Help needed....WW1 diorama (1 Viewer)

[chalklands]

Hello,
I'm planning on doing a WW1 battlefield diorama to show off my JJD WW1 tanks. Unfortunately I have no idea how to go about this, so I was after some tips/advice!

I want to display 2/3 tanks advancing over an uneven, shell pocked, muddy battlefield.

1. Which material to use? Modelling clay, plaster of paris??
2. For the texture do I stick dirt on top or use small stones twigs etc or all of these?
3. I want to slightly embed the vehicles in the mud. Would covering the base of the tanks in clingfilm, & then making an indentation whilst the base is still pliable, be OK?
4. How do I create barbed wire? Can you buy it, or is it best to make your own?
5. Anything else I've missed?

Any tips/opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Pete

 

[Napoleon1er]

1. Take a thick piece of pink foam
2. sculpt in any hills/vallies, or shell holes
3. Mix a small amount of water with white glue
4. mix in dirt (approximately 1 glue to 5+ dirt
5. spread dirt mixure on top (.25-.5 inch thick)
6. add in any terrain stuff, like woodland scenics materials
7. when it is almost dry (5-12 hours, depending on thickness) use seran wrap to shield the vehicles while you "embed" them
8. let dry, finish sides

-Sandor :salute::

 

[chalklands]

Thanks Sandor!

Pete

 

[theBaron]

I second Sandor's tips. I recommend that you not use plaster of Paris. Foam is easier to work with, in my opinion.

It's foam insulation. You can buy it at a hardware store, or if there is a building site nearby, ask the builder. I find that when I ask people for things like this and explain what I use them for, they're often interested enough to be generous.

Foam has the advantage that it can be cut and shaped very easily, and you can use white glue to fix material to it. It's also easy to poke holes of various sizes in it, whether for trees, shrubs, posts and poles, or smaller holes for making clumps of grass or single plants.

Prost!
Brad

 

[theBaron]

Also, regarding the barbed wire, you can buy it, but you can make your own, too, with salvaged wire. Electrical and electronic equipment are good sources of wire, starting with power cords or connecting cables. Never throw anything out, without scavenging it for materials!

Prost!
Brad

 

[Napoleon1er]

Hudsen & Allen sells coils of it, while WBritain and Build-A-Rama do whole sections already set up.