1/16 Scale Diorama by Pierre Lanzon
The Story
To be interesting enough every diorama should tell a story. The story behind this one is simple. A Panzer IV F2 belonging to Rommel's 15th Panzer Division (Deutsches Afrika Korps DAK) has pulled off the road to Tobruk at an assembly area for the final assault on Tobruk in North Africa on June 1942.
Research
When I start building a model for a new diorama I already have an idea of how it should look like once it is completed. As soon as I know which vehicle or tank I am going to build, or which era I am going to portray, I start by reading books on the subject. This actual starts days or weeks before the building of the models and usually lasts until completion of the scene. By doing so, the right atmosphere is being created inside my head and my imagination will soon tell what I am looking for. By research and reading books, you will also find useful information on the accessories you are going to use.
General Comments
The 1/15 scale Panzer Ausf F2 by Bandai has been around since the 1970's, Bandai has re-issued the kit due to renewed interest in big scale tanks by Tamiya and Verlinden. The Kit is simply a very poor replica of the actual Pz IV F2, considering also its high market price. On the other hand the kit does provide an excellent jumping off point for the scratch-detailing enthusiast.
Construction
It is almost impossible to describe all the added, converted or scratch-built details of the model. The following are but a few:
- Added hinges, handles etc.on engine compartment.
- Main muffer replaced by a 20mm conduit pipe, with two conex shape from a cigar tube and fixed at both ends.
- Commander, Loader and Radio operator hatched opened and detail added.
- Repair tool box, cable and radio antenna added.
- Ventilators, eye-hooks, fixed mount MG etc. replaced.
- Super detailing rear of tank with mainly Evergreen' material.
- Finally many of the kit's parts were discarded and replaced by detailed scratch-build parts.
Painting/Weathering
Once the construction phase was over we come to painting and weathering.
The entire model was sprayed in light grey primer to seal the different mediums used (plastic, resin, brass, copper, wood etc.) and left to dry for 24 hours. Next I sprayed the model several times with White Ensign Colours (Afrika Korps yellow No AR G 03), six bottles were needed. After drying, a coat of varnish was applied to protect the parts from the wash afterwards.
After the varnish has dried for 48 hours I started washing with tinted turpentine. Dry brushing was done light sand colour. All edges were dry-brushed with a mixture of light sand and light grey, to create the effect of the metal showing through the paint. I also used my favourite technique the 9B pencil. Rubbing the carbon of the pencil with the paint.
The end result is an effective metallic finish and the final appearance I was looking for.
The Figures
The figures are from three different manufacturers as shown below. Some had to be converted to suit my requirements. The basic figures are as follows:
2 x No 36310 German Afrika Korps Tank Crew Tamiya.
1 x No 909 SS Officer Italy Verlinden.
1 x No 16009 Afrika Korps Panzer Crew (Commander & Loader) S & T Products.
Once assembled the figures were sprayed with Desert yellow as a base coat, when dry the flesh areas were painted, using artist oil colours. The uniforms and equipment were next painted using Humbrol and Revell enamels. After at least 24 hours of drying, a wash of Raw Umber oil colour was applied to the figures, with excess paint being removed with a flat dry brush.
The Diorama
Choosing the size of the base for the diorama is a question of personal taste and experience. Be sure not to cramp too much on a base which is too small or too large a base that it takes you minutes to find the model.
The initial idea was a desert scene, I dreamed of doing years ago when I was working in Libya (actually Tobruk), so be sure that the sand in the diorama is of course from Tobruk.
The base was made from a piece of 1/2in (12mm) plywood, measuring 24in x 18in (610mm x 457mm). For the groundwork I used interior Polyfiller, this was mixed and poured onto the plywood, using an old flat knife, spread evenly over the base.
When this was completed, previously finished Tank, figures and accessories were pressed into the groundwork along with stones, pieces of rock (also from Tobruk), signpost and the cactus of course. These were left to dry overnight. The groundwork was sprayed with Matt 29 Dark Earth (Humbrol) then oversprayed with light sand colour. Once dry, diluted white glue was applied to all the area, then sand was sprinkled onto the still wet white glue. Several layers of sand was necessary to obtain a good result. This was followed by dry-brushing.
Finally the Tank was placed, figures glued and all accessories were added.
Accessories Used
German Jerry Cans set No 940 Verlinden
German Infantry Equipment set No 448 Verlinden
German Miscellaneous Equipment set No 665 Verlinden
German MG 34 No 794 Verlinden
German Ammo & Equipment Boxes No 967 Verlinden
German 8cm Mortar No 704 Verlinden
Conclusion
Just a final word on this diorama . It took me five months to complete it but it was a good challenge and the end result speaks for itself. Now on with the next project. You can also read about another large scale diorama in 1/16 scale here.
Happy Modelling
Pierre Lanzon
Malta Society of Model Makers
