Here is a diorama depicting a some members of 2d Battalion, 47th Infantry (Mechanized), 9th Infantry Division hanging out during one of their few stand downs back at basecamp. They have had a chance to shower, change into a clean uniform, and are relaxing before having to go back out. Since they are back at a larger base camp, their weapons are secured until they need them. Plus I am sure the commander does not want a bunch of guys drinking and handling firearms, so that is probably how the policy ended up being put in place. The First Sergeant announced that he wanted everyone to get haircuts before the unit departs to go back out to the field, so the clippers came out and haircuts are being had by all, including this one Soldier who is about a month a way from going home and wanted to try to keep his hair as long as possible for his return to the “World”. Needless to say, he was not a happy camper as is evident by the expression on his face. Some of the other guys think it’s pretty funny.
The figures are a mix of figures that I sculpted and converted figures. From left to right, the guy popping open the beer with a church key can opener is a figure that I sculpted, the next guy is a conversion of a Bravo 6 figure, the guy laying back on the air mattress is a conversion of a Royal Models figure, the guy standing in front of the bunker opening is a figure that I sculpted that is being produced by Custom Dioramics in their Yanks figure range, and the last three are conversions of Bravo 6 figures. They are all painted with acrylics. The cooler is from Verlinden, the chair was scratch built with styrene strips, the air mattress is a modified version of the one from Bravo 6, the two crates stacked upon eachother are from Armand Bayardi, the letters are from ETA Diorama Accessories, the Coke cans have decals that I got from Engin Kayral, the rolled up shirt is something I sculpted, the small arms ammo crate is from Bravo 6, and the hair is from Woodland Scenics. The bunker is made of Magic Sculpt putty sandbags textured with a file.
This is like a photograph coming to life- just a beautifully captured piece. You really have a way with those uniforms James! They might all be OD but they are individually so well painted- every fold and crease is picked out. The textures of different items stands out nicely too- the rough sandbags, the rubber of the mattress and the towel round the guy getting a haircut.
Very well done! Great workmanship, and turning a pretty routine moment during stand down into a diorama was a really good idea. Everything looks absolutely correct. I noticed one guy even has the earlier pattern jungle fatigues with epaulets and covered buttons. Impressive.
Well, I’ll be…James it is great to see you via your incredible modeling skills. I have often wondered what you could achieve if you used both hands.
I hope that you and your family are doing well, Brother.
Since there is a limit on the number of posts and replies you can make as a new member, I was not able to finish posting the rest of the photos of this diorama. So here they go again.
Thank you. In regards to painting the uniforms, I usually prime with a light grey followed by preshading with flat black. I then apply the base color which is usually Scale 75 Ardennes Green or some mixture with it as an element. I then outline the pockets, seams, under the collars, etc., with flat black. Next I apply shadows and then the highlights. I start with a leg or a portion of the torso and work in sections until complete. For figures that have patches on their uniforms, I paint the green areas olive drab and paint in representations of letters on name and US Army tapes and if the figure has a CIB, I paint a representation of that as well. I paint the full unit patch the best I can.
I usually mention things like variances between types of uniforms, etc., but this time I didn’t. I am glad to know that someone else besides me notices things like the guy popping open the beer wearing the second pattern jungle fatigues. When my dad was in Vietnam, he was issued both types.
I still have a long way to go to get proficient at armor modeling, so the majority of my work is still figure dioramas. It takes a long time for me to complete a regular model. At least I don’t have to use the contraption that I made in OT when I was in WTU to keep the brushes and modeling tools in my right hand anymore after the neck fusion.
We are doing well. We live in Oklahoma now. My grandson just shipped out for 19D OSUT this afternoon.
