"Marsa Matruh" diorama (Tamiya PzKpfw. II in 1/35 scale)

[localjedi]

I'd like share with you my first attempt to build a diorama in 1/35 scale. I decided to use the Tamiya Panzer II kit, which turned out to be a good choice for a 1/35 novice like me. Again, the scene is set in Africa and shows the legendary German Afrika Korps. I can't really say why, but I'm quite fascinated with everything that has to do with the campaign in North Africa.

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When planning the layout of the diorama, I got inspired by Hamilkar's ISM WW2 group build entry "Operation Barbarossa".

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[localjedi]

I liked Hamilkar's idea of showing a combat unit running over a gun emplacement, so I got me the Tamiya 6 pounder anti tank gun kit and included it in the scene.

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After having worked with braille scale kits in 1/76 and 1/72 only, it was quite satisfying to be able to go into more detail in this scale. Painting the figures took me some time, but I'm pretty happy with my first results. Here you can see the infantry Feldwebel (Sergeant). The decals are also from Tamiya.

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[localjedi]

Here are a few details of the tank.

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[DC87]

Stunning work, really like the positoning

Could you possibly share how you achieved the arid desert base?

The shells and map are a great touch.

[localjedi]

Detailing is one aspect of our hobby that I like the most. I added a few jerry cans from the Tamiya set (now I realize that these are probably not the most accurate on the market...), a blanket/tent roll or whatever it is from Academy, a helmet and some 20 mm rounds.

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You can see the face of the tank commander in this picture.

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And another shot of the Panzer II. I like this tank. It was like the compact car of the Wehrmacht.

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[localjedi]

...and finally (and just for the sake of completeness) the Stoppelhopser (a derogatory Wehrmacht term for an infantryman) who has to catch up with his unit.

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And here's the slide show. Feel free to comment.
[youtube]_0M1g6ruKdQ[/youtube]

[Paul]

Great work on the dio, nice composition

[localjedi]

Stunning work, really like the positoning

Could you possibly share how you achieved the arid desert base?

The shells and map are a great touch.

Thanks for your swift feedback, Dan! I definitely need to take pictures of the building process. Unfortunately I didn't take any.
Making the base was quite simple, though: I applied a mixture of sand, white glue and water to a cheap carving board from Ikea. When the mixture starts to dry you can shape it the way you want.

I'm not quite sure which map you mean... There isn't any.

[localjedi]

Great work on the dio, nice composition

Thanks, Paul! Again, at least half of the credits for the composition go to Hamilkar Barkas.

[apraedel]

Excellent choice and well done.
I also started my new 1:35 scale experience after many years by building this Panzer II. I still like it althoug it's a fairly old model.
Cheers !

[jbank]

I was also struct by the tightness of composition. Each part belongs. Nice. What paints did you use?

If I might offer a suggestion? Perhaps you should have some sort of tie-donw for those jerry cans.

[Rob]

Super diorama. Novel use of an Ikea kitchen accessory too!

[localjedi]

I was also struct by the tightness of composition. Each part belongs. Nice. What paints did you use?

If I might offer a suggestion? Perhaps you should have some sort of tie-donw for those jerry cans.

Thank you for your nice comment and your suggestion. I used a mix of Revell and Lifecolor acrylic paint. You're perfectly right about the "untied" jerry cans. Now that I have worked with PE parts, maybe I'll scratch-build some sort of frame for the cans and add it to the tank. I'll see...

[HWGuderian23]

Great work ! Very well done !

[billk]

This is great work well done!!