1/72 Fast Roping Diorama Done 9 May 2010

My and as a designer, not a dio builder.

It seems to me that this dio is very unusual because it has several layers of interest, separated top to bottom. My gut reaction is that the helo is where the eye goes first, then follows down to the ground. The landscape has to be as boring as possible: the fast roping is the whole theme. Otherwise the eye will be jumping around. For instance the guys attacking on the ground (at what?) would be a distraction.

So keep the ground simple. Don't make it a set. If there is a building, which I consider maybe a bit much, make sure it doesn't matter.

EDIT: kcmat came in before me (gotta be a term for that?) the base is just that, the story is the helo and the troops going in.

Off your drawing there what I would do is have the fast ropes coming down onto that upper level. Not the roof but that 2nd tier. Then finish the building down and just have maybe .25 " around the building. The action and attention is the fast ropers. The building would server as scenery AND as the base.

Okay, well, I moved on to sketch the diorama with Google SketchUp (the free version) and the UH-60 will be the MH-60K, figure poses will differ, but will remain similar, but this is what I came up with:

 There would be one guy about mid-way down on each fast rope.

 

The corners seem to be empty though, as it is just the building, helicopter, and figures right now.  What would be the best way to fill that space (wall, shrubbery, or what?)

 

Thanks,

Austin 

I did think about the rotors, but I really don't think that'll work w/ them spinning.  It would look awkward if the rotors were moving but the guys were stuck on the ropes...

 As for the figures, I am probably going to use a mix-match of sets, most likely from RoG, Caeser, Prieser (if I can find a set), CMSC, and putty.

Another building question:  Would styrofoam covered with wall spackle or something like that be the best way to go about the construction?

 

Thanks,

Austin 

That sounds unusual, so it'll be challenging and rewarding. What are your thoughts about the big rotor? I was thinking motorized, but it'll wobble around too much on top of the ropes. Hold on guys!

 

..about scratchin' your own...Baseline Hobbies had one that was pretty convincing, but good luck even finding them on the web. They're out of Mineola NY (LI) and can be found in indexes of FSM and other mags sometimes.

I honestly think that, given the typical fsimple, flat angles and plaster construction of most buildings there, it would seem that SB'ing them would be easier--and probably faster. Especially in 1/72.

That sounds really cool. Its nice to hear about some more 1/72 stuff going on. Ive never used and HQ72 stuff so I dunno about the quality or anything but you could always scratchbuild you own. Google image some pics of Middle Eastern buildings and work from those I think.

As for the helicopter I remember someone posting a picture of a Navy helicopter dropping cargo from a cable onto a ship deck. It was held up in the same way through the cable which was a piece of brass wire bent to shape and painted. It was really well done, maybe youve seen it already. 

Also what troops are you planning on using to pose fast roping out? I would like to know what your using because Id also like some poses like that. I think Revell Germany has some figure sets of KSK troops rappelling but Im not 100% sure.