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davecov · Last edited by davecov on Thu 05 Oct 2006 19:00 pm; edited 1 time in total

Had bit of a brainwave today whilst preparing a beef stew this morning! I haven't had time to think it through properly yet - and I haven't had the stew yet either!

In view of the popularity of dioramas, I thought it would be a nice idea to have a diorama built jointly by the forum members.

The base could be split into sections and those making the base would be custodians of their part of the diorama and would co-ordinate the build of their section. Other members would make models and send them to the custodians to display on their sections. It might even be possible for the custodians to meet up and join the sections together for a photo-shoot!

I haven't given much thought to what happens to the diorama when it is finished and photos have been taken. I wouldn't expect the models to be returned to the builders as it would cost too much to post them back. I propose that either the custodians should keep them or the diorama could be auctioned to raise money for charity.

Let me know what you think and give suggestions for subject, scale etc. I would imagine it would be a WW2 one in 1/72 (1/76 and OO/HO) scale due to the number of models available (but don't let that influence you).

If it proves successful, we could always do another one!

Dave

[Edited 5th October to change emphasis from a Group Build to a Joint Build to avoid confusion with Group Builds]
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Richard M · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 14:37 pm Post subject:

Good idea. How about making it in conjunction with a local museum or Regimental Association? The finished diorama could be presented to them and displayed in the museum or regiment/squadron etc. e.g a specific RAF squadron (617), or the 7th Armoured (Desert Rats). Something along the lines of Ratch's Northamptonshire project, or the Wittering GB on IPMS UK, but not limited to aircraft?!
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Owen · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 14:47 pm Post subject:

An internutting idea to say the least!

Perhaps, you could have a 'Vignette Challenge' that runs along your idea Dave? For example, someone designs a diorama, and splits it into 4 sections. Each member of the GB (there would only be four - one for each section) has to make a 1/4 of the diorama and is given a set Measurement for the Diorama. So, if the total diorama would measure 100cm x 100cm, each member would make a 50cm x 50cm section. Whoever was making the diorama would then have to interprit the plans and then make the diorama themselves - buying any AFV's Planes etc that would be neccesary for the diorama.

This method could also fit in with the charity Raffles. Entrants could pay a small fee to join (Say £5 - £10). Half of the money would go to charity and the other half either in a prize fund or towards a kit that could be won.

Alternatively, you could have as many people as you want making the same diorama from the same designs. Each diorama builder could interprit the plans in whatever way they like, and then the Dioramas would be judged by an impartial force. Again, this method could involve something similar to a charity raffle.

I guess each member could keep their own section of the diorama, but would have to take lots of pictures for the Judgement.

What do ya think?
Owen
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joe · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 14:49 pm Post subject:

Great idea, Dave!
Prepare a few more beef stews!!!

I think that would be a delightful idea!

how would we send them to you?
in a case?

Also, if it were to be a joint diorama, We could each devide the sections into what section of modelling we like/do best!
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joe · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 14:51 pm Post subject:

Little Kid Falky · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 16:16 pm Post subject:

I like the idea defo!

Beef Stew!

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Flash Flash · Silver Star Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 2937

I like the idea - but I'm not that good at dioramas ! I can't wait to see it !
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Ratch · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 17:16 pm Post subject:

I like the idea but here are a few pitfalls that would need sorting

If the diorama sections are to marry up seamlessly they will have to be precisely made

Exact measurements will have to be adhered to
Materials will have to colour-match
Any gradient will need to match precisely
Any coloured areas that join other boards will need to match

Now I'm not saying that it can't be done, but there would have to be no cutting corners

It wouldn't be a five minute rush job, decisions would need to be debated and settled in a diplomatic/democratic manner

I like the idea of many people being involved and (if possible) having the finished article displayed for public viewing - but it should be the Bees Knees if we're going to do that

Just my initial thoughts....

I'm sure I'll have more

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joe · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 18:32 pm Post subject:

Well then, why dont we do a competition, Set to a criteria, By DAVE himself!!!
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Ratch · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 18:39 pm Post subject:

I don't like the idea of a competition - it will only end in tears - it should be a joint effort, but it's how we go about acheiving a presentable result

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joe · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 18:52 pm Post subject:

Yes.
Maybe ONE person works on:

The base.

The figures.

The vehicles... Etc...

Each, if u get me

And send them to dave
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davecov · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 19:03 pm Post subject:

Just to add to my original thoughts as I wait for my beef stew to finish cooking:

I envisaged that it would take many, months to build perhaps starting in February or March and only after we have had lots of discussions about subjects, layout, etc.

I did not envisage a diorama consisting of too many smaller sections for the reasons Ratch stated above. I thought two or three sections (4 foot by 2 foot each?) would be enough. That way there would be far less to do in the way of joins and easier for the people constructing the bases to co-ordinate their work. After all, it won't do if roads, rivers, railways and other features do not line up when the sections are put next to each other.

The cost of the construction of the bases should be shared between all participants.

I do like Owen's idea too for lots of "mini-dioramas" but that would have to be a separate GB. The examples Owen gave excludes those of us who "don't do dioramas" and I do not like the idea of competitions. My idea is that everyone can get involved in some way in the making of the diorama without needing diorama skills. This can be achieved by building models for it.

BTW, this reminds me of an aptitude test myself and five other computer programmers had to do on our first day of training at a new job. We had two teams of three people and had to construct a full size, fully functional pool table (including ball return etc) from cardboard sheet, tubes and masking tape. The snag was that the pool table had to be made in two halves with the pool table split lengthways - diagonally splitting the corner pockets! Even worse was that the two teams could not communicate with each other during the build and would only meet up to join the two halves together when finished. Only the two team leaders could meet at regularly intervals! Luckily we succeeded but only because we discussed it thoroughly, we all knew what we were doing individually, we had regular meetings to discuss progress and we didn't rush things. I don't see this diorama being any different except that I don't expect anybody to play pool on it.

Off to eat my stew now!

Dave
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davecov · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 19:05 pm Post subject:

Ratch · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 19:07 pm Post subject:

Also there are a few chicken & egg things to sort out

1 - Subject - should we put forward ideas (in general terms) - North Africa/Italy/Normandy/Burma/whatever
2 - Interested parties - who wants to join in
3 - Leader - nominations, votes etc
4 - Research - let's get it right
5 - Delegation of tasks - who will contribute what
I'm sure I've missed something

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Owen · Posted: Wed 04 Oct 2006 19:07 pm Post subject:

I suggested a Charity Raffle style thing. A competition is a bit to hard hitting. Perhaps a joint Diorama thing could be done where every one wins something, but the builder of the best diorama gets a little bit more. Or would/could that still undermine members' confidence?

I like the idea, but it would have to be worked on a little. Or, there could just be a plain GB when members either build a plain diorama or to a few specifications.
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badgary28 · Black Star Joined: 24 Apr 2006 Posts: 48

i like the idea of this myself can we open up to include a vote on the scale as well id like to join in myself 1.72 isnt my usual scale for tihs thou id like 1.35 scale

or heres a good idea 1.48 scale bigger but can include lots more as everthings available in this scale nowadays

maybe i could learn a few scenery making tips from this to
a bit of a weakness of mine.

Owen · Posted: Thu 05 Oct 2006 18:38 pm Post subject:

Or, there could be just a group of people signing onto a Diorama GB. There could be a few limits - for example it could be say a Villers-Bocage Diorama, a D-Day diorama or a small Figure Vignette

Everyone follows the same set of rules but can adapt and improvise with their own techniques.
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davecov · Posted: Thu 05 Oct 2006 18:51 pm Post subject:

There is no reason why dioramas shouldn't be made as other Group Builds. However, that was not the purpose of this thread which is for us to discuss the possibility of constructing one diorama between us. Let's not get the two mixed up. I'm mixed up enough as it is!

Dave

P.S. I have changed the name of the build to a Joint Build to avoid any confusion!
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Ratch · Posted: Fri 06 Oct 2006 22:38 pm Post subject:

OK, I'll make the first concrete proposal

Lets go for North Africa

What are your nominations (with regard to the theme)

When we've got a few together, say in a week or so, we can put a Poll up for everyone to vote on the nominations

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davecov · Posted: Sat 07 Oct 2006 08:47 am Post subject:

I couldn't make my mind up between two, so I will let somebody else decide for me!

Firstly, the Russian Front (free of snow though).

Secondly, a "what-if" of a successful Operation Sealion landing with German forces fighting on the British mainland.

Dave
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