is the most amazing thing I've seen in decades! Please! Keep going!!

Cheers Duke, i guess im gonna have to have a go then.

No need to nominate you. Basically all you have to do is keep all this text you've been posting, condense it into a document and then send it to them via E-mail; along with all the pics you've taken attached to it. You may need a zip prograsm to condense it, but hey, it would be totally worth it!  I'd buy that issue; this article showing this Diorama in progress would be worth the purchase price alone!!

 

I say Go for it!!

Thanks guys for your kind words,Alfalfa i wish i was workin in Hollywood, i would probably earn a lot more money, any offers out there. thanks for advice on back drops, those photo,s were to show it was actually a model and not the real thing,i dont want people thinking im cheating,HA HA.. and yes i would love to get an article on this featured in the mag.Maybe you should all nominate me,only joking.

Bodge -  Truly an Inspiration in 1/72 scale The outdoor pics look like something from a Travel Brochure. I want to live there also.

I notice you are using a blue backdrop, the corner really does distract from this fine dio. A trick used by Model Railroaders to give that "continuous run" is to round the corner so it "Flows" . I have friends wha have remodeled their "Train rooms" with the corners concaved so when they paint the backdrop it looks like it never ends. Dont take me wrong , I am not being critical of your work as I could never come close to such fine groundwork. 

To quote R. Lee Ermey, "OUT-STANDING!"  Your work is really fantastic, Andy, I think your SBS is the eqivalent for dio builders of Chuck's Helldiver build in the Aircraft thread.  You deserve a feature article in the magazine.

Can't wait to see more progress pics!

Regards,

Brad

Holy cow! I usualy don't post at dios subjects since I build just airplanes, but from time in time I get a look to this section and when I saw your dio... man it dropped my jaw down.

This is one of the most awesome works I've ever seen! Congrats!

PD: do you work making hollywood maquettes or something???

Alright Bodge, I've been waiting and wondering if we were going to see more.

Definitely an amzing work!

Cheers SternO.

Fantastic work Bodge!.... Being a scratch man myself I am overwhelmed at your realism, In 72 also! Incredible!! The 72 scale bar has been raised! Your photography is awsome too.  Keep it up.

Hi to all who have been following this dio, im getting withdrawell symptoms just starting to creep in after a break from modelling for a few months, and i hope to start up again shortly and this dio is first on my list to update. Happy new year to you all and watch this space. Andy.

Awesome stuff Bodge. Im glad I decided to check back here when I did, I'm real big into 1/72 too. It's the only scale I really touch (sometimes 1/144). Is that grass just one layer of basket liner? it looks so good, Ill have to steal some from my Mom and try it out.

Thanks Steve for your praise and for looking in again,im enjoying this one and it makes for a pleasant change from doing kits. here,s a black n white copy

I am overwhelmed by how realistic this scene looks. You are a true artist, Bodge.

Steve

 

Thanks Zokissima, Guy, Tiger44 and Karl, its much apreciated. As for how i do some of this  the grass material is stuck with white glue either sprayed on or brushed depending on the strengh needed,The road is first layed in plaster/filler then any inpresions pressed in thn i paint a light grey colour , when dry i give it a wash with a dark brown . Then i add a very fine crushed cement dust this i do by first mixing sand and cement like a bricklayers morter (using yellow and not white sand) at a ratio of 5 sand to 1 cement and add water  creating a wett mix then i trowell a thin layer over a board and  i scribe bricks into it and let dry for a couple of days. Then you can break into individual stones (bricks) and you crush some of it into  a fine  powder and i put that in a container and use as needed. this way you also get some nice scale rocks and stones in the right colour. I spinkle the dust and stones on the road, add scenic glue (sprayed on) and let dry. then another wash  and when dry i get a stiff brush and brush off surplace dust and leave it around edges and anywhere else i think it should be.If you want to lighten it up a bit just add a bit more without doing the wash. Its a case of building up in layers until your happy with the result. I know the making the cement sounds a bit involved but when done  a cup full of dust will last you ages , ive had 1 cup full on the go for a couple of years now and its still well over half full. and it looks natural because it is.

This is the best, most realistic 1/72 scene I've ever seen, Andy!

Could you share a little about your methods though? Like how did you attach the groundwork in layers? Hair spray?

ANd how'd you get that color/texture on the road--that looks just tremendous. I'd love to know how you managed to get that depth...?

 Absolutley stunning!! I enjoy "Braille Scale" myself  but I can't say I ever remember seeing it taken to this level.

Flipping Blimmin mate, thats looking better and better and you havent even got any heavy metal in there yet. Awesome.

...Guy