I never saw that one, hope you repost it at some point. I may try the PX scene, but my building/painting skills are not in your league.
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If you go to the main Armorama site and search Standdown Shenanigans, it will list the archived post from 2020 that shows the diorama as well as each individual figure. I think you will get a pretty good laugh out of it.
The way to develop the skills is to practice. There are a bunch of painters and modelers way better than me. I kind of developed my own style over the years. Sometimes the reason why some of my projects take so long is that I want to strive for perfection and that kind of holds me back a little until I snap out of it and just accept what my skill level is and then just do my best at my level. For me it is more about effectively telling a story. My figures are sometimes kind of cartoonish looking compared to some that are displayed near mine at some shows, but my stories tend to be stronger.
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Oh James, how dare you! This is egregious, outrageous and contagious…what would health and safety say about that rusty PSP sticking out from those sandbags? Have you lost it, my good fellow?
I can tolerate someone’s efforts to be offended by the sights and smells of combat and your kind considerations there of. However, I don’t recall anyone on this page nullifying our invitations to the party.
More so, I respect your ability to reflect aspects of the Grunt life in this medium. As I recall, your dad served with the 9th ID in Vietnam.
Perhaps a flower, yes, a sunflower, tastefully located would soothe the critic who glorifies the machinery and avoids the humanity of this fine display of art.
Love ya, Brother,
Allen
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I did find “Standown Shenanigans”…almost spilled my coffee laughing (05:30 here). In addition to the humor, all the details are totally correct. I could absolutely picture this scene happening. Again, great job.
Thanks for the building advice, maybe I’ll get my butt in gear and build something.
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@Allen_Hill ,
Hey, Brother! It is good to see you on here.
You had me laughing at your eloquent humor. Being that it would be an Army health and safetty person addressing the rusty PSP, one of two things would happen. Either everyone in the unit would receive a tetanus shot or guys would get cut on it, get tetanus, and be given mortrin and a pair of dry socks.
Instead of sunflowers, I think there should be daisies, since that is what these VC are pushing up. 
Yes, your memory is correct about my dad having served in the 9th ID in Vietnam.
For those of you who don’t know Allen, he is one of the best Warriors and shooters I have ever served with. And it just so happens that he is an Armor modeler, too. And a pretty darn good one at that.
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@SFCJJC ,
I am glad that you enjoyed the diorama. I spent a lot of time researching the 9th MP Company and MP helmet markings just for the MP figure and the bumper codes on the M151.
Have you seen my “Not Happy About Getting a Haircut” diorama? You might enjoy that one, too. That seems to be a favorite among several of my friends.
I wish I was better at building vehicles and structures as I would like to make a few maintenance, supply, and other types of support scenes.
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I believe the “Haircut” piece was the first one of yours I had seen. It reminded me what a point of contention haircuts were in the Army in late 60’s and early 70’s. As I recall there was one trooper wearing early style jungle fatigues with epaulets…told me you knew your uniforms.
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@SFCJJC
I think that may have been the first duorama I posted after returning to Armorama after a break when the forum format and the website itself changed.
Because the diorama took place in 1967, I figured showing that some of the older uniforms were still being issued would date it well.
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The result is awe inspiring and brutal.
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@ James (ReconTL6)
The grand finale is truly grand — outstanding work on so many levels! 
…
Even more so, your story telling abilities tie-in so well with what was on your mind — things I might have missed otherwise. … Appreciated. 
PS: It was great to revisit the two aforementioned vignettes in the archives — great comedic relief there! 
—mike
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Hi James,
It is always so good to interact with thee. I agree that daisies would be the most appropriate flower for those recently dispatched heathens.
You made my day with your kind words, brother. Would that one day I could be the Soldier (Marine) and leader that you have been to so many.
Thank you,
Allen
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Thanks, Ron and Mike.
Allen,
If I had known about your Shakespearean qualities back when we served together I would have had you teach a class or two speaking like that.
I don’t think I was that good of a leader, I was just blessed to have outstanding Soldiers and Marines that made my job easier. I was very fortunate to have less encounters with “leadership challenges” than some of my peers had among their Soldiers.
You led your squad quite well as I remember when Squad Lanes were being conducted and your squad engaged me and SGT Christmas on your lane. You had excellent control over your squad, maneuvered and engaged pretty smoothly, took the objective, and completed your mission a lot better than any of the other squads did that came through that lane.
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Hi guys!
I’m calling my relocation to the big TX sorta’ complete. While running out of unpacking and workbench reorganizing excuses, I finally got the itch to build something again. With the thought of inevitable hand-shaking which is about to begin from too much time away from the bench, I’m even more petrified at the thought of destroying already started dioramas and vignettes. Even with all my careful notes, I can’t seem to rejoin where I left off. … So I decided to start fresh and press that damn ‘Going’ button and pressure myself into yet another campaign.
Enough jibber-jabber. Here’s my entry…
Gecko Models (35GM0111) 1/35 60’–70’s Vietnam Saigon Shuttle Motor-Tricycle (Tricar) w/driver & passengers
‘Lambro 550’
With the physical and mental challenges I face, this is likely to become a poor little lamb to the slaughter, bro (see what I did there). 
—mike 
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Ah, I see what you did there. Clever!
I haven’t gotten this kit yet so I am looking forward to seeing your progress in building it.
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About dang time you saddled up partner. This is your last time to go small, afterwards your Tejas now and it has to be Buc-ees size going forward.
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Glad to hear you’re back in the saddle Mike, very interested in your subject and hope to see the “Inspector” pointing out your progress. Man, sure have missed your wit and arcane posts lol. 
Cajun 
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Thank’s for the welcome back guys!
So far, I’ve only gotten through Step 1 (six parts), but it feels good to clip and glue again! … Don’t start nothin,’ won’t be nothin.’ 
BTW: If you’re in the market, you can purchase two of these little trikes for a mere $2 US more (includes one figure, see below).
‘960-70s Saigon Shuttle Motor Tricycle Depot - Take a Break’
Note: I have no affiliation with any vendors.
—mike
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Hi guys,
so many interesting infos in this campaign, I am glad I got into.
Most of you’ve got real heritage and this is unvaluable not just for modelling.
These trikes can really bring to life a military subject.
For my part I could make a little step forward on the big gun:
Some basic weathering in advance to ease the job after building. Colours are general reddish-ochre to be blended later when I’ll eventually make up my mind to the model I want to stick to…
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Hi guys,
Here’s my minuscule start to the Lambro 550. The front wheel assembly is very spindly to say the least. Gotta’ let some glue cure before moving on.
Steps 1-3
Step 4
That’s all for now.
—mike
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Progress pics are the boudoir photos of modeling…
Here is my first contribution. This has been an inauspicious start. While working on some of the figures I had a particularly rough time with skin tone washes and it was making me wonder if I had lost my painting skills overnight.
I had two of Dragon’s M-274 Mules. Now I have one. I figured this guy would be a fun and quick build. It hasn’t been. I don’t know if this is indicative of DML’s 1990’s vehicle molds, but the fit of the pieces isn’t particularly good. The instructions reference attachment points that don’t exist and the instructions aren’t very straightforward. There are inexplicable holes, such as the missing panel on the backside of the fuel tank.
I made it 2/3 of the way through one OOB and while it would have been satisfactory in the end, I wasn’t pleased with it. I realized that if I had to do the model again, I would go about building it very differently. I consulted with James and he informed me that Eduard had a PE set for this bugger. Thus, I began to build my second kit. This sets me weeks back.
At least I am making progress. As of this morning I’m sick, so this gives me an excuse to lock myself into the hobby room over the holiday and get after this build.
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