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 Rank: Pro   Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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Hi everyone. I have been working on a Battle of the Bulge Diorama. The story I have chosen is that of Col Sam Hogan. On Dec 20th 1944 Task Force Hogan found themselves in La Roche en Ardennes following some scouting orders they had been given. Nobody really new what was going on at this time. By chance Hogan learned that he was completely surrounded by German troops, Kampfgroupe Peiper as it happens. He withdrew to spend the night, then received orders to destroy all his vehicles and to do what he could. They did so and over the next 4 days 400 men of task force Hogan made their way on foot through the german lines and eventually got back to allied lines on Christmas day. I found a nice painting of La Roche and decided to build my diorama based on this.  This is my draft of what I planned  Cont\....
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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So I planned a Sherman M4A3E2 Jumbo and an Armoured Div Peep. Tha first stage was to build the scene, here is the nearly finished buildings photographed in my back yard against the real snow.  I have built the M4 with the basic paint job ready for weathering.  And the peep (incidentally this is the term the US armoured Div used) is also just out of the showroom ready for weathering.  When the weathering is done I will post some more and then move on to the figures. I hope you enjoy John
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Well if your last dio is anything to go by, this should be a show stopper with multiple encores!!!!   Really looking forward to seeing this build under way!!
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Stunning already!!! How did you do the snow it looks perfect?
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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Nemesis
Thanks for your kind comments. The snow is basically Woodland scenics snow. I mix up a thick sludge of the snow product and diluted PVA white glue. This can be layed on like plaster almost. I then use a few acrylic media to add a gloss icey or melted snow look. Finally some Woodland Scenics Real Water to add some melted water pools and some surface run off.
John
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I live the detail you are adding. Can not wait to se the final weathers diorama  “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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 Rank: Vice-Master   Groups: Registered
Joined: 13/01/2012 Posts: 605 Points: 1,630 Location: Bucks
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Superb work John, very impressed and the scene looks almost real. Love your little sketch too, and it certainly helps to put an idea down on paper first just to get a feel for how the finished article will look?
Keep up the good work, will certainly look forward to the end result!!
Kev
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Stunning work John, can't wait to see the end result
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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Gentlemen You are all too kind. Thank you for your very encouraging comments. The peep has been loaded and left out in the snow so this is what we now have.  The colonel's gear is in the back.  Now to move on to the SHerman. John
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Rank: Vice-Master Groups: Registered
Joined: 06/06/2010 Posts: 566 Points: 1,657 Location: UK
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Fantastic work, can't wait to see the finished product.
Wilfy
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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Nemisis and Wilfy Thanks for your encouragement. I now have the Sherman with its first weathering done.  I have also started the figures. Here are the first 3.  Colonel Hogan   And a couple of locals. Here is where they sit in the dio.  3 More figures to come. John
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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It will be a very difficult bar to top, and many thanks to John for sharing your work with us.. 
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Superb work John, you are a Master of your art and I don't see how it can get any better - truly sublime!! 
Thanks very much for sharing and we are so lucky to have you on this forum - please keep posting your updates!!
Kev
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Rank: Pro Groups: Registered
Joined: 27/08/2012 Posts: 104 Points: 312 Location: Brome Lake Quebec
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Nemesis, Mr T, Senna You're all very kind, thank you for your comments. Three more of the figures are now done.  This is a lieutenant from the 106th Inf. who informed Col Hogan that he was surrounded.  This is one of the Colonel's tank crew.  And this is Colonel Hogan. Just one more figure to complete then I will post the finished dio. John
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Can not wait to see the finished Dio looks tremendous “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain
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Rank: Pro Groups: Joined: 24/08/2009 Posts: 48,051 Points: -13,308
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Excellent figure paintings skills there John, particularly like the 'dirtied up' Tank Crew member!!
Great stuff and thanks for sharing, very much appreciated!!
Kev
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