LSP_Kevin Posted June 9, 2016 Share Posted June 9, 2016 That is some spectacular weathering, Kent! Love it. Kev kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hawkwrench Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 This is amazing. That ground work looks real. You gotta tell us how what colors you used! Tim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkarlsen Posted June 10, 2016 Author Share Posted June 10, 2016 (edited) Thanks! Ahh thats a tough one! It's almost impossible to answer, since I've used so many different types of colors and layers. The bottom is painted with oil colors in very dark shades, burnt umber, ochre, sienna, etc. Diluted and sprayed through the airbrush in a varied dark/light 'pattern'. After it had dried for a few days it's sprayed with a thin transparent layer of AK desert sand primer. Then I began to work with different pastel chalk in many different shades, white, light yellow, earth color and light gray. I also used different pigment products such as MIG Ammo Airfield Dust, Light Dust etc. Stones and tracks are highlighted with a drybrushing technique a'la Sheperd Paine, with an almost white color, it gives the 3D effect. There's no real 'recipe'. I also am a hobby painter and I'm using the same technique as when I paint 'wet on wet' on the canvas, it's almost just 'dry on dry' if that makes any sense? I continue to work with the colors until I'm satisfied with the result. Everything is then fixed with a matt varnish. It is the many layers that give depth and the 'authentic look' - This cannot be done by spraying it all with one color... Kent Edited June 10, 2016 by kkarlsen Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dodgem37 Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 You've got one fine eye. That! is the best. Sincerely, Mark kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
red Dog Posted June 10, 2016 Share Posted June 10, 2016 Vey impressive diorama work !! It's going to be awesome seeing that B-25 on such a great base. Can't wait kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkarlsen Posted June 11, 2016 Author Share Posted June 11, 2016 (edited) Bottom's Up! Edited July 5, 2017 by kkarlsen Ads, AdamR, F`s are my favs and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkarlsen Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) 'Old Ironsides III' project and diorama has crossed the finish line... Diorama: 'Training during combat' (Old Ironsides III) B-25J-2 of 340th Bomb Group 488th Bomb Squadron, “Old Ironsides III†- Serial No 43-27474 (8 R) 'Old Ironsides III' was one of the first J models to arrive to the 340th Bomb Group...a lot of the pilots were wary of the new model, since they were used to the reliability of the C/D models, so Colonel Chapman ordered a flight of 3 J models to demonstrate they are good planes, and when the pilots noticed that they can fly well on one engine... “There was much rejoicing amongst the pilots and combat crewsâ€. ‘She' flew her first mission on May 16, 1944 (a few days after the 340th bomb group was bombed by the Germans at Alesani, Corsica. This was the air raid that necessitated the need to cover the upper surfaces of the natural metal planes with OD paint... 'Old Ironsides III' survived the war and flew her last mission on April 25. 1945. She flew back to the states where ‘she' was eventually scrapped in 1946. Diorama: The diorama is depicting the USAAF base, Alesani Airfield in Corsica in the late summer of 1944.The 6 man crew of ‘Old Ironsides III' arrives at their plane for the day's training mission. The ground crew is getting ‘her' ready for a training mission, loading ‘her' up with 100lb practice bombs from a M5 Bomb trailer, reloading the ammo boxes and doing some minor maintenance on the right engine. The sign of 340th Bombardment Group is inspired by an actual sign, from the Alesani base and is placed in the background. To help identify the diorama as the Mediterranean Theater of Operations (MTO) I have made a Corsican farmer who is passing with his hay loaded donkey cart... The diorama is inspired by the 9 reels of previously unexamined motion picture records, coming to light and published in 2014 by the National Archives in Washington. The footage was made by Lt. Wilbur T. Blume, a Combat Cameraman of the 9th Combat Camera Unit, who made this training film in Corsica starring ‘Catch-22' author Joseph Heller. Joseph Heller was assigned to 488th Bomb Squadron and he flew some 60 combat missions during his service at Alesani Airfield. The life/people at the base was his inspiration for Catch-22. Thanks to all the help I had from different sources... A special thanks to Dominique Taddei (Author of USS Corsica) & Mike Laney, supplying a lot of additional information regarding the USAAF planes based in Corsica. Kent Karlsen Edited July 5, 2017 by kkarlsen JohnW, jgrease, AdamR and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LSP_Kevin Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Just wonderful, Kent! Terrific build, and really impressive figures. May I publish it on the website? Kev kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lothar Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Sensational build and set up - a real showstopper :thumbsup: Lothar kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clarkis Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 WOW! Nice dio and presentation! Ground level photos, PLEASE! Clark kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkarlsen Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) The Corsican farmer for the Alesani diorama... "Farm cart" from MiniArt, farmer converted from Masterbox "Eastern Region Peasants WWII era" and the donkey is from "SK Model - Moroccan Infantry" Edited July 5, 2017 by kkarlsen Whitey, jgrease, alain11 and 2 others 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shawn M Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 fantastic work! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kkarlsen Posted June 16, 2016 Author Share Posted June 16, 2016 (edited) Ground crew cannibalized and converted from multiple sets... 'Scratched' M5 Bomb trailer & 100lb Practice bombs... Some 50. cal ammo boxes and armorer... Edited July 5, 2017 by kkarlsen Dragon, Whitey, Piprm and 5 others 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kvlazer22 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 That is absolutely amazing! kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alain11 Posted June 16, 2016 Share Posted June 16, 2016 Hi very nice living diorama , we can feel the heat of Corsica through its atmosphere ..good job Alain kkarlsen 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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