I'm planning on putting together a WWII Pacific diorama for my father-in-law for Xmas (yeah I know, I've only got a week to get it done!). I'll be using Mr Harwood's excellent painting diaries (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,2738.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,2738.0.html) and http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3434.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,3434.0.html)) but I'm looking for some other tips for it.
The basic premise is going to be a beach landing, on a 170x170mm base. The Marines will be deploying from a Buffalo model, and attempting to make their way up the beach, with a load of Japanese defending from the top of the beach. I'll be adding a few palm trees and a bit of foliage at the back to give the Japs some cover, but what about on the beach itself? I can knock together some posts with barbed wire easy enough, and I've got some cocktail sticks which I can break up as logs/broken trees.
The question is, what else would you expect to see on the beach (apart from casualties!)
:-\
Any suggestions appreciated!
8)
For a Japanese defended area an earth and log bunker,
Possibly with John Wayne zig-zagging through the machine gun bullits with a satchel charge.
(http://i1238.photobucket.com/albums/ff494/rob-field/wargame%20photos/101_0216.jpg)
:)
craters?
crates, boxes, weapons, bodies :-\
Depends on date - but the odd tank, burnt out Am-Tracs, jeeps......
Shell/bomb craters - lots of these.
No Japanese - they in bunkers.
IanS
Multiple wheel-tracks, patches of spilled oil, discarded weapons, helmets and equipment.
"The question is, what else would you expect to see on the beach"
Sand :P
Quote from: Nosher on 18 December 2011, 08:40:45 PM
"The question is, what else would you expect to see on the beach"
Sand :P
aha got you there sir. :D..some of the beached didnt have sand... but one wonders if by definition they are then beaches :-[
I'll have a bash at some weapons laying around my dead chaps, maybe an odd helmet or two. Some of the other stuff will depend on my (limited) ability's!
Quote from: ianrs54 on 18 December 2011, 09:30:05 AM
Shell/bomb craters - lots of these.
No Japanese - they in bunkers.
I'll be throwing complete historical accuracy out of the window, so the Japs will be everywhere! I might have a go at the craters, but if it all goes wrong, I'll revert to 'This was the first wave of attack, on a nice smooth perfect beach...' :D
Good luck mate - the deadline should help focus the mind, eh?! :d
Here's some pics that might be useful:
(http://warphotos.basnetworks.net/photos/galleries/world_war_two/journey_across_the_pacific_front/trucks_landing_on_the_beach.jpg)
(http://warphotos.basnetworks.net/photos/galleries/world_war_two/journey_across_the_pacific_front/after_the_landing.jpg)
(http://warphotos.basnetworks.net/photos/galleries/world_war_two/journey_across_the_pacific_front/landing_underway.jpg)
(http://neilorme.com/pics/WW2/pacific055.jpg)
(http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Df4gctNcU9k/TrylBc1o1II/AAAAAAAAAqY/IYFNshSlM4c/s1600/2088150699_2e3d11382c_b.jpg)
Aha, some of those will be very useful. I've just cast off all the figures I'll need, so I'll work out the layout tomorrow and try and grab a pic.
Quote from: Nosher on 18 December 2011, 08:40:45 PM
"The question is, what else would you expect to see on the beach"
Sand :P
You've obviously never seen the south coast of Devon beaches - mainly pebbles, except for Teignmouth which has red grit!
Quote from: Leon on 18 December 2011, 01:12:07 AM
The question is, what else would you expect to see on the beach (apart from casualties!)
Well, if I were on a beach, I'd expect to see the sea as well... A chance to use a waterline Buffalo model. Or a LCT.
By the ways, you haven't mentioned yet what scale and make of figures you'll be using. 28mm from Foundry maybe? :O)
Quote from: OldenBUA on 19 December 2011, 09:57:16 AM
Well, if I were on a beach, I'd expect to see the sea as well... A chance to use a waterline Buffalo model. Or a LCT.
We got several beaches on rivers.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 19 December 2011, 10:00:08 AM
We got several beaches on rivers.
You're right ofcourse, but it's too late to edit. So para 2, line 1, word 12, strike 'the sea', and insert 'a large body of open water' instead.
Brings back some memories, but I must say not very pleasant ones.
my favourite Pacific beach landing picture. No use to you whatsoever but i couldnt let the moment pass...
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_UqsRf118B2I/S7nWXpA8qWI/AAAAAAAAFgs/ckT5gYaiBtc/s1600/AIR01716Box.jpg)
Ahh..the Airfix Marines. Some were 00 and some H0 . You also got a rubber dingy. But no Browning HMGs or BAR. The Japs were very well cast figures.
Two shillings a pack back in 1966.
As you say - great box art.
Sunray out
I'll be using the Buffalo, not the waterline model though. It'll be half in / half out of the water, so I'm going to need to file it away a bit where it enters the sea.
Painting diary started: http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4330.0.html (http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,4330.0.html)
Sounds like a plan :)
(off to have a look at your diary now...)
Looking good thus far!
Quote from: Sunray on 19 December 2011, 02:55:39 PM
Ahh..the Airfix Marines. Some were 00 and some H0 . You also got a rubber dingy. But no Browning HMGs or BAR. The Japs were very well cast figures.
Two shillings a pack back in 1966.
As you say - great box art.
Sunray out
Even later than that, I remember buying Arfix with my two bob pocket money every week and that must have been 1968/9!