If you’re strapped for space, you could re-arrange your dio with the two tanks pulled up beside each other, at the rear end of the road, with the commanders having a brief chat, and the 222, waiting, at the forward end of the road, maybe with the commander raised in the turret looking back at the tanks.
I would have to agree 100%.
I can understand the tactical criticisms being former military, but there are plenty of combat pics showing troops doing things they’re not supposed to do. Tons. Good point about the length of the diorama.
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That makes the most sense. A side by side quick chat between leaders is pretty common, but traveling nut to butt on a roadway in a combat area is most unlikely. After all, during early 1943, the Panzer III and Panzer IV would be in different companies within the same battalion, per the TO&E of that time. The 222 being offset to the side and providing some form of overwatch at the same time is plausible.
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Yes; the contrast is not natural at all. I am an Environmental Science teacher so environmental factors are sort of familiar to me and I experience that ‘uncanny valley’ effect with dioramas and CGI backdrops a lot.
Here is a nice WWII original color photo of Patton watching over his forces in the El Guettar area… excellent area reference
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That may have been the case prior to the El Alamein battles with regards to Mk III and MK IV panzers being in separate companies. After Rommels retreat into Tunisia things were a bit of a mess. Different types of panzers were all over the place especially in the 15th and 21st Panzer Divisions. During the Kasserine battle the 2nd Company of the 21st Panzer Div. had two Mk IV (F2 or G), eight Mk III Special long barrel 50 mm. You always see a mix of different panzers especially In Tunisia except for 10 Panzer Div. Kevin Fish has an excellent book called Panzer Regiment 8. This diorama was inspired from information in that book with regards to the 33rd Reconnaissance Battalion from 15th Panzer and armor from the 8th Panzer Regiment working together beyond the Kasserine Pass toward the end of the German offensive.
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Hello friend! Yes I live in the Land of Enchantment as well.
Look in the background of this remarkable photo. I see some green.
I will certainly consider covering up the reddish terrain with a similar color matching the road. Thank you for your feedback and expertise.
Thanks for your feedback. The road is not wide enough for a two panzer side by side but I will keep in mind for another project, and I have already imprinted the tank tracks into the AK interactive desert terrain. I do love the 222 placement and I will incorporate it. Thanks again.
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Wouldn’t it be easier to adjust the road?
The non-road portions actually look very good; it’s just the contrast between the soil among the rocks and on the road was too stark. You should be able to just airbrush the road and blend it easily along the edges. It could stay a shade or two lighter but adding a touch of red to connect them as being the same terrain is a good idea.
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Hmmm more great suggestions. I have yet to use any paint on this base. Those lighter colors are pigments I fixed onto it. Perhaps I got a little carried away. I did have some reddish pigments but covered them up with the sand colored one. I was trying to show a more mosaic type of terrain.
They both don’t actually have to be on the road. Tanks were built to travel cross-country, too! 
But…it is your dio, and your concept, so build it the way you want. 
I really didn’t see anything wrong with the positioning. Realistically you couldn’t model an actual armor caravan due to the length of the group likely being longer than the walls in your room, but perhaps in your scenario they are closing ranks to prepare to overnight someplace?
Also, how many people will see your diorama and be aware of the normal parameters of a caravan? We have to remind ourselves sometimes we are only simulating real objects and can only get as close as physically possible at these scales, so the artistic and license-taking parts of the hobby take over to fool our audience into accepting what we often see as inaccurate without aftermarket or wizardry with paint and pigment. Besides, if you know people who would stand in your home and nitpick your builds you likely aren’t inviting them to begin with, right?
Unless you want to be that guy building a 1/24 scale Starship Enterprise in a warehouse it is okay to tighten up ranks for your particular situation.
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I would bite the dust, so to speak, and build the diorama in 1/72 scale. It would allow the builder to get some spread between vehicles. It is merely a thought.
Bill
What is the inspiration for the camo schemes?
I’m reminded of illustrations in the ancient George Bradford book.
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