Bloody Tarawa (1 Viewer)

[enricoquinto]

Hi Harrie,

your diorama will look wonderful! :smile2: I'm sure about it...


Cheers

Enrico

 

[Larry Allen]

Factually true Gary...But our 'Tarawa' Marines can be used in a multiple of settings...Peleleu...Saipan...Okinawa...Iwo Jima...or even Korea, if the collector wishes, along with that Alligator.
We produced the LVT (A)1 partly because K&C had never produced it before and partly because it's a really cool vehicle! It's appearance in the 'Tarawa' diorama was a way to promote its upcoming release and not an attempt to subvert real history...That's part of the appeal of toy soldiers,which these are, just occasionally you get to play with a little 'historic license'!
In Chicago we had literally hundreds of collectors looking and admiring Gordon's 'Tarawa' beach landing. No one I can recall reeled back in horror at seeing our 'Alligator' included among a 'Tarawa' diorama...Most of what was said was 'When will it be available to buy..?'
Best wishes, Andy.

I have always held that belief in building a "historical diorama." The first word in our hobby is "TOY" so that somewhat legitimizes the phrase that Andy used ... "historic license" ... well, at least to me.

However, there has to be some boundary to the license. Generally, that is totally decided by the builder. I would say that the greatest percentage of the dioramas that are built and displayed on this forum are built for the pure enjoyment of doing so and then sharing with friends and fellow collectors on this forum and other places.

If one were to build a display where great historical accuracy is required ...i.e. a museum or historical society ... then a much greater attention must be paid to the known FACTS.

I wonder if it is even possible to build an "historically accurate" diorama....:rolleyes2:

For example on a Tarawa display, are the placement of the pillboxes exact? Are the number of palm trees accurate? Is the exact height of the Tarawa seawall accurate? To worry about all the "accuracy" details would take away from the enjoyment of the hobby and building and sharing dioramas.

But that may be just me ....{sm4}

Happy collecting .... Oh ya' Andy ... when IS that Alligator going to be available ...{sm4} {sm3}

--- LaRRy

 

[jazzeum]

Factually true Gary...But our 'Tarawa' Marines can be used in a multiple of settings...Peleleu...Saipan...Okinawa...Iwo Jima...or even Korea, if the collector wishes, along with that Alligator.
We produced the LVT (A)1 partly because K&C had never produced it before and partly because it's a really cool vehicle! It's appearance in the 'Tarawa' diorama was a way to promote its upcoming release and not an attempt to subvert real history...That's part of the appeal of toy soldiers,which these are, just occasionally you get to play with a little 'historic license'!
In Chicago we had literally hundreds of collectors looking and admiring Gordon's 'Tarawa' beach landing. No one I can recall reeled back in horror at seeing our 'Alligator' included among a 'Tarawa' diorama...Most of what was said was 'When will it be available to buy..?'
Best wishes, Andy.

My thoughts exactly.

When will it be available to buy, by the way? :wink2:

I find it ironic (if that's the right word) that when Andy made his second series of Iwo, people were not really interested but here we are 10 or so years later and it's all the rage. I suppose the lesson is that you can never figure out what consumers want {eek3}

 

[Napoleon1er]

When I make a diorama, the level of accuracy I use depends on the subject. When I make dioramas of specific small-scale events, such as Hougoumont, I like to get the architecture and landscaping as close to historical fact as possible and I make sure to use the correct units with correct strength.

When I make a diorama representing a named battle or area, I like to make sure the units I use are accurate and the buildings/vehicles/boats/terrain are accurate for the period/place, even if they don't represent specific historical buildings/vehicles/boats/areas. An example of this is the Nile gunboat I'm building or the Israeli stockade I'm working on.

When I do a diorama of a broad area/time, such as the Penninuslar War or Retreat from Russia, I don't bother too much with which units were where within the campaign or the complete accuracy of the buildings. These dioramas are just from my imagination. Kind of like novels.

All that aside, I like my figures as close as possible to the historical reality. The beauty is in the details.

 

[arnhem44mad]

I also try to build dioramas on factual evenys. So having a Landing/Drop Zone in an Arnhem diorama. Having thr bridge, having the town of Arnhem and the suburbs of Oosterbeek.

Or another example is having a D-Day Omaha beach, Rangers, LCAs - as the 2nd Rangers did not come ashore on LCVPs, nor did the Majority of 5th Rangers except for one company. More units representing other ones present on the day in the same sector of Omaha beach as the 2nd Rangers. DD wading tanks with appropriate markings and the like. I feel there's a sense of achievement in a historically accurate diorama but in saying thst I also think any diorama made can give you a sense of achievement of the same level.

Scott

 

[Larry Allen]

These dioramas are just from my imagination. Kind of like novels.

All that aside, I like my figures as close as possible to the historical reality. The beauty is in the details.

I really like the concept that some folks liken building a diorama to "writing a novel." Some are pure fantasy while others are hard-cold -facts.

The only issue that I see in building a diorama and trying for perfect historical accuracy is the lack of available figures or diorama vehicles, building etc to accomplish that goal.

To create a historically accurate diorama of a particular battle or event you MUST have the correct regiments, divisions, companies, vehicles, etc. If they don't exist then it becomes impossible to be historically spot-on. As you probably know, the American Revolution is one of my eras of choice. However, only a tiny number of Regiments have ever been produced or either the Colonial Army, the British Army, the French Army, the Hessian's, Indian's and so forth.

When I make a scene, my only choice is to use what is available, or possibly try to paint my own. But then my diorama looks more like an invasion from some hostile Aliens from the planet Mongo!!!! {sm2}

--- LaRRy

 

[King & Country]

I have always held that belief in building a "historical diorama." The first word in our hobby is "TOY" so that somewhat legitimizes the phrase that Andy used ... "historic license" ... well, at least to me.

However, there has to be some boundary to the license. Generally, that is totally decided by the builder. I would say that the greatest percentage of the dioramas that are built and displayed on this forum are built for the pure enjoyment of doing so and then sharing with friends and fellow collectors on this forum and other places.

If one were to build a display where great historical accuracy is required ...i.e. a museum or historical society ... then a much greater attention must be paid to the known FACTS.

I wonder if it is even possible to build an "historically accurate" diorama....:rolleyes2:

For example on a Tarawa display, are the placement of the pillboxes exact? Are the number of palm trees accurate? Is the exact height of the Tarawa seawall accurate? To worry about all the "accuracy" details would take away from the enjoyment of the hobby and building and sharing dioramas.

But that may be just me ....{sm4}

Happy collecting .... Oh ya' Andy ... when IS that Alligator going to be available ...{sm4} {sm3}

--- LaRRy

Hi Larry,
Preliminary delivery of the Alligator is December (hopefully in time for Christmas)...fingers and toes crossed!!!
Andy.

 

[Guy]

Some of my dioramas are based on actual facts and war pictures .
With what is available in the market I try to make a scene as close as possible to what really happened (cfr Café J.Philippe Epicerie)
I change vehicle markings, divisional sleeve badges, etc ; if needed.

Sometimes I let my imagination do the job and produce a scene not based on actual facts .
Even here I make sure that everything fits and is historically correct: divisions, regiments, vehicles, nature , climate elements, buildings, constructions etc ..;
The diorama I am working on will be called "Tea-Time"
It depicts the crew of a Guards Armoured Division firefly/1st Armoured Battalion/B squadron, taking a break and enjoying a cup of tea during operation" Bluecoat" in Normandy
Everything has to breathe NORMANDY , the scene, the vehicles and the men etc......

 

[Horus]

Some of my dioramas are based on actual facts and war pictures .
With what is available in the market I try to make a scene as close as possible to what really happened (cfr Café J.Philippe Epicerie)
I change vehicle markings, divisional sleeve badges, etc ; if needed.

Sometimes I let my imagination do the job and produce a scene not based on actual facts .
Even here I make sure that everything fits and is historically correct: divisions, regiments, vehicles, nature , climate elements, buildings, constructions etc ..;
The diorama I am working on will be called "Tea-Time"
It depicts the crew of a Guards Armoured Division firefly/1st Armoured Battalion/B squadron, taking a break and enjoying a cup of tea during operation" Bluecoat" in Normandy
Everything has to breathe NORMANDY , the scene, the vehicles and the men etc......

And a fantastic job you do of your dioramas too Guy !
I'm always in awe when I see yours. I tend to be a bit more flexible and try to give the flavour of the event, even if it means using a figure with a wrong shaped Tricorn hat type of thing, I try to get things right as far as I can using what manufacturers, make but sometimes I have to make do with what's available and improvise !

Steve

 

[Horus]

I really like the concept that some folks liken building a diorama to "writing a novel." Some are pure fantasy while others are hard-cold -facts.

The only issue that I see in building a diorama and trying for perfect historical accuracy is the lack of available figures or diorama vehicles, building etc to accomplish that goal.

To create a historically accurate diorama of a particular battle or event you MUST have the correct regiments, divisions, companies, vehicles, etc. If they don't exist then it becomes impossible to be historically spot-on. As you probably know, the American Revolution is one of my eras of choice. However, only a tiny number of Regiments have ever been produced or either the Colonial Army, the British Army, the French Army, the Hessian's, Indian's and so forth.

When I make a scene, my only choice is to use what is available, or possibly try to paint my own. But then my diorama looks more like an invasion from some hostile Aliens from the planet Mongo!!!! {sm2}

--- LaRRy

Can't say I've seen any Flash Gordon (Is he Andy's brother !? ^&grin) figures about so maybe you could start your own line !

Steve

 

[bromhead]

The old marines meet the new boys. There are 12 years between each other but they are matched very well with each other!

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Harrie����

Vets and replacements

 

[Normandy1944]

The work on my Tarawa Diorama has come to a temporary stop.
Well, wait for tomorrow! hope Andy comes with more Marines and Japanese in Action. Here are some pictures how it is now. thumbs crossed for tomorrow ??












Harrie

 

[Horus]

It's looking **** good Harrie !
Yep hopefully be some more releases tomorrow.
Steve

 

[Normandy1944]

Hi guys

Here some pictures from the update tarawa diorama.
I have bought the KnC01 D DAY SHERMAN (thank you Andy was a great idea) I rebuild a few things. paint him.
Last week I got the background for the diorama. Now I have to paint the base in a sand color.
Hope get the Archer Fine Transfers 1/35 USMC M4A2 Sherman Tank Markings from C Company / 1st Marine Amphibious Corps at Tarawa on Saturday.
Then I can going to make the sea water












Harrie

 

[villagehorse]

Coming together nicely Harrie. You are making rapid progress now, can Andy keep up^&confuse. Like the bunker with the Japanese soldier popping out to fire. Robin.

 

[Horus]

Well done Harrie !:salute::

Like Robin has said yourdiorama really is coming together it already looks great. The slit trench looks very realistic and appears to have it's own shelter for the figure in it.
I look forward to seeing the diorama again when you have done the next stage.

Steve

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Excellent Harrie - looking fantastic!

 

[Larry Allen]

Harrie ... your Tarawa diorama is fast approaching the quality of work that we have grown to expect from a King and Country display.
The composition, the detail, the placement and the space utilization are really coming together.

Super nice!

--- LaRRy

 

[jazzeum]

Very nice Harrie.

For those not willing to wait I have seen Figarti Amtracs and Shermans for Tarawa on eBay at decent prices.

 

[enricoquinto]

That diorama looks wonderful!

Well done, Harrie.


Cheers

Enrico