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Owen · Posted: Thu 24 Jan 2008 17:21 pm Post subject:

Well then, in that case, cancel my awkward vote for the three continuos boards, I'll follow the majority of the crew on this one

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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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Richard M · Posted: Sat 26 Jan 2008 22:43 pm Post subject:

As we seem happy with the concept of three separate dioramas depicting different aspects/phases of Op Sealion I am going to propose a vote based on the following three scenarios.

Base 1).
Assault phase. Beach landing on a shingle sand beach with barbed wire and anti-tank fortifications, possibly one pill box with supporting trenches for the Brits, sea front road or small promenade, maybe a building or two. 1 or 2 invasion barges on the beach. 1 or 2 stukas dive bombing the beach head.

Base 2).
DIBUA. Small town maybe with church, few streets depicted with houses/cottages. Makeshift defenses of sand bags and barbed wire with trucks and cars etc. Valiant Dad's army trying to hold off attacking forces which could have vehicular support APC's etc.

Base 3).
GHQ line. Defences around a railway bridge crossing a river, anti-tank blocks, barbed wire, trenches, pill boxes or mortar support positions around the bridge possibly armour. Attacking forces could be paratroopers or regular troops with light anti-tank guns and armour support. Aerial dive bombing by Ju88's with Hurricanes or Spitfires diving in to attack them.

These are just concepts and can be altered and tweaked as we work out the allied and axis forces taking part.
Best
Rich
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Rich
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"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."

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Owen · Posted: Tue 29 Jan 2008 17:31 pm Post subject:

I should hopefully be making another trip into B&Q this week. If I can get there, I shall inspect the wood and report back. If it is a bit flimsey, it will work out cheaper to use a slightly thicker board as the 2x1 timbers will cost a couple of squids each.
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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

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

Owen · Posted: Wed 30 Jan 2008 17:26 pm Post subject:

I had a look in B&Q, no 7mm thick boards in store. There was 6mm, which was too thin (far too thin - very wobbly) and 9mm. The 9mm was much better and we'd be fine without a frame if using it.
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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

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 30 Jan 2008 18:11 pm Post subject:

Good news.....Cheers for checking that out Owen. Cheers!

All the best

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Wed 12 Mar 2008 23:14 pm Post subject:

It's all gone a bit quiet on here.....What is the current state of play?

I'm still of a mind that the logistics of group building a homogenous diorama on such a large scale may be unrealistically tricky for a first project. Surely a wargame style modular system will be easier in terms of actually getting the thing done. It doesn't have to be a playable game at first, but once it is built, if it is modular it could be used for such games repeatedly, in a different context each time.

All the best

Richard M · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008 06:55 am Post subject:

Owen was the only volunteer to host a board, and he's busy with other commitments until after May. I was waiting to see if we had any other volunteers or interest, but nothing was forthcoming. So unless something else happens the plan is to build and complete a single base hosted by Owen.
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."

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stuzzar · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008 14:18 pm Post subject:

Concentrating on the one initial base may be a good idea as it will give us some guide as to how feasible the whole project will be.

I would guess from the fact that there have been no other volunteers to host a base that most people, however willing, simply do not have the space available, this is certainly a problem from my perspective, although I would be happy to supply figures, vehicles and buildings, a small one bedroom flat shared with my stash, the wife and her shoes doesn't really allow for putting together a 4' x 2' diorama

Cheers

Stu

Ratch · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008 15:26 pm Post subject:

I must admit that the storage of a large board would prove awkward for me too

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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008 16:16 pm Post subject:

This would put an awfully big workload on Owen, because he would be responsible for fitting all of our work onto the board and integrating it all.....That's a very big job for one person in my opinion!

The more we discuss this, the more sensible I think a fully modular system would be. It is easier to store, easier to transport, easier to build & paint and infinitely flexible, in that fresh displays can be made at each outing.

The fact that it would be ideal for wargaming is merely incidental.....Honest!

For what it's worth & all the best

Owen · Posted: Thu 13 Mar 2008 17:18 pm Post subject:

I am a little stuck for space if we were to use a 4x2' size (ish) board, but would be able to find room eventually. A few things have popped up in "real life", meaning that storage at the moment would be a bit tricky, but in the near future, I would have space to accomidate it, and possible something larger. I have problems storing my D-Day Omaha Dio, so something bigger would be a bit of a hassle. Unfortunatly, I have exams from mid May to mid June so any work done before then would be a small amount. I'd understandably rather focus on those than this GB! I have the odd bits of wood scraps, and found a bit of 6mm ply measuring approx. 60 x 50cm. At that size, it wouldn't need a frame but it'd be a start.

There is nothing stopping us doing a small board for this GB, and then either doing another (larger) one along the Op.Sealion theme or for a different theatre.
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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

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

airfixteen · Posted: Tue 08 Apr 2008 08:47 am Post subject:

Hi Dave or Rich

Can we start building the vehicles yet?

Cheers Luke
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Luke

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 08 Apr 2008 15:05 pm Post subject:

Well I have and no one has told me off yet!

All the best

Richard M · Posted: Tue 08 Apr 2008 18:28 pm Post subject:

As the final composition and layout of the board is as yet undecided, there is no garuantee that any vehicle you build will be suitable or used on the board. It would be a shame to see work go to waste. Owen will probably be free after May, we've waited this long - a few more weeks is probably worth waiting for.

Besides, everyone has the RAF 90th Anniversary and the ATF 2nd Anniversary GB's to be getting on with!
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

Owen · Posted: Tue 08 Apr 2008 18:44 pm Post subject:

I have bought the wood for the board. Looking at it, it may actually be easier to construct it like a Railway board, with a 2''x1'' baton frame and 6mm Ply Top. Just choose your sizes gents - I can make anything from 4' long to 4'' long. The width of the diorama is the most limiting factor. By using a frame, sides can be made from plywood to conform to the landscape.

I have my GCSE's from Mid May to Mid June, so all modelling will be shelved once I've finished a couple of things later this month as revision understandably takes priority.

A longer, thinner board would suit be. Something in the sort of 3'x8'' region would be good. A large amount of scenery would be able to be modelled acting as a cross-section. Of course, just because I've volunteered myself to build the base doesn't mean my plans are the final ones. It'd still be good to have some input from others. How about all members make a few ideas with on paper and scan them in based on the middle section of the diorama - one that has a defensive line based around a railway or river bridge?

http://img258.imageshack.us/img258/4909/dscf0656xp9.jpg
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8185/67281758tm9.jpg
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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

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 08 Apr 2008 22:06 pm Post subject:

I have moved my PzIV to a new thread in the 'Conversion Corner' section in an effort to avoid confusion between OSL Wargame and OSL Diorama projects.....Once we know what we want for the dio I'll see what I can come up with.

All the best

Owen · Posted: Sat 05 Jul 2008 18:58 pm Post subject:

This seems to have stalled somewhat recently and I do feel partly to blame being busy with other commitments. Even so, I now feel I have space to build such a thing, although it might take a while to get things sorted.

Am I right in thinking that we'll still go ahead with a fixed board design?
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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

Airfix Modelling SIG Member
Beyond the Box SIG Member

Ratch · Posted: Mon 07 Jul 2008 22:37 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Mon 07 Jul 2008 22:46 pm Post subject:

I would suggest making an oversize green/brown cloth with a simple road system, that all meets near the centre, painted onto it. This could be rolled or folded as needed on a given table. With a bit of planning we could then each build terrain modules that fit roughly within different sections on the cloth. These might be a row of houses, a railway station and a section of (flexible) track, a public house, a church with graveyard, an isolated farm etc. etc. ad infinitum.

We can use books and packing under the cloth to add a third dimension to the diorama as it is set up. This leaves us a a big window for improvisation each time the diorama is set up. It also means we can keep adding new sections without needing to do any rebuilding.

All the best

Ratch · Posted: Mon 07 Jul 2008 22:52 pm Post subject:

I think we're on the same wavelength

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and was Jerusalem, builded here
The new No. 2
Airfix Club 500287
IPMS 10983