SPA Modeler

After talking with a friend the other night, I thought I might post a few of my dios/completed builds. These I still have on display in my garage. I've built quite a few more that were commissioned by various individuals and military units here at Ft. Bragg. Ask any questions you'd like about anything you see. I'm more than happy and willing to share my thought process, techniques, ideas, materials, etc...

As you can probably tell, my photography skills are lacking, but considering I took them all with my phone, I'm not too disappointed.



Raining Fire And Brimstone




Shortcut At Cassino




Saved By Blind Faith




Waiting-France 1940




Falcon At Rest




Una Freccia In Libia




A Brief Respite




The Calm Before The Storm


Thanks for looking!

Nice diorama's Lawman! I especially like the first one, with the howitzer.

Amazing. it has always intrigued me how they can go from zero to 200 mph in a split second when the action starts.

Great ones!
What I like on them is that they all kinda tell a story. Don´t worry on the phone pics: I recently did lots of them during a show and they are just fine!

Thanks guys.

I'll try to post more pics of the howitzer as I can. It seems to be a favorite, not just here, but with my "closet modelers" at work. (yes, I'm trying to get them to join), I plan to post the pics here and explain that they need to join to see them.

Lyle, if you ever get a chance to go to either Ft. Campbell or Ft. Knox, especially Knox, since both are in "Can-tuck-ee", do it. Most installations have an open house type of day where they demonstrate various pieces of equipment. Although you won't see any large SP artillery, the concept of rapid fire is well demonstrated. As Stik can attest to, here on Bragg, on the 4th of July, the Arty boys line up some 105 howitzers and fire off blanks for a salute to each state and territory flag, as well as accompany the 1812 overture. Absolutely amazing to watch the crews at work!

Thomas, thanks. I try to tell as much of a story as I can with just the action. The title is to help draw attention to the action, or lack of. Personally, I like a title that either requires the viewer to think, or look closely to see what it references. "Saved By Blind Faith" is probably one of my favorites. Not only do you get the impression that they were saved by Providence, but the name of the M706 is "Blind Faith". I just love subtleties!

And lastly, I'm usually pretty decent with my phone, but in this case, none of my lighting wanted to work right. My garage lights were too dim. My flash too stark and the sun was going in and out of cloud cover. Oh well. I'm a modeller, not a photographer!

I'm in the process of driving myself bonkers with all the PE for my Dragon Sd.Kfz. 250/1. Provided I don't go completely insane soon, I'll be posting some WIP pics.

Very nice ones Lawman,

and my favorite is also the howitzer! It has very much "drive" in it, really instantly captured the moment when the last shell will destroy the target the crew is shooting at. And the radio-man on the ground is like the dot on the i. The dio just has that "something". I think the fact it has been taken with a phone-camera, it brings more reality in the setup. Slightly pale colours gives that authentic feeling in it.
I like it vrey much, yes I do!

- Kari

Lawman56, I've flown into Ft. Campbell with the CAP several times. Had lunch with an astronaut there, too! It is a fair drive from Louisville, but i'll keep an eye out. Ft. Knox is no longer the armor training center. Some genius moved it to Benning, I think. They also completely gutted the museum if the web site is any indication. A shame.