The Ship Model Forum

Hi all,

I recently asked for some assistance for a small diorama I'm working on, but unfortunately there were no responses forthcoming...however, having solved the issue I thought I'd download a few images.

The diorama is on an A4 footprint and is 1/72nd scale, it shows an imaginary English South coast quayside early in WW2. All the groundwork is scratchbuilt using foam, foamboard that is then covered with DAS. The Das is then scribed to represent stone, brick, and cobbles, and doors and roofs are from old greetings cards.

The small upturned boat and various crates in the bottom left-hand are also made of strips of old card.

Near the start:


Nearing the end:


My original question related to trying to find a suitable small vessel in 1/72nd scale, such as might have been used by the Royal Navy to ferry personnel from ship to shore.

I didn't want to use resin as I have no experience, nor did I want to pay a fortune. In the end I went cheap and purchased a Zvezda 1/72nd Medieval Lifeboat and proceeded to hack away. Although it scales at just under 19' I decided to use a 16' RN sailing dinghy as my inspiration (see images below).

Image of original kit:


Initial modifications:


Undercoated:






I'm no scratch-builder, so it's a tad simplified and rough-and-ready, but hopefully, when painted, it might pass for something of the era.

The finished item will have two planked railway trucks, an army vehicle and some figures, a few of which can be seen in the later images undergoing a process of modification.

Any suggestions on what else might be needed to better adapt the dinghy would be greatly appreciated, .

Cheers, G

Finished mocking-up the boat (it still needs painting though, and decided to see how it looks with all the other elements, less the figures (no 1/72nd figures yet completed).









Cheers,

G

That is looking pretty good; the rowing boat will be fine once it has sailors and squaddies aboard!

but do also have a look here also for inspiration -- albeit its in 1/48 ... and ergo-- huuuge!!

http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html




sample pic

_________________
....I buy them at three times the speed I build 'em.... will I live long enough to empty my stash...?
http://www.modelshipgallery.com/gallery ... index.html

IPMS UK SIG (special interest group) www.finewaterline.com

Hi Jim,

Firstly my apologies for not responding sooner, secondly, thank you for the positive feedback.

Also, a big thank you for links you provided, both to the 1/48th scale harbour scene, which is a truly amazing build, and to your own work, the number and quality of your builds is outstanding, alas, even if I was able to build to your level...which I most certainly am not, I wouldn't have the room to display them all.

Thank you for sharing,

G

You've done a lot of detail work. Nice.

Some things you might find in a dingy, oars, rags, bucket, lunch box/hamper, fishing poles, tackle box, life jackets, tool box, blanket, net, crab trap, pike pole, seat cushion/towel.

_________________
Darren (Admiral Hawk)
In the not so tropical climate of the Great White North.

In a military 'dinghy' used for personnel transfer from ship to shore, you might find - a compass (boxed), a flare gun, neatly piled lines, fenders, oar/paddles, a first aid kit, and so on.

You work looks great!

_________________
ICBM Address: 44:78N 063:63W

Ex RCN, HMC Ships Gatineau, Athabaskan, Charlottetown, St. John's, Montreal, Charlottetown, Summerside, Montreal.

I think your diorama is very nice. One stupid/newbie question, what is DAS?

A big thank you to 'Admhawk' and 'NavyShooter' for their kind words and suggestions as to potential stowage onboard the dinghy, your feedback is greatly appreciated gentlemen, .

Cheers,

G

Thanks for the kind words 'USMCPrice', please accept my apology for not responding to your question regarding DAS.

Firstly, I was always taught that the only 'stupid question' was the one not asked, , so...

DAS clay is a self-hardening modelling clay, no baking is required – it simply dries when you leave it out to air.

Drying time is roughly 24 hours per centimetre of thickness. DAS is dermatologically tested and is easy to wash off hands with soap, as well as most fabrics at 40°C in the washing machine.

It’s a very malleable clay, it reminds me of papier-mâché and is easy to work and smooth using water. Once dry, it remains solid and strong, it can be cut, scribed and painted, so is excellent for representing brick/stone-work.

It comes in various sized packages, and a number of colours.



The above is my second 1/72nd scale project using the material for the basework and buildings, I'd thoroughly recommend it.

Below are a couple of images, the first showing the DAS applied neat and drying, and the second showing the material scribed with a wash of grey oils to highlight the stonework.





Hope that helps, .

Cheers,

G