Normandy Bocage Diorama
Comments
72 21 November 2021, 17:37
TorstenThat's what I call a real challenge, I'm really curious how it will look in the end 👀
21 November 2021, 17:58
Alan GCheers Torsten. Really is a challenge as i have very limited dio building experience. But it could be 'fun' lol
21 November 2021, 18:16
Alan GThey certainly were David. The StuG is just for scale purposes only. It was/is my first ever armour build and was done in fictitious camo colours. It's not going to be part of this build in the long run. I have a few other armour to build for it instead.
28 November 2021, 19:24
Bruce HuxtableReally convincing real estate, Alan. I am curious: how did you make the tank track marks?
28 November 2021, 20:01
Alan GThanks for the kind comment Bruce. The mud is made from real mud. I baked some mud from my garden in the oven for 15 mins to dry it out and kill and bugs. Then mixed with PVA and spread it out. For the tracks it's extra mud added and then i used a 15cm steel ruler end to make divots in it.
28 November 2021, 20:06
Alan GAdded a few flowers (as it's summertime in the Bocage) and i'm in the process of making a gate for the field entrance
6 December 2021, 07:43
Alan GYeah it does David. Hope to start the Tiger I and Sd.Kfz.251 in the new year to go with this dio. I'll hopefully be getting a StuG III Ausf.G, Marder III and Panther Ausf.A to go with it.
22 December 2021, 14:43
Bobby ThumbsLove the trees Alan. That transition from main trunk to the smaller branches are excellent. The smaller branches are really good.
1 January 2022, 07:12
Alan GMany thanks Bobby. The main tree is yet to come and that is terrifying me 🙂
1 January 2022, 11:13
Dirk FriesCheers Alan, your Bocage looks really great. Lot's of spaces to hide in 🙂
6 January 2022, 19:13
Alan GWell David i am just reading a book about the 12.SS.Pz.Div 'Hitlerjugend' in Normandy and it would appear there were StuG III Gs and IV there fighting. So i might have to now build one with the correct camo scheme.
8 January 2022, 18:47
RewopLooking good. A lot of work in it, well done. Look forward to seeing the finished diorama. If it is of any use, sawdust and pva can be good for base and tracks, as more flexible than mud. Does require a few layers though.
8 January 2022, 21:24
Neil PatrickFabulous! The best looking bocage model I've seen for a very long time. In fact probably since I was wandering around in Normandy several years ago. Bravo!
18 January 2022, 22:27
Alan GThanks David. Nearly there now. Just building the gate and awaiting adhesive for the tree foliage.
23 January 2022, 16:04
SpanjaardLooking good. Would you please give more details about vinegar technique?
23 January 2022, 22:43
Alan GFirstly get some white malt/pickling vinegar and steel wool. You need the wool to be clean and not impregnated with cleaning products.
Place the steel wool into a spare pot (yogurt pots are ideal) and put in a measured amount of vinegar. Leave this to do its thing for at least 24 hours.
When ready add the same measured amount of water to the solution. So if you added 10 caps of vinegar then add 10 cap of water.
Use an old paint brush and brush the solution onto your bit of wood.
It should turn the 'new' wood old and grey. It can be sealed with acrylic matt varnish
24 January 2022, 20:17
Hugh CAST.Hello Alan, reproducing the Normandy bocage is a real challenge. I admire your audacity and your courage.
Thank you for these explanations and this didactic post
24 January 2022, 21:51
Alan GThanks Hugh. This is only my second ever diorama so every day is a learning day. My skills aren't good enough to make it truly realistic but i have to admit i am happy with what i have created so far.
24 January 2022, 21:54
Chan LiLooks so real, just add some bugs around the bush would take me straight to Europe.
Besides I have the same hobbbyboss tiger I kit.
29 January 2022, 17:01
Nick ClarkeWill Mr Blue-tac head stay as a comical element? like an unknown soldier perhaps? The dio is looking amazing btw
12 February 2022, 10:10
Alan GThanks for the replies guys.
@Kermits pants. Mr. Blue-tac head will eventually get his 'real' head when painted. I have three more figures to paint to make up this group which are meant to be from 12.SS.Pz.Div
12 February 2022, 10:15
Alan GCheers David and Rui. Not really done figures before. So a good learning curve
12 February 2022, 17:40
Alan GNot worked on this for a while. Had covid and also got promoted in work. So less time at the bench for now. Few days off now so hoping to progress this a little
15 April 2022, 14:36
Alan GAwaiting some Treemendus foliage for my trees and bushes. So i'll have to crack on with the figures again now i've finished the gate and fence
12 June 2022, 20:41
Alan GJust building the Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf D. I am doing it for a group build on Scale-models.co.uk forum but it was going to be for this dio anyway.
2 October 2022, 11:59
Alan GHi Mathias. It was far easier than i thought. I watched Andy's Hobby Store on youtube for guidance. It seems to have dried quite nicely too. Obviously i shall get better with them, the more i use them. But for a first go. I'm liking it.
16 October 2022, 12:59
Album info
Making a generic bocage diorama that i can place my builds of German tanks from around that time period. Most armour builds that will be posed on it shall be from 12.Ss.Pz.Div 'Hitlerjugend'. But others from around that time period shall also be displayed.
