So, once Vietnam is finished I have decided to try a WW2 diorama.
Any thoughts?
A winter scene?
What about Arnhem? - 80th anniversary next month.
If you need some figures let me know and I'll see what I have in collection.
Quote from: cph64 on August 31, 2024, 06:05:56 PMIf you need some figures let me know and I'll see what I have in collection.
Thanks Chris.
Another masterpiece awaits.....
Kevin
So this will be the 1/72 Italeri - "Pegasus Bridge Airborne Assault!.
This comes complete with:
A Sarrissa Precision Mdf laser cut model of the bridge
German antitank guns(2)
German Infantry
Opel Blitz
Kubelwagen
British Paratroops
Battlefield accessories
My intention is to build this into a diorama and add a Horsa Glider as well.
I am thinking through the mounting of the bridge and how to build this on small 30cm x 30cm (1ft x 1ft) boards for storage, the bridge may have to be on a 60cm x 30cm board (2ft x 1 ft)
Research has shown the bridge was built out into the canal, the canal was somewhat wider each side of the bridge. Many models I have seen do not seem to show this.
I am not sure whether to use artistic licence and have a slightly narrower canal overall?
I also note that at some stage a German gun boat was sent to investigate, this was disabled using a Piat.
There is still much musing and thinking going on.
I am initially going to build the bridge and go from there.
I can let you have some pictures from the bridge at the museum if you want.
Bob c
Quote from: Bob C on September 01, 2024, 08:34:02 PMI can let you have some pictures from the bridge at the museum if you want.
Bob c
Cheers Bob, that would be useful, I am still wondering whether to add rivet detail!!!!!!!
You MUST just to keep the counters happy
The box describes this as an exact replica of the Orne Bridge - I have my doubts, It is a likeness but not exact.
Having said that it is a nice model when build, barring details like rivets, wooden roadway, gears, windows and the railings are far too thick, but there you are.
It will do for me.
A good start on this one Dave. The bridge is looking good.
I'll send them in an email.
Bob c
Quote from: Bob C on September 02, 2024, 07:30:51 PMI'll send them in an email.
Bob c
Thanks Bob, I have saved them in my ever growing file on the Bridge, I managed to find some good photos online as well.
The rivet detail is being added using droplets of PVA.
Rivets look good. Have you got the correct number - to keep Martin happy.
Quote from: chriswil42 on September 03, 2024, 10:33:52 AMRivets look good. Have you got the correct number - to keep Martin happy.
I am not a
rivet counter!
Research suggest the bridge road bed was wooden planks.
Have a look here
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=filming+the+longest+day&mid=0C24DB9BC9DE6A14AFA10C24DB9BC9DE6A14AFA1&FORM=VIRE
So the road surfaces concrete colour, bridge wooden colour.
Looks great BUT I think the small building on the left of the photo shouod have 8 windows not 6 hohohoho rivet counters to the front ;D ;D ;D ;D
Hi Zak,
Dare I say "Riveting stuff!". It looks great, and don't worry about the rivet counters, as Col.Tony used to say 'TLAR'
(That Looks All Right)
Proceeding at Warp Speed as usual.........
Kevin
This is looking great already. I also was going to mention the TLAR comment. It works for me most builds.
Working on the decking.
The planks have been added and coloured, it is now being dry brushed and still need a few more coats of various shades.
The counterweight painted and being weathered.
Nicely rendered.
First test placement of the bridge.
I have been reading that it may have been camouflaged during WW2?
Which way will you go Zak?
As is, or try to find out the type of camouflage and colours?
Looks good just as it is.
Kevin
Quote from: Bigkev on September 05, 2024, 08:41:34 PMWhich way will you go Zak?
As is, or try to find out the type of camouflage and colours?
Looks good just as it is.
Kevin
I did try to find out, but not much detail on the internet, except to say it may have been green.
I think mine will stay grey at the moment,
Water painted and first layer of Mod Podge (water) added.
The second shows the possible positions of the antitank gun in a Tobruk mounting and the bunker built over the cellar of the demolished Niepceron House(demolished April 1944).
Some research suggest this was a 17ft x 14ft rectangular type accomodation bunker?
The Tobruk housing had a 75mm antitank gun installed. A Tobruk housing is a circular reinforced concrete bunker, Many were used in the Atlantic Wall.
Still trying to find out if there was a sandbagged post on top of the power house building.
Looking very good Dave. Keep up the good work.
Quote from: chriswil42 on September 06, 2024, 02:59:09 PMLooking very good Dave. Keep up the good work.
Yes Boss!!!
Great research - are you positive you arn't a rivet counter - hohoohho
Barriers added and painted.
Lights added but still to be painted - scratch built from rod and stuff.
Photo from Bob shows the lights.
The problem of research on line, is that it is never really obvious what is right and what isn't. The best guess will have to do,
I have a feeling the antitank bunker may have been moved at some stage, but who knows. Present photos show it as 8 sided, but should it be circular?????
Lots and lots of research there Dave.
Lots of rethinking as well.
I have added a second board to move the Antitank gun a little further from the bridge and also to add a trench system along the sides of the canal, with machine gun posts.
How BIG will the final model be ::) ::) ::) ::)
Quote from: MSea on September 08, 2024, 10:37:14 AMHow BIG will the final model be ::) ::) ::) ::)
Well maybe 2ft x 3ft but who knows at this stage!!!!!!!
So a very small finished model then ;) ;) ;)
Mocking up the bunker in card for a start.
Another diorama that's going to grow and grow.
Anti tank gun and the view across the bridge.
This might amuse you all.
Italeri either struggle with English or their proofreaders were on strike!
Have seen worse ;) ;) ;)
Leaves one speechless.
Working on the trench and bunker system.
The model for the next base.
This is the Italeri Airspeed ASA.52 Horsa Mk1
Just trying to decide how to sort the glazing out, as apparently both pilots went through the windscreen, Many of the on line photos show this glider, but they seem to be after the cockpit had been looted, So best imaginings I guess.
Well, this is my efforts so far, I may remove it and try again, tying to imagine both pilots going head first through the perspex screen is quite hard, I also imagine that the underside of the glider would have suffered damage. Some of its parts were laminated balsa ply I believe.
The second picture shows a damaged Horsa, but not at Pegasus Bridge.
Hi Zak,
That looks really effective and realistic.
When all painted up it will look the part.
Kevin
Thanks Kevin.
A bit more done.
Looks great to me - I love damaged things
Looking great Dave, I'm sure I've seen a picture of the gliders at the bridge, will look tomorrow.
Bob c
Quote from: Bob C on September 12, 2024, 09:17:04 PMLooking great Dave, I'm sure I've seen a picture of the gliders at the bridge, will look tomorrow.
Bob c
Yes, so have I but they do not really show it at the time of landing, I think they are later and as I said earlier, some looting and scavenging may have occurred. There are views from the rear.
Excellent broken glazing. Great modelling.
Quote from: chriswil42 on September 13, 2024, 09:39:17 AMExcellent broken glazing. Great modelling.
Could I say "smashing".........
I'm currently reading a book about the Parachute Troops of various countries from their inception called 'Wings of War' and in it it mentions glider pilots going through the windscreen during the Normandy Landings so it looks ike it happened a few times. I wonder if the glider's braking parachute and the glider digging in had anything to do with it?
Quote from: cph64 on September 13, 2024, 03:12:20 PMI'm currently reading a book about the Parachute Troops of various countries from their inception called 'Wings of War' and in it it mentions glider pilots going through the windscreen during the Normandy Landings so it looks ike it happened a few times. I wonder if the glider's braking parachute and the glider digging in had anything to do with it?
I think it may be a combination of things, such as the strength and integrity of the Horsa, plus the loads carried, the landings, braking systems, ability of the pilots under operational conditions.
Perhaps, we often overlook, how brave the men were who piloted these gliders, and expected to fight afterwards. I am sure Dave's diorama will do justice to all involved in the operation.
Underside painted black - one coat so far, the light is deceptive!
Looks grey to me.
That explains why all your builds are grey, lol!!!!
Quote from: cph64 on September 16, 2024, 10:12:40 AMThat explains why all your builds are grey, lol!!!!
Thanks. You may be right.
Looks grey to me as well, or could it be light black.
Bob c
I wonder if Henry Ford had this shade of Black?
I masked it all ready for the other colours, these were duly sprayed and then i removed the masking and half the paint, yes, Tamiya masking tape was used.
More photos when the hairy beast - no not me - a paintbrush has been at work.
Modelling IS good fun.
Quote from: chriswil42 on September 18, 2024, 03:37:13 PMModelling IS good fun.
The use of some choice words added to the enjoyment!
Naughty nautical language always makes a job go well hohohoho
This has been something of a trial.
Aircraft, only biplanes please!
Decals added.
It looks as if a difficult birth is finally paying off.
Time will tell.
Matt varnish applied.
Earth colour on the canal bank.
Looking very nice Dave. The glider looks as if it's straight out of the paint shop. I presume it won't remain that way?
I have just managed to get back to modelling after a month of other stuff and problems.
I am busy adding another small section of canal and a board to put the glider on. It is all getting out of hand as usual.
I'm sure that you will come out on top Zak.
Look forward to seeing it coming together.
Another LARGE masterpiece in the making hohohoho
Yes, as usual it is getting out of hand.
Water added to the next board.
I think I will have to supply some selective compression to the model!
Selective compression - is that a hammer ::) ::) ::) ::)
In your case at least an 8lb lump hammer.
Sandbagging.
Quote from: zak on October 23, 2024, 02:51:32 PMIn your case at least an 8lb lump hammer.
I only use a 14ib lump hammer - hohohohohoh - :o :o :o
Looking good Dave. Another large masterpiece in the making.
You're becoming an expert at the historical dioramas
First board finished and I am losing the will to do any more.
The vehicles have been undercoated so far.
Some figures painted and added, but maybe I need a few more Germans.
Second board.
Third board.
I may be bored too.
Don't lose heart Zak.
You'll probably get a little inspiration from Telford. Call it modelling blues at the moment.
Looks good so far.
Looking very good Dave. Keep going!
I saw a model of Pegasus Bridge at Telford, it was a representation and not accurate, but nice modelling,
The railings on the bridge are better than mine.
Unfortunately I may have been seduced by the more light hearted modelling side.
I am trying to tidy out my room for a restart.
Just need the will and the energy to get on with it.
Board 3, under-structure so far,
Road surface (card) and the basic ground (parcel tape) added to the under-structure. The hole is for the Horsa to sit in.
Polytex applied onto this, now needs to dry for 24 hours.
Another big diorama then?
Quote from: chriswil42 on November 15, 2024, 02:39:24 PMAnother big diorama then?
It seems that way, it will be 2ft x 2ft I hope!
And the rest ::) ::) ::) ::)
Sure it will look good whatever size it ends up.
Quote from: zak on November 15, 2024, 03:00:31 PMQuote from: chriswil42 on November 15, 2024, 02:39:24 PMAnother big diorama then?
It seems that way, it will be 2ft x 2ft I hope!
Sorry, miscalculation 3 ft x 2 ft!
Ground sorted and painted.
Muddy good stuff.
More progress, but it is becoming a chore.
Still in the immortal words of Mastermind - "I've started so I'll finish!"
A bit like the real campaign, you'll get there in end. I've just read about it in the Paratroop book 'Wings of War' and didn't realise the killed, wounded, captured, missing total for the Operation was so high. 70,000 on the Allied side alone!! Definitely A Bridge Too Far.
Wow, that is a 'biggy'. It will certainly grab attention when it appears at the club or at a show.
Nice, painstaking work.
Looking very nice Dave. I'm sure you'll get it over the finishing line.
Static grass being applied.
Excellent work Dave, you certainly like your dioramas.
Bob c