Tank Diarama.... WIP !

[lowlife]

Hi Guys !

I built a simple base for a car model that was made for my son a while back, and since then Ive wanted to try a `proper ` one !

Depending how it turns out Im planning on adding a Tank, so a muddy terrain with maybe a few rocks, bushes etc ...

After several Utube videos and looking at builds on here I think im ready to go..

This is what i have so far, an old picture frame ( about 10" x 12" ) with no glass, some old foam cut into shapes, glued with PVA, then the edges in plastic sheet.

Once dry Im adding Polyfilla over the lot, and maybe some small rocks etc.

As this is my first real dio any suggestions / advice is more than welcome , thanks !

[tcoat]

Can't tell so maybe you have but seal the board underneath with some clear. Otherwise the moisture from the Polyfilla may warp it and the filler may dry too fast and crack.
Instead of using rocks (they often just don't look right in scale) mix some kitty litter into the Pollyfilla and then press more where you want it on top before it dry's. This can give a nice chruned up mud effect. The old style non clumping litter woks for larger "rocks" and the newer clumping stuff makes really good chunky mud. Used kitty litter gives you really nice fallen logs!

Clumping mixed with drywall compound and old school stuff pushed into top surface.

[lowlife]

Ah thanks tcoat, would never have thought of clearing it first, good tip !

Yours looks terrific, now who do i know that has a cat ?   

[keavdog]

I second the use of kitty litter. I don't do a lot of dios but the couple of vignettes I've done I've used it and bits of different hobby grasses/static grass found at your local train shop.

[tcoat]

Oh and I almost forgot.
Sawdust and floor sweepings.

Course and finer saw dust gives a nice dry earth effect.




And floor sweeping from woodworking do a great job of debris.

[Steve Zuleski]

Great start, lowlife. Like the Gents have mentioned, cat litter is your friend, plaster patch (dry or wet), and air clay, too. Check "Night Shift" on YT, among others, he's got some great vids for ground work, dio builds, etc. It's a heck of a lot faster to watch some of the vids and experiment, but diorama books are great for having on hand right at the bench.

Ruck On, Bookmarked!

[tcoat]

May 8, 2023 11:59:48 GMT -5 Steve Zuleski said:

Great start, lowlife. Like the Gents have mentioned, cat litter is your friend, plaster patch (dry or wet), and air clay, too. Check "Night Shift" on YT, among others, he's got some great vids for ground work, dio builds, etc. It's a heck of a lot faster to watch some of the vids and experiment, but diorama books are great for having on hand right at the bench.

Ruck On, Bookmarked!

Old School
All we had back in the day...

[stikpusher]

All I can really add is that household cooking spices can come in handy for groundwork deadfall vegetation. Also look at railroad hobby shops for useful items for groundwork.




Regarding the base itself, point to consider is to make the terrain compatible with your subject- desert for an 8th Army tank or Africa Korps Panzer, paved or cobblestone roads for some areas, dirt trails for others...



















 

[dannimal]

Very cool everyone!!

[lowlife]

Thanks for all the great ideas / suggestions guys, much appreciated !

This dio is turning into a test bed, trying ideas and paint etc. It will be used, probably for my rusty Ford Mustang i built.
Im intending to build another for the upcoming Panther group build and Id like to try the Vallejo water out too.
Dont want to cheat so ill start that one in June when the group build starts !

Heres the current look of the dio, Ive been building up in layers, and might add more to the `hills` as you can still see where the layers of foam are..

Thanks !

[Leon]

You're off to good start! The guys gave out some great suggestions so i can't add anything.

[Steve Zuleski]

Looking like a good start to the base. Once you "play" with it for a while you'll know exactly which direction you want to go for the final texture. That's why our wives still call us kids, cause we still play in the mud, HA!

[gamera977]

Yeah, a great start and a nice base to build from.

[Tobi]

Many useful tips here. What I might add: for larger rock formations tree bark that is available at florists makes nice schistous rock.

[stikpusher]

Jun 2, 2023 0:44:29 GMT -5 Tobi said:

Many useful tips here. What I might add: for larger rock formations tree bark that is available at florists makes nice schistous rock.

Great looking diorama! Brings back memories of Hohenfels and Bosnia…🥶

[Tobi]

Thank you Carlos. I did this for a "Best Wolf Contest" on the German modeling page "panzer-modell.de".

When I first saw the picture from Afghanistan I was irritated, but when you consider the Hindu Kush it's logical that the land is not just rocks and desert like in the news.

[stikpusher]

Many people think that deserts are only rolling sand dunes, and have zero climate, vegetation, or terrain differences. Even Afghanistan is a place of variety of environments.