Completed Latest diorama "Ambush on the Spree"...

[dancap3286]

Here is my latest dio about 99% done. I posted some in progs about 3 weeks ago so here is the finished product. It's a group of Soviet motor rifles riding a IS-2m when they are ambushed from behind a broken down VW. Some of the troops are surprised along with the tank crew and some are not sure what is going on hence not able to react. Figs are a mish mosh from Tamiya, Verlinden, Dragon, Mig, Dougs original, Tank, Hornet, Wolf, Warriors and Evolution (WHEW!!!) Almost all have hornet heads and some other mods of some kind. The IS-2m is the Tamiya kit with a bunch of aftermarket, the VW is pretty straight outta the box, CMK kit if I remember and the bank is a modified Dioramas Plus offering. I'm not really happy with the pics but I'm really not to keen on messing with them any more (hate f'ing photography). All painting and finishing is done with Vallejo Acrylics and MIG pigments.

 

[ChaosCossack]

WOW... Now THAT'S a diorama!!!! I don't even want to know how many hours went into this but what ever it was, it was time well spent.

Just awesome:awesome:... did I mention WOW!!!?

Colin

 

[sam b]

Dan THIS IS THE NUTS !!!!!
You've got everything going on ...... the panic on the tank as it gets contact ...... the ss laying down fire ........ even the Volkssturm waiting to take the money shot .....
and all painted brilliantly nice 1 mate love it .

Sam Brayne

 

[Tecumsea]

This is awesome, I just wouldn't have the patience to create something like this even if I had the imagination-fabulous piece of work with superb detail.
Thanks for sharing,

Keith

 

[housecarl]

Stunning as ever Dan
Carl.

 

[Babelfish]

Your work is always wonderful to behold Dan, and this latest masterpiece is no exception. It's one to grace any show table.

I do armour myself also, but like Keith I doubt I'd have the patience to stick at something as large-scale and ambitious as that.

- Steve

 

[Martin Antonenko]

Speechless...

 

[Hans]

A completely stunning work. The paintjob is marvellous and the composition of the figures are very convincing.
There are some details on the buildings which makes the scenery a little bit hollywoodish: Berlin's Streetsigns were and are white with black lettering, the inscription LSK (Luftschutzkeller = air raid shelter/cellar) was for the rescue work and would have never been placed on a glass window, the amount of swastikas is overwhelming, the Stadtbank never used Eagles/Swastikas, the "Es lebe der Führer" was highly uncommon. It all looks like as as Nazi city has to look like, but that's a little bit overdone.

H

 

[Dan Morton]

You do the best "It's all happening!" dioramas I've ever seen and have done for years. This one is no exception.

All the best,
Dan

 

[osceola]

Amazing!! without words: Thumb:

 

[Dr Force]

Incredible, an absolutely superb demonstration in modelling perfection!!

 

[bed172]

Wow! What can I say that hasn't already been said. That's fantastic. I would love to see it in person.

 

[Babelfish]

A completely stunning work. The paintjob is marvellous and the composition of the figures are very convincing.
There are some details on the buildings which makes the scenery a little bit hollywoodish: Berlin's Streetsigns were and are white with black lettering, the inscription LSK (Luftschutzkeller = air raid shelter/cellar) was for the rescue work and would have never been placed on a glass window, the amount of swastikas is overwhelming, the Stadtbank never used Eagles/Swastikas, the "Es lebe der Führer" was highly uncommon. It all looks like as as Nazi city has to look like, but that's a little bit overdone.

Valid comments Hans but this is a common thing in out hobby - when we create a diorama, a vignette or a stand-alone figure, we are essentially trying to reproduce a snapshot of history at the "micro" level. A 'snapshot' of one moment and of one very narrowly delimited location (in this case a street in the Nazi capital Berlin in April/May 1945). And I think that "exaggerating" (or to use your term "Hollywoodize") things a bit can sometimes help to place our work in a more precise historical and geographical context for the viewer. Whether it's with a few extra swastikas as in this example, a treasure chest (for a pirate), a cactus and a bleached animal skull (for a cowboy) or whatever.

- Steve

 

[Steve Ski]

Yep, that detail has become unmistakably recognizable,.....tongue twister there. Beauty Dan, simply a beauty. I'd be ramblin repeating all that was already said, but it sure does look pretty sweet.


Cheers, Ski.

P.S. Ok Guys, don't let Hans get ya fluffed. He's always a critique, but never produces "anything" that I've seen. Hollywood is his favorite location on the globe, he can have it. Just an observation.

 

[Dr Force]

Valid comments Hans but this is a common thing in out hobby - when we create a diorama, a vignette or a stand-alone figure, we are essentially trying to reproduce a snapshot of history at the "micro" level. A 'snapshot' of one moment and of one very narrowly delimited location (in this case a street in the Nazi capital Berlin in April/May 1945). And I think that "exaggerating" (or to use your term "Hollywoodize") things a bit can sometimes help to place our work in a more precise historical and geographical context for the viewer. Whether it's with a few extra swastikas as in this example, a treasure chest (for a pirate), a cactus and a bleached animal skull (for a cowboy) or whatever.

- Steve

Steve I think you make excellent points in this post. There is a time where you simply have to over look the historical inaccuracies and just admire the skill on show. All Diorama's are to some extent not historically correct, even if the modeller has photo's, it's still requires the viewer to imagine the next move, the discussions, the atmosphere, the noises etc, the list goes on.

I was so enjoying the scene and all the side stories that I paid no attention to the things Hans has pointed out ( fantastic historical knowledge though Hans)

Enjoy it, this is a masterpiece for me

 

[Martin Vlcek]

WOW FANTASTIC

 

[Showlen]

UTTERLY AMAZING!!

 

[dancap3286]

Yep, that detail has become unmistakably recognizable,.....tongue twister there. Beauty Dan, simply a beauty. I'd be ramblin repeating all that was already said, but it sure does look pretty sweet.


Cheers, Ski.

P.S. Ok Guys, don't let Hans get ya fluffed. He's always a critique, but never produces "anything" that I've seen. Hollywood is his favorite location on the globe, he can have it. Just an observation.

It's all cool gents. I have no issues with Hans' observations but I do believe that diorama construction and finishing is the best form of self expression in this hobby so I incorporate a lot of personal touches in my scenes. Yes, they may not be historically accurate (I know this in advance) but it all has to do with how I want to convey my story and the look of my project. I always said that if I had to be paralyzed by adhering to stringent historical accuracies I'd never build anything so I guess I'm like the Spielberg of diorama making, some truth, some historical accuracy and some Hollywood. If so, then so be it. I'm just glad if people enjoy viewing my work and for the fellows that are stringent regarding historical accuracy thats cool too.

 

[pmfs]

Superb details in a dramatic scene Dan.
I think the Germans will inflict heavy damages in the outnumbered Russian patrol...
Well done!!!!

ps: wich mix (greys) did you used to paint the building?
Thanks in advance.

 

[DaveG]

Amazing work! So many great figures in a truly impressive setting.