I’ve been modelling (very badly) for the past few years, and over this time i have built up a small collection of kits, all 1/35. I bought all of the kits but never got round to building them. I plan on going back to them but really have no idea as to what to do with them. I want to do a few small or medium sized dioramas but have had no luck finding any inspiration. Anyone got any ideas? I’ve got:
Tamiya M4A3 Sherman 105mm Howitzer
Tamiya Sd.Kfz.251/1 Ausf.D
Italieri Tiger I Ausf.E/H1
Tamiya 88mm Gun Flak 36/37
Tamiya U.S. Army Assault Infantry Set
Tamiya German Front-Line Infantrymen
Dragon Kampfgruppe Von Luck Normandy 1944
Dragon German Combat Unit Normandy 1944
Dragon U.S. Army Airborne Normandy 1944
Dragon Fallen Comrade (Aachen 1944)
Dragon U.S. Army Anti-Tank Team
I also have a plusmodel German House
Dragon U.S. Army Anti-Tank Team…how about these guys about to ambush a german tank?..Normandy??? Research or google any ideas that pop into your head…I’m in the same boat as you right now but I’ve been researching a few subjects looking for pictures I can turn into a diorama (or I can make one up in my head). HTH
Kevin
I’d say take your next 25-30 dollars to a decent bookstore and pick up something on Normandy, as Kevin mentioned. There are many out there and judging by my glance at your list, you’ve got some kits to work with for that time period. One of my favorite photo-filled reference books on that subject I picked up at a B Dalton in a mall. Easy to find. Spend a couple of hours reading and studying the photos- something will pop into your mind. Think it out and just get started[:D] When working on it, always keep the question in mind, “is this plausible?” and come back to your reference constantly.
You seem to have all the makings of a really interesting couple of dioramas based on Normandy.
How about the Battle for St Lo? or Operation Cobra? maybe Cherbourg? on the German side you could have something from Operation Luttich or maybe the Falaise Gap? For we Brits there was of course Michael Wittman and his Tigers at Villers Bocage where he knocked out 12 tanks, 13 troop carriers and two anti tank guns! Remember Normandy wasn’t just about getting on to and off the beaches!
You could use the M4A3 105mm Sherman in a Korean War setting. The US army and USMC used them quite a bit. The Marines were fond of send them out with the M-26 Pershings as fire support. Kind of like the Panzer III and Tiger I combo the Germans used in WW II.
As the others have suggested, pick up some good reference books before you start and don’t limit yourself to what’s in the photo. A little bit of Gizmology is perfectly acceptable.
Best of Luck.
-John
Concord’s books are awesome for diorama ideas! Available thru Squadron…