WW2 "Broken Bridges" Diorama

[bravo1jon]

I posted the new diorama from RT-Diorama last week so if you need more info check it out. I was going to finish the Porsche before starting this but everyday I looked at it and I just couldn't wait any longer. I stowed away the Porsche in a nice safe though.

First thing I changed the direction a bit. I decided to not do the firetruck scene. After looking at I felt the firetruck was getting overshadowed by the massive houses. I am all about composition so I thought up a new scheme and with the funds I earned on the A6 project I went on a diorama/armor/figure shopping spree. I will share all of it when it arrives hopefully soon. Till then I have been building floors and adding trim to the floors and windows. I'm also working on a lighting scheme with Evan Designs evandesigns.com/ He is my go to for all my LED lighting. This will have more than just lights but some effects as well. When thinking about this layout it is so big I can have one main theme and a bunch of mini scenes throughout the dio.  This should give the viewer lots to look at. Very much like what Joe did with his recent diorama which is the inspiration for this one. Thanks again Joe.  

Products should arrive starting Friday. Thank you for looking and please throw me some ideas or any other thoughts you may have at me.

[JCON]

Love those buildings and picture a machine gun nest towards the top of one... or are the Germans going door to door looking for people hiding escapees???


You humble me with the praise on my little diorama brother!!! Thank you for the kind words!!!

[Dwight A. Ta-ala]

Those are very nicely detailed. Can't wait to see it done.

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

I'm enjoying this as well.

[reserve]

Large and ambitious, looks to be very well cast

Should keep ya out of mischef for awhile

Regards,
Mark

[bravo1jon]

Completed the wood additions on the second building. I also made a river bed and filled the sides with Sculpt-A-Mold. When the sides dry I will be able to send them down to a flat smooth surface. I plan to add wood veneer to finish.

Next up will be a lot of details such as power conduit boxes and power lines to the outside of the building. 

The kits should arrive tomorrow. Thank you for all the great comments I'm glad you guys are liking this build. I'm having a blast.

[JCON]

Coming along nicely Jon!!!

[ARMORGUY]

Jon you keep amazing me with each thread you start, this diorama will be just awesome, it already is!!!

[bravo1jon]

Aug 20, 2021 13:18:25 GMT -6 ARMORGUY said:

Jon you keep amazing me with each thread you start, this diorama will be just awesome, it already is!!!

Thank you for your very nice comments. I am a big fan of your work. Your figure painting is jaw dropping. The level of craftmanship on this site is amazing. I'm so thankful to be here.

[bravo1jon]

Aug 20, 2021 8:28:12 GMT -6 JCON said:

Coming along nicely Jon!!!

Thank you Joe. The kits are arriving today. I was also able to order the conversion kits from Resicast. SOOO excited. Looking forward to seeing you guys.

[bravo1jon]

The kits are here, well some of them. Enough for me to get started any how.

I am building 2 main kits that will be in the main/ core story. Lets get started,




I am creating the story using the British forces. The Churchill will be converted using the bridge kit from Resicast. The conversion and other extras are on the way.



Hint for the title Broken Bridges. That's all I will share of the idea so you guys can see the story develop as the project progresses.



This is an excellent kit with just the right amount of detail but not over done. 
Here is the progress so far. I will leave the hull exposed for now so I can add some weight to help support the bridge structure.





Yes those are real metal springs. 




It was a bit of a challenge to get shock housing to line up but eventually we got it done.










Thats all for now but more to come soon

[JCON]

Very cool idea Jon!!!

[dogfish7 (R.I.P.)]

Talk about a cushy ride! Those Brits love to ride in style. That way, they won't spill the Tea in the Cup Holder.

[bravo1jon]

Aug 22, 2021 5:49:39 GMT -6 dogfish7 (R.I.P.) said:

Talk about a cushy ride! Those Brits love to ride in style.

LOL no kidding. I think the folks from Bentley must of come up with this idea. Seriously though I think the reason for all the heavy springs is the amount of weight the tanks had to carry like the carpet, bridge or logs. I'm just guessing though. One thing for sure I don't see this level of suspension on any other tank i've built.

[ARMORGUY]

I like Churchill tanks but I've never built one. Maybe soon coz I'll get a lot of inspiration from this thread.
The bridgelayer is too cool!!!

[bravo1jon]

The tank portion is now done and awaits the bridge section from Resicast. I did speak with them a couple days ago and its on the way. The truck is next but I have to jump on a 1/4 scale Ducati paint job. I've been waiting on the new special order decals for over a month now. Super excited to get this done. I'll show you the results in a few days. 

I have a question for you tank guys. On the last page of the Churchill manual it had this odd thing asking you to make 2 of them but it doesn't show where it goes or what the heck it is. If you know please tell me I'm going nuts about it. Starting to think they just put some silly thing in there just to see if someone would build it. LOL. But seriously it even has decals I haven't put on yet nor have I painted it but I will oh yes I will.

Thank you for looking. And please tanks are not my thing so if you see something off or not done correctly please let me know.







The tracks and pioneer tools are not on yet do too painting 


Here is the alien thing. Hope someone know what it is.

[bravo1jon]

Aug 22, 2021 14:25:13 GMT -6 ARMORGUY said:

I like Churchill tanks but I've never built one. Maybe soon coz I'll get a lot of inspiration from this thread.
The bridgelayer is too cool!!!

You should they are pretty amazing. In fact I stepped away from this one a couple of times thinking it had to be more modern than it was. AFV does a good job with this kit. I think Tamiya has one too but less detailed as the AFV. Have fun my friend

[JCON]

Is that a gun muzzle possibly?

[reserve]

Perhaps some sort of weird British munition for the main gun?

[bravo1jon]

The conversion kit for the Churchill has arrived all the from Italy. Before I get started I thought you might like to see the kit.

First thing I noticed was a strong smell of resin when I opened the box. This will definitely be a gloves and mask job. The packaging was really good and so far I see nothing has broken. Excited to get started.






They included this free. Very cool. Don't see that much anymore.


I love real photo instructions. Easy to understand and see for these old eyes of mine.











That's it. Like I said I'l get going on this ASAP now that the Ducati paint job is mostly finished.