Normandy Bocage diorama

[The Smythe Meister]

Sorry for all the pics. But i am rather happy with how this is going. Final bush placement sorted out. Some of the bushes i made up either i didn't like or they didn't fit the space available. So i've had to yet find 'more' bushes that will fit in with the dio. These are the ones without leaves so should be easy to spot lol.

But all in all the last two pics kind of show the overgrown, shady type of place these brave soldiers had to fight in. I like to think i've in some way captured the essence of it.

Once these are made up then it's the two big trees to do. Still no idea what colour to paint the bark. Brown just seems too boring.

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Indeed you have caught the "essence" of it superbly well!
Top stuff Alan
Andy

[Mark1]

Really nice Alan, I'm expecting to see a bird land on a branch any second.

[GerryW]

Looks great - for the colours of the trunks, I'd suggest taking a walk in the countryside and taking a few pictures of the hedges, you'll get the colours, as the bark doesn't change much over the seasons :thumb2:

[Jim R]

But i am rather happy with how this is going.

And so you should be. You have really captured the Bocage. As Tim says your vehicle will fit well.
Jim

[Dulux]

Alan,
This is coming along nicely.
I’m not sure if there is vegetarian indigenous to the Normandy region but this would be interesting to find out

[AlanG]

Not sure Steven. I've sort of used what i have available naturally around here in the woods and bought in some seafoam for the tree canopies.

[BattleshipBob]

Excellent work Al, you have every right to be happy!!!!

[adt70hk]

Alan

That's looking very, very, very good indeed a great job.

ATB.

Andrew

[AlanG]

Well the second tree (made from heather stems) i am trying to make hasn't really worked out like i'd hoped for. Even though the branches were tightly packed they just didn't hold the foliage scatter right and just looked like leaves stuck to branches rather than floating a little like a true tree canopy. So after a little pruning i have this as a starting basis.



Then i had to sort out my remaining seafoam and remove all those $%^&**# tiny leaves.



And this is some of the 'dross' that was un-usable supplied by War World Scenics (WWS). Some of the long straggly stems are shrivelled up, and must have been nearly dead when preserved. A shame really because most of the other bits were of a decent size and quality (although a lot of small broken bits in the box).

[adt70hk]

Well the second tree (made from heather stems) i am trying to make hasn't really worked out like i'd hoped for. Even though the branches were tightly packed they just didn't hold the foliage scatter right and just looked like leaves stuck to branches rather than floating a little like a true tree canopy. So after a little pruning i have this as a starting basis.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1166505[/ATTACH]

Then i had to sort out my remaining seafoam and remove all those $%^&**# tiny leaves.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1166506[/ATTACH]

And this is some of the 'dross' that was un-usable supplied by War World Scenics (WWS). Some of the long straggly stems are shrivelled up, and must have been nearly dead when preserved. A shame really because most of the other bits were of a decent size and quality (although a lot of small broken bits in the box).

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n1166507[/ATTACH]

That is bad Alan, have you thought about complaining?

[JR]

I would complain Alan, it's quite obvious that those stems well passed treatment .
WWS I'm sure would replace .

[AlanG]

To be honest i haven't Andrew. But i might send them an email to highlight this issue

[PaulinKendal]

This is magnificent, Alan. I've not ever attempted a diorama, but looking at others' efforts I'm aware just how tricky it is to make truly believable vegetation. And I think you've really caught it just right - no mean feat!

Re. the sub-par product from WWS - rather than 'complain', I'd be tempted to send them detailed pics, direct them towards this thread (never hurts to ensure they know potential customers are looking on!) and ask them to comment on the quality - are they happy with it? It may be that it's impossible for them to ensure everything in the pack is tip-top, for instance (unlikely, I know...)

That way you give them every chance to correct the problem, demonstrate excellent customer service, secure the approval of us onlookers, all without anyone getting cross!

I know if it was my business, in those circumstances, I'd instantly send replacements. I've done customer service myself, and unquestionably if you can turn around a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one, that's even better than fully meeting their expectations straight off.

Mad, I know, but true!

[GerryW]

This is magnificent, Alan. I've not ever attempted a diorama, but looking at others' efforts I'm aware just how tricky it is to make truly believable vegetation. And I think you've really caught it just right - no mean feat!

Re. the sub-par product from WWS - rather than 'complain', I'd be tempted to send them detailed pics, direct them towards this thread (never hurts to ensure they know potential customers are looking on!) and ask them to comment on the quality - are they happy with it? It may be that it's impossible for them to ensure everything in the pack is tip-top, for instance (unlikely, I know...)

That way you give them every chance to correct the problem, demonstrate excellent customer service, secure the approval of us onlookers, all without anyone getting cross!

I know if it was my business, in those circumstances, I'd instantly send replacements. I've done customer service myself, and unquestionably if you can turn around a dissatisfied customer into a satisfied one, that's even better than fully meeting their expectations straight off.

Mad, I know, but true!

I can see where you're coming from regarding the poor quality items - but will 'take the company's position' given the quantity of items that they sell, I very much doubt that each bag can be inspected for quality - but fully agree that any company 'worth its salt' would replace the substandard items.

[AlanG]

FINALLY! Finished adding all branches to the two big trees. They are both ready for the painting phase now. Quite chuffed how they've turned out (minus foliage). Think that they should create some great shade on the roadway below when foliage is added. The last of the bushes will be added once the two main trees are glued in place (hence the gaps around those trees).