Completed....'The Hole in the Doughnut.' Bastogne. Christmas 1944...Completed

[spanner570]

The American Forces in Bastogne are surrounded and outnumbered by elements of the German Army.

A few Sherman tanks have survived and helped form a very thin perimeter around the town.
This one has found a neat little corner. The crew have thrown some tarps and sheets over their tank to help concealment.......The first snow has fallen, and having flattened a section of fence, the crew wait, grim faced in their tank, their gun facing the direction of the expected attack.

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Rock hard ground....No sinky in!
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The crew couldn't find any barbed wire to block the footpath, so they used some fence wire they found in the shed!.....Me thinks that's a sublime act of wiggling off any potential hook!
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I hope you approve of my attempt at a corner of Bastogne.
The tank might not be accurate for the time, but it's the only one I have. I build just for fun anyway....

Cheers all and thanks for looking.

Ron

[eddiesolo]

How dare you not do a full accurate presentation Ronald-Mcbuilder!

Back to the seriousness...outstanding build and once again the pictures help to tell the story, looks very cold and slightly daunting...almost the quiet before the storm. Another quality build and finish, thanks Ron.

[spanner570]

Thanks Si. Glad you like the finished job. Sorry for the indecent haste, but I'm in a bit of a hurry........Jolly Jays are a'coming on fast!

There is a part build thread - of sorts. Then I truly forgot about the project until this morning, so I hurriedly gathered together the stuff required and hit the thing running. No time for fiddling. The trees, tank sheeting and snow were all done in a couple of hours.......

I'm sure dioramererers would agree, sometimes it's best to lash stuff on, rather than sit, ponder and fart about. This time I guess I got lucky!

Cheers,
Ron

[col68]

Very nice Ron

[grumpa]

Simple, to the point and photographed beautifully.....Great work as usual Ron..........Jim

[Gern]

I wondered what had happened to this. Luck or skill doesn't matter, this is another cracking piece!

[spanner570]

Colin, Jim and Dave. Thanks for your positive comments.
I would like to have spent a bit more time on the model, but needs must - and all that.

[colin m]

It is very good and very moody. I can feel the cold and the tension.

[Guest]

A fantastic build mate, can really feel the cold and the tension, its like you're part of the crew haha

[papa 695]

Not bad for a throw together Ron.
Fantastic really, i really like the snow effect and the photography is just outstanding.
I hope you also enjoy the Jolly Jays.

[spanner570]

Colin, Scott and Ian.
Thanks for your comments. I'm chuffed you all like the 'cold' effect and the snow.

Thanks Ian.......Now, where's my suitcase? - well, rucksack anyway!

[Guest]

Great idea, Ron, and it's really come out well. The atmosphere is very strong, and the photos are brilliant - I particularly like the dramatic sky in the second one.

[spanner570]

Thanks Doug. glad you like the model and the photos.

I know I've harped on about taking pictures of our stuff before now, but it really helps giving the composition a little thought.
We spend hours making models as best we can, then sometimes rush the presentation for the sake of a few minutes trying to get the final pictures something like.

Thanks again,
Ron

[flyjoe180]

Great job Ron, I particularly like the tarpaulins on the tank and the snow effect. Nicely photographed as has been said already, and i agree with your comments about presentation. Particularly important when you've gone to the effort of creating a diorama scene such as this.

[Pikeman]

I think its a fantastic build Ron
great weathering and placement,and the pictures are taken beautifully which helps set the scene