Storming The Citadel (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Normally when I am writing about dioramas it’s usually about some great piece that my brother Gordon has just built.

This time it’s a wee bit different... Here is one that I designed and built. As you can see it shows K&C U.S. Marines storming one of the principal gates that led into the ancient citadel of Hue, Vietnam’s old imperial capital.

The model itself measures some 40” long by about 20” wide. Outside the citadel walls and gate is a water-filled moat you might just see.

Also of interest are the two Buddhist ‘swastikas’ carved in stone above the main gate, symbols of the Emperor’s Buddhist faith. The cobble-stoned roadway we made wide enough to accommodate wheeled vehicles and tracked ones, including a big one we are currently working on that will be released later this year or early next.

Most of the design and construction work of the diorama was done at my home after work in the evening and also at weekends.

Once the model was complete and partially assembled I took it to Gordon’s Workshop where I painted and weathered the final assembly.

Altogether it took just over 2 months to complete but it was also very relaxing and fulfilling to be working with my hands again... a lot of fun!

Best wishes and happy collecting,
Andy

 

[villagehorse]

Full credit to you Andy. How do you find the time, running a business, designing, travelling and family. There must be more than one of you. This structure is brilliant and showcases your new series perfectly. One very talented man.:salute::, Robin.

 

[wayne556517]

Very good mate and well done impressive good to see you having some fun.

 

[Normandy1944]

Goooood Morning Vietnam! This is hot, very hot! One magnificent diorama you've made there. Full credit to you Mate.
I even see a new Viet Cong figure fire his AK47 on the Marines
Thanks for sharing. And have a good trip to the states




Harrie

 

[Guy]

Great diorama Andy. I especially like the paint work on the citadel.
great that you feel the same pleasure and fun like we do making a diorama, bringing toy soldiers to life
Achieving this in 2 months is unbelievable
Guy

 

[Horus]

Magnificent ! {bravo}}
Congratulations a very inspiring diorama Andy, well done indeed. You can almost smell the cordite ! :salute::
I think you'll be getting a lot of offers for your display piece when you unveil it at the show.
Can we have a few more photos of it please !?

Think I can spot six new marines, which look to me to be: On one knee firing, another kneeling looking back, running at a crouch, throwing a grenade and one dragging a wounded buddy.

All of whom will be added to my collection !

Once again well done on the diorama !:salute::

Steve

 

[Normandy1944]

Magnificent ! {bravo}}
Congratulations a very inspiring diorama Andy, well done indeed. You can almost smell the cordite ! :salute::
I think you'll be getting a lot of offers for your display piece when you unveil it at the show.
Can we have a few more photos of it please !?

Think I can spot six new marines, which look to me to be: On one knee firing, another kneeling looking back, running at a crouch, throwing a grenade and one dragging a wounded buddy.

All of whom will be added to my collection !

Once again well done on the diorama !:salute::

Steve

here Steve a picture of the six new marines. You also found the new Viet Cong figure one with a straw hat.



Harrie

 

[Horus]

here Steve a picture of the six new marines. You also found the new Viet Cong figure one with a straw hat.
View attachment 237182


Harrie

Yeah I think so Harrie. He / she's above the poster to the right of the gate.


So will the Marines appear before Christmas or next year !?

Steve

 

[katana]

A very nice fortification Andy, very realistic. I can appreciate the amount of effort that was involved in building this superb edifice!

 

[King & Country]

Yeah I think so Harrie. He / she's above the poster to the right of the gate.


So will the Marines appear before Christmas or next year !?

Steve

Hi Steve,
The new Marines should appear this year before Christmas I hope.

Thanks also for everyone's appreciative comments...I love designing and building dioramas...When I have the time and the inspiration!

All the best,
Andy.

 

[29 Let's Go]

Beautifully done Andy.

Steve

P.S. I was reading your bio that you posted and was surprised to see you worked in Ludington, Michigan. I went to school in Cadillac, Michigan not far from you. I think we were in the general vicinity at the same time. Small world.

 

[Sentaapua]

Andy,
You were certainly very inspired and executed beautifully this wall and gate entrance to the citadel of Hue! It’s magnificent! I see that the talent for building outstanding dios is in the family DNA! I’m sure all those who get to go to Chicago will have a feast to their eyes with what you will be displaying there!

 

[TomNT]

Full credit to you Andy. How do you find the time, running a business, designing, travelling and family. There must be more than one of you. This structure is brilliant and showcases your new series perfectly. One very talented man.:salute::, Robin.

I think you hit the nail on the head Robin, there's two Andy's running around the planet and I reckon he got his clone cooked up in a lab somewhere....^&grin

Great work Andy, like you I have been building a new dio although mine is still no where near completion. I gather you will be keeping this beauty and not flogging it off to someone at the show?

See you there mate, I arrived in San Fran this morning and will be flying into Chicago tomorrow.

Tom

 

[King & Country]

I think you hit the nail on the head Robin, there's two Andy's running around the planet and I reckon he got his clone cooked up in a lab somewhere....^&grin

Great work Andy, like you I have been building a new dio although mine is still no where near completion. I gather you will be keeping this beauty and not flogging it off to someone at the show?

See you there mate, I arrived in San Fran this morning and will be flying into Chicago tomorrow.

Tom

Thanks once more gents for your support and encouragement!

When I return to HK I will be working on an Ancient Egyptian Diorama...Watch this space'
See you soon, Tom and safe travels.
Andy.

 

[Horus]

Sounds like Andy found building the Tower for the Hue line so enjoyable we'll be seeing Ancient Egypt being bought to life in one of his creations in a few months. Wonder what it'll be Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, Processional way of Sphinxes at Luxor !?


Talking of Egypt, How about a few characters such as a Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile ! ^&grin

Steve

 

[King & Country]

Sounds like Andy found building the Tower for the Hue line so enjoyable we'll be seeing Ancient Egypt being bought to life in one of his creations in a few months. Wonder what it'll be Abu Simbel, Karnak Temple, Processional way of Sphinxes at Luxor !?


Talking of Egypt, How about a few characters such as a Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile ! ^&grin

Steve

Hi Steve,
Greetings from The Chicago Show...
Funny you should mention the famed M. Hercule Poirot...He will be appearing next month at our Singapore Event!
Best wishes,
Andy.

 

[zblang]

Egypt diorama has me excited! I too hope it’s to showcase new figures!

 

[King & Country]

Egypt diorama has me excited! I too hope it’s to showcase new figures!

Hi Zach,
Greetings from Chicago!

Re: 'showcasing new figures'...Funnily enough I was thinking the same thing!!!
See you soon,
Andy.

 

[MichaelRutherford]

Andy,
Very interesting diorama. What materials did you have laying around your house that you made this with? How did you make this? I use styrofoam to make buildings but this looks much more involved than that.

Looking forward to your reply , cheers,
Mike

 

[arnhem44mad]

Would like to see a wounded marine being pulled without bandage. All the wiubses figures already have bandages.

Scott