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....

 

[scottie3158]

Coming on nicely

 

[pjgtech]

The partial building is now attached to the base.
I am thinking maybe a sort of whitewashed finish to the building, rather than the usual sand/beige colour, but we'll see.


I have also now added more filler, mix of modge pog and Ammo/Mig mud paste, to build up the two main sandy areas,eg, to the front edge and the rear edge.
And I wanted to try to replicate the "waves" that you get on small dunes, eg: bit like small snow drifts.
So I have tried to carve/shape the two main sandy areas with that sort of wave effect where the sand would have been blown by the wind. I also wanted to have a small dune/drift up against the building, so have built it up a bit there.
TBH, looks a bit cack now, but hopefully when its textured, painted and weathered it will look a lot better (hopefully!)

Now off to prime the base, so it will be ready for first coats of paint later.....

 

[pjgtech]

Base and partial building is now primed up....


Have also painted up the door, tried to make it look old, distressed, etc, but will prolly do a bit more weathering to it before completion...eg: add a few more lines to simulate wood grain, etc...and probably give it a dirt wash or maybe a white wash of some sort to simulate bleaching from the sun?

 

[pjgtech]

First coats now on, gone for a whitewashed look to the building, and the sand will need some texture adding, I have some desert sand pigment and also desert ground cover, eg: fine sand.... plus will add couple more coats to vary the ground colouring, add a few rocks, maybe a tiny bit of green. I've searched out a few reference photos of deserts, etc, and some have little clumps of grass, etc...

 

[grumpa]

Nice work so far Peter

 

[pjgtech]

Todays little update.
Added the door, I wanted it to look as though its hanging off, so have put it "on the wonk" if you see what I mean.
I have now added lots of texture, eg: fine sand, small rocks, applied onto pva, and it is now setting.

NB: its looks like there is too much texture, sand, etc, and there is. But, when it sets I will shake off all the excess that has not stuck, so the final scene will have less than is showing in this photo.

I will then sprinkle with some very fine sand pigment powder and apply the scenic setting spray (forget what its called). Then it will be a final coat of matt varnish over everything and the dio will be ready for staging the vehicles and figures....

So nearly there with this one, still undecided whether to add a very small amount of green, eg: few very small tufts of grass, if so I may paint them so they are more brown than green?