Need help for my next Diorama

Hi all

I have decided to venture into 1/35 for my next diorama which will be the Ardennes offensive. It's early days in the design but I am no expert when it comes to historical accuracy on vehicles.

so it's 1944, I have a Dragon king tiger & panther D both premium additions, but I would like to add a half track, a couple of motorbikes and any others you may think could be of use.

not bothered about the expense and will be a scene showing the Germans on the move at a fair old size with around 25 figures.

your help is very much appreciated

Dave

Thanks Johnny I'll takeaway look...........any others fellas?

Hi Dave , You could use a Schwimmiwagen aswell, I'll keep an eye on this 1

Cheers Paul

Hi Dave,how about a Nashorn-big i know,but they were there!!

Also i have a GREAT dvd somewhere(documentry ont movie),with all the info that may help for lots of ideas on your dio,it`s easily available,cheap,and quickly delivered!!....I`ll dig it out and post up the details.

Like Paul,i`ll be following with this one mate,

Andy

Found it!!.........I`ll pm you the details,otherwise it may look like i`m advertising it!!

Edited By Andy Smith 1 on 23/06/2012 13:30:34

Brilliant stuff guys.

I have decided to have a break from 1/16 which are very big. I can obviously get much more going on with the same size base and it's easier to store etc hence the move. There is also so much stuff available for 1/35 th so can make it nice and impressive.

Andy, top man I'll pick up your pm!

Dave

Hi

Following your list, for half tracks you could go for any of the 251's, most used right up to wars end, but the D variants would probably be the safetest bet time frame wise . Personal choice is AFV Club's over Dragons on those. See here.

**LINK**

As regards motorcycles, whilst the combo's were still in use their role had been taken over by kubelwagens and schwimmwagens (one of my all time favourites), although of course they would have been used if still about. Best of the ones available is the Great Wall Hobby (Lion Roar) Zundapp and BMW's. Lovely detailed little kits.

**LINK**

**LINK**

Forget the solo versions of those above, they both didn't exist and is a long running mistake made by most model manufactures including Tamiya etc.

Speaking of solo bikes my choice would be one of the kits from Vulcan. Or equally the little Tamiya 350 solo can be made nice with a bit of PE. Tamiya in fact include it in their Ardennes King Tiger kit. (the kit not the PE)

Schwimmwagen or Kubelwagen from Tamiya are great. Tasca's Kubelwagen is very nice but hard to find as its OOP.

Good luck with your plans.

Alan

Some inspiration for you. Note filming of the classic image of the schwimmwagen at the crossroads being filmed and the use of the rifle to get the sign level.

http://www.criticalpast.com/video/65675054506_wrecked-armored-cars_Nazi-soldiers_anti-aircraft-gun_cigarettes

Good site to bookmark as well for other film clips.

Edited By Alan Mckenzie on 23/06/2012 14:43:31

Brilliant Andy, thank you very much for going to so much effort to help.

Cheers

Dave

Dave

Robert Redford?

Cheers

Tim

Dave,

By 1944 there weren't that many Panther D's left. Most Panthers by then were later model As and Gs. If you can lay hands on the Late Panther A dragon kit, one or two of those would fit well with your scenario. Of course, there were also the ever-present Stug IIIs and IVs.

On some roadside photos I've seen from '44, the 251/D models were much in evidence. There were also the ever present Opel Blitz fuel trucks that followed the tanks everywhere as well as the command trailers for the Panzer commanders. In the Ardenne offensive there were also the towed mortars and the 251 variants. Supply and ammo trucks. Field kitchens. Maybe an ersatz M-10 (converted Panther G) that they used then. Even German soldiers dressed as American MPs. Lots of possiblities in the Ardenne during the Bulge.

Good luck with this and I'm definitely going to watch what flowers, here. You have a lot of talent and patience. Your work shows these as well as your attention to details. So, def worth watching.

Cheers, Bruce