Gern's Cross of Iron build completed

[Gern]

Here you go folks.

I told you I was keeping things simple for my first dio. I know it's far from perfect but I'm pleased with the way it's turned out.

The bushes were made from the scouring pads I bought. I tore them up and sprayed them with primer (I had to prime them as they're copper coated steel) then a dark brown colour. I twisted them around the fence posts and telephone pole then a quick spray with adhesive and a good sprinkle of dried parsley to create the 'leaves'.

Remind me to look for plastic scourers next time. Being metal this kind are VERY springy and it was a nightmare getting them to wrap round the posts!

Once all except the figure was in place, another spray with the adhesive then a good sprinkling of baking powder. Then shake off the excess, another spray and another sprinkle; then another, and another, and ..... I think I ended up with about 8 lots!

I forgot to get a picture, but the tall 'grass' comes from a cheap paint brush. If you take the metal cover from around the bristles, you can cut the bristles off in small bunches. Drill a small hole and just poke 'em in with a dab of wood glue. Be careful cutting the bristles though. The glue they use to fix them is tough - I nearly lost a finger when my blade slipped!

Anyway, I'd appreciate your comments - good or bad.

As I've finished this, I've got a Revell 1/35 Jagdpanther with an Ostfront colour scheme. I also got a small offcut I could use for a base and LOTS of bits left over from my dio so ......

Gern

PS Just noticed the extra picture - sorry!

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[Centurion3RTR]

Cracking build Dave, five from me mate.

Have fun, John

[stona]

That's really nice. It's a great idea well executed. There's nothing wrong with tanks and aircraft etc but your diorama gives pause for thought.It's all to easy to ignore the effects of the german invasion on the civilian population. There must have been literally millions of scenes similar to this.

Cheers

Steve

[Guest]

Very nicely done Dave. A truly poignant scene. The pose and expression of the woman has that sad acceptance of the waste of war.

[Guest]

Really nice Dave, I like the bushes and grass effects, Goes to show that with a good eye you can utilise bits and pieces from the kitchen to good effect, by the way does the better half keep looking for missing items? I have used baking powder for winter scenes and you have got excellent results with it.

Good job mate. Gareth.

[spanner570]

Top notch stuff Dave, nice and simple, yet with a powerful message.

Very well done.

Ron

[Guest]

Hi Dave, as spanner570 say's beautifully simple and a strong thought provoker. 5 star from me too. Cheers Derek

[Gern]

I'd like to thank everyone for your kind comments on my simple dio.

I've been looking at the other dios coming out of this particular GB and I can see I've still got a long way to go! Not that I'm worried about that. Rome wasn't built in a day and I'm expecting it to take me a while to develop my skills - just glad I found a forum where I can show my stuff with no worries and get all the help I need.

Anyway, despite your kindness, no-one pointed out the glaring omissions! As it was, my dio could have represented just about anywhere in Eastern Europe during the 20th century. Because it's supposed to be the Eastern Front, I thought I'd better add a few touches to show that.

Coincidence also cropped up yesterday. I was wondering how the old lady had cut her firewood. Looking at the Jagdpanther I'm doing for my second build, I noticed it's a development of some earlier version - and had a spare axe. So now I know how she got her wood!

One final comment and I'll let you go.

I was hoping this dio got you asking yourselves a question: "What is she thinking about?"

Did it?

Gern

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[Guest]

It did indeed Dave. She could have many thoughts and emotions from sadness of the waste of war, which was the first thought that struck me. However, it can be viewed many ways, she could be mourning the loss of a loved one, she could be inwardly happy that the hated invader is now under the sod. But above all, she could be asking that eternal question of war that we all ask at some point. "Why?"

[Guest]

Being an elderly lady she probably was thinking, friend or foe, they were some bodies father/son.

[spanner570]

Sorry Dave, I missed the conclusion to this, your first summer G.B.

Sure does highlight the futility of all conflicts. A very nice and well thought out piece of work.

I am glad you put the helmets on the crosses, they are highlighted in the snow just perfectly...

Very well done.

Ron

[spanner570]

Sorry Dave, I missed the conclusion to this, your first summer G.B.

Sure does highlight the futility of all conflicts. A very nice and well thought out piece of work.

I am glad you put the helmets on the crosses, they are highlighted in the snow just perfectly...

Very well done.

Ron

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Dave

Nice powerful dio. The foliage is spot on and the composition is excellent.

Well done, great work

Also looking forward to the Jagdpanther

Paul

[Guest]

A very moving and thoughtful scene well thought out and very well exicuted this scene must have been an all to common sight during the german occupation of russia,very nice work indeed mate.

scott

[Guest]

hi dave. this is excellent. very well done, the snow, the bushes, all of it. like the other guys have said, its a powerful and moving wee dio.