discussion Coutances (Normandy) early 1944

[Guest]

Brilliant Colin...great stuff..

 

[Guest]

How are the tracks? indy or band?

You get both in this kit Aaron .... the single band tracks have really good detail so i may just try them first.

 

[Guest]

finished the tracks and popped them on the finished chassis (shame you can't see hardly any of this when the tops on).

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The tank-top ( ) in the base colour and an improvised ring with .50cal mount for the turretless model (just had a basic dark wash)

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last two infantrymen done.

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Just need to find a spare figure to add to the "Honey" hmmmmm

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[Guest]

Some excellent work there Colin, I especially like how you've done the tracks ; quite restrained & subtle it's easy to go overboard here.

The infantrymen look good, the eyes in particular as they're not wide-eyed like most of mine!

I look forward to seeing more.

Patrick

 

[aaron]

Wow man you work well fast lols.

I agree with Patrick the figs DO look good!!!

Sorry i cant help with the fig, all the figs i own are german apart from a few american spares from a shermie.

 

[tr1ckey66]

Hi Colin

Really great work on the diorama - top class stuff. I especially like the telegraph poles and wires.

Your father's stories behind this dio also give it that added depth. Keep up the fabulous work Colin, this is going to be a fantastic diorama when finished.

All the best

Paul

Ps. Miniart do some NW European theatre tank riders - any good for the turretless Stuart?

 

[Guest]

Ps. Miniart do some NW European theatre tank riders - any good for the turretless Stuart?

I've sort of worked around the charactor situation (i think) thanks for the hint though.

I'm calling the Stuart Recce finished, it's based on a turretless M3 Stuart light tank.

This version, from a fair bit of research, was used in france at around the time of the diorama. It has a frameowrk that was used to support the canvas cover used to protect against the weather and the odd grenade that was thrown at them

The single machine gun (either .50 or .30 cal) was sometimes mounted on a working turret ring enabling full 360 degs use.

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[Guest]

Wow that is good Colin. I very tempted to have a go a something similar. But as said I am slow. Also I am really wedded to aircraft. Not enough time in this world. Problem I started late.

Where are you going to keep this Colin ?

Laurie

 

[Guest]

You've cracked that Stuart Colin! It's very good & I like the mud ; people often don't realise how bad the weather was for much of the Normandy campaign.

Frankly, I wouldn't fancy seeing France in one of them, especially not with panzerfausts shooting out of the hedgerows!

Cheers

Patrick

 

[papa 695]

Great work so far Colin keep it up

 

[Guest]

thanks chaps, encouraging comments.

Laurie - the whole diorama is going to be kept on show in our living room. its about finished, just need to make a nice stained wooden base for it.

 

[Guest]

I'm calling this finished, it's been an enjoyable build and i've tried to fit in any occurences that My Dad mentioned in the few times he actually brought himself to talk of the war.

Imagine if you will ...............

Late afternoon in Coutances (early 1944) the lads patrol the streets, supported fore and aft by a bren carrier and M3 stuart recce, looking for anything that seems out of place in the village. As per usual, during their sauntering through the cobbled streets, there's quite a few delays as the villagers offer time to stop off and engage in pleasant company with a chance to relax but never to let their guard down completely.

The vehicles park up and the squaddies start to head towards the villagers and mingle. of course "catch-up Cartwright" is trailing behind as per usual with not a care in the world it seems.

The vehicle commanders share a smoke and a coffee with an old chap who regails them with stories of when he was in service and how much has changed since then, his wife looks on thankful he's too old to be of any use anymore.

The youngsters stop playing and stand in awe at the vehicles, waiting for the soldiers to stop and join in with their games, wondering if they've brought any chocolate this time ... of course one of the drivers has a few bars and offers one to the little girl ...he feels a little sad - she reminds him of his little sister back home.

The children particularly like the two geordies in the bren carrier and they playfully taunt them to listen to their accent, nothing like the typically british way the nice man in charge of the carrier speaks, its all good fun and the other soldiers join in and try their hand at speaking a few French phrases ... again to the amusement of the children.

A few villagers will bring bread, eggs and other food stuff wrapped in paper and give them to the soldiers as thanks for the odd jobs they did the day before, hoping they will offer to help out again today, as always - they do, and the squaddies bring out various tools and equipment from the vehicles to repair fences and whatever household utilities have stopped working.

An hour or two will pass as the soldiers finish playing around and complete any odd jobs they've been asked (or decided) to do .... they've enjoyed their brief period of normality..... unfortunately it's back to patrolling and worst of all ...back to the war.

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[spanner570]

Brilliant stuff Colin. Through being away I've missed the latter stages of the build, but have just gone through it now....

Lovely model, loads to look at and a cracking bit of scratch building too. The story is great and fits the scene perfectly. The plaque is a nice finishing touch.

Your dad would have been well chuffed had he been able to see it.....

Who knows, perhaps he has....

Well done.

Ron

 

[Guest]

brilliant dio,i love it

mobear

 

[Guest]

That's an excellent dio Colin. So much to admire from the little details you've added to the quality of the vehicles & figures. I personally prefer figs to be more matt in appearance, but that's just my preference & your's are excellent as they are.

There's a real feeling of animation in this still-life which conveys the story you're telling. Tremendous job!

Cheers

Patrick

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the comments chaps. i'm chuffed with the finished deal myself.

personally prefer figs to be more matt in appearance, but that's just my preference & your's are excellent as they are.

I mentioned to Polux earlier in this thread about the colours, they have a flat matt finish but carry a mild sheen to them that i quite like, unfortunately that gets lost in flash photography as the surface is so flat it reflects any direct light.

I've tried to get a shot with the camera (no flash) in natural light that is as close as i can get to what the naked eye sees.

It's not 100% accurate but you may be able to see what i mean.

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[Guest]

Thanks for the comments chaps. i'm chuffed with the finished deal myself.I mentioned to Polux earlier in this thread about the colours, they have a flat matt finish but carry a mild sheen to them that i quite like, unfortunately that gets lost in flash photography as the surface is so flat it reflects any direct light.

I've tried to get a shot with the camera (no flash) in natural light that is as close as i can get to what the naked eye sees.

It's not 100% accurate but you may be able to see what i mean.

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Aah I see what you mean! I have to admit, it's obviously the flash that's picking out the satin finish. That picture in normal light shows them off in their true selves - very nice!

 

[papa 695]

Great work Colin the diorama is a fitting tribute

 

[aaron]

Colin, Awesome job.

It looks Fantastic it must dominat ethe room? Id be proud of this. Great job mate.

 

[Guest]

great work grand job