Overwatch

[Caustik Filth]

Hi folks
After jumping in with no reconnaissance and finding the locals very hospitable ! I'm hoping for some tips.
I hear that soil from the garden can be used in dios but should it be dried thoroughly? Would you go as far as putting it in the oven?
Here's what I done so far, I had the idea for a dug out with a radio operator in it but realized it was way to close to a live firing anti tank gun so gone with a flanking fox hole instead.

This may take a while but enjoying me self with a shant to get the cahoonaas to post it!
Cheers Rob

[Jim R]

Hi Rob
Looks like a nice plan for a dio. You can certainly use garden soil for a dio. I would spread it out on a tray in a low oven to dry it and kill any bugs.
Jim

[minitnkr]

Very nice start. One tonner & 5cm is a great match. Trees providing some concealment for the track & providing a backdrop for the gun & MG is one idea. I dry & sift garden soil w/old cookie sheets & different size screens so soil, stones & larger rocks can be stored separately and applied as needed.

[Caustik Filth]

Ah ha, cheers Jim a job for mora before the roast goes in!
Thanks.

[Caustik Filth]

Very nice start. One tonner & 5cm is a great match. Trees providing some concealment for the track & providing a backdrop for the gun & MG is one idea. I dry & sift garden soil w/old cookie sheets & different size screens so soil, stones & larger rocks can be stored separately and applied as needed.

Nice one cheers trees will be a challenge having not done them before, experiment fun to come!
Thanks.

[Airborne01]

If you put it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes you can cook a plate of chips at the same time - just a thought!
Steve :thinking:

[Caustik Filth]

If you put it in the oven at 200 degrees for 30-40 minutes you can cook a plate of chips at the same time - just a thought!
Steve :thinking:

Mmm, smoked earth flavour...

[Guest]

I put mine in the microwave, potatoes are optional if you want .5 mins on full power !

[minitnkr]

Kind of like char broiled potato skins.
The backdrop of foliage allows the track, MG & Pak to blend into it w/o being profiled. A heavy ground cover, dead fall & undergrowth allows the trees to be less the focal point, thus being a little less of an issue.

[rtfoe]

I basically sift my soil or dirt and save the finer portions after chucking them in the microwave on high heat for a few minutes. Then use it as a mixture with spackle and white glue for texture spread. Then sprinkle over the still wet spread with a combination of various sized dirt and stones and static grass. When dry I add more static grass with white glue in planned places then paint. I seldom leave the terrain in its natural color.

Cheers,
Richard

[Caustik Filth]

Thank you guys for your tips and advice,. I think I might get away with using the microwave be too quick for the other arf to notice! Best be off to the garden for some supplies
Thanks again chaps.

[Caustik Filth]

Hi ya, I didn't get much bench time and was struggling to get my machine gunners to hold their gear properly so made a base and did a little here and there then realized putting them on the base would make painting everything a bit awkward . Doh ( learning curve ) so I'm hoping cling film keep them safe enuf...
I seen Night shift Martin black out his dio bases totally, would this be the best approach for a novice like myself ? or do different shades in different areas? If I'm gonna do it, it must be my next step!
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Cheers Rob.

[adt70hk]

Rob

Sorry completely missed this. That's coming on very nicely indeed.

As for Night Shift blacking everything out, the first time i saw him do it I thought what the.... Of course it works brilliantly but it's a big step to take if it goes wrong!

Keep up the great work.

Andrew

[Airborne01]

May i suggest you take your (excellent) ideas on a small, sacrificial, and non-important unrelated piece; if it works, go with it - if not, play with the idea until you're satisfied then go for the 'Big One' - 'oorah ! (Then post the 'Masterpiece' to the envy of us lesser mortals!)
Steve

[Guest]

Rob .
Nothing amiss with the diorama , in fact the tree is suberb.
A black wash is best because you can always darken, rather than a full on black. I know because I've tried it ! :smiling3:
Keep it going .