How to Make a Winter Diorama Part I

Well, it sure has been a while, hasn't it? With a grand total of about 40 views in the past months and zero progress on my Tiger, it sure seems like it's time to do something. Therefore I'm starting a new build, based on a winter diorama from a build that I'm doing on Armorama. Although they'll get to see some pictures, you guys get the full story and extra pictures, just for sticking through the slow months!

Well, I started off by planning the diorama. Where would I want the setting to be? When? What figures would go with it? I decided on a scene in Belgium, during the Winter of 1944, with the Dragon Sherman Firefly that I bought last summer. As you may have seen on Armorama, the vehicle build is nearly complete, but the diorama is just getting underway. Next, I took a piece of styrofoam just big enough for the tank and some scenery and started to design with a handy Sharpie marker.

Here was the result of a couple of minutes of design:

Now, the fun part really starts, but that's a story for another time...

Hallelujah! Finished at Last!

Desperate times lead to desperate measures:

Well, my Tiger Tracks are done at last!

It's a Miracle!

Two Years of Modelling Mishaps!

Well, we're finally at the two year mark of Zaltar's Guide to Scale Modelling! After over 60 posts, you've seen my models through from purchase to completion (By the way, I'm nearly done my Tiger Tracks!) and seen my skills get marginally better. In one year we've gone from 777 views to 2412, with numbers going up every day. So thanks to the viewers for keeping the numbers high! Thanks for these two years, and let's hope for many more!

To celebrate, here are the pictures of my finished CF-18 Hornet! Cheers!

Canada's Hornet Pt.8

The Hornet has been painted! I used a coat of dark grey on the top and light grey on the bottom to recreate the camouflage used by the modern Canadian Forces. Overall, the paint job went well, but took many coats. I still have some touch up painting to do on the rear fins (it wasn't masked well enough) and then the detail painting begins. After that, armament needs to be assembled, a coat of clear, decals and some minor weathering. The end is near!

Canada's Hornet Pt. 7

Sorry for the wait, it's been a long time since I last updated. Since then though, I've finished building my Hornet, and I'm applying the base coat of paint today. The plane is now weighed down with a lead weight in the nose, landing gear are completed, the pylons for the missiles are on the bottom of the wing, and the glass for the cockpit is attached. In the next few weeks, I'll show the next steps: painting, decals, and armament.

Canada's Hornet Pt.6

Well, I finally have done enough to make a post on my Hornet. the landing gear were assembled beautifully, completely without a hitch; until, that is, I set it down. The picture says it all! My model needs a weight in the nose to keep it from standing up. Back to the drawing board, and time to look for some heavy material to keep it down...

Lack of Posts

Sorry for the lack of posts, there has been a massive lack of free time on my part. Hopefully, I will have some time for modelling in the following weeks. It will make it easier now that winter is coming, giving me less time outside and more for my models.

Thanks for your patience,

zaltar