Brécourt Manor

[Jack L]

Finally some actual modelling.

Have made a start on the base, and the MG42 (to see how much space I need). Swapped out the assistant gunner's binoculars for a water bottle. This isn't going to depict them under attack, so having the other chap prone, feeding the ammo wasn't going to work. Given it all a thick coat of Mod Podge to seal the polystyrene a bit, and once dry will start refining the shape and building up the texture.

[tr1ckey66]

Good start Jack. I don’t want to teach you how to suck eggs but, if it were me, I’d rough out everything first. Plan where all the elements will be and build everything up together. It looks like you’ve got the major pieces ready and you’ve got the MG nest sited. Is the next step siting the 105?

Also, nice work on the barn! Give your dad some slack though he’s older than you! Lol

Cheers
P

[Jack L]

Good start Jack. I don’t want to teach you how to suck eggs but, if it were me, I’d rough out everything first. Plan where all the elements will be and build everything up together. It looks like you’ve got the major pieces ready and you’ve got the MG nest sited. Is the next step siting the 105?

Also, nice work on the barn! Give your dad some slack though he’s older than you! Lol

Cheers
P

All advice welcome Paul...I'm pretty new to dioramas, so no eggs involved yet! I had a plan in my mind and some sketches of the layout, just not been sure of the dimensions of say an MG, and a couple of crew, and therefore how much space I needed for the nest. Now I have the start of the base, I have a better picture of what foliage I need and where to position the figures and extras, so hopefully will take off now.

He's going strong for 66!! 7 days a week...08:30 - 15:00...thought he might at least let us have weekends!

[rtfoe]

Don't worry Jack, with dioramas even the best laid out plans will need final adjustments but at least with the base now some sort of scale and distances to each item can be rearranged.

I try to stick to plans but new things and ideas keep changing as I go. I guess thats why some people rush through their builds to avoid such things. :smiling2:

Cheers,
Richard

[Steve Jones]

Nice start on the dio. As Richard says dios are organic but as long as your have the right foundation in place you cant go far wrong. Nice work on the machine gun crew

[Jack L]

Very slowly starting to get some detail in. Doesn't look great at the moment, but it will all be blended in with earth and grass. Combination of 'wicker' and 'corrugated' retaining walls. Hopefully once painted the wicker looks convincing. Lots to do yet.

[JR]

Nice progress Jack.

[Guest]

Coming along nicely Jack.

[tr1ckey66]

Looking good Jack. I always enjoy this part of a diorama. Things happen fast and start to take shape.
Have fun
Cheers
Paul

[spanner570]

Excellent start, Jack.
Plenty of room for manoeuvre....

Ron

[Alun Wells]

Just found this one, will keep a beady eye on it, good luck, looks good so far, and some nice details.
Cheers
Alun
PS had hell of a fortnight, 17 shouts in 14 days. Not much bench time.

[Jack L]

Thanks for all the support! Thanks Alun, if your profile picture is anything to go by, I guess that's not a good thing!!

Spent a few hours sculpting sandbags with the rugby on in the background. Also done some ground work and some pointing around the floorboards. Starting to look better.


I am after ideas now...This is going to be a radio/command trench, as per the pics below. Now do I fix the roof (only loosely dry-fitted in the pic), add the earth on top and then prime the whole lot, probably struggling to paint the inside, or do I roughly paint the inside while it's open, then mask, add the roof and blend the earth into the surroundings and paint/landscape the rest? I'm not convinced having it removable will work.

[Si Benson]

Completely missed this up till now!!
great idea for a dio....coming along nicely

[minitnkr]

Unless you pile on the grass & bushes the seams of a removable top are hard to hide. A fixed roof would necessitate painting interior first. This is what I've found anyway. PaulE

[Steve Jones]

Nice update Jack. Know nothing of dios but all seems to be heading in the right direction