1:50 Scale DHL Truck Accident - Snow Diorama

[tiking]

Yep, its's another 1:50 job in the works. Rikard Algotsson has Commission me, to build another 1:50 scale diorama. This time a snow diorama. Now this is my first snow diorama has I have never felt comfortable about doing one due to the lack of knowledge. I've always added or tried to mimic melted ice on the roads, in certain areas. You can see them in a few photos. I also put blown snow on the signs and road guard post to simulate blown snow. The effect is pretty cool and authentic. I also added some skid marks in the snow that as been covered by fresh snow in some areas. So far I am proud of this diorama. Hope Rikard is too. I'm done.

[Tim Marlow]

That’s excellent Charles. If he doesn’t like it, I’ll have it :tongue-out3:

[Airborne01]

As we say in Barnsleigh - Incroyable mon ami!
Stefan

[Jim R]

That's superb.
Jim

[minitnkr]

Great job.

[Roadie]

This is awesome, having spent nearly fifty years, driving trucks around the UK & Europe everything you have done is so life like, well done.

[Allen Dewire]

This is very nice work Charles and realistic too. BTW, whose models are you using for your 1/50 dios? Are they kits or do they come assembled and you just weather them up?

Prost
Allen

[Ian M]

That it excellent Charles. Made me feel cold just looking at it.

Charles, I saw a video on YouTube from the IPMS Stockholm show. Several of your dioramas were in it. How did you do in the contest/show?

[outrunner]

Very realistic dio, someones delivery will be late.

Andy.

[JR]

The position of the truck and trailer are perfect , reminds me of VN24 news channel on UTube who shows accidents in Germany. Photos superb as usual .
What make of snow did you use ? Charles .

[papa 695]

Cracking work Charles.

[Gern]

You should be in Hollywood. Your background scenes would be much cheaper and better than CGI!

[tiking]

This is very nice work Charles and realistic too. BTW, whose models are you using for your 1/50 dios? Are they kits or do they come assembled and you just weather them up?

Prost
Allen

Hi Allen. They are all die-cast models. Pre-build. This particular one had been broken with lots of pieces missing. The client wanted me to do something so he did not have to throw it away. So he decided he wanted it in a diorama to hide the areas that had the missing parts. I scratch built some parts that would be visible but that was the main reason for the diorama.

[tiking]

Appreciate all the wonderful and positive support everyone.. Thank you all.

[tiking]

The position of the truck and trailer are perfect , reminds me of VN24 news channel on UTube who shows accidents in Germany. Photos superb as usual .
What make of snow did you use ? Charles .

Thank you kindly. I did a lot of research, as always, when I build something. Downloaded many photos for inspiration. As for the snow, this is what I did:

Materials:
1-. Cotton (I used the ones that come in a wider form. Not the buds. Although it would work but you can get thicker layers in a package for little or less. The idea of using cotton was an idea I got from another modeler)
2. PVA (any good grade PVA will do)
3. Johnson Baby Powder ( that's the one I used. I am thinking the better the brand, the better the results. Although, I don't really think its necessary.)
4. Woodlands Scenics Soft Snowflakes
5. A good hairspray( I used one with 'stronghold')

Methods:
1. I laid out cotton as the base first (The idea of using cotton might sound strange but really I like the idea. As this method is simple. The cotton is already white and easier to mold as you apply it with the next step. Also it makes a nice under structure for the other effects you will finally put on top of it.
2. Then I take a mixture of water and PVA glue( I have no ratio figures. Just mix until it is the consistency you like. Just as long as it holds the cotton together. Dab or brush on the glue mix until you flatten out or formed the cotton you will want it)
3. You can either wait until the glue completely dries and put more glue on or do what I do in the next step.
4. I did not wait until the glue dried. I took the Woodlands Scenics soft snowflake and using a sieve, I sprinkled the contents unto the area you want your snow. The material will hopefully be soaked up by the glue as it dries.
5. I then sprayed the area with a hairspray, holding the can from high above, about 50cm or 60cm. This way, you don't blow any snowflakes. (This process can be done after everything dries. But just being me, I sprayed on it before it had time to dry. you can also spray another coat after the drying time.
6. This next step I used mostly for the vehicles. A. Spray a coat of hair spray over the area of the vehicles you want the snow.
7. Then take a sieve, again,and sprinkle baby powder over the area you just sprayed the baby powder. I used baby powder instead of the Woodlands Scenics snow, because it is much finer than then the woodlands Scenics and looks much better.
8 Then from a distance, spray more short burst of baby powder over the area again to kind of seal in the powder. It is better to do this in layers.
9. You can also sprinkle baby powder over the Woodlands Scenics snow, after the whole thing as dried, just to give that extra finer powder look of snow then seal everything with hair spray.
10. As for the little small clumps here and there on the road was done by taken small stands of cotton strands and pulling them gently so it gives that small patch ice/snow look. I am still experimenting but so far the effect looks good.
11. The small snow blown patches on the road signs were done using a mixture of PVA glue, white acrylic paint and a little baking soda. I just took a small old brush and dry-brush small minute clumps on the post and signs. Do this until you are satisfied.

That's it. Hope it helps.