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Modeller Build Logs
Firefly IC Diorama |
| By James Wechsler | | Started: | Jul 15, 2007 | | Updated: | Aug 31, 2007 |
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This blog is intended to be a bit different than most in that a big focus will be on the diorama aspects. The focal point will be a Firefly IC (a welded hull M4 based Firefly). This will be built using the new Dragon Sherman III kit and the following Formations sets:
F079 M4 Conversion for the Dragon Sherman III
F022 Low Bustle Firefly Turrret
F018 Sherman Pioneer Tools
F050 Sherman Headlights
F046 Sherman Siren Assortment
F047 Sherman VVSS Track Skids
F013 US Cables and Clamps
The diorama is going to show the Firefly driving over a temporary bridge with a wrecked Panzer I command tank partly submerged in the river below.
I intend to include a number of chapters on making the ground work and also on how to make the water.
Up next: The M4 Conversion |
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| Starting the Diorama | Jul 29, 2007 |
I really debated about including a photo in this chapter. The reason is that to begin a diorama, the first thing needed is imagination. Fortunately, between the lingering effects of college, two daughters, and the stress of employment, my mind is a vacuum just waiting for some thought to enter it. And that’s how I get most of my ideas for dioramas and settings.
So what’s the plan for this one? Well, my first thought was that even though I’m happy with the results of the Firefly build, it’s not terribly unique in my rather large stable of Sherman builds. I wanted a way to differentiate it.
With that thought in mind, I couldn’t help but notice that the Firefly is basically green, so to add variety I needed something that would be in a different color. In most cases there is a simple option, cities. But, I’d also built a Firefly IC Hybrid, also in green, and put it in city setting. So cities were out. But what else?
Water!
Nothing is more eye catching than water. Plus, it’s glossy so it immediately distinguishes itself from the flat colors of the land and the tank. Considering where this Firefly was operating, a river scene seemed like a good choice. So how about the tank driving over a bridge spanning a small river? Great idea! But wait, I did that with my Polish Sherman. Problems.
Then I got an idea. What if I had a knocked out German vehicle in the river? Oh wait, I had a Kumbelwagen partially submerged along a river bank in the setting for my Sherman Jumbo.
And then it hit me. What if I could have an almost completely submerged German vehicle in a river of nearly clear water so you could actually see into it? Wow! I haven’t done that yet. To be honest, it one of the toughest things to do with water and that’s why I hadn’t tried it. But I figured that I’d done some partially submerged work in my USMC beach landing diorama so why not give it a shot?
And to be even more dramatic, I decided to have the Firefly driving right over it on a temporary bridge. Sort of a symbolic image of the allied victory. Now that is a plan!
For the temporary bridge I chose to use a Treadway bridge. This might not be completely accurate since I’m not sure if the Commonwealth forces used this type of bridge (I think it was mainly US). The submerged vehicle is going to be a Panzer I command tank. This may also not be completely accurate since most of these were retired some time earlier than 1945. But I read that as the allies moved deep into Germany they encountered all kinds of strange vehicles that were still in use at training schools and local garrisons. So I took a gamble on this tank. If I’m wrong on the bridge and/or the tank, please forgive my historical mistakes.
Up next: The Base – Initial Construction |
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