Battle of Sidi Bou Zid, 1/35

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

Hi all,

For my first shot at making a diorama, I will try to depict the German Afrika Korps (DAK) units just before the battle of Sidi Bou Zid which took place in Tunisia in 1943.

“In February 1943, Tunisia witnessed some of the fiercest fighting then taking place in WWII. Allied forces were advancing on the Axis troops from both east and west, while the Italians and Germans clung tenaciously on.
Sidi Bou Zid was a small village in the vast expanse of the desert. Normally it was an obscure place, but it sat near the end of the Faïd pass, one of the routes through the mountains dividing Tunisia.
The allies held the village. The axis wanted it back”.

This is also the time when I will be painting figures for the first time.

Since I am currently building Tamiya’s big and very complex 1/32 De Havilland Mosquito, this will be a side project which means it will take some more time.

Some of the stuff I plan to use:







And some reference photos for the terrain:











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Little progress…

The colors will not be exactly like this in the end as I will have to connect elements with similar tones, especially stones, both large and small. They were gathered from various places and in the end they have to work together tonally and be convincing. And here I have to stop more or less until I finish the tanks to a certain point.

I need the tanks so I can position them properly amd press them nicely into the base while it still hasn’t fully hardened, so that they have “weight” effect in the end. I can make track marks with tracks alone, like I did next to the tent, but since I’m working on the lower surface all at once, then it makes more sense to wait for the tanks.

The base will then receive various paint layers, filters, dry brushing and washes for full effect.





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Looks like quite the project. Following along. And given your modeling skills I’m looking forward to how your figures turn out.

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Looks well researched and great stuff to populate it. Following with great interest.

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I would advise using some other figures besides the ones selected. The battles were fought in mid winter, which was rather damp and cold in Tunisia that year. Photos show troops of both sides wearing long pants and long sleeve shirts & jackets. Not the summer garb typically associated with the battles in Egypt and Libya.

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Hm. Very good point Stickpusher. Thank you.

I guess I will have to either change the figures or keep them and make a summer diorama within a different context.

Will definitely look into it.

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