discussion Desert Diorama - Featuring British ATMP x6 wheeler

[pjgtech]

Now that the ATMP x6 wheeler is done, it deserves a nice setting, so a small diorama is planned.
This will be my first desert setting, so lots of sand, rocks, etc.
I propose a small section of building, a small desert type dwelling/building of simple stone, etc.
Then just a simple rough desert base with a track running through it.
I may have a go at a small sand dune or possibly some sand blown up against the building in a sort of sand drift, we'll see....
Initial plan....(basic)....


I looked in the garage and, despite having lots of bits of timber I could not find anything suitable as a base, so I went to local model shop and purchased a small ply base, which I then cut in half otherwise it would have been way too big....




I then proceeded to stick some foam board (5mm) on top. I'm hoping that cos it will be stuck to the ply, the foam board will not warp, which I've had probs with in the past, basic layout also sketched onto the foam base...


Next up was to size up the proposed (partial) building, so figure placed for scale to work out where the window and door will go and the approx size...

 

[HAWKERHUNTER]

Interesting project Peter. Coming along nicely.

 

[pjgtech]

Forgot to add that this is based on the late 80's, early 90's period in the gulf war(s) timeframe.
So it could be Kuwait, or Iraq or Afghanistan?
Its not specific, but I have another vehicle that I will be building that may also go on this dio and was in use at the same time as the ATMP.....

Then we started to add some more detail.....
Door and window cut outs done....

Quick dry fit to see how the partial building looks....



Then some details added, eg: lintels above the door/window and a cill to the window, just using some thin plasti card.
Also roughly scribed out some basic brick/blocks shapes into the wall, and added a couple of bit of damage, rough edges, maybe shell holes, etc...
Made up a simple braced timber door and some window shutters....


Then started to add some detail and texture to the base, using fine modelling filler and some Ammo/Mig mud paste.


And more detail added, it will be a slow build up of several layers to try to get a texture that I'm happy with....
I will also be cutting out two lines where the main tracks will go, so they are slightly lower than the base as they would be in real life when tracks are worn down by constant use....
Also added the window shutters....

Time for another "dry fit", this time with the end wall also in place, to see how it looks....few bullet holes added to the building too.


More detail added to the door, planks scribed in, few bits chipped off etc.

 

[pjgtech]

Done a bit more today....
Added some more texture to the base, some fine sand, small stones, etc, these will be built up in layers along with the base coverings and primer and paint. Started priming the building and the door.

Carved out the base where the vehicle tracks will go, so they will be in a slight dip...
Then added some Milliput epoxy, in very fine layer and then rolled the spare wheel form the x6 wheeler along the tracks, obviously before it had set, it takes several hours to set, so now have vehicle tracks in place.

Then added some more Ammo/Mig mud paste to rough up the remaining base areas, so its not completely flat and smooth....also created a couple of little sand dunes type shapes, which will hopefully look more convincing when painted up and sand added, etc.

Another "dry fit" of the partial building to make sure I've not added mud paste to where the walls will go!

Have now fully primed up the partial building and its door, so next step for that will be to attach it to the base....