You certainly covered every angle Tom. Very impressive column of vehicles adjacent a very impressive train, especially of course the huge loco. The diorama base is very realistic, really like the stream and boat. There is a probably a scene involving that stream, the commando stepping out of the canoe into the water comes to mind as a useful figure. It's great how you can create such a large scale diorama. Robin.
Thanks Robin and funny you should say that about the commandos, but I kinda built this dio with them in mind. I have a canoe and most of the commandos so i'll be doing a dio with them sometime in the future.
Hi Guys, G’day Tom,
Once again mate ... You have done us proud !!! All of us at King & Country are both amazed and delighted by your skill and creativity.
Your British armoured column is like something out of “A Bridge Too Far” ... Now, where are you hiding the “Dingo”, the “Daimler Armoured Car” and the little Bren Carrier? I know they must be somewhere in that scene ... obviously well camouflaged.
Everything about your layout and display is simply stunning. Many thanks again for your continued inclusion and support of K&C and our fighting vehicles and figures.
All the very best and ... happy collecting!
Andy
Thanks Andy, without your products and the products from other manufacturers, us dio people couldn't make/create scenes like this so kudos goes to you as well mate. Sorry, but no well camouflaged Dingo or Bren Gun Carrier in my scene! Just like yourself, I love that little Dingo but I didn't use it in this scene so as to not clutter the dio to much with vehicles. I will however do a follow up to this scene and this time I will be using a pair of Dingos! I don't own the old DD European Bren Carrier but if you make a new one with hollowed out road track wheels (just like the EA Desert version), then I will definitely buy one.
Really nice Tom and nice to see some British armour for a change with all the German stuff in the hobby
Thanks Neil and yeah, have been wanting to do a dio with Brit armour and other vehicles for a while now.
Well done Tom. Very impressive column!
Thanks mate.
Sweet! Love the locomotive. Is it Figarti? Looks great in your display.
Brad
Thanks Brad and yeah, it's a Figarti BR52 Loco
I've never seen SO much British Armour in one diorama,
great work,
John
Thanks John
Great looking column of mixed Brit armor. Also really like the infantry moving through the orchard. -- Al
Thanks Al.
Love your armored columns, Tom. Apart from a motor-pool display, this seems like the best way to create a realistic looking depiction of multiple vehicles in a relatively small space, a great use of display real-estate.
-Moe
Thanks Moe, I created this dio so I can display a long line of vehicles down the road although the "real-estate" sure impacts on my room somewhat! {eek3}^&grin
Most people would put the walking troops along the armored column, but you have them walking through the meadow, which was a nice touch. Terrific dio. Was the Comet built on the Cromwell chassis? They look real similar. BTW, I'm real happy with my Cromwell model.
Thanks mate and I agree, most people would probably put the troops walking along the road but I created a small track along the creek and I think the troops look better walking through nature as opposed to the road. Besides, I can hide most of the bases in the natural look with the use of camera angles etc but I couldn't do that if the troops were on the road unless I used special affects. The Comet is similar to the Cromwell although it is a larger tank and has many improvements to the Cromwell. I'm also happy with the Cromwell, hence me buying two. I would love to do the same with the Comet but the defence funds are a lot more limited now. Here's a bit of info on the Comet that I got off Wikipedia:
Recognising that a common low profile vehicle was required to replace the mixed fleet of Cromwell, Challenger and Firefly tanks, a new specification of tank was created. This removed Challengers need for a second loader and mounted the newer Vickers High Velocity weapon intended for Cromwell. With the A34 (the General Staff specification), later named Comet, the tank designers opted to correct some of the Cromwell's flaws in armament, track design and suspension while building upon the Cromwell's main strengths, its low height, high speed and mobility. This replaced the need for Challenger and Firefly, and acted upon the experiences gained through design and early deployment of Cromwell.
Originally, it had been expected that Cromwell would use a new gun from Vickers: the "High Velocity 75mm". However, as designed, the gun would not fit into the turret size available.[5] Development of the gun continued, and as work commenced on the Comet, the gun design evolved into the 77 mm HV.[6] The gun now used the same calibre (76.2 mm) projectile as the 17-pounder, but the cartridge case was from the older QF 3 inch 20 cwt anti-aircraft gun loaded to higher pressures. The resulting round was completely different from 17-pounder ammunition. Overall the round was shorter, more compact and more easily stored and handled within the tank.
The 77 mm HV was effectively a shortened 17-pounder. This made it possible to mount the gun on a smaller turret ring. The gun was still capable against opponents, and firing APDS rounds, it was more accurate and consistent than APDS from the 17pdr and 6pdr, which were inaccurate over 700m and often ricocheted.[citation needed] The Challenger turret had been so large to allow space for two loaders.[note 2] Several other improvements were made over the Cromwell's original design, and many of its design revisions were incorporated, such as safety hatches for both driver and hull gunner. The hull was now fully welded as standard and armour was increased, ranged from 32 mm to 74 mm on the hull, while the turret was from 57 to 102 mm.
A new lower-profile welded turret was created using a cast gun mantlet for the 77 mm. The turret was electrically traversed (a design feature taken from the Churchill tank), with a generator powered by the main engine rather than the hydraulic system of the Cromwell. Ammunition for the 77 mm gun was stored in armoured bins.
Comet's suspension was strengthened, and track return rollers were added. As with later Cromwells, the Comet tank's top speed was limited from the Cromwell's 40+ mph to a slower, but respectable 32 mph (51 km/h). This change preserved the lifespan of suspension and engine components and reduced track wear.
Similar to later Churchills, Comet benefitted from lessons learned in the co-operation of tanks with infantry. It was fitted as standard with two radio sets: a Wireless Set No. 19, for communication with the regiment and the troop, and a No. 38 Wireless for communication with infantry units. Like many British tanks, it also had a telephone handset mounted on the rear so that accompanying infantry could talk to the crew.
Very cool Tom mate, that Comet tank is a beast. I especially liked the snaps of the Infantry moving through the orchard and the dead fella's on the train is a nice touch. Looking forward to your next installment.
Thanks Toddy, glad you like it mate.
Thanks to all the people that provided a like as well.
Tom
