Normandy Tiger I dio "Plan of Escape"* FINISHED*

[mrversatile]

I decided that this Tiger will be part of a dio depicting the tank and crew, which happens to be the lone surviving tank of SS 102 in Normandy, stopping for a moment in a meadow to plan their escape from surrounding allied forces. The foliage camouflaged tank will be beside a maple tree to assist in hiding from aircraft while a crewman scans the air for same. The commander and remaining crew will be making the plans in front of the tank.

Here is the figure set I found which fit perfectly:




Here is the current layout: The base is just a piece of scrap birch plywood edged with spare quarter round moulding and painted brown. The tree is made from different sage branches glued together. The trunk was made longer with the use of Milliput molded around a stiff wire.

[tobias5555]

Nice start for the dio.

[desertrat]

very nice, the figures look spot on, got this bookmarked,

[Leon]

Going to be agreat dio Gil! Nice choice for the figures.

[mrversatile]

Thanks guys, I have been working on the tree and added the leafing branches to the armature. These are Scenic Express super trees that I pieced out and glued to the sage branches. Looks a little better. Next comes the paint and then the application of the leaves. Since this is set in late summer it will have a full crown.

[coro69]

damn... tree looks fantastic... what do you want to use for the leaves?

[Tojo72]

It going to be a great scene.

[mrversatile]

Coro, I have a couple of different shades of Noche super leaf material. I already painted the tree a dark brown color now I need to wash and dry brush it with a grey color.

[coro69]

are these noch super leaves in a proper size? or are they just too small??

[deafpanzer]

Man, I really LOVE the tree! I hope to see Scenic Express products at upcoming shows especially AMPS Nats in Auburn. Keep up with the great work!

[dupes]

Neat! How are the Zvezda figures?

[wbill76]

Off to a great start with the base and tree.

[mrversatile]

Feb 23, 2015 10:23:20 GMT -5 dupes said:

Neat! How are the Zvezda figures?

Dupes, I examined the figures, and I am no expert as these are only the second set that I build, but they look decent. Faces and hands could be better but the uniform details are pretty good. As the reviews on these state, one of the figures, (the one leaning in looking at the map), is totally different than the box. The actual figure is adjusting his cuffs I think. I may replace this one with an alpine figure. I also have extra alpine heads I may substitute. We'll see.


Coro, I stand corrected, they are the Scenic Express "Superleaves," and yes, the appear scale enough for me. I am only eyeballing these and compared them to the size of the figures.

Thanks for the comments guys and don't be afraid to offer some advice as I am new to this and am learning on the fly. BTW, any suggestions on the base groundwork material? I was leaning toward celluclay with some glue and peat for more texture. I was also considering adding some dark colored tile grout mix (the dyes in these go a long way), to it for a base color. I am just concerned about the drying time differential between both materials.

[Leon]

Gil! I use unsanded tile grout on my bases.Usually let it cure for a day or two depending on the thickness.HTH

[coro69]

hey gil, i tried plaster of paris and air drying clay.. i was more satisfied with the air drying clay. it takes more time to dry compared with the plaster... but i could better shape the ground to my imagination... but at the end it is a question of being comfortable with your chosen material. ah i forgot, when you use the air drying clay too thick you get some bad cracks... but you can fill them later on... i made the experience the thicker your clay the wider your cracks...

maybe try your materials out before you use it at your final base... so did i...

nevertheless which material you use, you can achieve the same results with different ways... ;-)

[JimD]

The Tiger turned out great. I am looking forward to seeing the diorama come together. I've always wanted to try one, just never had the nerve. The tree looks really good. Awesome start!

[wing_nut]

Great looking tree. Love the Tiger.

[TRM]

That is a fine looking tree Gil!! Nice to see you getting the dio underway!! Going to be a real treat when you get this done!! Carry on!!

[Ray Dunakin]

Nice start, the tree looks great already!

[mrversatile]

Tree is nearly finished and I have to admit, that I was impressed with the results of the Scenic Express products. Tree really looks the part with the leaves, and it was really easy to do. What do you think?

Groundwork will follow after I return from vacation on March 7

[delta]

The tree looks exceptionally great! Very real, very realistic leaf distribution and form. If you put this in a photo with other real ones I'd not be able to point it out at all. Great color too!

[Leon]

Gil! The tree looks fantastic.

[deafpanzer]

Man I love your tree... I definitely will give it a try next time!

[deafpanzer]

Forgot to ask what leaves did you use on the tree...

[TRM]

That is a fine looking tree Gil!!

[mrversatile]

Feb 26, 2015 19:07:15 GMT -5 deafpanzer said:

Forgot to ask what leaves did you use on the tree...

Deaf: They are Scenic Express Superleaves in medium green and spring green (lighter). They come in many different seasonal colors and are simple to use. It took me about an hour to apply the leaves.

Leon, Delta, Todd: Thanks for looking and for the comments. I had so much fun with this tree thing I wish there were more in the scene.

[reserve]

Can't fool me you grew it

Superb!

Regards,
Mark

[coro69]

great outcome with your tree... i think i will give the scenic products a try

[Prop Duster]

You did an incredible job on the tree.
Wait! You are taking a vacation in the middle of "our" project? what are we supposed to do while you are out having fun? just sit here and wait- ; Oh,OK.  Have a good time.

[coro69]

hey gil, would you mind taking some close ups of the tree???