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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Mon 07 Jul 2008 23:25 pm Post subject:

Here is what I would suggest.....Whoever paints up the base-cloth should also build the Dapol OO War Memorial.....This can serve as a centre-piece to the road system. More than one nominal centre might be available on the base-cloth to allow some variety to setups.

I'd suggest that to begin with we should stick with fairly rural subjects, as these can be modelled with 'soft edges' making it easier to tie everything in together. Once we have all met up (and setup at least once) we can discuss more comlex modules, face to face and all looking at the same stuff at the same time.

This would allow us an ongoing and open build which new members can always join in with. It would also allow any ATF member turning up at an event to bring along their own OSL modules or vehicles (No Shermans or Tigers though folks!

) to be integrated into the 'Dio of the Day'.

All the best

Owen · Posted: Tue 08 Jul 2008 08:59 am Post subject:

I'm not overly keen on the canvas approach, to me it seems a little bit too "Temporary" for my liking. I was intending to start off by building a fixed frame diorama, around 3'-4' in length and no wider than a foot. That way, we could do a cross section with Railway Embankment with possibly some German Parachutists landing in a field and some German Armour moving up a country lane tackling defensive obstacles. with a Bridge on the Railway wired up and ready to explode to stop the advancement.

I can understand the reasoning behind the canvas option, with dioramas that would be placed onto the canvas to build up a scene but I think that plan might be better saved for another Joint Diorama, or maybe once the first module/diorama is complete, then we could make a start on the rest.

I will do (yet!) more sketches of what I have in mind, but please don't feel that I'm closed off to new ideas.
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Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Tue 08 Jul 2008 15:16 pm Post subject:

I think a static diorama is too limited in it's scope and function, will be a nightmare to transport without damage and also places too much work on one modeller.....The modular system won't be particularly advantageous on a static build because everything will have to be fixed in place.

All the best

Owen · Posted: Tue 08 Jul 2008 21:52 pm Post subject:

I'm quite happy building a static unit as I now have space for a reasonably large one. The only problem that I have with the canvas modular method is that I see it as more of a Wargaming style option. I don't see how small dioramas could be incorporated realistically into it without everything being entirely flat. It also seems like we've done a lot of work based around a fixed base diorama and switching to a canvas would make much of the previous planning discussion obsolete. How big would dioramas be if we were to go down that route? Would it be a case of everyone make a vignette then place it on a painted canvas at a show?

My main impression that the first (if going down the fixed board route) diorama would be something like this:

A road would snake up the top (not drawn), with the British Forces by the Rail Bridge/embankment and the German's making their way up to the top with a couple of buildings in the middle. Construction would be fairly lightweight and simple - I've got Ply that I can make it from and it wouldn't cost much.
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Richard M · Posted: Tue 08 Jul 2008 22:07 pm Post subject:

Looking good Owen

.
Best
Rich
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airfixteen · Posted: Sat 19 Jul 2008 20:58 pm Post subject:

An idea:

How about a small airfield where Fallschirmjager are landing, we could have Junkers going past and Fallschirmers juming out, some already jumping out, with RAF Regiment guys dug in defending the airfield
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Hawk · Posted: Sat 19 Jul 2008 21:06 pm Post subject:

I feel all this could make the diorama a bit too busy and unrealistic!
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airfixteen · Posted: Sun 20 Jul 2008 11:07 am Post subject:

I think its a good idea

And is probably true!
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Ratch · Posted: Thu 11 Jun 2009 00:06 am Post subject:

I've been giving this some thought

I'd like to ressurrect this with certain modifications Think

I believe the setting in time (historically) is not suited to the Airfix kits available, and therefore we should Whiff the history bit

Having rolled up France and Western Europe (up to the channel), Hitler diverts his attention to the Middle East (rather than Russia). Stalin stays 'on side' while the Afrika Korps supported by the Italians, eventually overcome the Eighth Army in North Africa. This takes the best part of two years, during which time Britain has failed with Dieppe style raids on at least two times. Hitler was reluctant to venture across the channel until he secured an independant fuel supply (Stalin was feeding Russian oil at great cost).
1943 saw Sealion finally being enacted. Nazi spies had convinced Hitler that he needed to invade England immediately, before the Americans could start using the UK as its forward base. The Luftwaffe provided sufficient air cover to enable Paratroops and amphibious landings. The Royal Navy had been dissipated, spreading its resources too thinly over the globe, and the U-boat Wolfpacks had taken a great toll of naval shipping. This emboldened the German confidence to press on with Sealion.

Here's how I see it working

We can start off with something smallish (I need to do some measuring first of all), with a view to showing this at various shows the ATF will attend in 2010.
I have an idea for a baseboard. I will construct it and others can make the models to put on it. We need to decide what equipment the Brits and Gerry would have. For example, we need 4 Shermans, 3 6pdrs with suitable towing vehicles, six PzKpfw IV's, an SdKfz 222 & Kubelwagen, four 88's & tractors and a couple of armoured cars. Member A builds all four Shermans (marked for the same unit), member B the 6 pdrs, member C the Panzer IV's etc etc. Figures could be done the same way in Platoons of 12 pieces. In this way there would be a degree of uniformity of colours.

How does that sound

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Ratch · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 11:44 am Post subject:

Looks like I'm on my own with this one

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stuzzar · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 14:16 pm Post subject:

Sorry Ratch, only just noticed your updated post, sounds like a workable idea. I think a little bit of juggling with history to suit our requirements would be fine

I have plenty of Airfix German figures both infantry and airborne so would be happy to put some paint on them and batches of 12 at a time should hopefully not be too taxing.

I also have a fair stash of 6pdrs and carriers that I would be happy to put together, presumably we would be sticking with the Airfix crew figures?

Believe I also still have some 88's going spare.

If this does go ahead let me know what you would like me to build/paint out of that lot and I will dig them out of the stash.

It would be good to see this project get underway finally, lets hope that some of the others are still up for it

or we may be very busy

Cheers

Stu

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 17:47 pm Post subject:

I still like the original idea, although I will conceed that getting accurate 1940 vehicles sorted within the Airfix range isn't the easiest thing. On balance I think that I'd prefer to pick a new campaign rather than go for such a major Whiff (although the scenario is plausible enough). I've always thought the Airfix range was rather well suited to the war in the Western Desert (minus the Italians).

Just some thoughts, all the best
Sgt.S
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Owen · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 18:00 pm Post subject:

Ratch · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 18:41 pm Post subject:

Sgt.Squarehead · Posted: Thu 18 Jun 2009 19:57 pm Post subject:

The big advantage of the modular idea I proposed a while back is that you are free to change the setup at each outing.

With some clever table dressing you can create something that looks much better than you might expect.

All the best
Sgt.S
PS - I was hoping to demonstrate the modular idea with my Diorama GB entry, but reality got in the way as it often does and I fell well behind schedule.....Hopefully I will be able to demonstrate the idea in the coming months.

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