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davecov · Last edited by davecov on Wed 11 Apr 2007 08:46 am; edited 1 time in total

The Operation Sealion Diorama Joint Build won't be having a start date as such as a lot of discussions have to take place before any building can take place. An end date won't be announced prior to the start either as this build is bit of an unknown quantity in terms of duration. However, an end date will be announced during the build and members will get four weeks notice of the build's completion. Richard M is the Joint Build Leader.

Remember that kits may be of any scale or manufacturer - as long as Airfix also made the subject! If you wish to take part in the Joint Build, click on the Usergroups link at the top of the page. Then:

Select "Joint Build - Operation Sealion"

Click "View Information"

Click on "Join Group".

That's all there is to it!

The Joint Build Leader will create a thread for each participant. If a participant is making more than one model or constructing some of the diorama base as well a model(s), then they can have separate threads for each model and their contribution towards the diorama base.

Dave
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joe · Posted: Thu 18 Jan 2007 17:34 pm Post subject:

Hexagonal bases, to link the dio together.

Apparently they can be stacked, even with enough space to have terrain on them! So we could take the dio ANYWHERE without worrying about squishing the scenics!

http://www.kallistra.co.uk/
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davecov · Posted: Thu 18 Jan 2007 20:01 pm Post subject:

They are no good in this particular case. The base is going to be made up of three or four rectangular sections with each being one being made by one person. This will make it easier to match up the sections. Having lots of hexagons would be a nightmare.

Dave
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joe · Posted: Thu 01 Feb 2007 17:46 pm Post subject:

Are we sure that this is the way?

Each section could end up looking different to the one next to it!

We will all have to use the

same scatters

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davecov · Posted: Thu 01 Feb 2007 17:54 pm Post subject:

Of course we will have to use the same scatters, what's so difficult about that? The people responsible for the base sections will also have to discuss things like the exact locations where roads and other features cross joins etc. I'm sure it will be very interesting sorting that out but it is possible. All part of the fun....

Dave
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Ratch · Posted: Thu 01 Feb 2007 17:55 pm Post subject:

Yes we will

It will take careful planning and building by those who actually do the bases, but its not impossible to get a good match if everyone does it right

I've given this a little thought and each board could be themed

1 small farm
2 fields with tank traps & pill boxes
3 beach & dunes
this may alleviate some of the match-up problems

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Owen · Posted: Thu 01 Feb 2007 19:00 pm Post subject:

I thought it might be quite a good idea to incorporate some of the Ex-Airfix Dapol kits. Fighting through railway sidings or maybe a de-railed train on a countryside Branch Line.

Unlike Europe, England has some distinctive features like Churches, Houses, Cars, Roads and Railways. I think it would be a good idea to incude these in the diorama to show that it is very obviously based in England.
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Owen
"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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Beyond the Box SIG Member

Richard M · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 06:53 am Post subject:

Owen wrote "Unlike Europe, England has some distinctive features like Churches, Houses, Cars, Roads and Railways."

Don't quote me on it, but I'm pretty certain Europe had a few churches and houses etc. Across the water they might be uncivilised barbarians who drive on the wrong side of the road and don't appreciate a decent cuppa, but they're not that backward! Ducks and runs for cover

How are we going to incorporate some floaty stuff and things with wings for those of us who are so inclined and don't really like 1/72 AFV's and figures? Are there any airfields next to a port, with railway sidings, by a road?

Alternatively there is the possibility of a beachhead with landing barges (troop and AFV) and supporting vessels with some low level strafing by Ju87's etc?
Best
Rich
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Rich
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Ratch · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 09:16 am Post subject:

We will need to invent (?) some novel way of having aircraft 'in flight' on the dio

Personally, I think the baseboards should be uncluttered as far as buildings go, which is why I suggested a small farm, and the beach section would accommodate LC's & barges

A few distictive and well built buildings would place the scene and be representative of rural England

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
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DavidM · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 09:29 am Post subject:

Won't the number of wingy things be restricted by the overall size of the base? Perhaps the most aesthitic way of having them in flight is on some clear acrylic rod?

Not such a problem from my point of view as there are a couple of early war tanks and softskins I'd like to try. Don't think I've done G3/G4/G5 camouflage for along time.

David
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Richard M · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 12:43 pm Post subject:

How big are these boards going to be? Even at 1/72 a 60cm by 60cm board is only going to represent a distance of 43m or 1846 square metres. There are going to be a limited number of prepared fortifications in this space. If we combine 4 boards into a larger square, this gives 86m by 86m or 7396 square metres.

Perhaps having a railway bridge crossing a road as a centrepiece would be an idea. This would be fortified quite heavily and we could bring in elements such as
Pillboxes on the bridge
Firing loopholes on the bridges
Mortar emplacement to protect the bridge
Anti tank cylinders

Unless there is a choke point or specific target, surely most forces would be fairly well dispersed. Given the practical possible size of the bases, we could easily develop an unrealistic number of things in a small area. On the other hand, a single platoon and a armoured car would be a bit limiting in scope and dull.

I think hammering out the details will take far longer than the actual build - but may even be more rewarding!
Best
Rich
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Best
Rich
---------------------------

"I've seen things you people wouldn't believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhauser gate. All those moments will be lost in time... like tears in rain... Time to die."

Visit my PORTFOLIO

airfixteen · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 13:51 pm Post subject:

If Operation Sealion did take place I dont know if British Soldiers serving abroad would be called back to defend the nation, if they didnt get called back then maybe you could have platooons of Home Guard aroun the Diorama
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Ratch · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 15:38 pm Post subject:

joe · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 15:53 pm Post subject:

to make the seperate sections fit together and look like the same place, we would need to make sure that round the edges of these boards we have the same scatters and heights of elevation, and measurements, so we need to organise who's bases ( for those of us making the bases ) join up.

For example, two bases could be soley for the coast ( if thats whats being depicted ) and others assigned to the countryside behind, while the rest of us make models etc
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Owen · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 16:13 pm Post subject:

I was thinking that it might be a good idea if we all model the terrain ourselves, say out of Polyfilla and then send all the boards to one person where they can be sanded down and be made to fit flush.

I think that the best material for the base would be ordinary Hardboard. It is cheap, comes in a uniform thickness and can be cut with a craft knife. I think that this diorama should defiantly not be something that is knocked out in less than a day, otherwise I think it could be spoiled. It would be helpful if every member could try to keep a clear photographic diary so that others can comment and help people on the best solution.
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"Isn't it enough to see that a garden is beautiful without having to believe that there are fairies at the bottom of it too?" - Douglas Adams

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Beyond the Box SIG Member

Ratch · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 17:56 pm Post subject:

Good points, and although it may be desirable for one person to do the 'final fit' it may not be absolutely necessary

Also, this could turn into an ever expanding diorama

with additional boards being made to fit the originals

expanding both the coastline and hinterland

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Owen · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 18:11 pm Post subject:

Ratch · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 18:16 pm Post subject:

joe · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 18:30 pm Post subject:

So much to take into account

can we really pull this off

I think we can

, but its going to be tricky

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airfixteen · Posted: Fri 02 Feb 2007 18:32 pm Post subject: