New Vietnam Fire Support Base (1 Viewer)

[Northgate Woods]

Just thought I would share with you the first photos of two new 5' x 3' Dio being built for me by my good mate Damian (Treefrogger: Parksie) These are early photos and the base are ready for transport to my TS Room. Nothing has been added at this stage (105 guns, 81mm mortars and 106RCLs plus barb wire, tents, additional sandbags, ammo bunkers, vehicles, figures, etc.) so as not to damage them during shipping by M/V. Vegetation and foliage also to be added after shipping. The best way to display K&C's magnificent range of VN products.

For those of you who have seen the 5' x 3' Dio I displayed at the last K&C Dinner in July, 2019, these two have been planned to attach to that one and end up a 15' x 3' Dio Base.

I am hoping that this is completely finished by 25th April, ANZAC Day, for all the local Viet Vets to enjoy, remember fallen mates and sip on a quiet cold ale.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard



Many thanks Damian.:salute::

 

[Louis Badolato]

Just stunning, Cobber!

 

[Obee]

I'm looking forward to seeing the Fire Base setup, and doing a 'first hand inspection' when I can make it 'over the wall' to Victoria

Cheers,
John

 

[King & Country]

Just thought I would share with you the first photos of two new 5' x 3' Dio being built for me by my good mate Damian (Treefrogger: Parksie) These are early photos and the base are ready for transport to my TS Room. Nothing has been added at this stage (105 guns, 81mm mortars and 106RCLs plus barb wire, tents, additional sandbags, ammo bunkers, vehicles, figures, etc.) so as not to damage them during shipping by M/V. Vegetation and foliage also to be added after shipping. The best way to display K&C's magnificent range of VN products.

For those of you who have seen the 5' x 3' Dio I displayed at the last K&C Dinner in July, 2019, these two have been planned to attach to that one and end up a 15' x 3' Dio Base.

I am hoping that this is completely finished by 25th April, ANZAC Day, for all the local Viet Vets to enjoy, remember fallen mates and sip on a quiet cold ale.

Cheers from the Land Down Under, Howard

View attachment 273858View attachment 273859View attachment 273862View attachment 273860View attachment 273861View attachment 273862View attachment 273858View attachment 273859View attachment 273860View attachment 273861

Many thanks Damian.:salute::

G’day Howard,
Now that you’ve got the basic movie set...Looking forward to seeing all the Aussie actors and extras show up!!!
Bloody good work mate and congrats to Damianfor all his hard work and effort ...and yourself for ‘commissioning’ this
great piece.
All the very best,
Andy.

 

[villagehorse]

Just fabulous Howard mate, a natural site to accommodate this series to the maximum. Eagerly awaiting it to be populated with all the wonderful pieces you have acquired and the future releases that it has been designed for. Damian has produced a ‘wow’ factor and once these jigsaw terrains are connected, it will all come together to form a spectacular diorama without question. Robin.

 

[desk11desk12]

WOW! Terrific.

What are they made of and the measures?

I like it! How about those faded marsden matting?

Can't wait to see the finish product?

Where are you going to display both pieces?

Aussie only diorama or US display too?

Carlos

 

[mestell]

Outstanding Howard! It will look magnificent when all the add-ons have been placed. Cheers!
Mike

 

[tdubel]

Howard,
Just fantastic! WOW!!!

Tom

 

[Horus]

Exciting stuff there Howard mate, I'm really pleased you're going to have such a outstanding diorama base to bring to life, Damian has made you proud with that and so it should !:salute:: {bravo}}{sm0} %^V%^V%^V%^V%^V%^V%^V
Looking forward seeing it all set up in it's glory with Centurions, 105's, Mortars etc etc !

Steve

 

[Warrior]

This looks tremendous Howard, I'm sure once it's completed you'll be a very happy customer, well done that.

 

[Mike97]

Absolutely amazing looking dio base...it's going to fun to watch the progress on this...wow !

 

[Parksie]

Gentlemen and Howard. Thank you for the kind words .

Howard is a great bloke to build for . We brain storm the idea first . then I have full carte blanche . I will suggest ideas and run them past Howard as he is a most agreeable chap.

Couple of questions on How it was made ?

Basic run down

The base is a 6mm MDF with a 30mm right angle beading around it the screws are self tappers which are screwed and glued from beneath . these penetrate the base and act as anchor points for the XPS foam base . ( XPS is blue foam or pink is a high density extruded foam . Mainly used for insulation. the beauty is it is light weight and easy to carve and shape . )
Ground layers are Sculpt a mould . this is a plaster mixture with paper fibre through it . Acts like a papier mache". this is shaped roughly . allow 20 minutes so you can then shape it to its final form .

The ground is then painted with Acrylic paints . the colour is a mixture of Burnt sienna yellow oxide and a little of burnt umber . Depends where the diorama is based . Colours will change to the appropiate colours.

The ground it then soaked in glue misture of PVA white glue , Water and a couple of drops of dish detergent . This aids with the flow . The final ground cover is grout a cement mixture and it is sprinkled onto the base there other components which i have not mentioned . but these can be saw dust ground through a coffee grinder . this is then soaked again with the PVA mixture .

the corrugated iron around the gun pits are made from Disposable Aluminium bake trays ( BBQ trays ) a template of wooden dowels are glued to the form and teh aluminum is sandwiched between . The Star pickets are simple match sticks soaked in a black wash .

The Gun pits are mixture of casting plaster and paint.

I have also made Barbed wire . which is simply placing thin gauge wire in the chuck of my drill attacing a hook and twisting the wire on low speed . do not pull too tight as teh wire will snap .

At present I making tents to complete the diorama. This is a a timber buck which I will shape then use epoxy putty to cover and add more details .

When this is complete . I will send through photos .

that is about it . I think i have coverd most aspects of the diorama.

If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask .

Damian

 

[Obee]

Damien,

thanks for your detailed information on the construction of this diorama, I hope to see next time I go over to see Howard.

Well done,

John

 

[Horus]

Thanks for the How to make guide Damian, very well done ! :salute::

Steve