AFV Club Sd.Kfz251/20 'UHU' Diorama

I thought that if I create this thread, I am committing myself to actually creating a diorama. It will not be complex but I will be making it without buying anything other than materials.


I have created an A4 base that fits into a thin black photo frame, so yes, I did by a photo frame..... failed already lol.


Anyway, I have given it a bit of a 3D look in that it has a bit of height to the rear which I hope to finish with a hedgerow (if I can work out how to do it:oops failing that, it will be a fence....


I decided that the left hand back corner needed height but not too much, something like a tree. As I have made the no buy rule, I have started to make a tree:eek:


Yep, I am diving in at the deep end but after reading loads of ideas and watching a few videos, I have gone with the twisted wire method. Why? Well, I had some soft wire that would just about enough to make a smallish tree with a decent canopy.


This is the basic tree made from 28 gauge jewlers wire from HobbyCraft






Here it is roughly where it will end up on the diorama base which has just been plastered with filler for the first coat






This shows the height relative to the UHU, ignore the weird colour, I have taken these with my phone and I have not altered the colour balance






Here is the tree with the first coat of PVA mixed with Tree Mendus Earth Powder (which I suspect is finely filtered soil, it certainly smells like soil!) It will need more coats to thicken it up and hide the twisted wire look. I hope that the PVA will remain flexible enough to allow a little alteration to the branches position.






Sorry about the duff pictures. To be honest, when I started making the tree, I thought it would be in the bin within minutes but it turned out better than I expected. Still a long way to go though

Great work Graham really liking the tree so far, that's one thing I must try and do make my own trees and buildings

That's a great start to a tree.


Can't wait to see it finished

Thanks guys, it's a bit scary to be honest lol.

me likey !!

Love the tree! Looks so real

Very nice work on that tree Graham.

Great work Graham,I do take my hat off to you for trying this way,looks great so far,

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Great work Graham,I do take my hat off to you for trying this way,looks great so far,

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Thanks Monica

don,t be scared ,you will enjoy it once you get going and see how much fun it is, :D

Be honest guys, is this starting to look like a tree?






With a figure for scale

This a great looking tree Graham.


What did you use for the greenery?.

stunning Graham,real real ,great looking tree,


ever better than I can do, :D


have the same question as Ralph,What did you use for the greenery?.as I can see some type of backing for the leaves,

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This a great looking tree Graham.
What did you use for the greenery?.

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Thanks Ralph. The green stuff is a fine ground cork material that comes from Tree Mendus. I bought one of their scenery kits years ago, this is the first time I have used it. There is also like a plait of hair like material that, after covering the limbs with a dark green scatter, I teased out really fine and roughly added to the voids between the branches. This was sprayed with hair spray and then scattered with a lighter green scatter to give shading and body to the canopy.


I need to go and get some stronger spray adhesive tomorrow to firm it up. I may then scatter the top with a lighter green to add a highlight.

\ said:

stunning Graham,real real ,great looking tree,
ever better than I can do, :D


have the same question as Ralph,What did you use for the greenery?.as I can see some type of backing for the leaves,

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Thanks Monica, praise indeed! Please see my reply to Ralph for answers

Wow looks superb buddy i will be taking that one from you..and got to get some off the scatter stuff as well

I think you've cheated and used a Bonsai.

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I think you've cheated and used a Bonsai.

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It might have been easier lol :D

I've pulled up a comfy chair for this one,that tree is spot on mate.Ps you could do a nice little sideline making them trees.

Graham I wouldn't know where to start with materials for trees, so this is of interest which is why I'll be watching this one.


Did you use any reference for your tree? I mean it looks like a tree especially once the figure goes under it I'm just not sure what type.


I have dabbled with bonsai since I was a kid and they are as you know miniture trees, but getting them to look like a real miniture tree is tricky and means you have to study form and structure most trees grow differently... Does that make sense?


Now watching


Phil