Finally, I have completed the Sherman diorama. It's better than i could have thought. This tank has been sitting around on the 'to do' shelf for a few years. I painted the basic colours and then couldn't make my mind up how to finish it. Then i took up the challenge only for it to go back on the shelf after a difficult time with some individual track links, real pain. So here it is at last. Academy M4 with a Verlinden crew set. I saw these figures with their life vests on and thought it would add a quirky finish to it.
What's next? i have a few other 'to do' projects and it's back to the figure painting for more practice. i also need to practice depth of field on my photographs!

I've almost finished the Sherman diorama. Just a few finishing touches to do and then place the crew figures into their hatches. I'm very pleased with the outcome. This model has been on the shelf, unfinished for a very long time, glad to do it justice. I'll post pictures next week once it is finally complete.

I'm on a roll with the Sherman. I have now painted the water effect and i am very pleased with it. Figures are the next step and a few finishing touches to the tank and the tracks and it is complete. Hopefully with my new found enthusiasm for this project, it will be completed soon.

Here is a shot of the next 120mm scale heads for painting. They are in grey undercoat and await my attempts to bring them to life. The heads are from Mitches Military Models (see web address on the right)

...meanwhile in the Pacific Theatre of Operation. Here is the first course of 'water' on my Iwo Jima diorama. Plenty of work still to do but i'm getting there.

I'm still beavering away with the Sherman but i thought i would post a few pictures of where i am at the moment. The tank is almost complete, only a few bits to do. Base is well under way and needs the tank placed and the water added. Crew figures taking shape, some uniform work to do and fit them into their hatches. The tricky bit is going to replicate the water and splashes. I've got a plan so i'm confident it'll work, watch this space!
Here is the work so far. The kit is from Academy. Built from the box apart from Grenade screens added to the deep wading exhausts and i have textured the turret. The kit tracks were awful and i have replaced them with a set from a Tamiya Sherman. These are in keeping with the kit as there are a number of parts over scale.

Base made from placticard, plaster and sand.

I have left a good depth for the tracks to fit in.

M4 Sherman from Academy

 

Crew figures from Verlinden with life vests.