U-Bahn defence

[Leighbo]

Hi All

Thought I would share my latest diorama project with you all.

I bought the Dragon Kugelblitz as It is a bit unusual and just needed a scene to place it in.

I have read that the only examples built may have been used in the defence of Berlin so this was the perfect setting for it.

I also thought that an interesting scene may be that the Germans could have used the Ubahn subway for a supply base as it would be hidden underground. Put the two together and the Kugekblitz could be defending the entrance from air attack!

I want this to be a busy scene with many German troops from various divisions unloading and defending the Ubahn, to give the impression of a rag tag army making a desperate stand.

I first needed a box for the base so I could show into the subway entrance and luckily found one the perfect size at a local shop which saved a lot of hassle.

What was a pain was trying to get the internal framework to match with the street. I used Google sketchup to arrange everything on the PC before I started and then took the measurements from the PC which helped at the initial stage to make sure everything was positioned correctly

I used foam board to make the internal walls, stairs and the street and some wire mesh for the drain cover.

I used card for the tiled entry and used an embossing tool to score the lines.

Even more foam board was used for the stone wall surround with some card cut to show the detail of the stone I also covered this with rough masking tape to try and get some texture to it. If any one has any tips for getting more stone texture I would appreciate some input! I also added some balsa for the stone uprights, one being bomb damaged

The Kugelblitz can be seen in the background, not much to report on this part as it went together straight out of the box. I intend to have a geometric camo pattern. As there are no references I can go a little bit wild on this, but a lot of it will be covered with tarps anyway as if the crew have tried to camoflage it from air attack. I plan to have one of the crew pulling back a tarp from the guns in readiness for an imminent attack.

Anyway I'll sign off for now and post the progress soon, thanks for looking!

 

[spud]

oh thats a cool idea for a dio

 

[Quaralane]

Looking like a good idea.

 

[ShutterAce]

Definitely a great idea!

 

[geegad]

its all up there in the brain box and you've definitely got the imagination and work so far is quality

john

 

[Leighbo]

Thanks for your great comments, here's the latest update.

I've marked out on the street where the Ubahn entrance will be and the brick detailing around the edge and where the rear wall will go and now is the tedious process of using a modified USB stick to emboss the brick shapes across the whole street!

Also I wanted to have a bomb damaged wall at the rear corner of the scene and thought an interesting way to achieve this would be to use individual bricks and build them up to a broken wall. I used Juweela bricks stuck with white glue and a picture frame to keep the wall straight.

I next used milliput to make individual sandbags around the Ubahn entrance wall and then used a scrap of linen pressed into them to give them realistic texture.

As the underground section would probably have been lit (and because I fancied giving it a go!) I created a false ceiling from card and used a battery powered LED light rope to imitate individual lights.

I painted and weathered the tiled walls and stairs and added lots of detail with barrels, guns and crates from balsa. I will add even boxes etc... so it looks like a really busy scene.

With the street embossed I painted it completely with a thick grey wash to get into the gaps and then mixed various colours and painted individual bricks so it didn't look too uniform.

Finally a quick look at all the components together to check how it looks.

I will add more figures, rubble, weapons and supplies as the diorama progresses.

Thanks for looking, I'll post again soon

 

[Junkie]

Love it, love it, LOVE IT. This excites me. So totally cool.

This is a great shot. Can't wait to see more! Be sure to take lots of pics.

 

[Quaralane]

Excellent work on that

 

[fumblethumbs]

Yes, very original idea and great execution! Beautifull craftsmanship here!!

 

[geegad]

It gets better I'm blown away with your detail and imagination

John

 

[Leighbo]

Wow, I appreciate the great comments guys, it really inspires me to keep going.

I'll have some more to share soon!

 

[spud]

i love it it looks real good

 

[Leighbo]

Hi Guys

Latest update with my Ubahn diorama.

I have done some more work to the underground portion. I added a pallet made from balsa with various interesting bits stuck on and covered with a tarp made from kitchen towel and white glue. This fills the corner well and I also added a Plus model German cardboard box for some variation. I have a figure, which is yet to be added, looking up the stairs.

I have airbrushed the stone surround to get some colour vaiation and added a rusted beam to support a cover of planks and corrugated sheet. I envisaged these as a makeshift way to hide the entrance from air attack, and will have a soldier & equipment on it too.

I also painted the sandbags around the entrance

I thought I had better get started on the Kugelblitz whcih I wanted to have a first proper try at colour modulation. Because I wanted a two colour geometric pattern I am attempting to colour modulate in the brown - beige clour first and then mask off some stripes and overspray with a thinned light green trying to keep the underlying modulation showing through.

This may be a big ask for my first attempt but I do like a challenge!!

Here are the steps I have tried, using Vallejo paints throughout. First a coat of vallejo primer

Now an undercoat of black

Then a coat of brown, leaving the black to show through where necessary

Now I masked off so I could use a mid beige on the edges

Then a light beige for the extreme edges followed by painting in the hatches etc...

Once this was clear coated I masked my design and used a thinned coat of green.

I quite like the effect, although I am sure it isn't historically accurate or quite what I was shooting for!
It also looks very bright at the moment, I have started to oil wash it and it has tamed it down a bit, once I get some photos I will post them too.

Thanks for looking

 

[JohnSimmons]

Wow so impressive, great work there mate well done.

 

[noname]

Really good work here. I like the idea of using the linen to make an impression in the sandbags. I also really like the makeshift cover over the entrance. Wouldn't want everytjhing to be to clean and perfect right? Great job throughout, thanks for sharing.

 

[spud]

i love the way you painted the tank altough i wouldnt be a fan of teh yellow but im sure that wont look so harsh once its finished. i also love the tarp over the stuff in teh tunnel. Top work

 

[ScaleModelMadman]

Definitely an interesting take on the camouflage pattern and colors. I'm looking forward to see where you take this.

8)

 

[Quaralane]

Very interesting look to that.
And I love what you've done with the "depot"

 

[Leighbo]

Hi Again

Here is the latest update of my UBahn diorama

I have started painting the numerous figures (of 8 or 9) which will be adorning the scene, this one is going at the bottom of the stairs. Acrylic paints were used, followed by oils for the face and hands. I then added some litter in the form of crushed dried leaves and scale newspaper before fixing the figure in place

Next I needed to start to tone down the bright Kugekblitz paint job so I started with a couple of oil filters to bring the overall tone down, then left this to dry...

To start to fill in the scenery I made up a lot of individual boxes from balsa to stack on the pavement. These were individually painted and some markings added then covered with a camo net dyed and mixed with water & white glue to give a realistic sag. I also finished the gate for the back wall, which is again sheet balsa, with planked grooves scored in. To try and keep the wood showing through I experimented by using some Games Workshop / Vallejo acrylic washes in different shades of brown along each 'plank'. I am quite pleased with the effect especially after fixing it to the base and using some flock to represent moss.

I also fitted the individual brick wall and dry brushed some brown & black over it for some realism.

A quick check with all the figures added to check the overall look

Now back to the tank for some more oils. I pictured the tank to have been in an urban environment, so not much mud but as it would be winter I figured some streaked dust/dirt would be appropriate. I used a tan colour oil and some thinner to streak this down the vertical surfaces and then added a thinned wash of the same colour on the other surfaces to tie it all together. The overall colour is starting to settle back now, there are still a few oil washes to go yet once this is dry.

All these layers of paint are crazy really as a lot of the vehicle will be covered with tarps for camo, but it's all good practice!

Thanks for looking

 

[Junkie]

I love this. I really love it. That underground section is fantastic. Tank is looking good IMO, although I'm no expert on the subject. Figures appear busy...which is good. Fence and backwall is really well done too. Great job on the discoloration / stains.

The only thing jumping out at me is the intensity of the green used on the netting...that's getting picky I know. Just being honest with you.

I really love this dio though. Awesome.