A little over a year ago, a friend contacted me about a collaboration to build a diorama of the 29th Infantry coming ashore on Omaha Beach on D-Day. Jeff Shiu just released a set of 29th Infantry guys in 120mm/1/16 scale. Although Jeff's initial kit showed the GI's pretty well spaced apart, I had visions of doing a scene that was more compact and intimate. My friend and I collaborated over several emails and telephone calls to reach a decision on which figures to use, and most importantly, the layout.
When creating a diorama, the viewer has to be told a story that they immediately recognize. It has to have impact and engage them right away. If this is not accomplished, then the scene just becomes a collection of models.
BASE BASICS
First we had to determine a base size. Too big, and the theme gets lost. Too small and it is not believable. To get to the point of determining size, first, the figures had to be assembled. They don't have to be in final form - just the basic mannequin. That gave me something I could place onto my makeshift Styrofoam base. We decided on 6 figures to use. So, almost like playing chess, the elements of the figures and a hedgehog (The Germans used these Czech-made traps for tanks) were moved around until a satisfactory composition was found. The Styrofoam was cut with a knife and trimmed out to a dimension that I thought would work. I gave the basic groundwork a front-to-back slope to enhance the beach effect- and also I wanted to have a few of the GIs in the water.
The concept was to have the men stacked up behind the hedgehog and the squad leader directing men coming ashore. The tight layout enhances the chaos and intensity of the action on Omaha Beach.
The base styrofoam was then glued to a thick piece of dark walnut. First however, I had to finish the walnut base - much easier to do first rather than later. Trust me on this.
THE FIGURES
As I was finishing the woodwork on the base, I began working on the figures. Each had to be assembled, primed and painted. One thing I had to keep in mind was the fact that some of the figures would be in water, the others already ashore. Some would have damp, wet clothing, some would have damp, wet, sandy clothing, and some would be more waterlogged than others.
Each figure presented their own challenges. Some could be completely assembled, some partially because I could not paint around an upright arm or a covered face. Most had weapons added after painting. Some had to have modifications done, or loads of A&B putty to fix casting defects.
Most of the GI's were carrying M1 Garand rifles - or what was supposed to be M1 Garand rifles. The sculpting was not consistent. I had my son 3D print a bunch of rifles, and I cobbled together a presentable rendition by using some creative cutting and gluing.