VALENTINE 11 Mk111 NORTH AFRICA 42(REPOST)

[builder76]

Hi Fellow modellers,
I thought for a change of climate(see my other postings) I would like to post a "desert" dio .
I made this dio in memory of my father-in-law(and the many others) who fought with the 8th Army in the North African desert 1942.
It show a Valentine11 Mk111, with three soldiers using the tank as cover approaching the enemies trench defences.
I had difficulty in finding any web site that had "barbed wire" for sale. So decided to make my own from information gleamed from the web.
I found some jewellery wire available from a local art shop that I used
I then twisted it between two fixed post , adding the "barbs" as I went along. I made approx 1x metre ,finally selecting the best section for use.
The wood in the final "barbed wire setting" design came from mini chop sticks.
I hope you like my personal tribute, it was a labour of love, and is one of my favourite dios.
John

[steve131]

very good

[royjess]

Lovely little diorama, very realistic and great attention to detail

[Morris]

Great dio ! Reminds me of that popular B&W Dersert Rats photo - great stuff!

[Mark]

I can, but agree with all the above ! I struggle with dioramas and am in awe of your skills

[R2D2]

Very well detailed and excellent weathering! I always tend to over do mine so I usually build my items new! Looks like youv'e used real stone bits for the base! Wish I could model as well as you!

[builder76]

Thank you fellow modellers for your kind comments on my dio.
Yes R2D2 ,I do when ever possible use genuine bits in my dios, stones,trees,gravel,wood. etc
I have spent the last 10 + years collecting many books on various models & modelling techniques. I am an omnivorous reader of most things military.
It is so very pleasing to show my dios and have them appreciated, it makes modelling so much worthwhile & rewarding.
If I could recommend ONE book on modelling to you it would be F.A.O.(short for frequently asked questions .LOL ) by Mig Jimenez ,Andrea Press. Written by he of the MIG paint fame. It is an expensive book but the mine of information it contains is fascinating , and so well ILLUSTRATED actual pics showing a wide variety of modelling techniques.(weathering, decaling, use of types weather kits etc). I realse that Mig specialises in mainly AFV`s but the techniques he espouses can be used/adapted (in my opinion) to other models, cars, ships, bikes. especially where degrees of weathering /painting are needed.
Although I love building AFV`s I am also a fan of all things RAF. I have a wide collection of things RAF. Prints ,books,badges etc. I also have an Revell "Dambustetr" kit 1.72 waiting to be built AFTER my Heller Citroen Avant 1.8th.
I am so pleased that there is wonderful descriptive blow by blow build of the Citroen by Roymattblack.
His guide is going to make my build a lot less problematic(Many thanks Roy).
Regards to you all
John

[casper]

superb dio John
barbed wire looks great and the detail in the tank and soldiers amazing
casp

[R2D2]

Hi John. I also have the Heller 1/8th Citreon Avant! Ive started work on the engine but its on hold at the moment as I have a few other kits on the go! Its a very complicated kit so I bought Roy's CD which is going to be a real help! I recomend getting it as its a great help! The Heller instructions are pretty vague in a few areas so Roy's CD helps getting it in order!