How important is accuracy to you in a dio?

I agree with you guys there. If the dio is representing a battle and is obviously inaccurate then it would drive me crazy. But if it is displaying a patrol or just one city scene in like 1944 in some city then I dont think it has to be as accurate.

QUOTE: Originally posted by rebelreenactor But lets say it was something so obvious, like, (since most dios include armor) A King Tiger in a german gray scheme with some figures wearing summer gear and weapons from 1944 and the dio was titled stalingrad. How would you feel about this? I know it would drive me crazy, in fact I have seen one that is somewhat of what I described.

Me too. That is one of the aspects I am talking about. Artistically, it may look descent, but it is still historically inaccurate, or at least inconsistent. Not a good dio presentation as far as I am concerned.

Thanks for the great responses guys.

I agree with Gino, I like to get it as close as possible. I like doing the research, for the most part. I think its just a personal thing too, I'll always know that every little detail is as close as possible to how it really was.

But lets say it was something so obvious, like, (since most dios include armor)
A King Tiger in a german gray scheme with some figures wearing summer gear and weapons from 1944 and the dio was titled stalingrad. How would you feel about this?

I know it would drive me crazy, in fact I have seen one that is somewhat of what I described.

I can understand that perspective, of attempting to portray history as accurately as possible. However, I do not consider models a fitting form of historical recording, just as many in academia would not, simply because models are models of tools, and tools do not completely tell the story of the moment. Whatever the case may be, I just don't feel that an inaccuracy in a diorama detracts from the finished product.

QUOTE: See, now that's something I don't understand. Maybe I'm just not a nit-picker, but if a dio is nice, it's nice, and I could care less if it's 100% accurate. For me, models are an artistic outlet, and nothing more. THus dios are just an extension of the same outlet, and as such, since I don't count rivets, I also don't look at a dio to be 100% accurate in the shades of grass, the setting, etc. Some people just build for fun, and I don't think their builds are any less credible than those of the most anal of modelers.

I guess it is all in how you see modelling. I was a history major in college. Have always been interrested in history, and am in the military. I do see modelling as an artistic outlet, but also as a way of retelling history. Furthermore, it should be retold accurately. It is like written history. There is plenty of revisionist history written where history is skewed to fit the needs and/or agenda of the author. When models are displayed out of context and inaccurately, I feel we as modellers are doing the same. That is why there is Sci-Fi modelling, you can do whatever you want there and who is to dispute you? I feel that if you are modeling an actual vehicle or event from history, it should be as accurate as possible. I still have plenty of fun in my modelling. Not saying anyone should change the way he models, just my take on it.

QUOTE: I often see dioramas that are very nice but then their accuracy is WAY off, and it just ruins the effect for me. How do you guys feel about this? Am I waco?

See, now that's something I don't understand. Maybe I'm just not a nit-picker, but if a dio is nice, it's nice, and I could care less if it's 100% accurate. For me, models are an artistic outlet, and nothing more. THus dios are just an extension of the same outlet, and as such, since I don't count rivets, I also don't look at a dio to be 100% accurate in the shades of grass, the setting, etc. Some people just build for fun, and I don't think their builds are any less credible than those of the most anal of modelers.

QUOTE: Originally posted by HeavyArty Guess that is what happens when I post at 0530 here in CA, before heading in to work. Brain and fingers weren't awake and connected yet. Was just starting my first cup of coffee as well.

Happens to us all, Gino!
0530? Yeesh! I guess ya gotta get up pretty early to protect the country!
Keep on protecting, Gino!

QUOTE: Originally posted by J-Hulk QUOTE: Originally posted by HeavyArty Minor innacuracies are tollerable, but glaring ones are rediculouse. As is your spelling of the words 'tolerable," "inaccuracies" and "ridiculous," Gino! As you said yourself, a little research (and spell check!) goes a long way... You know I'm just funnin' ya, Gino! Don't get mad! You know I have the utmost respect for you. Just thought it was a little ironic! I agree about going for 100% accuracy. Not necessarily about attaining 100%, but at least going for it. Or at the very least, 100% plausibility! Or is that the same thing?

Guess that is what happens when I post at 0530 here in CA, before heading in to work. Brain and fingers weren't awake and connected yet. Was just starting my first cup of coffee as well.

QUOTE: Originally posted by HeavyArty Minor innacuracies are tollerable, but glaring ones are rediculouse.

As is your spelling of the words 'tolerable," "inaccuracies" and "ridiculous," Gino!

As you said yourself, a little research (and spell check!) goes a long way...

You know I'm just funnin' ya, Gino! Don't get mad! You know I have the utmost respect for you.
Just thought it was a little ironic!

I agree about going for 100% accuracy. Not necessarily about attaining 100%, but at least going for it.
Or at the very least, 100% plausibility!

Or is that the same thing?

I strive for 100% accuracy in my dios. Minor innacuracies are tollerable, but glaring ones are rediculouse. Such as the wrong vehicle by years, not just a version. I have actually seen some of these time inaccurate dios win at "Shows." Same is true for figures wearing a wrong uniform or the incorrect weapons for the time the dio depicts. My theory is that we are modelling history, it is better to get it right, and not too difficult with a little research.

Being from a military family which goes back to the WW1 I always thought that being accurate was the only way to go then I forgot why I started doing this hobby which was to have fun and enjoy myself.
I'm not saying don't go for the accurate side of your hobby if thats what you like doing but make sure that you enjoy doing itand have fun while you do it.

Ron

rebel I think because you want your dioramas to be as accurate as possible doesnt make you a wacko. HEck when I get good enough to make good looking dios im gonna try to make them trying to be accurate as possible. But sometimes I think its fun to just throw accuracy out the window.

You're definitely not wacko. If you want to be historically accurate then by all means do so and enjoy that part of your builds. You have to be very knowledgeable to pick any inaccuracies and I for one am not that knowledgeable. I enjoy dios that tell a story and are both interesting and technically proficient. Beyond that I'm not qualified to comment. Modelling is different things to different people and we each enjoy it our own way so if all insignias and uniform weapon combos have to be historically correct for you to enjoy your models then carry on making them like that! That doesn't make you a "rivet counter" but being inaccurate doesn't necessarily lessen someone else's model either IMHO.