Right then. Unexpected guests and the usual domestic chores have stalled me as usual. Anyway, an update since the last post. To help me with the actual diorama, I like to create a scenario to model and this one is that the tank is part of a clearance patrol in Normandy tasked with supporting infantry with clearing defence lines. This particular bunker is an MG position dug into the hill and as the roof is accessible from the high ground, a mortar team have set up on the roof. The tank, having driven up the road past the hedgerow has now got sight of the troublesome bunker and has slewed off the road to take it out. There's been a few rounds put down from the main gun which have smashed up the top of the bunker and toppled the mortar and the crew have done a runner what with the tank being too close for the mortar to be effective, leaving the occupants of the bunker to fend for themselves - not an uncommon occurrence where flame-throwers were concerned.
As you can see I have now got the base done as far as putting the wood around the edges and effectively sealing the whole thing in and have been slowly working on the ground from the road to the bunker. The ground was roughly built up of packing foam covered with newspaper and PVA glue and on top is a mixture of plaster of paris, water, retardant/adhesive and paint slopped on and roughly moulded to the form I wanted. The barbed wire fence was made from cocktail sticks and strands of net curtain, painted steel grey and twisted in between each fence post and is effective enough for me. Up the right hand side will be the hedgerow made from some stuff I bought at Huddersfield - a sort of hair braid that you pull a bit from, spray it black or brown to give it some rigidity then blast it with hairspray and sprinkle the foliage on, then set it with a squirt of PVA diluted with water. Pretty effective and definitely a good buy! Photos of progress so far then...
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