DIORAMAS THE ULTIMATE MODELLING GUIDE

www.airfixmodelworld.com | £5.99

SNOW + ICE

DIORAMAS
How to create realistic scenes

TERRAIN + FOLIAGE

AIRCRAFT FOCUS

MOVEMENT + ACTION

TOP
TIPS
Expert advice
for all

PLUS WEATHERING
PLANNING AND COMPOSITION • PAINTING • MATERIALS
• ASSEMBLY • TOOLS AND ACCESSORIES
Editor's desk Welcome

Like us
facebook.com/airfixmodelworld

Visit us
www.airfixmodelworld.com

Dioramas: The ultimate modelling guide

lifelike miniatures of real aircraft, may be several) for the viewer. came from many sources, but
ships and military vehicles… Figures aren’t always required, a key factor is planning, and
but none more so than those but where they are present, that aspect shines through in
placed into a diorama/vignette. they add an extra dimension, every scenario. Even if you’re
What I admire most, regardless whether it’s an element of not into dioramas, or the
of whether an aftermarket or tension, or perhaps humour. vehicles depicted, there’s plenty
scratch-built background/base Here, Airfix Model World to otherwise tempt you, from
is used, is the skill displayed contributors explain and the finishing and weathering
when natural and man-made illustrate how they achieved techniques, to handy tips on
objects are reproduced in the various effects on their painting figures; hopefully
scale form, and how they are dioramas. If there’s a common everything is here to get those
blended with the model and/ theme running through these creative juices flowing!
or figures. Of course, this pages, it’s that you don’t
brings forth a quandary… have to splurge on the latest
what exactly is a diorama? accessories…sometimes it’s
There are many definitions, just as easy to find materials in
and variations at competitions, the garden or on the driveway. Stu Fone, Editor

O
ne of the great but for the purposes of this Inspiration for these projects stuart.fone@keypublishing.com
privileges of working bookazine, it covers one or more
within the hobby subjects incorporated into the
magazine industry is surroundings and serving as
seeing mere styrene turned into a focal point (of which there

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL CONTACT GROUP CEO AND PUBLISHER We are unable to guarantee the bona fides of
Editor: Stu Fone Airfix Model World, Key Publishing Ltd, Adrian Cox any of our advertisers. Readers are strongly
Editor-at-large: Chris Clifford PO Box 100, Stamford, Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK recommended to take their own precautions
Group Editor: Stuart Qualtrough Email: stuart.fone@keypublishing.com Key Publishing Ltd, PO Box 100, Stamford, before parting with any information or item
Contributors to this issue: Website: www.airfixmodelworld.com Lincs, PE9 1XQ, UK. Tel: 01780 755131. of value, including, but not limited to, money,
Toni Canfora, Johan Augustsson, Dave Oliver, manuscripts, photographs or personal
Kev Smith SUBSCRIPTIONS Printed by: Warners (Midland) plc, Bourne information in response to any advertisements
Designer: Tom Bagley Tel: +44 (0)1780 480404 Printed in England (ISBN 978191 2205189). within this publication. “AIRFIX’’ is a registered
Chief Designer: Steve Donovan Fax: +44 (0)1780 757261 Distributed by: Seymour Distribution Ltd, trade mark of Hornby Hobbies Limited and is
Email: orders@keypublishing.com 2 Poultry Avenue, London, EC1A 9PP used under licence.
ADVERTISING AND MANAGEMENT Tel: 020 7429 4000.
Commercial Director: Ann Saundry MARKETING
Group Advertising Manager: Brodie Baxter Group Marketing Manager: Martin Steele The entire contents of Scale Modelling is © 2018
Advertising Manager: Sarah Jarman Marketing Manager: Shaun Binnington and no part of it may be reproduced in any
Advertising Sales Executive: Elizabeth Ridge Event Coordinator: Julie Lawson form or stored on any form of retrieval system To find a stockist near you,
Advertising Production Manager: Debi McGowan Production Manager: Janet Watkins without the prior permission of the publisher. visit airfixmodelworld.com

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 3

What's inside?

Contents 32

6 Introduction
Toni Canfora offers
a perspective on the
joys and challenges of
building dioramas.

10 Buildings and
Road – Caution!
A pair of AFV Club’s Dodge
WC 51s are at the centre
of this late-war scene,
fulfilling a lifelong desire
by Johan Augustsson to
field two of the same
vehicle in a diorama. WHO'S
WHO
20 Snow and 94 Producers
Ice – Caught & retailers
Red Handed
Dave Oliver combines
wargaming-scale machines
and figures into a futuristic
winter scene, offering hints
and tips as to how snow and 50 10
ice can best be replicated.

32 Normandy
Recovery –
Wrong Side of
the Tracks
Dioramas are all about
telling a story; Kev Smith
shows how to recreate a
typical vehicle recovery
operation in northern
France, shortly after D-Day.

4 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Contents

40 Roads and
40 Rubble –
Man Down!
It’s not just larger scales that
provide suitable settings,
as demonstrated here with
a 1/72 late-war Italian town
scene by Toni Canfora.

50 Road, Rail and

Water – Busted!
Building on a previous project
for Airfix Model World,
Johan Augustsson places
Revell’s Henschel truck amid
a busy dock-loading scene,
where trouble is afoot.

58 Trees and
Height –
Achtung
Partisan
Kev Smith explains how height
can be an important factor
58 in a diorama, and add an
extra dimension to the scene,
especially when storage
space is at a premium.
20
66 Overgrown
Grass – The
Swallow’s Nest
Photos provide ample
inspiration for subjects, as
Toni Canfora found when
studying references on
JV 44, the source of this
abandoned Me 262.

74 Deserts –
Getting the
Hump
Depictions don’t always
require personnel on
vehicles; here Johan
Augustsson uses Bronco’s
Telemeter to provide a
82 66 suitable backdrop to an
Arab tribesman and his
recalcitrant camel.

82 Inspirations
– Liquid
Liberation
Dave Oliver gains inspiration
from Sheperd Paine’s
diorama guides and
incorporates the most
important lessons into
his stunning celebrating
Soviet soldiers panorama.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 5

Setting the scene

Scale
Story-Telling
Swedish diorama
specialist Toni Canfora
discusses his own route
into scenic modelling,
and how the genre
has developed over
the years

I
t’s a fact that people have
Sometimes it’s best to work
always been fascinated by from the ground up, and it’s
miniatures, and even from the terrain that sets this scene
our earliest history we have apart, along with the well-
considered arrangement of
created replicas of real items – vehicle, figures and foliage. All
the clearest example probably these features complement the
being kids’ toys or religious icons. superb building and painting.
(model by Volker Bembennek)
Miniatures have also been
used for military purposes since
ancient times, in preparation
for battles, the planning and
construction of defensive
positions, and training, although
at that time a ship was probably
made from just a rough piece of
wood, with a leaf as a sail. More
advanced models were eventually
introduced by architects and
city planners, with the Romans

6 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Introduction

An advanced diorama setting, to these displays, as they help us place it among scenery and
which benefits from a well understand what things really it is suddenly a story-teller.
detailed and weathered model,
looked like, and it puts matters
a scratch-built structure and
interaction between multiple into context. Modern scale model Early start
figures. Much planning and skill is dioramas are created for the My own interest in dioramas
required for a scene such as this. same reason; to tell a story. began during my modelling as
(model by Mirko Bayerl)
A model can be very attractive a young boy. Flicking through
on its own, but to make the most Tamiya and Italeri catalogues,
of machinery used and manned and seeing the work of Sheperd
by humans, adding figures and/ Paine and François Verlinden, I
or a scenic setting immediately was blown away by the realism,
brings that model to life, and and I could only
imparts a sense of scale. I dream of reaching the
find it fascinating to see how same level. I did try,
non-modelling visitors at however, although
model shows are drawn my initial attempts
to dioramas, because were somewhat
to them, a tank or sad creations. I also
an aircraft doesn’t clearly remember
say much, but my debut

perhaps being a leading example.

What these models had
in common though, is that
they helped people visualise
something they could not
see for real, or experience
themselves, particularly before
the existence of photographs.
Of course, paintings also helped
provide an idea of events,
the most impactful perhaps
being the huge wall paintings
portraying epic battles.
I often visit museums, and
one thing I’ve noted is that it’s Right: This diorama has
common to see exhibits involving it all; height, movement,
large dioramas of, for instance, a drama. And if the lights were
lowered the explosion would
medieval village. Visitors young be revealed in all its fiery glory.
and old always seem to be drawn (model by James Skiffins)

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 7

Setting the scene

While many more airbrushing ― and I was

dioramas capture a amazed to see how the model
sense of movement,
few replicate it as and base blended together.
comprehensively as this The next step was to include
bulldozer crashing through figures, and oh what a challenge!
a wall…indeed, it almost
appears to be a single
Those available in the 1970s-80s
frame from a video. were far from what we have today
(model by Alessandro in terms of detail and moulding.
Cozzani)
And there were no video
tutorials, so one had to make the
best of the basic instruction in
the aforementioned books, and
later the then ground-breaking
Verlinden Way books. With my
first attempts I was happy just
to keep the colours within their
borders or avoid making the eyes
look like ping-pong balls. And
there was no talk of rendering
shadows and highlights.
Practice was the key here,
perhaps more than with a
regular model, and figure
painting has always largely
been a matter of ‘feel’ regarding
paint consistency and the like.
In the late 1980s and during
diorama, in which I made all by-step guides we see today than those I’d attempted the 1990s, we saw a real
the classic mistakes; the base but considering the technology before. I made small bases for transformation in terms of
was too big, there was no real of the 1970s, they did an the models, using fine sand, figures and diorama accessories,
story being told, and I lacked the amazing job, and these works static grass and pebbles fixed mostly thanks to François
skills to finish it realistically. still grace my book shelf. with white glue, then again Verlinden, who started Verlinden
But then a friend showed me Gradually, I learned to master
‘Shep’ Paine’s now classic books the basic techniques;
How to Build Military Vehicles a simple wash and
and How to Build Dioramas, and dusting by airbrush
they were a revelation. They made the model look
were far from the involved step- so much more lifelike

Below: The simplest form of

vignette; a model placed on a piece
of terrain. Not very advanced, but
still puts the model into context and
tells a story. (model by Toni Canfora)

8 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Introduction

Productions, whose products A more advanced

seemed to be the answer to vignette. The base is more
substantial, and figures
every military modeller’s dream.
have been incorporated
Finally, we had decent figures, to bring life to the scene.
crates and barrels, engines (model by Sven Frisch)
and transmissions, bottles and
canisters...all we ever wanted to
create that moment in time, as
if bringing a photograph to life.

Gaining ground
My own confidence grew
gradually, and I was making
dioramas that were getting
bigger, often including one or two
buildings, several vehicles and a
dozen or more figures. This was
a clear trend during the 1990s;
sizeable and realistic dioramas,
following the trend of master
modellers such as Lewis Pruneu
and Bob Letterman. It was as
if every modeller unleashed
their long-repressed desires.
Then, around the Millennium,
something happened that
changed the modelling scene Sweden and US modeller Adam achieve the high level of finish as inspiration for your next, or
forever; the concept of ‘Ultra Wilder to mention a few, on on a large scene, and many even debut attempt. I also hope
realism’. As models and their own PC screen. The quality modellers started playing safe experienced modellers will find
accessories got increasingly of the models on display at by creating more diminutive, but techniques and tips new to them,
better, the search for realistic international shows improved still very effective and realistic or that you challenge yourself
finishing techniques rose rapidly too, as the subjects began replicas. This trend is, with few to try another scale or topic out
exponentially by the new means to feature chipped paintwork, exceptions, still evident today. your comfort zone. Diorama
we had…the Internet. Gradually, staining, dust and mud, and The models displayed in this modelling is a hugely rewarding
modellers started sharing their were populated by realistically publication depict different part of our hobby; more of a
progress on forums, and with posed and painted figures. scales and topics. If one is new journey to impart a narrative
the new digital technology it The effect of the new ethos on to diorama modelling, I hope than simply displaying a model.
was easy to do so. Everyone dioramas however, was that in you’ll not be overwhelmed by There are thousands of stories to
could study the work of the general they became smaller, and the seemingly large amount of be told in the form of a diorama
‘new’ masters such as Spain’s for one simple reason; it was very work that’s been put into each or vignette, so which
Mig Jimenez, Mirko Bayerl from time-consuming (and difficult) to project, and instead use them would you like to pursue?

Sometimes the simplest base is the most effective, and this is true
for this LVCP as it beaches. While it forms the central focus, there are
two ‘side stories’ in the form of the Jeep and motorcycle and the two
figures standing on the sand. (model by Johan Augustsson)

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 9

Double Beep

Caution!
A long-time wish of creating a diorama with two of the same
vehicle is realised for Johan Augustsson, who joins a recent
gift with a ten-year ‘shelf queen’ project
The start points for Setting the scene
the project, a base The base plate was manufactured
and house façade, by a friend to fit the Jagdpanther,
plus one ‘shelf
queen’ Dodge and
but at the time no house
another half built. was planned. After studying
contemporary images from the
Jebsheim battle, the idea of having
a sloped street with a house and
a garage came to mind. Only the
façade was needed, as it would
be an undamaged building,
and a large piece of insulation
foam was cut to form the basic
structure. At the same time, the

Below: Several tasks were simple to undertake, with a knife and basic shaped
profile all that was needed to create realistic-looking brick work.

T
his diorama started as was intended to depict a patrol
a scene from the battle from US 82nd Airborne Division
for the French town of pinned down at some point
Jebsheim in January 1945, during late-April 1945, in some
featuring a late-war Jagdpanther, of the very last skirmishes
but half-way through the build it of World War Two, as they
was clear the tank-hunter was too pushed through southern
large for the base when the house Germany. As can be seen
was added. But the effort already in the accompanying
spent was too much to just pass photos, the outlines of
into oblivion, and when AFV the base and house
Club’s 1/35 Dodge WC51 ‘Beep’ were already started
(AF35S15) was received as a gift, before the offer
a new idea emerged. One almost to include the
finished Beep had been sitting on diorama in this
a shelf for more than ten years, special was given,
so it was decided to have both so let’s start with
in the same diorama. The scene how it was done…

10 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Buildings and Road

Above: The garage ‘portal’ was achieved by cutting the

doors’ shape from a piece of Styrofoam, with the resin items
used as a template.

Above: Once sloped street was constructed

the boards and from Styrofoam, cork plates
ornaments were
attached, they and plaster-coated bandage.
received black French accessory company
primer, along Mk35’s door, garage portal and
with the resin
door, windows
windows set (Item A077) was
and shutters. purchased, and a plan of the
Note the very façade was drawn on paper to
uneven base
fit the kit details. A paper sketch
elements under
the details, was placed on a 5mm Styrofoam
which made sheet (cut to match the building
construction outline), and areas to be removed
harder than
necessary. were then marked. When this was
done, the thin Styrofoam sheet
was placed onto the house, and
deeper cavities for the windows
and door were then hollowed.
After removing the material to
a depth of approximately 3/4in
(2cm), the area was covered with
black acrylic paint. Note, white
spirit or lacquer thinner will melt
Styrofoam; acrylics or water
colours are the only options.
At this point, focus shifted to
the gable, which had to match
the front, so as an experiment it
was covered with a piece of hard
cardboard onto which diluted
white glue was brushed and sand
sprinkled on…oh well, it looked OK!
The windows, door and shutters
were then primed and glued

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 11

Double Beep

Below: After the windows were masked, very ine sand was sprinkled over
a layer of diluted white glue, while the balsa wood foundation log has been
base-painted. Right: The building’s foundation layer comprised mixes of
Tamiya Desert Yellow, Flat Yellow, Sky and White; as the foam was very
absorbent, several applications were required.

The wooden
balustrade under
construction;
no label was
provided within
the packaging,
but the detail
was excellent.

into their respective openings, dried, acrylic paste was applied roof. This became by far the most involved; I won’t regale you with
with one gap left empty; this by brush to blend the borders troublesome part of the whole the curses, blackouts, coffee
would be covered later with make- between the different materials build, as the angles seemed to breaks and other labours to get
shift boards. The garage port was — it was also spread thinly over play tricks with my brain. The it all right, but after a couple of
created in a similar way, but with the plastered areas and again roof tiles came from Dutch evenings with cardboard and
a different type of Styrofoam, and sprinkled with very fine sand. aftermarket specialist DioDump; plastic sheet, the roof was done.
the support wall with yet another As this surface wasn’t quite as these were cut and glued to fit An idea of adding a drain gutter
form. Brickwork was created uneven as desired, a stone was the angled house, and a frame and pipe lingered for a while,
by pressing a suitably-sized (3 x pressed gently into the foam. with magnets was constructed. but after serious examination of
7mm) plastic profile into the soft The frame was fashioned from contemporary images (where this
material, after which the gaps were Under cover plastic card, cardboard and feature appeared uncommon), it
widened with a modelling blade. As the house became quite tall wooden strips, and the wooden was decided to skip this detail. On
Next came the ornamentation for (and wouldn’t fit into a case gable made from strips of plastic the other hand, the garage roof
the front, and this was achieved small enough to take to shows card, which had the grain carved was far easier to construct…and
via plastic card, secured with as airplane hand luggage), it was with a knife. Hopefully the images even easier after the balustrade
white glue. When everything had necessary to make a removeable are enough to show the work was found at hobby show. It
came packed in just an unlabelled
plastic bag, so unfortunately
there is no knowledge of the
manufacturer. Made of hard
wood, it was cut to fit the edges
of the garage and painted off-
white. The corrugated roof was
also made from an unknown
aftermarket product and was cut
to shape, while the drain channel
was fashioned from lead foil.

Bricks and mortar

After masking the windows, the
house was airbrushed with a mix
of Tamiya XF-3 Flat Yellow, XF-21
Sky, XF-59 Desert Yellow and XF-2
Flat White. Next, the brick work
Above: All brick work was painted with Above: Time had come for the roof; magnets were attached irst, to enable it
and ornamentation were brush-
several red-brown hues; the garage to be transported separately. The corrugated garage roof was painted rusty
roof was an aftermarket product, brown and the balustrade off-white, while the portal stones received an array painted with red-brown and off-
while the drain was shaped lead foil. of brown and grey tones. white hues respectively. Similarly,

12 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Buildings and Road

the shutters and the door were copper wire bars for the grille. This
coloured, but with different was incorporated into the road
shades from AK Interactive’s base at the side, and vegetation
AK 563 Old &Weathered Wood added around the ditch. The base
vol.2. These paints are quite thin, was covered with household filler
probably to be used primarily with (for wet areas) over additional
an airbrush, but with patience cork sections, and then the road
they work well with brushes. bed received another thin layer
Once everything had dried of a similar plaster compound,
Above: The roofing and its frame, made from odd pieces of plastic sheet, glued
thoroughly, the mortar was to a cardboard sheet with magnets — tile sections were by DioDump. but this featured a finer grain
created by mixing dry plaster with and was harder when dry. It
grey- and light sand-coloured Grime was also used together utilised finally, together with real was tinted with brown-toned
pigments; this was then applied with various dry pigments. dry leaves cut by RB Toolz’ Maple pigments, and before drying, two
over the brick area and any The corrugated garage roof was Leaf Maker (RP-MAP), mixed into scrap wheels were rolled over
excess removed with a water- first sealed with diluted Vallejo a ‘goo’ and spread onto the roof. the surface, to impress wheel
moistened sponge. This procedure 74.602 Black Primer, and then marks. Spare ceramic tiles were
was repeated until the desired brush-painted 70.822 German Adding interest then added closer to the house,
amount of mortar was added. Camouflage Black Brown. When The sloped road element acting as a road edge/kerb,
The tiled roof was airbrushed dry, it was sponged with rust appeared rather bland in its after which the newly formed
with a mix of XF-9 Hull Red and colours, followed by 70.989 Sky original state, so a drain culvert ground areas received Burnt
XF-52 Flat Earth in a cloudy Grey, then AK026 Slimy Grime was made from Styrofoam, with Umber cheap hobby paint.
fashion, and then sponged Dark was applied rather thickly,
with various orange, greys, in a random fashion.
brown and even green hues. AK LifeColor Lichen &
Interactive’s AK012 Streaking Moss (LC-SPG06) was

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 13

Double Beep

Right: Weathering commenced with a series of oils and washes, very much in
the same manner as with vehicles. The shutters and door were painted with
brown tones, and the garage portal with greys from AK Interactive’s Old &
Weathered Wood.

The wooden
gable was created
from plastic strip;
different widths and
wear added more
interest to this section.

After this had dried, the road bed Many mannequins one of the company’s best figure as browns and khaki. This has
was airbrushed with XF-57 Buff Most ‘celebrity’ diorama makers sets. Construction proceeded always been an issue when it
and various oil washes added, use resin figures (which are as per the instructions, and any comes to World War Two American
to enhance tonal variations. expensive), or conversions/ gaps were filled with Magic Sculpt uniforms, and over the years
The Editor also sent MiniArt’s scratch-built figures (which can putty, but the heads were all friends have been asked several
excellent Concrete Telegraph Poles take forever to make), so to replaced with Hornet or Nemrod times if the uniforms were green
set (35563), and one unit was build the diorama in my lifetime resin versions, as the originals or brown. Lately “both” has been
duly constructed and painted, but and without depleting the bank lacked character. Weapon straps the general answer, with green or
added to the base at a later stage, accounts, a selection of styrene were also added from paper/lead light-brown jackets and green or
so as not to obscure the rest of figures was needed. Over the foil/plastic strip as necessary. earth-brown trousers. The figures
the construction. A section of the years, my personal ‘stash’ has Before describing the paint in this diorama were painted
kit’s styrene electrical insulators increased considerably, and now method, a personal note; I have to the best of this knowledge,
was combined with a scratch- Dragon’s 6378 US Tank Riders and slight red-green colour blindness, and with the fact in mind that
built connection box, and these 6271 ‘Advance to the Rhine’ sets which makes it difficult to mix uniform items would sometimes
were then added to the house. came to use; the first is arguably certain ‘third-level’ hues such be mixed, with age and wear

Leaves were cut from real dried

items with RP Toolz’ leaf cutter,
which resulted in a much more
realistic appearance than laser-
cut paper versions.

Below: The leaves were mixed with moss from LifeColor’s Lichen & Moss
Powder and Color set, which was spread in a natural manner.

Above: More weathering! At this

stage, pigments and mortar have
been added; the latter was a mix
of plaster with grey- and sand-
coloured powders.
Left: The make-shift window
boarding was fashioned from plastic
strips and a bolt cut from an item in
the scrap box. Later it was painted
in the same manner as the doors
and shutters.

14 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Buildings and Road

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 15

Double Beep

adding to the colour variations, Earth, 70.886 Green Grey, 70.822

certain garments replaced, and be German Camouflage Black Brown,
made by different manufacturers, 70.941 Burnt Umber, 70.950 Black,
resulting in multiple hues. 70.871 Leather Brown, 70.983 Flat
When painting figures for a Earth, and 70.889 Olive Drab. All
diorama, I have found it best to figures were brush-painted with
start with the one that will be mixes of the aforementioned
the least significant and then hues, but none were coloured
work towards those located in in the same way as each other.
the central focus area. Unless Subtle shading was achieved
you paint figures all the time, it with Sepia and/or black inks, and
may have been months since features were accentuated by a
those specific brushes were used Above: Foam and cork sections were utilised to create the raised area for
and, as the main the road, and plaster-covered bandage and household
iller was added to form the surface.
figures need most
attention, it might
be better to wait
with these until you
are ‘up to speed’ with
your figure painting. Of
course, individual soldier’s
positions may occasionally
be shifted, to better
incorporate them into the
scene, but generally this
idea would be practiced.

Anything but
uniform
With all this in mind, a
battery of Vallejo tones was
assembled, namely 70.922
US Uniform, 70.988 Khaki,
70.821 German Camouflage
Beige, 70.819 Iraqi Sand,
70.873 US Field Drab, 70.912
Tan Yellow, 70.874 US Tan

16 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Buildings and Road

Above: The base’s edges were sprayed black and then a thin layer of ine Above: More natural litter and grass was added, along with the roadside
grained cement powder was spread over the road bed. Before it had dried, pollards. Note the ceramic tiles next to where the house will be and the drain,
tyre trails were added by discarded ‘wheels-on-a-stick’ tools. which was made from Styrofoam.

water-diluted black/sepia wash. Below: A step was added at the front

Flesh areas received a base of door to the house, while the boundary
between road and building (and the
Vallejo’s Nocturna 74.012 Malefic illed gaps) can be seen more clearly.
Flesh, followed by either a thin
70.876 Brown Sand or 70.981
Orange Brown layer (the latter
blended occasionally with 70.927
Dark Flesh). When dry, a light
70.810 Royal Purple or 70.814
Burnt Cadmium Red wash was
added, before the highlights
were emphasised via 70.955 Flat
Flesh and 70.835 Salmon Rose
or 70.928 Light Flesh, which were
added to the Brown Sand or
Orange Brown/Dark Flesh base.
No badges nor rank patches
were painted, as my painting skills
were not up to the challenge.
There is always the possibility
to use decals for this detail, but
the editorial deadline prevented
this idea being realised. Left: With the house ixed to the base, the diorama took shape; any gaps were registrations! After another Klear
treated with household iller and smoothed via a water-moistened brush. The
coat, a pin wash was applied,
pollards received German Grey and were then sponged with different browns.
Beep Beep! followed by weathering. Washes,
The two vehicles were both by Below: Dragon’s igures were all built as per the instructions; the only change filters and pigments were chosen,
AFV Club, even if the machine was to add new heads by Hornet and Nemrod…the two painted items were along with the ground colours,
gun-equipped version was built transplanted from old builds. which comprised AK8031 Splatter
when it was released under the Effects Accumulated Dust and
now defunct Skybow brand. This AK017 Earth Effect. Note, the
old kit received a more detailed heavy accumulated dirt under
resin and photo-etched brass the vehicles was reproduced with
M2 .50 cal HMG from Verlinden, plaster, mixed with Accumulated
while the newer sample was Dust and AK023 Dark Mud, and
equipped with just a winch, but stippled with an old brush.
refinement was added courtesy of All equipment was painted
Black Dog’s comprehensive resin with the same Vallejo acrylics
US Dodge Airborne stowage set as the figures. The tarps on the
(T35099). The Beep was a truly fenders were coloured after
excellent kit, one of the best this they were attached, but Black
modeller has ever built and can be Dog’s load bay stowage was
recommended wholeheartedly. worked on separately. Both
Both cars were airbrushed XF-62 vehicles received a coat of
Olive Drab, which was mixed Vallejo Matt Varnish, which had
with a drop of XF-60 Dark Yellow been tinted slightly with XF-57
and then highlighted with XF-21 Buff, prior to the clear styrene
Sky. After a coat of Johnson’s windshields being attached.
Klear floor polish, all decals were Final weathering touch-ups were
applied, which ensured both carried out after the vehicles
cars wouldn’t have the same were secured to the base.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 17

Double Beep

Below: Citadel’s Chaos Black was Below: Basic uniform colours were Below: Initial highlights were added Below: Khaki hues, mixed with Tan
sprayed onto the igures from all sides, then added; on this igure, the trousers via an equal mix of the base tone and Yellow and Iraqi Sand, were applied
to act as a combined primer and pre- received Flat Earth, and US Tan Earth German Camoulage Beige to just to the webbing and pouches, before
shade layer. was applied to the jacket. raised areas on the tunic and trousers. shading was achieved by an ink wash.

Below: Helmet, gaiters and boots Below: After a wash of Royal Purple Below: A Burnt Cadmium Red wash Below: The irst facial highlights
received US Olive Drab, German had dried, heavily diluted Brown Sand was employed for the shadows, with comprised Flat Flesh mixed with Brown
Camoulage Beige and Leather Brown, and Orange Brown was glazed onto the emphasis around the eyes, nose Sand/Orange Brown; lightened glazes
while Maleic Flesh coloured skin areas. face and hands. and mouth. were then repeated several times.

Going green other manufacturers. The two Scenic Fibres and Aqua Magic, Scenic entertainment
Grass and other vegetation roadside pollards, either side of which was tinted and poured This was a fun and rather
was added to the ditch bank, the drainage pipe, came from accordingly. As the last step, difficult diorama to make,
via materials from aftermarket TM Models; these were painted black-painted copper wires were mostly due to the long period
scenery producers Fredericus different greys and browns, added between the telegraph between the first steps and
Rex, Heki, Model Scene and and received a white stripe pole and house. Great care finishing. Because of this, ideas
Joefix Studios; all were secured over a German Grey base. was taken to make these lines tended to slip from the mind
with white glue. Leaves and The figures and vehicles were appear natural — consequently, and when you picked up the
other litter was added too, added to the road, together the main telegraph wires work again you couldn’t really
using the same stamped-out with the telegraph pole, after were restricted to just short remember what the plan was.
real leaves as on the garage which the ditch received dark sections of stretched styrene, Hopefully this article has been
roof, together with gravel, static green/brown hues and Deluxe as otherwise they wouldn’t inspiring, especially to try
grass and components from Materials’ Making Waves, hold their shape over time. making your own buildings!

The whole squad assembled and

painted! Note the different colours
used on each igure; none were
painted the same way as the others.

Above: The inal highlights were

achieved courtesy of a blend of Light/
Flat Flesh, with pure Light Flesh for
the last glaze.

18 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

Fantasy Fighters

Caught Red
Handed Dave Oliver
attempts a snow-
laden sci-fi diorama

M
odelling realistic
snow dioramas and
vignettes is often
regarded as a dark
art by many in the hobby — even
those who are adept at creating
other forms of landscapes.
Embarking on such a project
was delayed by this modeller
for years, due to the difficulty
involved in producing a
realistic scale representation.

Above: A rough outline of the diorama was established with pieces of extruded
polystyrene and artists’ foam board. This would change subtly during the build.

Above: The various models and figures were placed on a foam-board base
to check the overall groundwork dimensions. Subsequently, 2in (5cm) was
removed from the left-hand side to improve the diorama’s appearance.

Left: Achieving a realistic and suitably craggy

appearance to the rock surface took much practice, due
to the distinctly unrealistic colour of the pink extruded polystyrene!

20 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Snow + Ice

Inspiration finally came on a A kernel of an idea began to

recent trip to the US when, take shape; pitching two brave
rooting around the shelves of a but outgunned Russian soldiers
hobby store in Mobile, Alabama, (one wielding a rocket launcher)
a Dust Tactics 1/60 ‘Ludwig’ mech against the lumbering hulk of
was unearthed and purchased an Axis ‘mech’; this seemed a
for a reasonable $25. Upon good initial basis, and provided
returning home, other projects an interesting contrast between
took precedence, which gave the antagonists. Two Soviet
plenty of time to mull over figures from the Dust series
the diorama’s composition, were purchased individually
along with the various models online, via a well-known
and materials involved. auction site, and the layout

Right: The taller rock formation, intended for the rear of the scene, required
two pieces of polystyrene to be joined. Care was taken to ensure the seam
appeared natural.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 21

Fantasy Fighters

Robot wars
The mech required minimal assembly. Designed primarily as a
wargaming miniature, the arms, legs and torso were fully poseable,
allowing a realistic stance to be achieved, although this was altered
slightly as the build progressed. It was felt a little extra detail would
complement the model, so the spares box was raided for any stowage
items that would help to achieve a suitably combat-seasoned chassis.
The painting process was relatively straightforward, as the model
was pre-primed; the splinter camouflage pattern was masked, and
then a liberal coating of AK Interactive AK-088 Worn Effects Fluid
applied. After waiting 15 minutes, a light coat of LifeColor LC01 Matt
White was airbrushed; once the masking was removed, the surface
was ‘distressed’ with a water-soaked stiff brush; larger scratches and
abrasions were created with a cocktail stick. Weathering came via an
overall wash of MIG Productions P223 Cold Grey Wash, followed by
selective pin washes, courtesy of AMMO-MIG Oilbrusher colours.

Right: Dust Miniatures’ mech came pre-primed and decaled, and featured
high levels of exterior moulded detail. Assembly was swift, with the pose
‘tweaked’ to best serve the diorama.

Once painted and

weathered to achieve a
chipped and dirty winter-
camoulage scheme, the
‘Ludwig’ mech looked
suitably war weary and
ready for action.

Equipment was added

around the main
hatch, and on the top
and sides of the gun
sponsons, in addition to
scratch-built tow ropes.
Several minor moulding
defects were illed and
sanded at this stage.

Below: Dust’s Soviet igures required

The T-34 was a late addition just minor alteration to their poses,
and was sourced from Rubicon before both were painted with a
Models. Again, while designed mixture of Citadel and Lifecolor
as a wargaming miniature, there acrylics…inal weathering occurred
was much detail to savour, and once the diorama was completed.
assembly was straightforward;
it was painted and weathered in
the same manner as the mech.

22 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Snow + Ice

Above: With the two sections of the rock side by side, further smaller revisions Above: Diluted Citadel Chaos Black was brush-painted onto the delicate
to the surface texture were made with a craft knife. polystyrene, which helped to preserve the irregular nature of the rock face.

Above: Smaller stones and boulders were created from off-cuts of the larger Above: Tamiya Grey Texture Paint was applied sparingly to the ‘rock’ surfaces,
formations; these were placed in a random fashion to help vary the landscape. which created an initial contrast with the darker recesses.

was finalised during several The base, and much of the

sessions at the workbench. To more subtle topography was
aid planning, sheets of white constructed from artists’ foam
paper were placed strategically board, which was an easy
to simulate the lie of the land, material to work with, requiring
with blue card for the river. just a sharp craft knife to

Scenic setup
Once the diorama’s provisional
layout was established, and the
models and figures completed,
construction began on the
various landscape components.

Scale Modelling Dioramas 23

Fantasy Fighters

cut to shape. It also had the

Jagged advantage of being lightweight,

with good insulating properties,
and this was a distinct advantage

relief considering this modeller’s

somewhat average ability
with a soldering iron! Several
Creating and painting a layers were sandwiched to
realistic rock face from enable cut outs for wiring on
foam board and polystyrene the underside and to provide
involved several practice enough depth for the river
attempts, before a bed, without compromising
natural eroded/broken
the base’s structural integrity.
surface was achieved.
Larger rock formations
Above: A combination of overly were created from extruded
shallow rock features and an polystyrene (also known
unfortunate reaction with an
aerosol-based primer produced under the brand name of
a rather smooth surface. Citadel Styrofoam), cut roughly to
Slaanesh Grey was dry-brushed shape with a sharp kitchen
heavily, as once the snow was
knife bought solely for the job.
applied there was minimal contrast
with the rock. Smaller crevices and shapes
were created with a scalpel,
Left: On the second attempt, deeper
to produce a craggy and
vertical and horizontal scores were
made in the polystyrene, for a more irregular surface (see panel).
varied appearance. Chaos Black
was then brush-painted, before Water feature
textured paint was dry-brushed
lightly, which added depth and
With all major elements
contrast in conjunction with the completed, a final round of
snow effects. test-fitting took place, with the
models and figures placed in
their respective positions. It was
decided to trim approximately
2in (5cm) from the left-hand
side of the base, as this was
regarded as ‘dead space’, which

Below: When compared, subtle differences in finish were noticeable, with the second example (right)
featuring a more varied/realistic surface, which complemented the snow/ice effects. Later, these
sections also proved useful for experimenting with the diorama’s final composition.

Left: The Krycell

Ice sheet provided
a convincing and
relatively quick
way of simulating
a frozen river,
and would form
the diorama’s
centrepiece.

24 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Snow + Ice

Above: The river outline was traced onto the surface after the Ice sheet was
positioned on the foam board…

Above: A template for the river’s rough outline was created on paper, before
being transposed onto the Krycell Ice sheet and cut with a fret saw.

would have detracted from a suitably irregular and

the overall scene. Once the tapered (from front to rear)
elevated sections were built, appearance to provide a sense
attention turned to the frozen of perspective. A paper template
river, which effectively formed was then created and placed
the diorama’s centrepiece. on a sheet of Krycell Ice, which
A pencil outline was sketched was cut to shape with a fret saw. Above: …and a river bed cut from the base with a new scalpel blade, to ensure
onto the foam board, with A few minor revisions were a snug fit for the ice sheet.

“The Krycell Ice sheet provided a convincing

way of simulating a frozen river”

Scale Modelling Dioramas 25

Fantasy Fighters

Above: The T-34’s front was removed with a razor saw to simulate a semi-
submerged vehicle, before a shell hole was created in the hull with a
soldering iron.

Above: Much dry-fitting ensued, to

ensure the tank sat correctly on the
riverbed, and the malleable nature of
the foam board made any alterations
relatively straightforward.

Above: Both the ice sheet and the river bank were then trimmed around the front of the vehicle; this helped to create
the impression of the latter item being part of the scenery, and wasn’t just ‘placed’.

With the groundwork finished, DAS Clay was sculpted over the
surface, with extra care taken to ensure the rock formations,
river bank and models blended into the rest of the scenery.

26 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Snow + Ice

carried out, before the river

outline was redrawn onto the
base and the foam board cut to
provide a realistic river bed…the
whole area was then sprayed
with Model Mates Mud Brown.
Next, the burnt-out T-34 was
placed on the river bed, where
it was to provide the diorama’s
focal point, after which the
tank’s front was removed with
a razor saw, with much dry-
fitting to ensure it appeared
partially submerged. Both the
embankment and river bed
surfaces required a modicum of
trimming and adjustment, such
that the tank appeared suitably
grounded. The Krycell Ice
received further modification,
with sections removed and then
snapped/splintered to simulate
ice broken as the tank entered
the river. This effect was
Above: Model Mates’ Mud Brown was brush-painted over the dried clay to produce a suitably grubby appearance.
repeated for various Areas around the base of the rocks and the river bank received several further coats, to form areas of contrast.
parts of the sheet, along
with judicious use of Ploughing on were then cut for the rocket the foam board on the right-
a hammer to create With the river completed, the launcher and tank lighting. hand side, while the river bed
pleasingly realistic artists’ foam and polystyrene Returning to the diorama and rock formation tops were
cracks and gaps rocks and river banks were once the glue had dried fully, also textured with the same
in the surface. secured with white glue…holes Das Clay was sculpted over product. The surface was

Scale Modelling Dioramas 27

Fantasy Fighters

Above: The first layer of snow effects was applied with Krycell’s own adhesive, airbrushed onto the surface of the
diorama at 90°, to allow the snow effects to accentuate rock details and contours.

left as irregular as possible, to the surface; areas such as the and undersides of the various with areas of higher ground
create a realistic earthy texture river bank received several outcrops. Krycell Fine Snow receiving additional layers…here
for when the snow was applied, coats, which formed a contrast Effects powder was then the adhesive was also applied
with small boulders moulded with the rest of the scenery. applied via the provided sieve, with a brush. Unfortunately,
and pressed into the clay. After Having learnt valuable lessons
the clay had cured, a generous from experimenting with snow
application of Model Mates effects throughout the build,
Mud Brown was brushed onto the diorama was placed on
newspaper sheets and Krycell
adhesive airbrushed at 90° to
the base. This ensured
the snow effects would
adhere just to the
horizontal surfaces of
the rock face and landscape;
and created further tonal
contrasts with the crevices

28 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Snow + Ice

Getting wired
While the basic arrangement of soldiers, mech and tank on the
landscape created a good story, it was decided to add an extra
dimension to the scene with a rudimentary lighting circuit.
This provided a series of interest points (depending on lighting
conditions) and drew the viewer’s eyes around the landscape.

R3
470R 470R R4
470R

R1 470R R2

SWITCH LAUNCHER TANK

6v LED

BATTERY

Above: With most of the ‘dry’ features completed, Woodland Scenics’ Realistic Above: The circuit diagram illustrated the relatively simple electronics
Water was poured into cracks in the ice sheet, blending it into the background. required to add another element to the diorama.
Extra items of foliage created variation, in conjunction with mud-coloured
pigments, which were added along the river’s edges.

the effect appeared unrealistic, through the pre-drilled holes

as the snow covering seemed and fixed with insulation tape.
too thick. Fate then intervened Finally, Krycell Insta-Snow was
when the diorama was dropped, used at the base of the mech
which removed a significant and the figures to give them a
amount of excess snow in the more grounded look, as well as
process; arguably this was the concealing those wiring holes.
first time any modeller has
welcomed dropping a model! Stay frosty
Yet another round of With the lighting circuit
experimentation with the components added, a sheet of
models’ positions resulted in suitably sized medium-density
the T-34 turret being moved to fibreboard formed a plinth.
the rear, and the mech itself Strips of black-painted plastic
Above: Basic components cost approximately £15; these comprised LED
bulbs, resistors and potentiometers. High-quality, lead-based solder was
“A small electrical circuit was devised to employed, to ensure strong connections.

illuminate the tank and rocket launcher;

the blue potentiometers allowed the LED
brightness to be adjusted for scale effect
in different lighting conditions”

repositioned towards the centre. card were then attached to the

It was also decided the incline base edges, which completed the
at the rear right-hand side project. This was an enjoyable
confused the model’s outline, build, with the snow effects
so this was trimmed to form and electronics providing quite
a gentle slope, and provided a challenge. Furthermore, the
an improved appearance essentially ‘what-if’ nature
overall. The two soldiers meant the imagination could
and the Mech were then run riot. Hopefully, all these
secured with white glue, elements created a realistic and
just in case they had to ‘believable’ scale diorama. My
Above: The battery pack, potentiometers and switch were concealed at the
be moved later, after thanks to Rick Fornalski for rear…the base could be removed easily from the plinth in case the electrics
which wiring was fed his help during this project. needed any repairs.

Scale Modelling Dioramas 29

 GREAT SUBSCRIPTION OFFERS FROM

SUBSCRIBE
AND SAVE Dioramas Special

Published monthly, Airfix Model World magazine is

your complete guide to the world of scale modelling,
making it essential reading for modellers with all levels
of experience. Focusing on model aircraft; Airfix Model
World also features cars, ships, sci-fi and space, armour
and figures. Airfix Model World brings you the latest news,
reviews and handy step-by-step tips, plus the chance to
‘Ask the Experts’ to improve your modelling skills.

www.airfixmodelworld.com
Hornby Magazine takes a unique approach to model railways
with both the relatively inexperienced and the seasoned
modeller in mind. Unique step-by-step guides offer modellers
hints and tips on how to get the most from the hobby. The
very best photography and all the very latest news inspire and
inform modellers of all abilities. Hornby Magazine is dedicated
to promoting this most rewarding of hobbies, introducing it to
newcomers and those returning to the hobby. It is written by
enthusiasts for enthusiasts - the editorial and publishing team
are all active modellers who care passionately about the hobby.

www.hornbymagazine.com

ALSO AVA I L A B L E DI GI TA L LY:

PC, Mac &

iTunes Windows 10

Available on PC, Mac and Windows 10 from

751/18

FOR THE LATEST SUBSCRIPTION DEALS

VISIT: PHONE:
www.keypublishing.com/shop (UK) 01780 480404 (Overseas) +44 1780 480404
Railway Verge

Wrong Side of
the Tracks
Kev Smith depicts a
busy Normandy ‘rescue’
scene in 1/35 scale

Above: A picture paints a thousand

words, so the most important stage of
any diorama is the planning. It’s a good
idea to sketch your ideas on paper.

A
diorama is all about
telling a story, in that
the modeller needs
to show something
happening in a moment in time…
but to do this the inclusion
of figures is essential.
This diorama depicts a typical
recovery operation in Normandy
in the weeks after the Allied
invasion. One feature is a
temporary rail crossing built by
the Royal Engineers, while a
Chevrolet Gun Tractor has left
the unfamiliar track and slipped
down a bank into a ditch. The
recovery operation by the Royal

Electrical
and Mechanical
Engineers has begun;
perhaps not the most
imaginative of dioramas, but dedicated
a typical wartime situation. books (including this
Of all the steps in building a volume) to offer inspiration.
diorama, the planning is the most While researching online I
Above: A suitable picture frame was purchased once the diorama's rough important. There is an abundance came across a photograph of a
dimensions were established. These are inexpensive and ideal as bases. of reference on the Internet, and Scammell Pioneer recovering a

32 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Normandy Recovery

Above: A saw and a hand grader are essential tools when working with
insulation foam. One to cut, and the other to form the features.
Right: The basic components of the diorama were set out according to the
plan and checked for believability/practicality.

Bren Carrier from the bottom dimensions in one’s mind down

of a rail embankment. This set on paper. The finer points can
the grey matter on overtime. be left until later; these generally
Designing a scenario isn’t being addressed when they
difficult, but it's worth spending present themselves while work
time on the planning. A sketch is is still being carried out on the
always a good idea, as this helps construction. This could include
to get the general layout and figures that may have to be
converted, rearranged, added or
even removed. It can also apply
to vehicles and even buildings.
The BSA Motorcycle was a good
example of this, as the bike didn’t
feature on the original plan, but
the inclusion of which helps to reworked during construction, insulating board, available from
tell the story. Placing vertical in anticipation of fitting the any good builders’ merchant;
features on a diorama vehicle to the diorama, and this adds strength but is also
background is useful not the other way around. very light. The big advantage is
to give a sense of the topography of the diorama
From the ground up can be formed easily in the
A suitable base was chosen once soft foam, with the aid of hand
its necessary dimensions had tools. After sanding with fine-
been established. In this case, grade abrasive paper, the soft
the base was an inexpensive balsa wood walls received four
picture frame sourced from a thinned coats of PVA glue to add
high street store, with balsa strength, before the black top
wood sheet for the side walls. coat was applied with a brush.
The interior was formed from The inclusion of water is

depth to the
story, and this
achieves even
more if varying Above: The balsa wood edges were sanded to equal angles to ensure a good
fit, then reinforced with off-cuts. Below: Decorator’s filler provided a neat join
heights are
between the walls and frame.
employed. With
the inclusion of the
railway Semaphore
from MiniArt (35566),
three levels have
been achieved. Placing
the railway track and
the dirt road at an angle
also added interest to
the overall composition.
To add extra drama, the
Pioneer’s suspension was

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 33

Railway Verge

Areas of the foam, and stream Any gaps around the wheels
bed, were prepared in readiness would be illed with PVA Glue, to prevent
for the stricken vehicle’s wheels. leaks when the Vallejo Still Water was poured.

Below: Figures play a pivotal role in any diorama, because they capture the
observer’s attention. By replacing the softly detailed heads with resin aftermarket
items, they were improved immediately, as was the scene's overall look.

Due to its soft nature,

balsa wood can be
damaged easily. To
protect it, three coats
of diluted PVA Glue
were applied by brush
as soon as possible.

always an interesting feature add texture to the surface, fine flat brush before the basket liner no opportunity for leaks. After
in any scale scene. Therefore, sand was sprinkled over the top was added, upside down…there airbrushing a suitable brown
the gully at the bottom of the of the dirt track area while the is a reason for this! A suitable colour, the stream bed was ready
bank was carved first with an filler was still wet. The railway weight can be employed to keep for the Vallejo Still Water (26230),
old bread knife, as the serrated track (MiniArt 35561) was also the grass in place to level areas which was simply applied with a
edge was perfect for cutting positioned at this stage, although if desired, and here, low-tack pipette and left to dry overnight;
through foam. The gully was the ballast (from the company masking tape was used to press this was repeated two further
then lined with plastic card and Green Scene) would be added the liner into the contoured areas times, and the final application
sealed with two coats of PVA to later. With the length of track in of the bank, while the glue cured. had a hint of black acrylic paint
stop the Vallejo Still Water from place, the wooden planking was Then, the woven hessian backing added to the area below the
escaping. A slot was also cut into laid down to form the improvised was removed carefully to reveal Chevrolet’s sump, to suggest
the gully’s bottom to receive crossing. Balsa Wood cut to size, the grass, which could then be escaping oil. The next area to
the Chevrolet’s front wheel. along with coffee stirrers, worked trimmed to the desired length. be tackled was that of the banks
The best plan of attack was to well for this purpose. With the bordering the dirt track, and
segment the diorama into small filler dried completely, work Filling the stream around the discarded planks.
areas, and where the Chevrolet could begin on the grassed area Focus turned to the securing the The first stage was to add short
entered the gully was a good around the Chevrolet. Pieces of vehicle in position, so the area Static Grass from Heki (3362).
starting point. First, though, the hanging basket liner were cut around where the wheel sat Tweezers were used to plant the
foam's surface was then coated into patches of various sizes. The in the gully was filled with PVA grass in areas of thinned PVA glue
with Polly Filla, via a spatula; to PVA was then spread with a wide, Glue, to ensure there would be applied to the surface. Longer

Above: The areas of track to be discarded were highlighted with black marker Above: With the track laid, off-cuts of balsa and coffee stirring sticks were used
and removed with a modelling saw. to construct the improvised crossing.

34 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Feature title

www.airfixmodelworld.com
Railway Verge

Fine sand was sprinkled

onto the wet iller to add
texture to the surface.

For a neat inish, care was

taken to encompass the track
ends within the diorama sidewalls.

Left: The Pioneer’s suspension was made movable during construction. This
allowed the vehicle to it the groundwork, rather than the other way around.
This way, the look was natural and not engineered.

The gully banks were

layered over the
plastic card before
being sealed with
PVA Glue.

patches of Heki Grass Matt 30941 Pieces of hanging basket liner shown on the back of the box, 63 German Grey, followed by
(the colour wasn’t important, as it were cut into patches of various with small but highly detailed dry-brushing of different grey
would be sprayed anyway) were sizes and attached. Attention diagrams. What appeared to shades. Washes of Dark Umber
cut to the desired size and added then turned to the semaphore. be a simple structure was in oil paint followed to mute the
to the areas around the planks; This was a very impressive fact quite complicated, and different greys. To suggest a
the idea being to vary the length Railway Signal model (35566) it involved assembling many railway line that hadn’t been
of the grass for a natural look. If from Ukrainian firm MiniArt… intricate parts. The fit, however, used for some time, the red and
just one length of grass is used, standing at just over 9in (23cm), was excellent and resulted in white sections were weathered
the scene will look more like a and comprised five grey plastic a convincing structure, which heavily with rust tones.
lawn! The use of different lengths runners carrying 102 parts, can be used in dioramas, or as The approach to the water
and textures breaks up the one small decal sheet, and one a standalone piece. As usual, around the base was the same
overall appearance and creates bag with clear parts, some of MiniArt did a wonderful job as the gully, except three coats
areas of interest. With the first which were tinted, and a length moulding the small parts thinly of PVA Glue were used, in favour
stages dry, the third layer of string for the mechanism. enough to scale. The semaphore of plastic card, to seal against
of grass was to be added. Twelve assembly stages were was then sprayed Tamiya XF- any leaks. The grassed areas

36 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Normandy Recovery

This shovel-
from the box, apart from the recover the Chevrolet with the
wielding igure crew’s ladder used to mount the winch. Its jib was designed to
had his legs working area, and this was built work in two different positions,
removed from
from plastic rod. The model’s inner or outer, with maximum
the knees down,
to suggest deep weakest part was the front and loads of 3 and 2 tons respectively.
water. rear suspension. A shame really, Towing cable was missing from
as this is the real vehicle’s most the kit, so this was fashioned
impressive feature. To remedy from picture framing wire
this, and to get the suspension and attached to the stricken
to work, the locating lugs were vehicle, with a strop and
removed and replaced with wire shackle from the spares box.
pins, cut to size and inserted into
drilled holes. The vehicle was Italian traction
painted with Tamiya XF-67 NATO The ‘victim’ vehicle in this
Below: Vegetation materials, left to right: Tufts with Leaves Spring (Small) from Green, and XF-85 Rubber Black diorama was to be Italian
MiniNatur (725-21S), Woodland Scenics’ Course Turf (T63), Heki Grass Matt
and Static Grass, and hanging basket Liner.
for the camouflage patches, while firm Italeri’s Chevrolet Gun
weathering comprised washes Tractor D-Day (240).
of Humbrol Matt 83 Ochre and Field Artillery Tractors played
84 Stone, and a light pin wash an important part in World War
of Naples Yellow Oil paint. The Two, and Chevrolet’s Gun Tractor,
Pioneer was positioned on the or Canadian Military Pattern
groundwork as to be able to (CMP) Field Artillery Tractor (FAT),
was one of a variety of combat
support vehicles built in Canada
to British design requirements,
using North American automotive
engineering. In the case of this
Gun Tractor, the vehicle was
built on a Chevrolet 4x4
were airbrushed with XF-27 vehicles from 1936, the first 43 chassis, powered by a
Black Green, then lightened delivered being designated as Chevrolet six-cylinder
with XF-4 Yellow Green. This Pioneer SV1S and SV1T, both engine, and could carry
was followed by lightly dry- with a 3-ton folding crane and more than 2,000lb of men,
brushed Yellow Green oil paint. lockers for recovery equipment/ equipment, and ammunition.
towing bars. Sadly, most early This machine was usually the
Pulling power! Pioneer recovery vehicles were prime mover for the British 25pdr
Polish company IBG has released lost with the British Expeditionary Howitzer or 17pdr anti-tank gun.
excellent military model kits of Force. The SV2S had a simpler This kit of the Chevrolet was
late, and its Scammel Pioneer redesigned extending crane, reissued by Italeri as part of
SV2S Heavy Breakdown Tractor which provided greater lifting
(IBG 35029) was considered height and, after its introduction
ideal for this scene. in 1938, the SV2S would remain
Designed as a 6×4 off-road in production throughout the
vehicle for use in Britain’s war, with a total of 1,975 being
colonies, where metalled roads built. Amazingly, the last Pioneer
were scarce, the Scammell recovery vehicle was not retired
Pioneer was first produced in from the British Army until the
1927. The British Army began to 1980s, while serving in Belize.
receive Pioneer heavy recovery The IBG Scammell was built

Above: The grass banks were built up over the pre-painted stream to replicate
extensive undergrowth.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 37

Railway Verge

the D-Day 70th Anniversary. ‘Snowdrop’ on wheels necessary. The bike seat was
Moulded in olive green styrene, A late addition to the diorama attached to the figure to ensure
the parts were on five runners, was the bike-mounted Military a good fit between motorcycle
plus the body shell and one small Policeman, via Tamiya’s British and rider, and electrical and
frame of clear parts; its surface BSA M20 Motorcycle with Military brake cables were obviously
detail was very good indeed. Police (316), the addition of which omitted. Replacement items
Above and Below: It was decided to
Other highlights included a well- strengthened the story visually. add more grass to the track. This was were fashioned from stretched
rendered chassis, suspension, Typically for Tamiya, the standard a good example of being lexible right sprue. Ultimately, the BSA was
and drivetrain. The underside of of moulding was very good, with up to the end of building any diorama. duly painted and weathered
Heki Grass Matt was attached with
the engine block was moulded virtually no flash or pin marks in the same manner as the
neat PVA glue.
to the chassis, as there was apparent, and sharp detail on Scammell and Chevrolet.
no access into the area under the parts and the figures; just
the bonnet or behind the crew the usual mould lines to contend The workers
compartment. Reasonable with. It was easy to think the Once the figures were
detail enlivened the interior, ‘seam’ on the mudguards was constructed, it seemed a good
with seating for the driver and flash and should be removed, idea to place them in their
five-man gun crew. All four but this wasn't the case. The respective positions on the
crew cabin access doors were motorcycle comprised 20 parts, diorama, to ensure the story
positional, as were the driver's but had just three for the main ‘worked’; the NCO’s feet were
doors, overhead hatch and the engine/frame/wheel assemblies, pushed into the wet surface of
rear cabin’s soft-top section. which resulted in a distinct lack the dirt track, so he would sit
The Chevrolet was built from of definition…the result being correctly when the time came
the box with stowage from the over-scale spokes. These were to attach him. The figures
spares cache. It was painted thinned carefully with a new used on the diorama) came with came from a mixed stock of
with Tamiya XF-67 NATO Green modelling blade – not perfect, two sets of arms, to provide the MiniArt (set 35078) and Tamiya
and XF-85 Rubber Black, and but acceptable. The tyre tread choice of four poses, while the items, improved by replacing
weathered with washes of was almost non-existent, but seated subject conformed to the the heads with more detailed
Humbrol Matt 83 Ochre and again, fair for the scale and didn’t seat contours, but his right foot alternatives from Hornet (www.
84 Stone, followed by light pin detract from the finished model. didn’t quite meet the ground with historexagents.com). A small
wash of Naples Yellow Oil paint. The two figures were segmented the bike in the upright position. addition such as an aftermarket
Additional equipment included in the conventional manner, with Uniform detail was impressive, head can go a long way to the
a large section of tarpaulin, separate legs, torso, head and with good definition, although overall look of a diorama. The
which was cut from thick paper arms with additional helmets and the mould seams were prominent one-piece tank overall was
and painted accordingly. goggles. The standing figure (not and judicious neatening was painted with Humbrol Matt

Above: This reveals how convincing the hanging basket liner was at replicating Above: The area at the base of the signal was prepared with three coats of
the real lora. diluted PVA Glue, to prevent the Vallejo Still Water from leaking.

Areas of ‘dead’ space can The re-worked suspension is shown to great

be illed with accessories effect here; it added drama to the scene.
to help tell the story.
In this case, planks
discarded by the work
party have been left by
the track side.

38 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Normandy Recovery

Above: The roll call of figures ready for painting. The sitting subject (top left) Above: Woodland Scenics’ Purple Flowering Foliage (WF177) and Miniature Tufts
was omitted eventually as he was deemed surplus to requirements. were used to great effect, adding a splash of colour to the Normandy hedge.

Above: Small humorous touches are easy to add; note the sign the soldier is Above: Details and accessories add not just interest, but they also fulfil
recovering. The choice of replacement heads was also important to get the the function of filling space. Tools, blocks and chocks – and of course, the
message across. obligatory cup of tea – have been employed.

84 Mid Stone enamel, and the tyres of the vehicles, to blend the it ensures much more life than but rather to show an event, it
raised creases were picked out two once secured to the diorama. can be exhibited by a stand- being active such as exemplified
by adding a little white to the alone subject. The modeller here, or as subtle as a group of
base colour, while deeper creases Telling a story does, however, need to tell a infantrymen resting. The most
were emphasised by adding A diorama is a great way in story in the sense of not posing important thing, though, is
Dark Umber oil paint. Flesh- which to display one’s models… together a group of models, to have fun telling the tale.
toned oil paint, on top of a white
undercoat, was used for the face
and hands. Facial features were
highlighted by adding a small
amount of white to the flesh
hade. The final touch involved
carrying the ground colour of the
dirt track up onto the boots and

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 39

Small-scale action

Toni Canfora’s
never-ending
fascination
with the Italian
campaign of
World War Two
inspires a street
scene diorama,
as the Allies
battled their way
north through
the country

40 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Roads and Rubble

Man
Smaller details
such as the rear-
view mirror mounts,
located on the
bonnet sides, were

down!
replaced with brass
rod and tube.

Planning the scene

W
hen described in
history books on British and American forces were
World War Two, faced by a well-prepared enemy,
the Allies’ Italian and as a result were forced to The Otter’s
campaign is often obscured by advance village by village, hill by Bren Gun mount
other events; it also seems to be hill...and there are many of the was scratch-
built from brass
of less interest among modellers latter in Italy. The losses in many rod and styrene,
than, for instance, the Normandy of these battles must have made to replace the
campaign or the Eastern Front. it difficult to keep the troops over-sized
kit offering.
When looking closer however, motivated, and even harder to Delicate mud
it reveals many interesting facts, accept for the fighting man on the guards were
both political and military, and ground. The diorama featured also included on
the kit’s PE fret
the magnitude of the campaign as here depicts a typical street-
and provided
Allied forces pushed north from fighting scene, with a squad of a neat touch to
their initial landings at Salerno, British infantry advancing in the Otter.
Calabria and Taranto is often support of an Otter armoured
overlooked. Its importance to car. A sudden shot rings out from
the overall war effort has often nowhere, breaking the silence, and
been debated and questioned as a soldier falls to the ground. His
well, which makes it even more squad members must then locate
The model
intriguing as a subject. Lasting the threat in order to advance… received a
from July 1943 until the spring With a long-time interest in the light coat of
of 1945 – nearly two years – it Italian campaign, I often find grey Tamiya
Fine Surface
can be used as a close study and myself planning various diorama primer, which
textbook example of defensive scenes in my head, mostly inspired provided the
fighting from the German by a photo or an interesting necessary
‘grip’ for
perspective. For the Allies, it section in a book. Subsequently,
subsequent
was a case study of successful various figures, kits, buildings paint layers,
amphibious landing operations etc are often acquired at hobby as well as
(the biggest at that time in the shows – one never knows when revealing any
surface flaws.
war), but it was also an example they’ll come in handy! Usually a
of unclear objectives, bad 1/35 modeller, I have over the
leadership and lack of resources recent years discovered that both
to achieve the campaign aims. 1/48 and 1/72 are excellent

The vehicle’s light

mud colour was
mixed freehand, using
Above: The chassis was well detailed, but slightly over-engineered for the Tamiya acrylics, and
scale, and thereby more of a challenge than anticipated. The tyres displayed a was then airbrushed.
prominent and pleasing tread pattern.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 41

Small-scale action

Instead of masking a model of this

small size, the olive green camouflage
shade was hand-painted. It’s vital to Above: Humbrol paints, oils and pigment powders were
use high-quality brushes for such a task. used to create accumulated dust and dirt on the chassis,
suspension and wheels.

Left: A general dark brown wash was applied and

this reduced contrast between the light mud
and olive green shades. The finished
Otter received a folded tarpaulin, which
was fashioned from paper brushed
with diluted white glue. Once
dry it was attached and
hand-painted.

scales when creating scenes that search I found what I was looking in grey ceramic
would otherwise be rather large for; figures by Zvezda and IBG resin and
and complex projects, so the Models’ Otter armoured car. featured all the
latter was chosen in this case. characteristics of a
The beautiful church ruin from Religious vestiges building of this type.
Reality In Scale had been waiting Dutch firm Reality In Scale is Parts received
in the ‘stash’ for a year or so without a doubt one of the more just minor neatening,
when I decided to create a scene creative producers on the market. along with the removal of
using it as the centrepiece, again It offers a wide range of diorama casting blocks, and then it
inspired by a reference photo. As accessories, from barrels and was a straightforward affair
with most dioramas, a vehicle, crates, to larger buildings in to assemble. A coat of Citadel’s
combined with troops were to various scales. The Italian Church Chaos Black primer gave the
tell the story, and after a careful Ruin (72-013) was cast excellently church a good base for later
painting, which was carried out
by hand with Vallejo acrylics. The
most painstaking element was
to create various nuances on the
brick and stone patterns, rather modeller
presenting just a monotone wall. is often left
When studying buildings like with ‘dead
these up-close, it’s evident the space’ to fill.
covering layer hides rather crude Conversely, if the
construction work underneath. foundation is too
With the colours in place, the small (a less-common
church was given a basic wash occurrence), the scene
of diluted Raw Umber oil paint. may appear odd, with
components seemingly cluttered
Creating the base and/or falling over the edge.
The size of a diorama base is I then took a piece of paper and
crucial for the overall impression, placed the church on it, after
Above: The Italian Church Ruin from Reality in Scale was engineered cleverly and one common mistake is to which the vehicle shapes were
and detailed finely; it captured the character of the real thing perfectly. make it too big, which means the drawn and positions for the

42 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Roads and Rubble

Above: After the parts were removed from the casting block and
neatened, the kit was assembled quickly with cyanoacrylate adhesive,
and required just minimal putty to fill a few gaps.

Below: Black primer was followed by the rather time-consuming

brick painting, where considerable effort was put into creating
a variety of colours for the stone work.

similarly,
and then glued
on top of the first
plaster sheet; after it
had dried, the base sides were
painted light yellow, and a wood
grain pattern simulated with
oils. This is a very effective and
figures marked with simple way to create ‘wooden’
an ‘X’, to determine a sides without having to handle
suitable layout. These draft more difficult wooden sheets.
outlines and measurements were When the oils had dried, the
transferred onto foam board; this stone paving was painted dark
was cut accordingly, and the sides grey, followed by a generous
were covered with sheet styrene. wash of Humbrol earth tones.
A square piece of thin plaster was
cast and cut to fit the base. The Building fragments
square stone slab pattern often One of the bigger challenges of
seen in Italy was then carved into this diorama was to create realistic
it by a fine metal tip. A pavement rubble and debris, partly because
section was created and treated of the small scale. Photos

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 43

Small-scale action

The pavement was

created in a similar manner
Above: A suitably sized base was cut from foam board and the sides were to the road, albeit utilising a
covered with sheet styrene. The stone slab pattern was carved into a thick smaller home-made plaster section.
layer of plaster, which was prepared and cut to it the base in advance.

Above: With the church test-itted on the base, it was evident the extra work to Above: A wood surface was replicated by painting the sides beige, before Raw
replicate the pavement slabs was worth the effort. Umber and Burnt Sienna oil paints supplied the simulated grain pattern.

showed most rubble appeared and stones taken from nature bricks were broken into smaller surface, then secured by dripping
similar to flattened and crushed were also mixed into the rubble. pieces and dyed as necessary. diluted white glue over them.
stone blocks. Again, I decided Juweela and Helmut’s Stronghold The church ruin was fixed to the Several wooden beams were
to cast a section of plaster, this also provided ready-to-use base via glue and metal pins for mixed into the rubble to replicate
time tinted with colour. When it bricks, which came in handy. security, and the slow but effective remnants of the roof structure
was almost dry, it was broken The former’s offering was 1/72 work of applying the rubble or internal walls, and small
into various sizes, and sections scale and dyed a brick colour, began. Larger pieces were added pieces of stone were applied to
were crushed to create the and could be used straight from one by one, while the smaller the broken ends of the church
smallest debris. Small pebbles the bag, while the latter’s 1/35 fragments were sprinkled over the walls, so they would match

Above: Stone surfaces were painted dark grey, to mimic the paving often seen Above: A generous wash of earth tones was then applied, to create a basic
in Southern Italy; several slabs were coloured with lighter tones. dust patina, which was allowed to accumulate in any gaps.

44 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 45
Small-scale action

Left: Diorama specialist firm Juweela

Once satisfied with the offers packs of 1/72 bricks; these are
road and pavement ready to use straight from the box, or
appearance, the church they can be crushed easily if broken
was then pinned and pieces are preferred.
glued to the base.

Below: Although meant for 1/35 scenes,

these bricks by Helmut’s Stronghold
were mixed into the rubble and broken
into smaller pieces.

the rubble better. After a couple few. Runner attachment points acrylics, and applied by airbrush. I
of sessions, the entire base were also very thick, which made studied the hard-edge camouflage
was ready to be populated by it difficult to remove and neaten and considered masking the
the soldiers and the vehicle. the smallest parts. On the good model but, due to its size, I opted
side, the prominent tyres were for brush-painting instead. A
Troop ride excellent, and the inclusion of suitable nuance of green was
British troops used a great a photo-etched (PE) brass fret mixed from Vallejo acrylics, and
variety of small armoured cars with length of punched-steel then applied in thin layers. It’s vital
during World War Two, and in plate (PSP) section and mud to use high-quality tools to obtain
Italy these became very useful flaps helped considerably. the best results, and Winsor &
on the often-poor roads and It was built straight from the box, Newton’s Series 7 brushes never
mountainous terrain, while the apart from a few brass details fail in a task like this.
tanks could only be used to their added from scratch, namely the The tyres were also
full potential on the plains. After driver’s mirror mounts and
a quick search I realised IBG’s Bren Gun mount. The
excellent new 1/72 Otter (72081) finished model first
would be ideal, as it hadn't been received a Tamiya
depicted that often in dioramas, Grey Surface primer,
and had a very convenient size after which the light
for this particular scene, where mud tone was mixed
it wouldn’t draw too much freehand from
attention from the main story. a variety of
The model itself was a bit of Tamiya
a mixed bag. The parts were
well moulded, with many fine
details, but also appeared over-
engineered in several sections;
the chassis alone comprised
more than 20 pieces,
where it could likely be
simplified, using just a

46 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Roads and Rubble

Larger pieces of rubble

were then fixed with
white glue in a random
pattern, one by one.

Above: To create a greater variety of rubble, plaster sections were cast and
then broken into different sizes, with several pieces crushed to form finer
debris. Dying them in the appropriate colours speeded painting efforts,
rather than attempting this once they were fixed to the base.

hand-painted, and the model was

given a couple of oil washes to
blend the colours together and
provide a brown-tinted filter.

Tommies
Figures aren’t always necessary
on dioramas, but if the modeller
wants to tell a story or depict
an action event, they bring it to
life. In this case, the base with
just the church and Otter would
have looked half-finished, and
the initial idea was to create a
typical street fighting scene.
Compared to American and
German World War Two figure
sets, there is a limited number
Above: For smaller items of rubble and debris, they were applied dry, and then
of British equivalents available, secured with diluted white glue, which was applied with a pipette.
regardless of scale. Zvezda
offers several sets and they were Stones and small
broken plaster
surprisingly good. Well moulded
sections were also
and easy to assemble, they just attached to the
required careful painting to look broken walls, as
the part. I acquired the British this helped to blend
them with the debris.
Medical Personnel (6228), British Several random
Infantry (6166) and British Recon pieces of rubble
Team (6226) and picked those would later be added
as a final touch.
figures I found suitable to this
scene. After minor filling, they
were all primed black. Vallejo’s
70.921 English Uniform was then
applied in thin layers by airbrush.
This was sprayed at an

Scale Modelling Dioramas 47

Small-scale action

Above: On to the igures, which were taken from three different Zvezda sets; Above: The igures were irst primed Above: Vallejo’s English Uniform was
in this case, it was a matter of ‘the more the merrier’, and eight were used in in black, which provided a good base then applied by airbrush, followed by
total, depicting a typical infantry squad. for shadows. a slightly lighter shade.

Above: One of Zvezda’s igure sets

included a stretcher, but this was
Details were painted with a variety of Vallejo acrylics, and subtle moulded integrally to the base. It
highlights to the packs and uniforms brought the igures to life. was removed carefully, and the bars
replaced with styrene rod.

angle, so the black would still work the helmets, and they were also it slightly and portray it as a figures on a diorama. They rarely
as a subtle shadow underneath treated with a light oil wash, as deceased soldier. However, to look good in similar groups, like
the uniform colour. A further was the rest of the equipment. avoid making the scene too stark, two and two, nor dispatched
layer, mixed with white, was then Depicting casualties has always I covered it with a blanket, as is symmetrically across the surface.
applied to create highlights, again been a sensitive matter in often seen in wartime photos. The The old diorama bible, ‘How to
applied from above the figure. modelling, and it needed to be blanket was cut from thin paper build Dioramas’ by late master-
Painting continued by done with some finesse, rather tissue, which was coated in white modeller Sheperd Paine describes
accentuating detail and equipment than pouring blood and guts all glue to make it conform and dry this very well, and his theories
with fine brushes. Subtle highlights over the scene. This is perhaps in the desired position; it was then still hold some 40 years later.
and uniform seams were surprising, as actually, very little painted directly on the base. It’s also good to have a main
added to bring more life to the is required to get the message story, and a secondary one. I
figures, and those tricks worked across. In one of Zvezda’s sets Blending it all together therefore decided to make a
surpassingly well. As a final touch, there was one figure being tended Balance and composition are ‘point group’ of three soldiers,
chipping effects were added to by a medic, so I decided to alter crucial aspects when putting all looking out for the sniper that

Above: The casualty was just partially painted, as little of the body would Above: Paper tissue, soaked in diluted white glue, served as a blanket to cover
actually be visible. him, which provided a clear indication of his condition without any need for gore.

48 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

shot their comrade. Then, at the
corner of the church, the Bren
machine gunner is waiting, ready
to be put in action. As the side
story, two soldiers are advancing
behind the Otter to provide
support/cover, while the medic is
sitting by the fallen soldier, which
the viewer is led to understand
has been killed in action.
Happy with the positioning of
the troops, they were glued onto
the base, together with the Otter.
Small pieces of rubble and debris
were then added around the
soldiers’ feet and spread randomly Above: Once the blanket had dried thoroughly, after being
over the surface. A light coat of shaped to conform to the figure, it was painted, and a medic
dust was also applied via airbrush placed beside him.
to add a patina to everything,
and harmonise the appearance
of vehicle, building and figures.

Back in the fold

This was a very rewarding
project, and it inspired me to
resume work on a couple of
my 1/35 scale dioramas in the
near future. British subjects
from the Italian front continue
to fascinate me and a quick look
through my library immediately
triggers further ideas of Above: The soldiers on point were grouped together, as if taking
models and dioramas. cover from the enemy sniper, behind the wall and debris pile.

www.airfixmodelworld.com
Road, Rail, Water

Busted!
Every army depends on transport
and in this scene, Johan Augustsson
incorporates at least three means of
movement; road, water and railway

M
y idea for this So, while putting everything
diorama came during together, and rummaging
construction of the through my stash of figure sets,
base, as the initial Dragon’s ‘March to the West’
wish from the Editor was: “please Western Front 1940 (6703) was
do something with the Henschel found and the germ of an idea
truck and this MiniArt German formed. This would entail the
Soldiers with Fuel Drums set.”
He had previously dispatched
Italeri’s 1/35 Long Dock (Item
5612) when it was released
in 2012, but at that time no
suitable display ideas
had sprung to
mind. As diorama
making is all about
telling a story, large
or small, clear or
subtle, a plot
was desirable.

50 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Dockside Effects

Below: The main components for one section of Italeri’s Long Dock; two larger
sub-assemblies were also included in the kit. Right: A finished section shown
inverted, which revealed engraved rectangles for the attachment of stairs, and
pre-shaped holes for a ladder. The large pins were to secure laminate plates,
which joined the separate sections…note the lack of side or back panels.

Feldgendarme (German Military an S-38). As said, it wasn’t used panel, and then transplanted side and back panels, and thus
Police) coming to arrest the truck at first, although several parts onto the other, which created needed a solution – wood veneer
driver for either something he did found their way into a previous a rhomboid shape. It wasn’t an or sheet styrene – the former
on the way to the scene, or the diorama involving a Canadian easy task, as the kit styrene was was chosen here. As there was
fact he was smoking among the Dingo armoured car (see Airfix thick, and reinforcements were nothing against which to mount
stored highly flammable fuel. Model World, June 2013, p.74-79). needed to hold the re-worked either solution, low-density
When the question arose for parts together. The dockside Styrofoam was glued under the
Concepts and contributions to this AMW special, was then glued to a plywood dock as a support. Note, though,
preparation the ICM/Revell Henschel Typ 33 base, which generated more this modeller isn’t a carpenter, so
Italeri’s aforementioned D1 truck (see AMW, July 2018, p.22- odd angles; the front edge was the result was rather mediocre.
dock setting was 27) was already on the workbench straight, but the dock was then When all selected details were
undoubtedly intended and the idea to use it as part of a canted to the left, away from added, the dock was primed with
to accompany its different dock scene was hatched. the viewer. One minor downside Citadel’s Chaos Black, and then
1/35 Schnellboot A study of Italeri’s kit revealed with Italeri’s kit was it lacked sponged with several greys
S-100, which was it incorporated railway tracks,
released at the and to introduce an element of Pollards and poles were
also supplied, although
same time (since height to the diorama, it was
just one of each was
re-worked as decided to include MiniArt’s used in this diorama.
Water Crane (35567), together The rest were saved for
with the ‘working-class heroes’ other projects.
from the same firm’s Soldiers and
Fuel Drums set (35041). A large
contingent of backpacks, crates,
fuel drums and jerrycans had
been provided separately for the
Henschel build, so the remaining
items, plus wooden pallets
and crates by Matho Models
(35007/35025) and further boxes
by Red Zebra (#35) were utilised
to populate the dockside scene. Below: Visual interest was created by cutting a segment of the upper dock
The location of this diorama is from one side and attaching it to the other. It was then primed black and
sponged with different brown and green shades.
purely fictional, but a canal or
river harbour would be closer
to reality than a sea port.

Point of view
Starting with the dock itself, the
first thing noticed was it was
a regular rectangular-shaped
object, which contradicted one
of the major rules of diorama
making: “avoid straight angles or
putting anything parallel to the
edges”. This meant an element
of surgery was needed, so a
triangular-shaped section was
cut from one side of the main

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 51

Road, Rail, Water

wiped with a cotton cloth to even

out any accumulations of the
weathering powders. All metal
details received a rusty wash
of LifeColor LPW 06 Deep Rust,
and the area between the tracks
was treated with black pigment,
which was mixed with drops of
AK Interactive AK025 Fuel Stains.
A conspicuous seam on
one side of the dock, created
when it was changed from
rectangular to rhomboid shape,
was concealed somewhat with
AK8031 Accumulated Dust;
a further layer of pigments
made the overall dusty surface
appear more uniform.
When everything had dried, a
The sand-hued base colour strip of masking tape was applied
was then airbrushed; although the to the front ‘wall’, part way from
previous sponged effect wasn’t too obvious, the bottom, and X-19 Smoke was
it was suficient to produce tonal variations.
airbrushed to indicate stained

Above: Details were painted next, and an initial Neutral Wash applied, together Above: The high-tide line was simulated with Tamiya Smoke after masking the
with sprinkled pigments. The dock was also secured to a plywood board, upper section; further discolouration was created via AK Interactive Slimy
which provided a base for the angled waterfront. Grime Dark and Streaking Grime.

and browns from the Vallejo

Shredded foam from LifeColor’s Moss and Lichen set enhanced the waterline,
Model Color range. It was then although in hindsight it may have been slightly too evenly distributed.
airbrushed with a lighter stone
hue, mixed from Tamiya XF-57
Buff and XF-20 Medium Grey.
Edge stones and vertical brick
‘pillars’ along the dock front were
brush-painted with Vallejo 70.995
German Grey, after which the
railroad tracks received AMMO-
MIG A.MIG-2007 Track Primer.
The manhole, drain hatches
and pollards were then treated
with 70.950 Black (mixed with a
drop of 70.815 Basic Skintone).

Watery grime
A general application of MIG
Productions’ P222 Neutral Wash
followed, along with a heavy
sprinkling of different coloured
pigments while the wash was still
wet. After drying, the base was

52 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Dockside Effects

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 53

Road, Rail, Water

black and Medium Grey were selected figures in this diorama

applied to the lower and upper were constructed out of the
portions respectively. Scratches box, and the only addition was
and chipping effects were created Sylmasta’s Magic Sculp around
with a brush and toothpick gaps and joints, and a strip of
after moistening the paint plastic for the sub-machine gun
with warm water. Weathering strap. Just one minor alteration
comprised AK 012 Streaking was made, as the Feldgendarme’s
Grime and several rusty-hued right foot appeared as if it was
pigments from MIG Productions skating, rather than walking, so
and Adam Wilder. Signal lamps it was removed and re-attached
were added just before fitting at a more natural angle.
the crane to the base, as well As four of the figures came from
as the handling chain, which MiniArt and one from Dragon,
enabled the replenishment it was difficult not to compare
Above: A sheet of plastic formed the base for the water, and was airbrushed
dark green, with a misting of the dock’s sand colour closer to the dock, which pipe to be swung over to a them. The quality of the former’s
added the illusion of depth. waiting steam locomotive. releases has improved over the

All the equipment employed on

the vehicle and diorama gathered
for a family photograph! The two
mooring posts ( far right) had yet
to be added to the base.

stone, caused by shifting water suspension link (Part E14) broke Working it all out years, but those of the latter
levels. As this colour dried with while removing it from the Figures are an essential part of appear to have declined since
a gloss finish, it was covered runner, so the shaft segment a diorama, and it was therefore it discontinued its top-of-the-
later with a light misting of matt was replaced with copper wire. important to find those best range ‘Gen2’ series. Dragon’s
varnish. The high-tide line then Once the black primer had dried suited to telling the story. As recent offerings were regarded as
received moss from LifeColor’s fully, a base coat of XF-9 Hull Red mentioned previously, the Editor acceptable, but lacked the finesse
Lichen & Moss (SPG06) package; was applied, followed by a layer came to the rescue by sending featured in those earlier high-
this was later repeated on the of A.MIG 2011 Heavy Chipping MiniArt’s barrels set, and after quality boxings. Overall, MiniArt’s
mooring poles, although in Fluid. The mid-section was then the Feldgendarme trooper was figures exhibited superior facial
hindsight this may have been airbrushed matt white acrylic; found in the stash, construction and clothing detail, but Dragon’s
applied too uniformly. That it was then masked, after which and painting commenced. All were easier to assemble, as
company also produces a bespoke
Algae Set (SPG07), but this wasn’t
to hand during this project.
A sheet of plastic card was cut to
size for the water bed, primed and
then airbrushed with a dark green
hue, followed by a misted layer of
the dockside’s Buff/Medium Grey
shade along the edge nearest
the wall, to suggest depth. It was
then glued to the base, but the
water effect wasn’t attempted
until the project’s final stages.

Replenishment station
MiniArt’s water crane was
constructed and painted as per Above: The water element was added at the end of this project, and due to Making Waves’ short drying time, image
the instructions, but the styrene documentation was out of the question. Note the rest of the dock has been finished with dry pigments.

54 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Dockside Effects

the parts fitted better and received slightly different were applied, with the airbrush own preferred mixes for skin
required less neatening. treatment, as these police at a higher angle for each; the tones, and I’ve used several
As this diorama depicted an motorcycle riders wore rubberised palest layer was sprayed from different blends over the years.
early World War Two scene, the overalls. Out came the airbrush almost directly above the figure. This time the base comprised
soldiers wore M36 Feldblusen again, along with XF-85 Rubber The chain-suspended gorget was Vallejo Nocturna 74.012 Malefic
(field tunics) and M22 trousers, Black and XF-15 Flat Flesh. Three painted 70.864 Natural Steel, after Flesh, which then received a
which were Feldgrau (Field coats of successively brighter hues which it received a 70.962 Flat wash of 70.814 Burnt Cadmium
Grey) and Steingrau (Slate Grey Blue wash and Dark Star DM151 Red and/or 70.810 Royal Purple
– also known as Blue Grey) in Silver highlights…only then was for the shadows. Highlights were
colour respectively. The former created by first adding 70.876
was handled easily with 70.830 Brown Sand, followed by greater
German Field Grey, but the amounts of 70.955 Flat Flesh
latter needed a home-made mix, gradually to the base colour. This
resulting in a blend of German was then followed by blending
Grey, 70.989 Sky Grey and 70.965 with either 70.835 Salmon Rose or
Prussian Blue. Shading was 70.928 Light Flesh (or both) until
achieved by adding a hint of black the very last highlight was pure
to the base tone, before highlights Light Flesh/Salmon Rose. I never
were added with 70.821 German the personal equipment painted. paint the whites of the eyes in this
Camouflage Beige and 70.819 All figures were given the correct scale; instead a light pinkish tone
Iraqi Sand. A pin wash of diluted collar and shoulder piping colours was added to the lower eyelid,
Black and Sepia inks completed - light blue for transport units which tended to be sufficient, and
the workers and supervisor. and orange for Military Police. as a last step a deeper pinkish
The Feldgendarme Every figure painter has their tone was added to the lower lip.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 55

Road, Rail, Water

Waterbed
If one intends to add water to a
diorama, it’s wise to do this as
one of the very last steps, for
the simple reason that if you
spill any washing fluid, paint or
glue on the water surface, it’s
very hard to repair the damage
without starting from scratch.
This time the idea was to have
the water full of algae or with
water-growing plants often seen
close to the shore - at least as
observed here in Sweden!
After the mooring posts had
been glued to the base, Deluxe
Materials Making Waves (BD39)
Above: Loading a crate; the blue- Above: The second working Above: The transport officer featured
grey colour for this figure's trousers soldier was posed as if rolling a unusual cuff bands on both jacket
was tricky to mix correctly but barrel; note the light blue shoulder arms, for which no evidence was
added to the impression of this piping, which indicated a German found, but these also received the
being an early war scene. Transport Unit. correct colour of piping.

acted as a foundation; a Scenics. This ‘goo’ was then All onboard!

layer of Aqua Magic was brushed randomly on the base. The water crane was one of the
then tinted by a drop of After another 24 hours, more last pieces to be attached, to
70.896 Extra Dark Green Making Waves was added, and keep the base easier to handle.
and poured over the whole area. then selected areas received Its placement may appear casual
This was set aside to dry for 24 70.914 Green Ochre-tinted Aqua but was actually chosen very
hours, after which more Aqua Magic. As a consideration when precisely during the planning
Magic was mixed with both the using Deluxe Materials' water stages, so the crane and its
shredded foam from LifeColor’s products, Making Waves dries red tip ‘pointed’ at the smoking
Lichen & Moss set, and several much quicker (1-2 hours), but with driver and the Feldgendarme,
brighter hues from Woodland less sheen than Aqua Magic. drawing viewers’ eyes to the

56 Scale Modelling Dioramas

Above: The slightly modified Dragon
Feldgendarme figure; the right foot
was repositioned for a more natural
stride, while the motorcycle overalls
were sprayed Rubber Black.

unfolding ‘plot’. Likewise, the rope

was positioned with the same
function in mind; pointing to the MiniArt’s water
military policeman from below. crane, missing just
All boxes, crates, oil drums the signal lamps and
handling chain. The
and jerrycans were then added, truck driver has been
again with consideration for the placed alongside to
remaining figures’ positions, illustrate this unit’s
impressive size.
but also to represent how a real
vehicle would be loaded at a
trans-shipment facility. The truck
was rather large, so the labouring
troopers became less visible but,
on the other hand, they were
looking down and facing away
from the main focus, so their
roles as ‘extras’ just enhanced
the feeling of a busy time at the
dock. The officer was afforded a
more prominent spot, as befitted
his supervisory role, and his view
of what was occurring between
the other individuals. As a last
step, dry pigments were applied
to the lower parts of the figures,
and the truck tyres, which tied
everything together visually.

Eclectic mix
This wasn’t an easy diorama to
compose, as it felt a bit odd to
use the Long Dock kit without
a boat, and the delivery of the
idea was ‘a long-hard labour’
After a Hull Red
so to speak. In the end it was undercoat, the crane
satisfactory to be able to use received layers of
so many out-of-the-box items white, grey and black
over chipping fluid,
and still come up with an with scratches and
original result in what became blemishes created
a rather hurried project time- subsequently via
warm water, a stiff
wise. I hope you find some
brush and toothpick.
inspiration from it.
Chance Meeting

Achtung Partisan!
on an armoured car patrolling continued behind the focal point
ICM’s Panhard armoured car is set a Yugoslavian mountain pass. of the armoured car. Further
among rugged terrain by Kev Smith, To replicate such a scene in its drama would be suggested by
entirety was clearly impractical, positioning the car’s weapons at
to create a partisan attack scene so instead it was decided to full elevation, facing an attack
build a tall and narrow diorama, from an unseen enemy above.

I
often like to build height used where horizontal storage this way inferring a steep
into a diorama, as it helps space is at a premium. mountainous area. Additionally, From the ground up
direct the observer’s eye In this case, the intent was to a rail track would cut across A picture frame is ideal for
over the scene, and can be capture an attack by Partisans the landscape, with the height a diorama base, and can be

Insulation foam blocks The balsa frame would

formed the basic diorama be trimmed later, once
‘skeleton’, which was the ground level was
mounted on a picture determined…note any
frame purchased from a unnatural gaps between
high street store. A balsa the stones were
frame eventually masked eradicated with iller.
the untidy edges.

Below: Once content with the rock face, it was time to add ICM's track section
— a slightly angled orientation added more interest and distracted from the
diorama’s small size. Ballast would be laid later.
Below: A cheaper approach; suitable stones from the garden were collected
to form the rock face. These were not just free, but they also appeared
more realistic.

58 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Trees and Height

Above: It’s always a good idea to put

your ideas down on a piece of paper
to refer to throughout the project; this
can be as detailed as one wishes, or
as here, just a rough sketch.

bought from high street shops

for relatively cheap prices. This
has two advantages, being
quick and easy to use, as no
construction was needed, and
therefore it wouldn’t eat into
precious modelling sessions, all
of which must be a good thing.
The only slight disadvantage
is the modeller is somewhat
governed by size, as most

“I often like to build

height into a diorama,
as it helps direct the
observer’s eye over
the scene”

frames are made to standard

dimensions. It isn’t the end of the
world though, as the diorama
can be adjusted accordingly.
With a basic idea formed in the
imagination, it’s always a good
idea to get them onto a piece
of paper…in this case a quick
sketch was made. This would
resemble the finished diorama,
as opposed to replicating the
finished scene, as the original
idea may need to be adapted,
either to make the story
work, or incorporate aspects
of the models and figures.
Once happy with the concept, it
was time to collect the materials.
The medium of choice for the
contoured groundwork was

www.airfixmodelworld.com
Chance Meeting

Cocktail sticks have a multitude texturing was to prepare the

of uses in our hobby, in this case, base, so a quick coat of PVA
they were the ideal tool to secure was applied, to protect the
the layers, with help of a liberal balsa from any moisture. The
application of PVA, and the bare balsa frame was then lowered
foam was ready to be worked over the top of the foam and
the next day. A hand sander is fitted onto the frame. After
a good tool to manipulate and checking for shape and
shape the soft foam, and after 15 alignment issues, the
minutes, a respectable mountain balsa surround was secured
pass was starting to emerge. with PVA. Once dry, decorator’s
With the basic outline of the filler was used to great effect
groundwork formed, the track to finish the join. At the same
was laid — ballast would be time, any gaps between the
added later. Attention then ground work and wooden
turned to the balsa walls; a sides were treated similarly.
hobby ruler and set-square were
employed in the measuring Mountain man
Above: A mixture of Heki Grass mat and hanging basket liner was employed to
and cutting, before the end of Adding a figure is an ideal way of
create the undergrowth. each wall section was sanded creating a sense of drama, and an
with abrasive paper, which excellent means of establishing
insulation foam, as it can be Size doesn’t matter was wrapped around a block scale. This particular soldier
carved and worked easily, with Once content with the frame of wood…this way a good fit was sourced from Dragon’s ‘39-
walls fashioned from thin balsa dimensions, the base material was achieved. The height did 45 series German Gebirgsjager
wood. The latter does have was cut to fit with my tool of cause a couple of fit issues set (6078), with an obligatory
one slight disadvantage, in that choice, in this case an old bread between the separate balsa aftermarket resin head, as
it’s soft and prone to damage, knife, as the serrated edge was sheets, but the resulting gaps the styrene example lacked
but this can be remedied to a perfect for cutting through were addressed with household character. Its booted feet were
degree by applying numerous the light foam, with two layers filler and sanded later. pushed into the wet surface
coats of thinned PVA Glue. needed for the desired height. The first step in the ground before they were painted, and

Above: The balsa frame was cut and sanded to conform with the track ends, Above: Mother Nature can be thanked for the fine rock scree (collected from
but it’s a personal choice…from this modeller’s perspective, the method a house gutter). To secure the fine grains, PVA was administered through a
finished the diorama neatly. pipette, which enabled control over how much was dispensed.

Below: A protruding stone added interest to an otherwise plain front profile. Below: With the various elements in their basic form, it’s worth test-fitting them
The lower rock face was treated in the same manner as the upper sections, on the ‘stage’, to check whether the intended scene actually works. Now was
whereby unwanted gaps were treated with filler. the time to make adjustments, before extensive groundwork was added.

60 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Trees and Height

“In building this

scene, it was
hoped to show
modellers can create
a convincing arena
with inexpensive
and natural props”

then removed, which

allowed the depressions
to set, in readiness to
receive the figure again
at a later stage. The tunic
and trousers received Vallejo
70.920 German Uniform, before
shading was added via oil blends
and washes. Humbrol enamels
were used for the flesh base
tones, before oils again supplied
highlights and shadowing.
The figure’s pose, moving there are a
cautiously around a rail- multitude of products
configured Panzerspähwagen available, from plaster
P204(f) armoured car, moulds (predominantly used
heightened the tension further. by railway modellers) to hobby-
ICM’s splendid 1/35 kit (5374) specific scenic gravel and
was utilised for the vehicle (for brush-painted boulders (for various scales). To
a full build article, see Airfix camouflage, weathering minimise the modelling budget,
Model World Oct 2016, p.30-37), employing Humbrol was added, in it was decided to use the real
but as the doors and hatches 80 Grass Green, the form of a pin wash thing instead. Small stones in
would be closed, its detailed and a mix of 100 Red and dusted pigments. Extra the garden can be ideal for
interior wasn’t required, which Brown and 119 Light stowage, in keeping with the dioramas and so, after a brief
expedited construction. Earth, over a misted base diorama scene, was sourced sortie, a selection of suitable
A length of track was included layer of AMMO-MIG A.MIG- from the spares box. objects was collected and
to display the finished model, 025 US Modern Vehicle Sand. then secured with Super Glue.
and this would be a key An Abteilung 502 Abt 092 From small stones… Plaster filler then addressed any
component for the diorama. German Ochre filter reduced When it comes to creating unnatural gaps between the
The Panhard was finished with the contrast, before minimal realistic rocky/stony scenery, stones, which were placed

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 61

Chance Meeting

Bitter Balkans

When an Axis invasion forced the Yugoslavian monarchy to

capitulate in April 1941, it sparked the longest-running (and
arguably most successful) insurgency of World War Two. The
principle opponents were the Yugoslav Partisans, a pro-Communist
organisation, led by Josip Broz Tito, who was also the head of the
Communist Party of Yugoslavia. By the end of the war, the Partisans
were effectively a regular fighting force, superior to the armies Above: The rocks were then accentuated with XF-59 Desert Yellow, lightened
of most small nation states in terms of tactical skill, fieldcraft, with a hint of XF-15 Flat Flesh. Further highlights were created by adding
additional small amounts of XF-15 to the mix.
leadership, fighting spirit and firepower. With the assistance of Allied
air support and the Red Army in the second half of 1944, Partisans
conducted operations against the retreating German forces, while
But before proceeding any Three trees on a
also waging a brutal internecine war with Serbian Chetnik and Croat
further, the groundwork was mountain
Ustaše militias. The final battle between Germans and Partisans painted. Tamiya XF-61 Dark The main foliage was going to
occurred at Poljana in Carinthia between May 14-15, 1945 and Green was applied via airbrush, be challenging, as this modeller
resulted in the Wehrmacht being defeated, with Tito’s forces in concentrating on recesses to had never tried to build it before.
control of most of Yugoslavia by then. (Malcolm V Lowe collection) form shadows, followed by a After a brief period of research,
mix of XF-59 Desert Yellow and enough courage was summoned
a touch of XF-15 Flat Flesh. More to make an attempt. Balsa dowel
randomly to suggest a rock face. conveniently by Mother Nature XF-15 was then added to lighten was the first material considered
The scree was also the real in the gutter) looked most the tone further, and this was for a trunk, but was soon
thing and was sourced from convincing after being secured sprayed onto the rocks’ upper discarded as the wood was far
my drive; I try to use natural with thinned PVA. Hanging surfaces. The final touch was too fragile, especially when being
materials where possible, as basket liner was then cut to size to add the forest floor, which tapered with sandpaper. Relying
the bags of gravel sourced and placed among the rocks to comprised a homemade mix of on Mother Nature again, suitable
from hobby shops can be too form vegetation, before small shredded dried leaves, sprinkled twigs were collected from a
uniform in size/shape, with the tufts of Heki Grass Mat (30941) liberally onto the upper slope nearby hedge, and an Asparagus
consequence they don’t appear and small dried roots bolstered and secured with thinned Fern plant was purchased
natural. The real thing (deposited the undergrowth to great effect. PVA, delivered via a pipette. from the local garden

Above: Tamiya’s XF-61 Dark Green was used to great effect as a pre-shade on Above: The scree benefited from being dry-brushed after a Burnt Umber oil
the rocks and grass patches. wash; vegetation was sourced from a Heki Grass Mat and small dried roots.

62 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Trees and Height

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 63

Chance Meeting

Above: Suitable twigs were collected from a hedge to act as tree trunks. Prior
to these being painted, any over-scale or undesirable items were removed with
a modelling blade.

Above: Further washes and dry-brushing blended the rocks into the
background, just as it would appear in reality.

Above: A home-made layer of chopped, dried leaves was ideal to replicate the Above: For ease of handling, and with the bonus of a irm attachment to the
forest loor — as with the scree, these were secured with diluted PVA. diorama, a toothpick was inserted into a pre-drilled hole in the trunk base.

centre, as the leaves appeared to preserve the fragile branches; by various earth tones. A wash than one branch into the holes…
ideal to replicate fir tree any fragments created during the of Olive Green and Burnt Umber maybe next time. First XF-61
branches. These are relatively trimming process were saved, oils added further definition. Dark Green was airbrushed,
inexpensive and will last forever as they would come in handy The branches were removed followed by XF-4 Yellow Green to
if looked after correctly. for forest litter. First, any out- from the solution and left to dry lighten the branches. Once happy
The leaves were removed of-scale features on the trunks on paper towels for a further two with the results, the trees were
carefully from the plant with were removed with a modelling days; when thoroughly dry, they then fixed onto the diorama.
a small pair of nail scissors, blade, then random holes were were inserted into the pre-drilled
leaving enough growth to hand-drilled in readiness to holes and secured with a drop Final thoughts
ensure its survival. Once cut, receive the branches. Each trunk of Super Glue. With hindsight, In building this scene, it was
they were soaked in a 2:1 water/ was then undercoated with the branches could have been hoped to show modellers can
glycerin solution for four days, airbrushed black paint, followed thickened by inserting more create a convincing arena with

Above: Several holes were drilled randomly into the trunk, in readiness to
receive the fern branches.
Right: An Asparagus Fern plant was purchased from the local garden centre.
Suitable branches were then selected and removed with a pair of scissors.

64 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Trees and Height

Above: The chosen fern branches were soaked in a solution of warm water and
glycerin for four days, to preserve the fragile branches and foliage.

Above: After drying for a further two days, the selected branches were
inserted into the pre-drilled holes and secured with a dab of Super Glue.

inexpensive and natural props. items purchased specifically. Of

It also proved one’s whole course, there was an initial outlay
modelling budget doesn’t have for the other materials used,
to be consumed by purchasing but these can last a lifetime
expensive products, when when employed intelligently.
there is so much material lying
around under one’s feet ready
to be used. Barring the cost of
the Panhard, this diorama was
relatively inexpensive to build,
with the Asparagus Fern and
picture frame being the only

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 65

Abandoned Wings

The
Swallow’s Nest
Toni Canfora combines diorama skills The kit was upgraded by
displaying the starboard
with an aircraft model to create a post- engine, a resin offering
from CMK.
war scene set in Austria, where Me 262s
of JV 44 made their final landings

M
esserschmitt’s it caused concern among Allied
Me 262 needs pilots. The more exceptional
little introduction, Luftwaffe pilots still in action had
being the first ever been more than a match in their
operational jet fighter. When Bf 109s and Fw 190s, but in a
it appeared in the skies over machine such as the Me 262, they
Germany in the summer of 1944, would have been truly formidable

66 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Overgrown Grass

The interior was Eduard seatbelts were

painted dark grey, used instead of the kit’s
followed by subtle moulded harness detail.
dry-brushing. Note that one of the
shoulder straps was left
off until final assembly.

The model with a first layer of primer to

check for seams and surface flaws.

After a layer of
green, secured with
gloss varnish, oil
dots were placed on
the upper surfaces.

opponents. The Allied strategy and decided the 262 should of the aircraft. In the photos. A finely recessed panel lines and
however, was to deal with the also be developed as a fighter- large barn can also be seen in the rivets―and the fit is generally
threat on the ground if possible, bomber, a fact that caused background, and I decided to use good. The drawback is a very
instead of facing the aircraft in delays, and consumed pilots in this as a backdrop, although with poor one-piece canopy, so this
air-to-air combat. It’s also notable the ‘wrong’ role. minimised proximity. was replaced with a vacuum-
the Me 262 was vulnerable during Despite this, surprisingly many formed offering from Rob Taurus
take-off and landing, and it had (nearly 1,500) were eventually Revell’s ‘262 (72023); this was particularly
limited range. built before the war ended. The There have been many offerings desirable as I wanted to leave the
But had this ground-breaking scene here is based on a series of of the Me 262 in various scales canopy off the model to emulate
fighter been put into service photographs, depicting a group over the years. I had planned the subject in the photos.
sooner, it would most certainly of Me 262s from JV 44, which to use the new Airfix kit, but Extra interest came via CMK’s
have affected the Allied bombing made their final landing on a discovered I already had two resin engine set (129-7005),
campaign on mainland Europe, grass field in Innsbruck-Hötting of Revell’s (72066) in the stash designed for Revell’s ‘262.
and subsequently prolonged the at war’s end. So, the actual so economy won the day. It was beautifully cast and
war. Luckily, the Führer himself aircraft is fictional, but sports It’s not a bad set of plastic, featured separate cowlings, thin
intervened in the development the livery of WNr 111857, one despite its age, and features enough to look realistic.

A stippling motion with a

thinner-moistened brush
blended the colours into the
surface, creating tonal variation. Above: The missing seat belt strap was slung over the cockpit sill when the model
was ready to be attached to the base, to avoid it falling off during handling.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 67

Abandoned Wings

Above: A sturdy frame was built from lengths of 3 x 3mm styrene strip. Above: Wooden planks were fashioned appropriately from pre-cut styrene
strip. Wood grain was simulated by running coarse abrasive paper over it, to
be accentuated further with a scalpel tip.
The planks were attached one
by one, using liquid cement.
Below: The entire building walls finished. An opening was created for the
doors, along with two for the windows.

However, it required a modicum I decided to remove the parts were also designed to commence. To achieve a faded
of sanding and filling to ensure integrally moulded seatbelts be used with the two-seater and discoloured appearance
the engine fitted smoothly and add Eduard PE harnesses. version. The fit between wings on the upper surfaces, small
with the original kit plastic. One strap was left off though, and fuselage was good though. dots of oil paint were placed on
The cockpit was simple so it could be slung over the I had decided to cut out the the model, then stippled with a
but fairly well detailed for cockpit sill later. The fuselage flaps and these were re-installed thinner-moistened brush. This
this scale, with buttons and was then assembled, filled and in the deployed position as in is a very ‘safe’ way to create this
switches represented on the sanded to remove the seam, the reference photos. A primer kind of discolouring, as it can
side consoles, and raised a procedure that took longer coat was added at this stage to be wiped off easily if the result
detail on the instrument panel. than expected due to the insert check for surface flaws before is not satisfying. A hairdryer
The interior and tub were behind the cockpit. This part the vac-form windscreen and was used to hasten the process,
painted dark grey before light was supplied to fill a gap behind section behind the cockpit was so regular washes could be
dry-brushing was added. the ‘office’, since the fuselage installed. This was tricky, but with applied to the panel lines. The
the help of water-diluted putty, model was given a light coat
any gaps could be eliminated. of matt varnish when dry.
Eduard’s masks (CX076) Undercarriage units and
were applied and the model
was ready for painting.
The aircraft with WNr 111857
wore a single green colour, RLM
82, and no markings apart from
a swastika. The underside was
most likely painted RLM 76 blue.
These were mixed from various
Tamiya and Mr. Hobby acrylics
and applied in thin layers, the
The doors
were made in
last coat being finer still.
a similar way, The model was left to dry
with securing overnight, then decals were
horizontal
applied and sealed with gloss
planks.
varnish, so weathering could

68 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Overgrown Grass

Above: Two windows were created simply by adding a framework to Above: The building was airbrushed in light grey to simulate a faded surface,
transparent sheet styrene. rather than fresh brown wood.

A few of the planks were then A simple wooden framework was

brush-painted to create further placed onto the plastic section,
variety in the grey tone. to accommodate the roof.

“Dots of oil paint

were placed
on the model,
then stippled
with a thinner-
moistened brush”

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 69

Abandoned Wings

Above: Railway modelling accessories can be very useful. In this case, a 1/87 Above: The roof sections were measured and cut, then test-fitted before they
corrugated roof sheet proved perfect. were glued together as one piece.

the reasons being I had a large windows were made by placing a

selection of styrene strip, rod and frame onto clear sheet styrene.
sheet available. The other reason Attention turned to the roof
was that wood can sometimes once construction of the walls
look out of scale and less was completed. The initial
delicate, depending on the grain. idea was to make a tar and
The first step was to make a wood roof, but after some
mock-up from thick paper, to get consideration, a corrugated
the feel of the size and placement metal roof seemed more fitting
on the base. When satisfied and closer to the look of the
with the results, a sturdy frame real structure. I found a sheet of
was made from strip, which was pressed wood, made for railway
going to be clad with planking. modellers, and the pattern
The latter were cut from thin seemed perfect for this scale.
Above: The finished building, minus doors, painted and weathered with oils. strips and coarse abrasive paper Three pieces were measured
The roof received a mix of grey and silver to create a semi-metallic patina. was run over the surface to and cut, then glued together to
create a wooden texture. This cover the entire roof. A simple
various small details were left Farm structure was further accentuated with framework was also built onto
aside until final assembly. The As mentioned, the reference the tip of a scalpel blade, before the main frame of the building,
open jet engine was painted by photos showed a big wooden the planks were glued in to accommodate the roof.
hand and received several wash building in the background of place one by one. This was The structure was then
applications to accentuate the the field in Innsbuck-Hötting. I a painstaking process but airbrushed light grey, rather than
detail. The bare metal cover wanted to include this somehow preferable to scraping the wood brown to mimic a faded,
was airbrushed in aluminium, and use it as a backdrop, so planking pattern into solid sun-bleached look. A few of the
courtesy of Vallejo’s acrylic I exercised artistic licence sheet. An opening was left in planks were also hand-painted
Metal Colour range. The and minimised the distance the wall to accommodate two to create more variety in tone.
missing seatbelt strap was between the ‘262 and building. large doors, which were also Brown wash followed, and this
then placed on the model and I decided to build the barn from made from plastic strip. highlighted the wooden grain
it was ready for its base. styrene rather than wood, one of To add further detail, two small pattern of the surface, bringing it

Above: The base was cut from foam board, and the sides covered with sheet Above: Fine sand was sprinkled over the surface to create the first layer of soil,
styrene. It’s crucial to get the size correct, if the diorama is to be effective. which was secured by dripping diluted white glue over it.

70 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Overgrown Grass

“The aim with the base was to depict an

overgrown grass meadow”
to life. I had made a few punches and the building was finished to life. The sides were covered at this point, to mask it so the
to simulate nails, and these were by covering its rear with thin with sheet styrene, and the vegetation could be airbrushed
accentuated with black wash. sheet styrene, painted black. first layer of soil was created without affecting them.
The roof was brush painted by from fine sand, sprinkled over The aim with the base was
hand, with a mix of aluminium The base the surface and secured with to depict an overgrown grass
and grey, to achieve a semi- A piece of foam board had been diluted white glue. Static grass meadow, rather than a well-kept
metallic appearance, followed cut to an appropriate size during followed, again secured with airstrip. To achieve this, a mix of
by dark washes. The windows the planning of the diorama, the same adhesive. The sides various grass tufts from Joefix
were inserted into their slots, and it was now time to bring it of the base were painted black Studios, and taller grass from

Above: Static grass followed to represent country meadow vegetation; it too Above: The sides of the base were painted black at this stage, using Games
was attached with the aid of diluted white glue. Workshop Chaos Black straight from the aerosol.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 71

Abandoned Wings

Above: The sides were then masked so the grass could be airbrushed for Above: For the taller grass, tufts from Joefix Sudios and tall grass from
further effect. Woodland Scenics came in handy.

Above: The tufts and tall grass were placed in a random pattern. The original Above: Flowers added small but pleasing hints of colour. They were made from
colours varied, as is visible here. household paintbrush bristles, dipped in white glue and fine sand, then painted.

Woodland Scenics, was used in paintbrush, dipping the tips in placed on the base and secured few more tufts were attached to
a random pattern. Several green white glue and then fine sand. with glue. The ‘262’s landing blend the model into the base.
nuances were also airbrushed, The bristles were painted green, gear was attached so the model Hastily applied camouflage
to mute the synthetic shine and the sand tip yellow to would tilt to the side, with one in the form of tree branches
of the grass and impart the mimic colourful alpine petals. of the legs at a 45˚ angle, just were placed on, and around the
look of a fresh summer field. as in the photos. The model was aircraft, again using the period
The final act involved flowers, Final assembly then placed gingerly on the base, photos as a guide. Asparagus
which were created by taking It was now time to marry all the and a generous portion of glue fern is perfect for simulating
the bristles from a household components. First, the barn was under the wheels secured it. A larch, pine or other sorts of

Above: The finished base, with the barn attached and the vegetation Above: The Me 262 was secured to the base tilted slightly, to emphasise the
completed. Note the variety in nuances, on the barn and the meadow. impression of an abandoned aircraft with a hydraulic leak.

72 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Overgrown Grass

Above: Asparagus fern is ideal for creating small-scale vegetation and can Above: The branches were then applied as camouflage, placed randomly over
quickly be painted in the desired colour with an airbrush. the model.

tree, and can usually be found beside the model and the on a base and, as in this case
in well-appointed florists. I entire scene was then ready. adding more elements, it
had a fully dried plant to hand, can really tell a story. The
and a few branches were cut A refreshing change Me 262 was a fascinating
from it and airbrushed green, Aircraft are not too often beast, and this build
then applied carefully with a displayed in dioramas, and I for really woke my
small portion of white glue. one tend to be happy with just slumbering interest
The open engine hatch for the finishing the model itself. in early jet
starboard engine was placed However, by placing it fighters.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 73

Wind Effects

Getting the
Hump
Johan Augustsson completes Bronco
Models’ German Telemeter in a North
African setting...with a twist

T
he theme behind in a variety of settings and was
this scene was to probably known best for its use
depict an abandoned in combating the Allies’ strategic
Kommandogerät 40 bombing campaigns over
rangefinder somewhere in Germany from 1942 onwards.
North Africa, left in situ by the It was of a stereoscopic design
retreating German Afrika Korps and had a 13ft (4m) optical tube
after the British 8th Army had with four viewing stations
turned the tide at El Alamein. and was designed to
Designed in the late 1930s, work with heavy
this device, commonly called flak batteries
a Telemeter, was a German
mechanical analogue computer
for directing anti-aircraft
guns. It was produced in the
thousands and introduced into
service in 1940, being used

“It was necessary to think

ahead and plan from the outset,
with the aim being to achieve a suitably
war-weary and abandoned appearance
to the assembled equipment”

74 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Deserts

Above: A suitable base was Above: A second coat of filler and finer sand were added, and the edges and sheltered areas received black primer.
constructed from Styrofoam, Note the drifting sand, made with a wide brush while the filler was still wet.
which was covered with
sheets of cork cut to form a
raised section to the rear, and (guns with a calibre of 8.8cm or required little time to make panel), and one that reflected
household filler, with small stones greater). To operate effectively, ready, even if the machine itself the effects of the harsh desert
sprinkled on the wet plaster.
the machine required a crew had a total weight of around environment. A secondary
of at least five men. The device 2,000lb (915kg), which rendered factor would be its status as
was a crucial part of any flak it virtually immobile once abandoned after combat, with
defence system and was praised unloaded from its towing unit. the potential for heavy handling
in general by its crews. Reliability by its operators, plus ‘inquisitive’
in the field was fair and it Sand-blasted relic searches by British troops and
It was necessary to think ahead any local inhabitants. Most
and plan from the outset, German equipment in North
with the aim being to achieve Africa was originally painted
a suitably war-weary and German Grey and then over-
abandoned appearance to the sprayed with Brown Yellow (not to
assembled equipment (see be confused with the Dark Yellow
used in Europe) before shipping.
To obtain a partially rusted metal
appearance, the telemeter and
trailer first received a mix of
Tamiya XF-9 Hull Red and XF-10
Flat Brown, which was sealed
with a coat of X-22 Clear and,
when dry, covered with a heavy
coat of hairspray. After half an
hour, the models were airbrushed
XF-63 German Grey and set aside
to dry for 20-30 minutes. The
newly applied paint was then
scrubbed in exposed areas with
a coarse brush, plus smaller
scratches and chips were created
with a water-soaked toothpick.
The hairspray treatment was
repeated once the models
had dried overnight, and the
telemeter and trailer received
XF-60 Dark Yellow, followed by a
highlight layer of the base colour
mixed with XF-55 Deck Tan,
which was applied in selected
areas. Chipping effects were
then created as before, revealing
a much-used telemeter with

Scale Modelling Dioramas 75

Wind Effects

Terrific telemeter
Bronco’s Telemeter (CB35103) is the only available 1/35 styrene
example, with just other offerings (both resin items by DES Kit) and
was assembled in combat/deployed configuration, to enable it to fit
into the diorama. Initial stages dealt with the large ocular tube and
its four viewing positions, with the only challenges being the addition
of small photo-etched (PE) brass components to the platform ‘feet’.
Small rivets were fashioned from discs cut from lengths of heat-
stretched styrene runner to add detail in these
areas. Perhaps surprisingly, the trailer
Above: Initial stages dealt with the optical tube and its four viewing stations
was more complex than the Telemeter. equipped with binoculars. Note the tiny PE lifting lugs.
Several sub-assemblies required careful
Left: The iring solution computer ighlighted the perfect it of parts
alignment (otherwise they would not
experienced with this kit — which ensured no iller was needed on any
fit correctly), notably the attachment area of this model.
linkages, for when the Telemeter
Below: Here the optical tube has been added to the computing
is in transport configuration...
device, together with turning handles and other accoutrements.
thankfully, these weren’t needed
here. While the odd stowage box
could have been moved slightly to
indicate attempts at removal by
British troops or locals, they were
left in their correct locations instead.
Late in the build, it was realised
the trailer frame was warped slightly,
although after consideration, this was
potentially advantageous, as it could be explained
as being caused by heavy treatment by the Germans, British
or locals. Finally, everything received a black and white primer,
before work shifted to painting, weathering and readying the
Telemeter and trailer to blend with the rest of the diorama.

Above: The fully assembled trailer with cable drums added to the mudguards. Above: The completed Telemeter, mounted on its three-footed turning table,
Reinements such as the embossed locker chain and tyre air valve are evident. ready to receive wind-blown hues.

hints of the underlying tones

Telemeter and trailer models
visible in areas that received received an airbrushed
the heaviest handling and red-brown base coat, over
exposure to the desert winds. black and white primers.
So, by taking the painting step
by step, the sand-blasted effect
was achieved in a logical way;
this would be enhanced with
subsequent weathering.

Reluctant markings
First though, the decals were
attached after yet another
application of gloss varnish. This
was more difficult than expected,

76 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Deserts

as the markings were rather

thick, and the dials didn’t quite
fit their respective recesses.
Several applications of Micro
Sol and Set didn’t help much,
and one of the smaller items
was lost, but was mitigated by
fashioning a broken dial instead,
which was in keeping with a
piece of abandoned equipment.
The dial recess was painted
black, and then white glue was
spread on food wrapping plastic
(commonly known as ‘Cling
Film’) and blended with Deluxe
Materials’ Icy Sparkles product.
When this mixture had dried,
a small disc of cracked ‘glass’
could be cut and then secured Above: Initial weathering steps comprised German Grey airbrushed over a thick layer of hairspray, and then scrubbed
on the model with clear varnish; with a toothpick and an old brush to reveal the underlying hue.
this was also done to one of the
Next, Brown Yellow was
horizontal instruments. Details added over yet another
such as tail lights, tyres and coat of hairspray. Note
rubber covers for the sights were the sand-blasted and
now rusty areas weren’t
all painted with Vallejo acrylics.
covered completely.
Focus then shifted to further
weathering, and here my
usual collection of dark-toned
washes was left on the shelf;
instead work started with AK
Interactive’s AK022 African Dust
Effects; AK080 Summer Kursk
Earth and then AK013 Rust
Streaks in selected areas. These
were followed by layers of MIG
Productions’ P025 Standard Rust,
P028 European Dust and P027
Light Dust…all were secured
with pigment fixer in nooks and
crannies where sand and dirt
would likely settle. A realistic

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 77

Wind Effects

Real rangefinder
patina on the tyres was achieved Kommandogerät 40) and adds
by airbrushing African Dust ‘life’ to the scene. This North
Effects onto the rubber-painted African desert scenario called
areas. This was then wiped with for a local connection and a
a white spirit-moistened brush, grumpy Arab figure was found
which accentuated the tread. in MIG Productions’ range (35-
283), but this needed minor
The grumpy couple surgery to fit its new
It’s always good to include at purpose — trying to
least one figure, as this permits
a sense of scale (especially for
those unfamiliar with
the size of the

The Kommandogerät 40’s bulk is apparent in this scene probably

from summer 1944, with an unusually large number of operators
(ten), compared to the usual five. This may therefore be a training
unit, as the only cables appear to be those linking the rangefinder
to its Collector/Control box and generator (bottom left). The lack
of heavy flak guns in the background (the telemeter was usually
positioned centrally) is notable. (Malcolm V Lowe Collection)

Above: The models displayed a worn and scuffed look after vigorous scrubbing. Extra scratches were rendered with
black-brown acrylic paint applied by a sponge and fine-tipped brush.
raise a stubborn
All decals have been attached, dromedary camel
and the tyres and other details
painted. The dials received clear to its feet. The left
varnish to represent their glass arm was modified
covers, before the last dusting slightly, being pinned and
with pigments.
glued at a more suitable
angle, and finished by rebuilding
the robe with Magic Sculp. The
figure was then painted with
Vallejo and Andrea acrylics,
beginning with the shirt, in a
raw cotton shade. His headdress
was accentuated in clear blue
to grant the whole scene a
dash of colour, and the sandals
received a light leather hue.
All skin tones were painted with
Vallejo 70.876 Brown Sand as a
base, and 70.814 Burnt Cadmium
Red mixed with 70.822 German
Camouflage Black Brown for

78 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Deserts

“The dromedary
was by UK-based
company Red
Zebra and was cast
beautifully”

built from lengths

of lead foil and thin
copper wire and painted
accordingly. In retrospect, it
would have been easier to attach
the harness before painting,
with thin coats of but one lives and learns!
XF-60 Dark Yellow,
plus a random brown mix Desert drifts
to get the fur colour as close to The technique for creating the
reference photos as possible. desert environment with its
Longer hair was then brush- drifting sand was actually quite
painted with brown shades simple; it started by cutting cork
courtesy of Vallejo acrylics and sheets into suitable sizes and
the face area lined with black ink. then gluing them to a Styrofoam
The harness was scratch- base. It was then decided from

shading.
Highlights
were rendered with
70.845 Sunny Skintone
on the nose, cheeks and
chin to resemble suntanned
features, while the moustache
received 70.822 German
Camouflage Black Brown and
70.950 Black. The face and
hands were then accentuated
with Citadel Black Ink.
The dromedary was by
UK-based company Red Zebra
and was cast beautifully in two
sections...head and body. It Above: The Arab figure required minor Above: The arm and robe were rebuilt Above: A blue headdress ensured
changes to fit into the diorama’s with Magic Sculp. By pinning the right extra colour to the scene, while the
was primed in black and white, ‘story’, with its paper clip-pinned arm foot, the figure could be posed almost intertwined copper wire formed the
after which it was airbrushed glued in the desired position. off-balance...in line with the plot. dromedary’s ‘lead’.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 79

Wind Effects

Above: Red Zebra’s dromedary seen primed; instead of removing the casting Above: The harness was made with lead foil and copper wire after a study of
plug, it was utilised as an anchor point, with a recess cut in the base for it. reference photos, it was primed in black and added to the painted animal.

which direction the wind would dragged very gently over the together with grass tufts from Versatile viewer
have blown to affect the sand, surface again, until the desired Fredericus Rex. The Arab was Compared to the never-declining
and the leeward (downwind effect was achieved. Very fine then attached similarly, and the interest in Shermans, Tigers and
or sheltered side) cork edges sifted sand was then used, rope was secured to his hand Panthers, Bronco’s Telemeter
roughened to simulate erosion. together with a figure’s foot from and coloured with Vallejo paints. might be for those with a special
The next step was to coat the the spares box to form prints The final step was to add washes interest in the subject, but it’s
base with coarse household filler; in the sand...this was all then of RC032 Desert Sand here and nevertheless a very good kit
remember to use filler intended secured with diluted white glue. there, to tie everything together. that fills a vacant space and
for bathrooms and other ‘wet’ The painting of the base began In reality, locals would probably has huge diorama potential.
areas, to ensure it doesn’t with water-based primer to have cannibalised part or all The idea here was to portray
dissolve during subsequent the base edges and around of the Telemeter, notably the it in an abandoned state, with
painting. The first layer was the downwind eroded areas, wheels, or otherwise stripped the added interest of the Arab
applied to unify and level the cork followed by coats of LifeColor any equipment with value figure and camel providing scale
layers, and the second to form UA226 Terracotta for the shaded (whether real or otherwise). and an element of humanity to
the sand. Immediately after the portions and UA099 Light Certainly, the trailer would the parched scene. However,
application, a wide brush (which Stone over this from the wind have been a prize item, and opportunities abound for other
had been dipped in water) was direction, via airbrush. When may have been removed intact, scenarios, such as it being
dragged in the direction from this had dried, the Telemeter, while the rest would have been mounted on a bunker roof, towed
where the wind would have trailer and dromedary were left to be covered in more behind a half-track or even posed
blown. When the shape was set, secured with the same fine sand, but for display reasons with any number of 8.8cm FlaK
fine sand was sprinkled over sand and white glue mix, the models were kept as they 36/37/41 or 12.8cm FlaK 40
the whole base, and the brush followed by several touch-ups, were, built and fully visible. in a much larger scene.

80 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Call: 0333 050 2763
LAYOUT BUILDING SUPPLIES
Seafoam trees, Foliage / Lichen and Scatters

LaisDcc
25 & 50mm Rubberised Horsehair Internatio
nal
Teddy Bear Fur for grass and embankments postage
Chips Plaster Bandage
LaisDcc Decoders
Wire, Connectors, Switches for both DCC & Conventional wiring
Modelling Card compatible with Scalescenes Kits
Styrene / Brass tubes & sections

www.cm3models.co.uk
Email: sales@cm3models.co.uk

703/18
1:35 DIORAMA ACCESSORIES BY AND FOR MODELLERS
buy easily and safely:
www.yenmodels.be

For a great selection

of books, DVDs, P R I V A T E L A B E L

magazines and
models visit:
WOODEN ACCESSORIES URBAN ACCESSORIES WORKSHOP ACCESSORIES PLASTER-CAST FOLIAGE PASTES & PIGMENTS

Airix Model World is

independently veriied by
ABC.

So our advertisers know

they are getting
what they paid for.

ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.

To advertise, call Sarah Jarman on
01780 755131 or
email sarah.jarman@keypublishing.com

www.keypublishing.com/shop
Victory Revelry

Liquid Liberation
Dave Oliver gleans inspiration
from Shep Paine’s modelling
guides and applies the lessons
to this ambitious project

O
ne of my most distinct
childhood memories is
being given a copy of
Sheperd ‘Shep’ Paines'
book ‘How to Build Scale Model
Dioramas’, by a member of my
after-school kit-building club.
The stunning examples
provided in Shep’s work were
both inspiring and slightly
intimidating, with the level of
craftsmanship and imagination
seemingly way beyond my
cumbersome attempts at
producing backdrops for my
scale models. Upon returning
to the hobby 30 years later,
one of my first purchases was
a copy of the updated version
of this classic text. Despite
the passage of time and the
undoubted advances in scale
modelling materials and
techniques, the work contained
within did not disappoint;
several builds still retained
their sense of movement and
technical prowess. These most commercially available since returning to modelmaking, achieve a sense of movement,
were all the more impressive weathering products and the the next attempt would by extensively remodelling the
considering they were bespoke accessories now taken incorporate several ideas figures to make them react
completed more than 40 years for granted within the hobby. that made Sheperd’s work so to each other and the events
ago, long before the advent of Having built several dioramas compelling. The priority was to around them, while making the

Above: Assembly of MiniArt’s excellent field kitchen took little time; a Above: The airbrushed Soviet Green base coat was lightened progressively,
shadow layer (applied over the primer), provided a foundation for the and the rather stark appearance was softened by the application of filters,
subsequent colour modulation. washes and weathering.

82 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Inspirations

“Since
returning to
modelmaking,
the next
attempt would
incorporate
several ideas
that made
Sheperd’s work
so compelling”

environment appear as natural many other techniques and final notion was to try and ideas to be incorporated as
as possible. Second, rather materials would be tried, establish a rough working the build progressed. To help
than adhere any personally so the most realistic results layout for the diorama, while with this process, a section of
established methods of figure would be achieved through at the same time allowing for the workbench was set aside
painting and landscaping, a process of elimination. The any modifications or additional for a permanent mock-up,

Above: Reality in Scale’s resin trees and stumps were rendered wonderfully. Above: Numerous earth textures and vegetation types were trialled. Many mud
They were painted and dry-brushed with several Citadel Dryad Bark shades, products appeared more suited to vehicle weathering than for earth tones.
before an Oilbrusher Dark Brown wash. After much trial and error, Vallejo’s products were the most convincing.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 83

Victory Revelry

Aftermarket 'loo'
The outside privy, which was built at the start of the project,
provided a test piece for the various groundwork and weathering
techniques used throughout the rest of the build.

Above: Care was taken not to damage Above: The door was distressed
the delicate construction. It was with a scalpel blade to simulate
decided later to replace the wooden the ravages of time on the exposed
roof with a corrugated metal item. woodwork…

Above: ...and weathered with a selection Above: Mounted on a temporary

of AMMO-MIG Oilbrusher washes, a foam board base, the building helped
process repeated throughout. assess the advantages of various
Above: The laser-cut balsa wood sheets were manufactured
weathering products, plus the relative
precisely, and displayed a high degree of detail, even merits of the many vegetation and
including nail rebates. mud products available.

so different ideas could be

trialled throughout the project.

Retail therapy
The job of acquiring the relevant
kits and materials began, the
aims of the diorama already
having been outlined. Several
MiniArt sets were collected
for the basic layout, including
the Soviet Field Kitchen KP-42
(35098), Soviet Soldiers at Rest
(35109) and Farm Wall (36033);
the latter would provide a
backdrop for the whole scene.
In the aftermath of this online
retail frenzy, I received a deluge
of scale model-related Google
adds, one of which contained
a link to a 1/35 outside 'privy'.
The subject was Limes Model’s
Garden Toilet (35101), which was
constructed over the course of
a weekend. It provided a superb
starting point for the rest of the
build, and a chance to try out
several different weathering
techniques, as well as refine how
realistic the mud and vegetation
would look on the finished article.

84 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Inspirations

Left: A small
selection of
the figures
required to
make a realistic
scene. Several
were sculpted
effectively from
scratch, while
others received
just minor
changes. Their
poses were
often further
modified over
the course of
the build.

Meals on wheels detail and provide tonal variation applications of MiG Productions to the scene, Zvezda’s Soviet
The field kitchen was a real for the top coat. AK Interactive’s P222 Neutral Wash and various Motorcycle M72 with Sidecar and
focal point, and the first item RCS007 Soviet AFV Colors paint Oilbrusher pin washes, the Crew (3639) was purchased. This
to be built, and MiniArt’s kit set (part of that firm’s Real colours were muted somewhat. was assembled and painted in a
was relatively straightforward Colors series) was employed Having placed the canteen similar fashion to the canteen,
to assemble. Grey primer was here, with the initial base coat on the basic diorama outline, but the AK shades were mixed to
then applied, after which a being lightened to provide a it was decided the rest of the give a subtly different tone; this
shadow/pre-shade layer of degree of colour modulation. scene looked a little empty. reflected the rather haphazard
Lifecolor LC-UA022 Dark Grey The effect appeared rather stark To rectify this and begin to Soviet wartime colour matching.
was airbrushed to accentuate initially, but after successive add an element of movement Several items of stowage were
added, including a large tarpaulin
behind the sidecar passenger
and a bedroll draped across
the handlebars. The final touch
was to add the kit’s accordion,
which was secured to the spare
wheel, with EZ-line added to
make it appear tethered.

Above and Below: All figures were

remodelled. Once the limbs were
repositioned, they were tacked with
liquid glue; plastic inserts were added
and trimmed, before Citadel Green
Stuff filled any gaps and added detail.

Scale Modelling Dioramas 85

Victory Revelry

IMZ bikers
Zvezda’s Soviet motorcycle and sidecar kit portrayed an IMZ M72 (which
was a licence-produced BMW R71), and provided a focal point for the
whole scene, so extra care was taken to make it as realistic as possible.

Above and Below: MiniArt’s Soviet Command Car and Crew (35048) was a
relatively late addition. The kit was built almost out of the box, with just minor
alterations to the suspension and position of the front wheels, to impart a
sense of speed.

Above: Once painted, weathering involved an initial dust coat of Tamiya

XF-72 Brown; this was used subsequently on all vehicles and landscape
to provide a uniied ilter colour, which blended the different elements.

Figures and faces pose for the motorcycle

Populating the scene was a rather rider (see panel left). After
daunting task. All figures had unsuccessful attempts to
to be either heavily modified modifying the kit figure, a
or scratch-built, and more Friulmodel white metal academy
importantly, appear as though item was used instead. Much
Above: The igures required much repositioning, especially the rider. After they were interacting realistically test-fitting was required
much trial and error, the kit motorcyclist was replaced with a custom-sculpted
with each other and the events to ensure the pose looked
item, although further small revisions took place throughout the build.
around them. Small changes convincing. Once the basic
in poses were achieved by stance was satisfactory, Green
simply cutting a limb at a joint Stuff putty was employed
and repositioning the arm or to create the clothing, after
leg in a more natural position; which the figure was again
the resultant cavity was then placed on the bike to ensure
filled with scrap plastic card his posture hadn’t been
and cut roughly to shape, with altered unintentionally during
any significant gaps treated the sculpting progress. Once
with Citadel Green Stuff epoxy the putty had hardened to a
putty. Many of the heads were degree, detail (such as pockets
replaced by resin items from and seams), was added with a
Hornet, several sets being carving tool, with the final touch
utilised during the project… being the addition of straps
their jubilant expressions helped for both the rider’s helmet and
add to the figures’ overall PPSh-41 sub-machine gun.
appearance, while also conveying These were posed to suggest as
atmosphere to the scene. much movement as possible…
Above: The diverse uniform colours were uniied by a wash of Citadel
Agrax Earthshade. Lead sheet was employed for the weapon straps One of the most difficult even the soldier emerging
and scarf, and these helped to impart a sense of movement. aspects was achieving a natural from the toilet (see panel).

86 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Inspirations

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 87

Victory Revelry

That's better!...
The figure emerging from the latrine required significant work.
None of the kit figures sufficed, as their poses were unsuitable,
so a Friulmodel academy figure was pressed into service.

Above: The metal 'skeleton' was placed in the doorway, with the pose altered Above: The finished jeep, complete with crew and rather hapless German
subtly to ensure it appeared natural. Care was taken not to inadvertently change prisoner of war. Once again, care was taken to modify the figures to reflect
the limbs’ positions during handling, as the white metal was easy to bend. the vehicle movement realistically. A liberated stuffed stag’s head from MAIM
Models (35358) added another point of interest.

Finding a realistic colour Flora and fauna

match for the uniforms proved Throughout the build, many
to be somewhat problematic. different techniques and
As anybody who has modelled materials were trialled to achieve
Soviet/Russian subjects will an authentic landscape; this also
know, paint matches are provided a welcome break from
somewhat subjective, with the larger elements and could
reference photos showing a be conducted in a short period,
distinct divergence of tones. between larger jobs. The tree
With no definitive guide trunks, manufactured by Reality
available, several paint sets in Scale (35244), were an absolute
were purchased, with individual pleasure to paint and weather.
colours selected to make a This resin set comprised several
realistic approximation of the different shapes and sizes,
Soviet wartime uniform. Painting with a number being finished
all the figures in one go would to provide as many options as
Above: The clothing was then modelled with Green Stuff putty and a resin have been a rather long-winded possible for the finished scene.
Hornet head (with a suitably relieved expression) used instead of the kit item,
while the belt and braces were fashioned from lead sheet.
process, so they were dispatched Various types of ivy were also
in batches of two or three, over purchased to give yet more
the course of the project. choice. Paper versions by

Above: The figures muddy appearance was created after minor revisions to the Above: The styrene doors provided with the MiniArt’s Farm Wall appeared
clothing and hair, with several Soviet Uniform colour sets utilised, followed by a slightly two-dimensional, so replacements were scratch-built from DioDump
diluted Agrax Earthshade wash. Flesh tones were created via Vallejo acrylics. DD038 Weathered Wooden Planks, and aged further with Oilbrusher washes.

88 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Inspirations

Above: Producing a realistic cobblestone road texture required experimentation. Above: The road came to life once painted and weathered; extensive use of
The most suitable material was medium-density Balsa Foam. Carving each Vallejo Mud Effects was repeated throughout the build process, along with
individual cobble stone was long-winded, but the result was worth it. numerous types of scatter and foliage.

Greenline (GL050) were tried which would provide the most (JSCATTS) to the surface, and to draw the eye across the
first; once the vines were cut convincing effect. Unfortunately, after which 2mm dark green diorama. The vac-form pieces
from the backing sheet, the many of the grass ‘mats’ grass was used, followed by a required careful trimming of any
leaves were then folded into appeared rather uniform in subsequent covering of 6mm excess plastic; a sharp scalpel
position, before being tacked appearance, while commercially medium green for contrast. blade was a must, to avoid
in place on the outside toilet available grass tufts were This was then left to dry for ten damaging the thin styrene.
test piece. Another product, also deemed unsuitable. In minutes, with any excess tapped Joining the front and back
consisting of a wire armature the end, a cheap static grass lightly into a plastic container sections together also required
with paper leaves glued onto applicator was purchased and subsequently re-applied much dry-fitting, as there were
it was also tried, before finally, from an online auction site, if necessary. Smaller tufts and no locating tabs and a very thin
photo-etched (PE) brass leaves along with various lengths and more random clumps and tufts surface area to adhere to. Each
and vines by Matho Models shades of vegetation. Again, were sprinkled directly onto part was tacked in position,
(35035) and Eduard (35711) were numerous evenings were the base, with the applicator before a Super Glue-laden scalpel
deemed to be the most realistic spent perfecting the best way being used on the grass in situ blade inserted adhesive into
options for the more visible to achieve a lifelike effect. to provide a contrasting effect. any remaining gaps. Despite
parts of the diorama. These A suitably unkempt appearance this careful assembly, the
brass items required careful was created by first applying a Building the wall walls remained delicate,
priming and painting, with thin coating of Javis Countryside MiniArt’s farm wall was selected and diligent handling
various hues of Lifecolor green Scenic Scatter Adhesive to provide an overall backdrop was needed
employed, to ensure none of
the underlying metal
showed…further
touch-ups were
required after they
were attached to the
walls with white glue.
Several different
grass products were
purchased to assess

Scale Modelling Dioramas 89

Victory Revelry

Another
brick in
the…
Being a central component
of the scene, much attention
was paid to make the walls
appear realistic. These efforts Above: Extensive work was required to eliminate the seam at the top; note the
were complicated somewhat pencil marking (upper right) to indicate where a section was to be removed…
by the delicate nature of these
elements once assembled.

Right: A small section of wall acted as

a test piece, to gauge the effectiveness
of different painting and weathering
techniques. Moss effects were created
with Lifecolor SPG06 Lichens & Moss
Powder and Color Set, and provided a
backdrop onto which the plants and ivy
would be blended.

Above: …each brick was then painted individually, to achieve a convincing effect.
Thinned Lifecolor UA739 Broken Plaster was added in between the brickwork.

Above: Small sections of rubble (FOG5060) were purchased from Fields of Glory Above: After several washes of 3513 Starship Filth, selective pin washes of 3515
Models and painted in a similar fashion to the walls. Individual bricks were then Brown, followed by 3505 Olive Green were then applied, with the green hue being
added to hide the join between the road and debris. concentrated on the lower half of the wall.

to prevent any compression Carving the cobbles road instead. Initial experiments (along with any commercial
(which would crack/re-open The road section was initially with modelling clay proved products), because the finished
the seams), while considerable going to be a muddy farm unsatisfactory while other surface appeared too uniform.
sanding was needed to eliminate track, but upon reflection it was methods, such as using moulds Having been given a sample
imperfections in the joins. decided to add a cobble-stone and stencils, were discounted section of Balsa Foam and
Once primed, the individual
sections were painted with
LifeColor LC-CMS08 Debris and
Rubble Set 2, with the basic brick
hue being varied subtly (lighter
and darker hues) and applied to
each individual item. Weathering
was a time-consuming process,
as successive washes of
Oilbrusher 3513 Starship Filth
were applied to the surface
until the desired effect was
achieved. Pin washes of 3505
Olive Green were then added
to simulate plant mould.
These steps would be
repeated once the
wall sections were
in situ, to blend
the effects together.

90 Scale Modelling Dioramas

 Inspirations

Above: With the layout finalised and the walls attached, DAS Clay simulated Above: A generous brush coating of Model Mates’ Mud Brown helped form the
sections of earth beside the road and behind the wall. Any buildings or trees foundation for subsequent grass, dirt and foliage, and also helped to unify the
were pressed into the clay to ensure they looked suitable ‘planted’ on the scene. various groundwork elements.

successfully produced a test were then highlighted to add then sprinkled on strategically.
piece, it was decided to use this variation, with several different Lastly, the addition of PE storm
product. Carving each individual shades applied. Weathering drains and manhole covers
stone was certainly laborious, the road required a modicum added extra areas of interest.
with approximately five hours of experimentation, as the
required in total. This process porous nature of the material Landscaping and design
was aided by a revolutionary meant standard washes were With all the separate elements
and widely available modelling absorbed into the surface. Several finished, it was time to finalise
product called Real Ale…not different Vallejo Mud Effects the composition and attach
only did it cure the monotony, it products were used to counter everything to the base. The
ensured a suitably random and this problem. Areas between the Balsa Foam road was glued to a
irregular surface was created. bricks were painted selectively section of foam board, and then
Painting and weathering the with 73.828 Wet Effects, while the walls were secured, with
road also proved to be a long the curb and centreline received great care being taken to ensure
process. An initial airbrushed coat 73.801 European Splash they were both positioned at the
of Lifecolor LC-UA030 Dark Grey Mud and 73.807 European correct angle and in the right
was lightened subsequently by Thick Mud; fine scatter from location. Das Clay was used to
dry-brushing. Individual cobbles Lifecolor’s Lichens & Moss was sculpt the groundwork and
Above: The rather startled Soviet
figure received subtle modifications.
His apron was fashioned from lead
wire and articulated to give a sense
of movement, while the erupting
coffee was created from Clingfilm
and a generous coating of gloss
brown paint.

Above: In an idle moment at the

work bench, a pair of spectacles
were fashioned from 1mm lead wire
and attached with Super Glue.
This figure was situated in the
centre of the action, so any
extra details were well
worth the effort.

Scale Modelling Dioramas 91

Victory Revelry

to hide any joins between the

The completed diorama appeared suitably natural. All the
wall and base and left to dry hours of work seemed to have paid off, with the vegetation,
overnight. Once hardened, the damaged wall and well-worn cobblestones providing a
surface was brush-coated with suitably rustic backdrop for the igures and vehicles.
Model Mates’ 49051 Mud Brown,
to accentuate the peaks and
troughs of the muddy ground…it
also provided a suitable platform
for subsequent earth effects
and foliage. With the static grass
applied, small tufts of vegetation,
weeds and flowers were added,
both Greenline paper and Matho
Models PE items were utilised,
and this created a suitably
wild and unkempt appearance.
These sections then received a
light dusting of heavily diluted
XF-72 Brown to unify all the
different colours, before various
Vallejo mud effects products
were employed, which added
a suitably dank texture.

Above: The PE and paper ivy additions created further areas of interest, with Above: The small pile of rubble served as a focal point, so considerable efforts
smaller sections included to give continuity along the wall. Care must be taken were taken to ensure it blended in with the surroundings. Extra individual
to ensure none of the bare PE showed once the vines were bent to shape. bricks were added, along with a variety of paper and PE plants and weeds.

Lessons learned
Everything was glued in position,
after final minor adjustments
to the figures’ positions, and
last-minute addition of several
geese and chickens, courtesy of
Tamiya’s Livestock Set (35128).
The entire project took seven
months in total, with many new
techniques learnt along the way.
Although at times it felt there
was an overwhelming amount
of work to do and progress
was slow, it was nevertheless
an enjoyable and educational
experience. Many of the lessons
contained in Sheperd’s wonderful
books were put in to practice,
with his suggestions regarding
composition and line of sight
being especially poignant. I hope
to have put his timeless ideas
Above: With a deadline looming, the inal touches were applied rather quickly. Although the diorama would seldom be
viewed from this angle, left-over foliage was added to inish the scene, and make its appearance consistent with the and advice to good use
rest of the landscape. and done justice to them.

92 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 FR
EE
SA ! 11
MP 0-
LE PAG
ISS
UE E

Your favourite magazine is also available digitally.

DOWNLOAD THE APP NOW FOR FREE.

FREE APP
with sample issue
IN APP ISSUES £3.99

SUBSCRIBE &
SAVE
Monthly £2.99
6 issues £19.99
12 issues £34.99

SEARCH: Airfix Model World

Read on your iPhone & iPad Android PC & Mac kindle fire Windows 10

SEARCH:
SEARCH
Britain at War SEARCH
FLYPAST HORNBY

ALSO FREE APP FREE APP

AVAILABLE FOR with sample issue with sample issue
IN APP ISSUES £3.99 IN APP ISSUES £3.99
DOWNLOAD
Aviation Specials App FREE DOWNLOAD How it Works.
Simply download the Airfix Model World
IN APP ISSUES
app and receive your sample issue completely
£3.99 free. Once you have the app, you will be able
to download new or back issues (from January 2011
onwards) for less than newsstand price or, alternatively,
subscribe to save even more!
Simply download to purchase digital versions
of your favourite aviation specials in
Don’t forget to register for your Pocketmags account.
one handy place! Once you have
the app, you will be able to This will protect your purchase in the event of a damaged or lost device.
download new, out of print It will also allow you to view your purchases on multiple platforms.
or archive specials
PC, Mac &
for less than the iTunes Windows 10

cover price!
Available on PC, Mac, Windows 10 and kindle fire from
Requirements for app: registered iTunes account on Apple iPhone, iPod Touch or iPad. Internet connection required for initial download.
Published by Key Publishing Ltd. The entire contents of these titles are © copyright 2018. All rights reserved. App prices subject to change. 737/18
On the shelf

'Engine Trouble'
Built by: Dave Oliver, Airfix Model
World – June 2015 issue.

Foliage,
Hannants: Manufacturers
www.hannants.co.uk Abteilung 502:
Historex Agents: www.abteilung502.com
www.historexagents.com Oil paints

Figures and
Hobbycraft: Accurate Armour:
www.hobbycraft.co.uk www.accurate-armour.com
Resin accessories and kits
Howard Scenic Supplies:
www.howardscenicsupplies.co.uk Adam Wilder Weathering
Products: www.wilder.su

Buildings
Kitkraft: www.kitkraft.com Pigments, washes and paints
Lucky Model:
www.luckymodel.com
MAN Models:
www.manmodels.co.uk

C
ompared to even These compilations are at best
Model Scenery Supplies:
just a few years ago, a snapshot of currently available www.modelscenicsupplies.co.uk
the range of diorama extras, and therefore shouldn’t
Noch: www.noch.com
accessories is vast, be taken as being definitive. The
with new companies forming listings are split into retailers Peco Models: www.peco-uk.com
and additional products made and manufacturers; several of Pegasus Hobbies:
available all the time, and this is the former are included with the www.pegasushobbies.com adM Models:
one area of the hobby that has latter as they also make their own www.admmodels.co.uk
Reality in Scale:
huge cross-over with railway products, in addition to stocking www.realityinscale.com Buildings, walls, roads
and wargame modelling. items by other companies. and scenic accessories
Roco Modelleisenbahn
Retailers Creative Models: Products: www.roco.cc/en
www.creativemodels.co.uk Sylmasta: www.sylmasta.com
Airbrush Company:
Fields of Glory Models:
www.airbrushes.com Tasma Products:
www.fieldsofglorymodels.co.uk
www.tasmaproducts.com
AK Interactive: Fredericus Rex Modellbaushop:
www.ak-interactive.com www.fredericus-rex.eu Yen Models: www.yenmodels.be
Breveco Modelling: Gaugemaster: Woodland Scenics:
www.brevecomodelling.nl www.gaugemaster.com www.woodlandscenics.com

94 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 Retailers and Manufacturers

Airfix: www.airfix.com AMMO-MIG: Black Dog: www.blackdog.cz Darkstar Miniatures:

Buildings, styrene www.migjimenez.com Figures, vehicle accessories www.darkstarmini.co.uk
kits and figures Pigments, washes, paints, and equipment Figures, paints and bases
tools and scenic accessories
AK Interactive: Deluxe Materials:
www.ak-interactive.com www.deluxematerials.co.uk
Pigments, washes, paints, Adhesives, scenery, water
tools and scenic accessories effects and finishing products
DioDump:
www.diodump.com
Buildings, bases, scenery
and accessories
Brengun: www.brengun.cz Diopark: www.hobbyeasy.com
Archer Fine Transfers: Accessories and kits Figures, scenery and
www.archertransfers.com
Bronco Models: accessories
Decals and scenic accessories
www.cn-bronco.com Dragon: www.hobbyco.net
Armourfast: Kits, vehicle accessories
www.armourfast.com Kits, figures and accessories
and equipment
Kits, buildings and
scenic accessories
Artists Foam Board:
www.foamboard.co.uk
Amera Plastic: Base supplies
www.amera.co.uk Breveco Modelling:
Vac-form scenic bases www.brevecomodelling.nl
Balsa Foam
Citadel Paints:
Dust Wargaming:
www.games-workshop.com
www.dustgame.com
Figures and paints
Figures, kits, buildings,
CMK: www.cmkkits.com scenic accessories
Kits, vehicle accessories,
animals and equipment Eduard: www.eduard.com
Kits and accessories

‘Too Hot, Too Heavy’

Built by: Dave Oliver, Airfix Model
World – August 2017 issue.

www.airfixmodelworld.com Scale Modelling Dioramas 95

On the shelf

ETA Diorama: Helmuths Strongholds: Limes Model: MiniArt:

www.eta-diorama.com www.hs-retail.com www.limesmodel.hu www.miniart-models.com
Scenery and accessories Buildings, scenery Scenic accessories Kits, figures, accessories
Eureka XXL: and accessories and buildings
www.eurekaxxl.com Hornet and Wolf:
Equipment, accessories www.hornetandwolf.com
and bases Resin heads and hands
Humbrol:
www.humbrol.co.uk
Pigments, washes,
paints and tools
IBG Models: www.ibg.com.pl
Kits LSG Europe: www.yenmodels.be Minitanks:
ICM: www.icm.com.ua Paper foliage www.roco.cc
Kits, figures and accessories Railway buildings and bridges
MAIM models: www.
modernarmies-in-miniatures.de Mk35: www.mk35.com
Resin figures, busts, heads, Buildings, figures
Evergreen Scale Models:
tools and accessories and accessories
www.evergreenscalemodels.com
Styrene sheet, strip, Magic Sculp: www.sylmasta.com Model Mates:
rod and tube Fillers and sculpting compounds www.dirtydown.co.uk
Fields of Glory Models: Scenic and finishing products
Magic Sculpt: www.kitkraft.com
www.fieldsofglorymodels.co.uk Fillers and sculpting compounds Model Scene: www.fast-web-
Figures, kits, buildings shop.com/model-scene
Italeri: www.hobbyco.net Master Box:
and scenic accessories Bases, scenery and accessories
Kits, figures and accessories www.creativemodels.co.uk
Fila Group: and www.mbltd.info Nemrod Figures:
www.fila.it/it/en/product/das Kits, figures and accessories www.historex.com
Das Clay Figures and busts
Flory Models: Noch: www.noch.com
www.florymodels.co.uk Buildings, scenery, accessories
Washes and pigments
Peco Models:
Fredericus Rex:
www.peco-uk.com
www.fredericus-rex.eu
Buildings and scenery
Tools, scenery, figures
and animals Javi’s Manufacturing Ltd: Pegasus Hobbies:
www.javis.co.uk www.pegasushobbies.com
Friulmodel: Adhesives, scenic accessories Masterpiece Models: Kits
www.friulmodel.hu/en/
Joefix Studios: www.masterpiecemodels.com
Figures and accessories
www.joefix-studio.be Accessories
Gaugemaster: PE tools, accessories Matho Models:
www.gaugemaster.com
J’s Work: www.jsworkmodel.com www.mathomodels.com
Scenic accessories, buildings
Scenery, tools, accessories Accessories
Great North Roads:
www.greatnorthroads.co.uk Juweela Accessories:
Diorama/vignette bases, www.juweela.de
buildings, bridges, accessories Buildings, bases, scenery
and accessories Pinnacle Modelling:
Green Line:
www.model-supplies.org.uk
www.realityinscale.com Karton Models:
Pigments and tools
Scenery and accessories www.yenmodels.be
Green Scenes: Kits, PE foliage, accessories Plus Model: www.plusmodel.cz
www.green-scenes.co.uk Kits and accessories
Legend Productions:
Scenery and accessories www-legend.co.kr
Hauler: www.hauler.cz Figures, stowage,
Kits, figures and accessories conversions, accessories
Lifecolor:
www.airbrushes.com
Pigments, washes, paints

Meng Model:
www.creativemodels.co.uk
Kits, and accessories Precision Ice and Snow
Heki Scenic Products: MIG Productions: Products (Krycell):
www.heki-kittler.de www.migproductions.com www.precisioniceandsnow.com
Buildings, scenery, railway Pigments, washes, paints, Scenic finishing products
and accessories tools and figures and water effects

96 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

 ‘Bloody Peleliu’
Built by: Johan
Augustsson,
Airfix Model World
– September
2013 issue.

‘Pocket-sized Scout’
Built by: Toni
Canfora, Airfix Model
World – March 2017
issue.

www.airfixmodelworld.com
On the shelf

RB Toolz’ Leaf Makers: ROPOS Models: Stalingrad Figures: Woodland Scenics:

www.rptoolz.com www.roposmodels.cz www.stalingrad.diorama.ru www.woodlandscenics.com
Tools Kits, figures, bases, decals Figures and busts Buildings, kits, scenery,
and accessories tools, decals, adhesives
Reality in Scale: Sylmasta: www.sylmasta.com
and accessories
www.realityinscale.com Royal Model: Fillers, tools and
Buildings, bases, figures www.royalmodel.eu casting materials Yenmodels: www.yenmodels.be
and accessories Kits, figures, busts, bases Laser-cut wooden kits
Tamiya: www.hobbyco.net and accessories
and accessories
Kits, figures, paints, textured
finishes and accessories
Tasma Products:
www.tasmaproducts.com
Foliage, scenic accessories
and buildings
Toro Model:
www.toro-model.com.pl
Red Zebra: Kits, conversions, figures
www.redzebramodels.co.uk Rubicon Models: and accessories
Accessories and animals www.rubiconmodels.com
Vallejo Paints: Zvezda: www.hobbyco.net
Kits, decals and figures Kits, figures
www.creativemodels.co.uk
Paints, textured finishes,
accessories and water effects
Vantage Modelling Solutions:
www.vms-supplies.com
Pigments, textured
finishes and adhesives
Winsor & Newton:
ResiCAST: www.resicast.com www.winsornewton.com
Kits, bases and accessories Oil paints and brushes

‘Washing Away The War’

Built by: Johan Augustsson,
Airfix Model World – September
2012 issue.

98 Scale Modelling Dioramas www.airfixmodelworld.com

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE WITH HINTS, TIPS AND TECHNIQUES
Welcome to the re-printed
Scale Modelling – Step-by-Step …
whether you are a total novice,
returning to the hobby after a long
lay-off, or an experienced modeller.

While flexibility and experimentation

form a large part of building scale
models, there are some standards
that are set in stone and many
construction, painting and airbrushing
methods are featured here. Primarily,
though, this instructional 100-page
publication is aimed at beginners
who, if they choose to stick with
it, will have entered a fascinating
and fun arena in which to develop
their creativity. On these pages we
also endeavour to welcome lapsed
modellers back to the fold and to
help update their skills. Enjoy, and get
building!
and much more!

Subsc
riber
call fo s
your £ r
1.
discou 00
nt!

ORDER DIRECT
*Free 2nd class P&P on all

PLUS FREE P&P * UK & BFPO orders. Overseas

charges apply.

078/18

Free P&P* when you order online at Call UK: 01780 480404
www.keypublishing.com/shop OR Overseas: +44 1780 480404
Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm