Kwajalein Atoll..February 1944 - An additional build bit!

[aaron]

Very nice Ron and i like the pics on how its done...gold. Like others have said i too like the weathering on the concrete.

[spanner570]

Thanks chaps, I'm glad it passes muster...

I've just completed the next stage...I'm trying to get that just bombarded look. and adding a bit of detail when ideas came along.

The picket fence is thin slivers of coffee stirrer and the fence posts, cocktail sticks. The other bits are from my spares box...

I've been staring at the thing for a few days now as something was niggling me. It came to me this morning...Sand! I reasoned the bombardment would have churned up the sand and part covered any soil.

I forgot these Atolls are mostly sand, so I needed to get me some. I have some building sand, but this is far to red. Then I had a eurica moment as I wandered around the garden. I spotted some pieces of buff coloured stone amongst the gravel path, so I brought some into the garage and pounded them with a hammer. Perfect!

I then 'borrowed' a small spray from her, filled it with very watered down PVA, sprayed the base and then literally chucked the 'sand' onto everything. Then using an old paint brush, removed the stuff where it hadn't stuck.

The first picture was just a play around with stuff.

I've included the finished destroyed MG pit as well. The fence needs a bit more wrecking, but I'll sit back and have a fresh look later......

Here is the result so far.....Can anyone spot the mistake, which I've only just spotted?......Bl***y photos!

Reclining chair at Andy's build for the winner!!

[ATTACH]69533.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69534.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69535.IPB[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH]69536.IPB[/ATTACH]


Thanks for looking,

Ron

[Guest]

Hmm is it - handle on box in second photo is defying gravity?

This is looking great, by the way. Can't decide if this diorama (and a couple of others I've seen here) will inspire me to try one for myself one day, or just intimidate me into sticking with new tool single-seat fighters and nothing else...!

[Guest]

top drawer Ron looovelly bit of work so far mate.

scott

[spanner570]

Hmm is it - handle on box in second photo is defying gravity?

Top man Alasdair, correct. In fact the whole box is upside down....Who's a numpty then.

Reclining chair in the post and thanks for the comments.

Ron

[spanner570]

Thanks Scott, always good to read your input...

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

Mmmmm!!!

Lovely one Ron!!

Polux

[Guest]

Looking fantastic as usual Ron, keep up the excellent work.

Andy

[Andy2035]

Hi Ron,

I am soooo sorry for my lateness, yet again, you have surpassed yourself and created such a marvellous capture of time in 3D view...

Also, thank you for sharing some of your hints and tips with us, which, one of these days I will finally get round to using...

Andy...

[spanner570]

Thanks for the posts chaps, bit late but thanks anyway!

I've turned my attention to the figures. These are Dragon 1/35 U.S marines.......What a ball ache!

16 pieces for one figure, and that's just for the body, never mind the helmet and equipment....It's just crazy, totally unnecessary and just plain gimmicky, even the head is split in two! There are so many seams to fill, the figure looks like a patchwork quilt....Even when stuck together, the stance is not too clever.

Very disappointing, and I certainly won't be buying any more 1/35 Dragon figures.

By comparison, I have a set of Master Box U.S Marines and each 'body' is made up of just 6 pieces, superb fit first time and cracking all round figures.......and far less money than Dragon.

I doubt if I'll use the Dragon figures in the diorama, but revert to my favourite Master Box ones.....

I need a holiday!!

Cheers,

Ron

[Guest]

you could always use the body parts in the dio as blown up marines or limbs siticking out from under parts of the building

[eddiesolo]

Looking really good Ron, very nice attention to detail sir.

Si

[Guest]

Impressive work Ron.

Reallt like it.

Francesco

[Guest]

I tried dragon figures once... My opinion is they have so many parts, and give you so much to do to create one figure to make it seem like its worth spending the extra on them ... Realistically they're cheap quality (moulding and material) and lacking in detail in my opinion.

[spanner570]

Thanks for the input and suggestions boys....

I've just counted up the pieces for each make of complete 1/35 figure - weapon and all. Same gear.

Dragon...24

Master Box....13