I GOT'CHA FELLA!...Iwo Jima 1945 diorama.

[spanner570]

I have forgotten the bucket!!

This is the conclusion of 'The cave' my latest stage build. I have tried to get some of the feeling of being on Iwo Jima during Feb/ March 1945 when the U.S. Marines invaded the Island and took on the fanatical Japanese defenders.

It was a difficult project simply because I had never done 'jungle' before and all I started with was a cave, but as the build progressed so the ideas came.

I hope you approve of this diorama. I am very happy with the result and if it has been of some help to future dioramees then it's a double wammy....... it's been a toughy!

With your indulgence, I would like to add some more pictures tomorrow.

Ron

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[yak face]

Excellent stuff ron mate, you get the impression that the japanese are going to jump out any minute, Although when i first saw pic 1 i thought the bloke on his back was a banzai japanese soldier,attacking him!!!! it wasnt till i saw pic 4 i realised hes carrying the poor bugger. As for the bucket, I like to think the bloke in pic 7 is shouting to someone in the cave " put down that bucket and come out with your hands up!" cheers tony

[Guest]

Ahh, it was something a bit bigger than a flamethrower lol. It certainly comes to life with the figures Ron. Again, a very nice story told.

[spanner570]

I thought I might as well add some more pictures now before I mix my Horlicks! Also a bit of bumph about the Sherman.

You might be wondering why is there timber fastened to the sides and front of the tank? This was done in the main, as a bit of protection from Japanese anti tank mines. The sand bags were made from kids modelling clay and I have distressed them to look a bit 'war weary' with indents and holes. Also the turret hatch is open, this was done for two reasons. Quick access to the 50 cal and also to dissipate the intense heat from inside the tank due to the very high outside temp.

There is also an absence of weapon slings on some guns. When I was doing a bit of reading on the Marines I read that some units removed the slings as they kept getting snagged in the vegetation.....which made my job a lot easier!

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[Gern]

Tut tut Ron! Even though this is a totally brilliant piece of work, that doesn't mean you can get away without the bucket!

Gern

[Guest]

Fantastic work

[stona]

Great diorama and an education too. I like the idea of a few lumps of wood as applique armour amd it looks great. Also interesting to discover that they dispensed with the slings for their rifles,I remember seeing film of some British soldiers moving down a road in Iraq using a dangling sling to "feel" for trip wires. I don't suppose those Americans had time for such subtelty.

The diorama brought to mind that old Hollies song,"he ain't heavy,he's my brother".

Will we have an update c/w bucket?

Cheers

Steve

[spanner570]

I appreciate your kind words boys, thanks..........I knew I wouldn't get away with a one line, feeble excuse re. the bucket so I will take a couple of extra shots to include the wayward item.

As 'Chairperson' it is my duty to right a terrible wrong!

Your humble servant,

[Guest]

I'm still in shock regarding the absence of the bucket! Never thought I'd see the day.... But on on brighter note, this is a fantastic dio Ron, chock full of stuff to see & with a real sense of action & drama. Is there a similar scene in Flags of our Fathers? I haven't seen it but this really put me in mind of films like that, almost like stills from a WW2 pacific islands film. You're still the master!

Patrick

[spanner570]

I'm still in shock regarding the absence of the bucket! Never thought I'd see the day.... But on on brighter note, this is a fantastic dio Ron, chock full of stuff to see & with a real sense of action & drama. Is there a similar scene in Flags of our Fathers? I haven't seen it but this really put me in mind of films like that, almost like stills from a WW2 pacific islands film. You're still the master!Patrick

Thanks, glad you like it Patrick.

The Master? Steady on!..... I have observed that people who are given that 'badge' end up being vane and conceited. Like experts, I don't believe there are such people, simply because we are always learning new stuff 'till the day we go to the big model shop in the sky. Then we will all be given a 1/24 Lancaster Bomber kit as a welcoming gift. Except Masters and experts. they will not be given any glue!!!

My dad always told me " Keep it simple, don't complicate things with long winded methods, don't fiddle and always jump in feet first !"

This I do, but sometimes I forget the lifejacket.....

Bucket to follow shortly!

( but thanks anyway)

Ron

[spanner570]

Here is the bucket as promised....sorry it was omitted at the start but in the words of Cpl. R. Suppards jnr. " We was kinda too busy to try and find one, mac !"

I hope this little offering allows me back into the ranks......

Ron

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[Gern]

"Except Masters and experts. they will not be given any glue!!!"

Is this a bit like the PC that St Peter has reserved for Bill Gates? The one with only three buttons - Ctrl; Alt & Delete!

Gern

[spanner570]

Nice one Gern, I couldn't think of anything more apt for the poor chap!

[yak face]

Aha! the bucket appears, well done , give that man a coconut! (i KNEW it was in the cave all along!)

[Guest]

Very nice Dio as usual Ron , love the camo on the marines helmets,

But we need a bucket - as the boss of the bucket gang you are setting a very bad example to us new bucket members , on a serious the dio looks great mate , what have you got planned for your next dio ?

Richy