Diorama No. 7 - "AMBUSH" (Pics) - FineScale Modeler - Essential magazine for scale model builders, model kit reviews, how-to scale modeling, and scale modeling products

Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Diorama No. 7 - "AMBUSH" (Pics)

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:02 PM

Well I know that you are tired of seeing "re-runs" of my previous dios Big Smile [:D]

so I tried to finish this one which is my 7th diorama overall.

This diorama is a winter scene (as you can see Smile [:)]

) and was constructed around the 1/35 Tamiya M4A3 105 Sherman I built last November. The kit came with tank crew and 3 G.I.'s in winter uniforms. Since I didn't want to let the figures go to waste, I decided to make a winter diorama. I also added some Dragon figures (also in winter uniforms) to spice up the dio a bit.

The idea is to project a scene where German soldiers try to ambush a Sherman tank along with a squad of G.I. allowing it to come close as possible so that the 105mm howitzer could not be used against them.

Anyway, I don't have any experience in doing snow so I am not sure if the whole thing looks right. Smile [:)]

. The ruins are basically scratchbuilt and the snow is plaster.

Note: I am sorry that it didn't show in the picture below, but the German soldier is armed with a panzerfaust that's why his rifle is beside the wall.

Comments are always welcome. (But of course if you come up with comments, you will have the pain of seeing another "retouched" dio in the future. Big Smile [:D]

)

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renarts

Member since
April 2003
From: Sunny Florida

Posted by renarts on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:30 PM

Well Dwight, once again you've done it. You've outdone yourself this time. THis is by far the best. I really like everything on this one. The snow is really good. Brrrrrr.
I would love to see some more pics of this.

Mike "Imagination is the dye that colors our lives" Marcus Aurellius A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:39 PM

Thanks, Mike. I am glad you like the snow. My unfamiliarity with snow is the reason why it is only now that I pushed through with this project. It is a relief that you think it looks like snow. Smile [:)]

Again thanks.

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Keyworth

Member since
January 2003
From: NE Georgia

Posted by Keyworth on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:42 PM

Dwight, great work. I'm really impressed with this one.

"There's no problem that can't be solved with a suitable application of high explosives"

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erush

Member since
May 2003
From: USA, GA

Posted by erush on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:47 PM

Excellent Dwight!! Outstanding job on that one. Everything looks great to me, the Sherman, figures, snow, weathering...it's great Thumbs Up [tup]

I agree with Mike too, more pics!!

Eric

Hi, I'm Eric and I'm a Modelholic too. I think I have PE poisioning.

"Friendly fire...isn't"

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shermanfreak

Member since
January 2003

Posted by shermanfreak on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:50 PM

As always Dwight ... your dio work is exceptional.
You do a better job with odds and ends laying around your house than most do with an expensive dio kit.

Thanks as always for sharing.

Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 27, 2004 8:50 PM

Wow ya did it again. It is great. Still would like toknow how ya scratch build the buildings so well. And there must be something in the air cause me and a friend have ben redoing old kits as well. once again it great...............Dio-Freak hahahaha Tongue [:P]

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fightnjoe

Member since
September 2011

Posted by fightnjoe on Sunday, June 27, 2004 9:33 PM

my friend well done.

joe

Veterans,

Thank You For Your Sacrifices,

Never To Be Forgotten

Where you can find me:

Workbench on FaceBook Google Plus YouTube

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Sunday, June 27, 2004 9:51 PM

Keyworth:

. You are too kind. Thanks.

Erush: Thanks, too. I'll try to get more pics. These are the only ones that came out clear. The rest are a bit blurry. Taking close ups is not easy. Smile [:)]

Sherm: Thanks. I know that somehow you will like it. I just don't know why? Big Smile [:D]

.

Thundergod: Thanks. One of these days I am gonna take step by step pics of "ruin building" (is there such a word?) Big Smile [:D]

and share it with everybody.

Joe: Glad you like it, too. BTW the figures were done in the same way I described to you. The pics is little blurry though but the figures are shaded.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Sunday, June 27, 2004 10:09 PM

wow im really impressed, whats your method for giving the Sherman the worn weathered look with the white camoflauge, its something id like to practice with and learn to do, not just for american vehicles but for german ones too.

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Sunday, June 27, 2004 10:45 PM

armorchris,

Nothing special. This is what I did:

1.) Paint tank overall with Olive Drab
2.) Apply thinned white paint using brush randomly with strokes starting from the top going downwards. Break the tip of the brush so that there will be small brush strokes. (I heard winter camo was done randomly with mops, rags, etc.).
3.) Apply a dirty colored wash. Apply some soil colored paint using a brush to simulate streaks.

Hope it helps. Wink [;)]

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yw18mc

Member since
April 2004
From: sunny imperial beach

Posted by yw18mc on Sunday, June 27, 2004 11:59 PM

Dwight. she's a "BLUE RIBBON" winner in anybody's book. my compliments, I've enjoyed your postings the short time I've been with the forum. always look forward to your lite hearted comments, and superb workmanship. semper fi, mike

mike

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Monday, June 28, 2004 12:06 AM

yw18mc: Wow, I am flattered. I really don't have any intention in bringing this to a competition or something. I just want to build dios, that's all. And I am glad that you guys think it looks good. Thank you very much. Really inspires me to do better next time.

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yw18mc

Member since
April 2004
From: sunny imperial beach

Posted by yw18mc on Monday, June 28, 2004 12:13 AM

Heck Dwight, after seeing what you do with cardboard and chopsticks, I'm tempted to throw all my junk models in a box and send them to you for rework. LOL. as busy as you keep yourself you'd probably find the time to rehab my junk. take care, keep the great work coming. semper fi, mike

mike

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28, 2004 12:44 AM

An outstanding work Dwight. It conveys a real sense ot tension. Excellent composition.

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Monday, June 28, 2004 1:17 AM

yw18mc: Don't be too hard on your self. We are afterall are our own worst critics.

Peridexion: Thanks. Your diorama is great, too. In fact it is a real winner.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28, 2004 7:06 AM

Dwight,

That is so realistic you almost expect to see them move. That is really fantastic. What a great build!

Richard

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28, 2004 10:01 AM

Dwight,
I'm no expert in dioramas but I've notice the superb shadows and highlights with the troops uniform. It adds realism to the subject. Nindota uy (what a beauty). More power.

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ajlafleche

Member since
December 2002
From: Massachusetts

Posted by ajlafleche on Monday, June 28, 2004 12:30 PM

Very nice construction and painting. My only concern is the use of the Panzerfaust in these close quarters. The basic Panzerfaust 30 had a fixed range of 30 meters. While the dio doesn't show any stuff behind the shooter, there needed ot be a good deal of open space behind the shooter for backblast safety. See http://www.geocities.com/Augusta/8172/panzerfaust2.htm#use for more information on the care and feeding of these weapons.

Remember, if the women don't find you handsome, they should at least find you handy.

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wildwilliam

Member since
December 2009
From: West Grove, PA

Posted by wildwilliam on Monday, June 28, 2004 1:44 PM

Dwight,
superb!
i was wondering about the panzerfaust at point blank range too.
that web page says they take 5 meters to arm.
and need 2 or 3 meters behind for back blast.
just fyi, not trying to give you a hard time.
i think in a jam, the soldier might be more worried abt the shot arming than the danger of the backblast.

what i really like abt it is the many different scenes within the scene.
the pictures could be of several different dioramas,
and i think that is really special - how it captures the 'action'
from the point of view of the different participants.
(who is hiding, who is peeking, concealed, etc

great work!

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KINGTHAD

Member since
May 2004
From: Dallas

Posted by KINGTHAD on Monday, June 28, 2004 1:45 PM

Nice job

Thad

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madspaniard

Member since
May 2004
From: Portugal

Posted by madspaniard on Monday, June 28, 2004 4:51 PM

Very nice job,thanks for the pics

Pedro

Fw 190 A-3 Richtofen JG

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28, 2004 6:48 PM

That is way cool!!! I would love to see a step by step on your techniques...especially the snow.

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Monday, June 28, 2004 7:05 PM

woodbeck3: Thank you. I will try to have a more descriptive post next time when I make my next diorama. I will try to include progress pics. Not that I think I am doing it differently but probably because I want to share with you how I use ordinary household or office materials for my dio. I am really glad that you find it COOL. Otherwise I would have thought my snow failed. Big Smile [:D]

. Anyway if you have any specific question please don't hesitate to e-mail me.

madspaniard: Thank you too and you are welcome.

Thad: Thanks

wildwilliam/ajlafleche: Thanks for the info. I am glad you shared it to me. I am also glad I didn't have the german soldier posed in a "panzerfaust firing position" or else it would have looked very wrong Tongue [:P]

. So, from now own (thanks to you) I would just say that the German is just waiting for the right timing and is deciding whether or not to use the panzerfaust. Big Smile [:D]

(Quite an excuse, he-he-he).

sigman: Thanks, pare. I usually shade my figures (in my recent dios) in three shades to give them more depth.

Richard: Well I give credit to Tamiya and Dragon for coming out with such finely detailed "in action" figures. I only did a few modification on the figures. Thanks for the kind words.

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Buddho

Member since
March 2003
From: Newport News VA

Posted by Buddho on Monday, June 28, 2004 7:20 PM

Your diorama is most excellent, Dwight!

The setting and everything in it are wonderfully displayed...

Regards, Dan

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Monday, June 28, 2004 7:22 PM

dwight thanks for the tips on the wintery wash you did on the vehicle. also is that the same way the germans did or is it done in a different way. any help would be appreciated

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Monday, June 28, 2004 7:33 PM

Armorchris: I am not sure but I have seen photos of German Tanks in winter camo that looked as if the whole tank was painted white. I believe that German crews were more adept in painting their tanks than the allies. What I did here is to portray a winter camo done in haste as I have read in some publications. So far, from what I have seen in others' works of german armor in whitewash...the whole vehicle excluding the under sides are covered with white paint.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 1:38 AM

Dwight, great job!! All the figures have the perfect pose. I love the weathering on the Sherman too. The groundwork is also very convincing. Overall, it is a great dio. Thanks for sharing. Smile [:)]

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Dwight Ta-ala

Member since
July 2003
From: Philippines

Posted by Dwight Ta-ala on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 2:36 AM

Edog: Thanks for the kind words on my diorama.

Dan: I appreciate it very much especially from a guy who himself makes great dioramas and figures, too.

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Anonymous

Member since
November 2005

Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, June 29, 2004 7:11 PM

Fantastic detailing. One would expect the soldiers to ACTUALLY move. I am impreesed with the weathering over all.The solders are really great. I got tolearn how you do that. Thank for showing the pics. I wished I had joined earlier to see the others. Great work. john s

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Diorama No. 7 - "AMBUSH" (Pics)