"Gimme Shelter!" - Operation Bodenplatte

[tigrazor]

Good evening.

One of the projects I always wanted to do was a Vietnam diorama. Until some weeks ago, I had some ideas in mind, but nothing very special. It ended with a set of MasterBox figures ("Head for the Huey") which I got from the best persson ever - my girl.

And then, it all escalated quickly. We visited a nearby expo. As always, some goodies went in my stash, including some rare Verlinden figures (#480 - 3 US Riflemen & #452 M79 grenade gunner). Another MB set was bought too ("Patroling"), as well as an Italeri M113 ACAV.

A decoration shop had a "meditation corner", featuring plaster copies of large Buddha statues. I. e. large for dioramas - its 14cm tall and quite an eyecatcher.

The main idea is that the three figures from the "Head for the Huey" set are stumbling from the background in front nearby the large statue, given shelter by their comrades.

So far, the diorama plate is in its beginnings, and the Verlinden figures are in progress. If you have some advice for me, please let me know (maybe we have some veterans here too?), Pictures will follow very soon.


See you soon.


Lucas.

[tigrazor]

And action.

[BlackSheep214]

Looking good on the mock up. Cameraman is one brace soul though. Maybe add one more soldier getting shot in the process? Something in lines in mid fall after taking a bullet? Something to think about. Other than that I think it looks good overall to tell the story.

[Stikpusher]

Man I really like the way this is shaping up. Although I might suggest some steel pots for the headgear on the LRRP figures... I am gathering you are doing a "city fight" like in Tet 1968 and US troops usually wore helmets there. Bandanas & boonie hats are for in the jungle where protection is secondary to needing to hear since eyesight is curtailed.

[KSaarni]

Tig, this will really be an interesting one!

- Kari

[Cherrylock]

interessting idea, I will do a vietnam dio too, with a crashed Huey but most of the place will be similar from the figures, the nature..your build will be a insiration for me

[tigrazor]

Many thanks all.

Stik,

I heard, that sometimes the shrines were located in suburbs and/or outside of the villages and cities, so its meant here. Some of them are coming right from the jungle, given cover by their comrades - SAR so to say.


CL;

Glad I can give you a little bit of inspiration - Im looking forward to your build. A friend brought me some ModelScene Jungle sets made in CZ, theyre quite cheap and VERY convincing. I really dont want to miss those. Furthermore, some shops have stencilers (?), so you can cut your own leaves. PK Pro has some too, but they are quite expensive, imho. On the other hand, somethin very useful if you want to use them very often.

https://www.pk-pro.de/index.php?k=810&lang=eng

[Stikpusher]

Got ya! More of a rural setting in mind. And the APC & squad is rescuing the LRRP or SF guys?

[tigrazor]

Exactly!

[tigrazor]

Operation Bodenpatte (= "floor plate") has begun. The M113 is beginning to take shape - after all a good build so far, everything fits and is detailed in a high level.

Additionally, I started to add leaves and green to the statue, including a small fence from a railroad shop (H0 scale).

figures were repositioned - the "Blooper" is left from the fotographer - and hes photographing the LRRPs from behind of a big wooden box.