Diorama Construction - Opel Blitz/flak38

[razorboy]

Thought I'd do a walkthrough on how I build my dioramas for you guys. Hopefully we will all learn something new. With every new project I always seem to gain some degree of "Education".
Let's start with the figures, I will be using these by Cyber Hobby-Dragon. I will not be using the Kubelwagen in this dio., got plans for it elsewhere:

I always "pin" my figures, drill a hole in a heel, butt or knee, (I know it looks painful but he is a Deutsche Soldat, he won't complain) then crazy-glue in a piece of brass rod to use for attachment to the diorama base, this brass pin also facilitates painting by providing my hemostat with something to grab on to .

The crew have all been "pinned":

Rough placement of crew around and on the Blitz prior to pinning. Trying to get a "feel for where everyone belongs".

You won't see the crew again until it's almost done. I wouldn't have shown them at all if their appearance wasn't necessary to explain the layout-planning / "pinning" phases of the operation.
The Diorama Base prep is next on the agenda.

Please feel free to ask any questions.
razorboy

[Lemm]

Cant wait for the next installment....so far I like what I see.

[Whiterook]

Awesome rb! Thank you for this thread. I have never done a diorama, other than model railroading scenery, so this is a welcome tutorial!

[razorboy]

Base preperation:
I usually stain my selected base if it's wood and always, I mean always use a High-Grade Polyurethane afterwards to seal the entire base. That means top, sides and bottom. I want that bad-boy air-tight!
Fail to completely seal it and if you use celluclay or any other water based medium, it will warp!(No it's not warped you jokers, that's the camera angle)

Next I use masking tape to cover the sides, run it right up to the base top surface, then smooth it down, insuring a good adherence.

This is what the base should look lik once it's been stained, sealed and taped.


The ground-work plan as well as design and construction of any structures to be added to the diorama is the next step.
razorboy

[Whiterook]

Interesting technique...makes sense. How thick a coat of poly do you put on? I have an award plaque that I was going to use as a base for a dio...it's polyurethaned of course, and I was thinking it was enough.

[razorboy]

Originally Posted by Whiterook

Interesting technique...makes sense. How thick a coat of poly do you put on? I have an award plaque that I was going to use as a base for a dio...it's polyurethaned of course, and I was thinking it was enough.

I've always felt better using 2 heavy coats, allowing at least 24 hours between coats. Don't "Goop" it on or you'll end up with runs down the edges and it'll slow down your drying time. Just cover it liberally as if you were trying to cover somehing with a single coat of house paint.
Emery, you'll have to determine wether your award plaque is coated enough. I'd say when in doubt, put on another coat. I'll bet it's not been coated on the bottom, most presentation plaques aren't. If you are using celluclay or any waterbased medium for groundwork, remember - seal the whole thing or it will warp.

rb

[Geek44]

Thanks Dave...I haven't built a dio since I had zits. Now I have grey hairs. I'm learning already.

[Aussie Dave]

Looking good so far Dave.

(Sorry, I couldn't help myself. - lol)

Cheers,
Dave

[Jim O]

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOO..............


I was thinking along those lines but couldn't find exactly the right words to say it.

[McCoy]

ROFL! That was along my thoughts...

This diorama build will be nice to follow.