Campaigns
Where Armorama group builds can be discussed, organized, and updates posted.
The Postcard challenge
panzerconor
Visit this Community
Massachusetts, United States
Joined: February 08, 2012
KitMaker: 1,271 posts
Armorama: 1,253 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 03:50 PM UTC
Hmmm... maybe a scaled down version of this one? Minus the T-34 of course:



I'll either cut the tank in half or use something smaller, like a kettenkrad.
There's also this one, only it would be pretty crowded:

The caption for the photo said it's soldiers from Totenkopf's recce battalion tending to a their wounded comrade in the side car. Either way they're pretty cool. Who knows, I might have to try to make two

-Conor
SuperSandaas
Visit this Community
Sør-Trøndelag, Norway
Joined: October 23, 2012
KitMaker: 189 posts
Armorama: 37 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 05:17 PM UTC
This sounds like a great challenge, so I'm in.

One question: I have some old WH40K ruins that I could repaint/rebuild, could I use those as the "man made stone structures" in the diorama?

My initial though was a diorama with a mounted soldier (on horse) and a motorcycle (possibly with a sidecar or maybe a kettenkraftrad) meeting up at a road bordered with a stone fence. Another possibility is a Me163 rocket fighter being moved by it's wheeled tractor, if the concrete roads/blast shelter could count as the man-made structure. I think it would fit, but I would have to take measurements.
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 08:55 PM UTC
@ Conor
That are two very nice pictures you found. Should be interesting to see how that evolves you ideas.

@ Eirik
Welcome to the Postcard Challenge.
To answer your question. Yes you are allowed to (re)use WH40K ruins. As long as you keep inside the size restrictions. And of course follow the rest of the rules.
Yes the roads/blastshelter count as a man made structure of stone.

@ everybody else
Eirik raised some interesting questions. If you have for instance some time ago built a wall or a well or something like that but it never got placed in a diorama or piece of groundwork. And it fits your diorama idea for this challenge. Then you can use it. But I want to add a little subclause to this. Even if you scratchbuilt said wall or well or similar stone structure before the startdate I will consider it as a ready made item. This means it will fall in the Human made stone structure category. But not in the Scratchbuilt category. The scratchbuilt item should be made within the Challenge's timeframe.

I hope that is a bit clear for you guys.

With friendly greetz

Robert

hofpig
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: March 04, 2007
KitMaker: 1,330 posts
Armorama: 1,017 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 06, 2013 - 10:27 PM UTC
[quote@ Paul
Looking forward to the loot my friend.
I'm still thinking of what to do myself. My first plan was with a Stug III... But I'm not very sure if I want to sacrifice any of my perfect stugs I have here. Besides it probably would not fit. So my next plan is a KV2
Which I have laying around and is started with a bit of damage. Might have to do some cutting. But aside from that it is my plan to create the diorama with stuff I have laying around the house for years.[/quote]

Well I was suprised yesterday when most of the bits arrived, the very day after I ordered them!! Now thats what I call service.

Paul
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 01:37 AM UTC
Do aircraft count as "vehicles?" Thinking about a section of a winged thing.
Thanks,
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 04:41 AM UTC
@ Shaun
I think I would accept that as well. I haven't given it much thought really when I made up the rules for this Challenge it was initially aimed at creating a military themed diorama with some basic rules. In my world everything is 1:35. Only lately I have been venturing into the world of 1:32 pre war racecars and Star wars Scifi kits.
I don't know much about any other branches of modelling.
But sure.. As long as you keep within the rules and sizedimension of the Challenge a thing with wings is fine by me.
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 04:55 AM UTC
Not the whole plane, just a 1/35th scale chunk... Stay tuned.
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 08:05 AM UTC
Keenan... You really make me very curious now
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 10:19 AM UTC
Rob,

I'm hoping that its a problem that can be solved with a hacksaw..... Lol if that doesn't work I'll have to come up with a plan b

Bronzey
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 11:26 AM UTC
@Faust, I am not allowed to start until July on the actual dio. Can I start on my scratch element now? This might take a while.
Love this.
Thanks for the inspiration.
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 11:56 AM UTC
@ Alex
There are a lot of problems a hacksaw can solve. So that should do the job quite well.

@ Shaun
Hehehe "Campaign... easy peasy!" was my thought when I started this. How wrong was I.. So much stuff I apparently did not think through enough.
But I think exceptions can be made. If you have no problems in sharing your plans openly at this point so far ahead of the startdate shout it out. If you want to keep the rest in the dark till the startdate(which I can perfectly understand) you can describe what you want to built in the reply to the PM I am going to send you shortly after I post this answer.

@ Everybody:
Thanks to the question Shaun just raised I have another addition to the rules. Since it is my goal to have as many people as possible to enjoy the creation of a diorama I really want to try to make the work for everybody as easy as possible to some extent.
So the following subclause is as of now added to the Scratchbuilt item rule. If you really plan to scratchbuilt a big item or something that will take a considerable chunk out of the campaign time and therefore will put you in the risk of not finishing before the deadline you can get permission to start earlier on that part of the diorama. Just run the idea past me. I have enough knowledge of scratchbuilding and I can determine quite well if a scratchbuilt item could be a bottleneck or not. For instance... You need a lot more time to scratchbuilt a vehicle or a part of a vehicle then you need for say a handfull of farmtools. So if you have big plans but you have no idea if you can finish it within the campaigns deadline contact me and talk me through it. I'm not planning to be a webdictator but just to be fair and reasonable. Just tell me your plans and if possible even your experience at scratchbuilding and we will work something out.


I will collect the last additions to the rules and ask if the Campaign editor can add them to the campaign page of the Postcard Challenge. So we have a complete overview of the rules and regs.
keenan
Visit this Community
Indiana, United States
Joined: October 16, 2002
KitMaker: 5,272 posts
Armorama: 2,844 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 12:11 PM UTC
Robert,
I did not mean to create any problems with the rules.
I am sure I can get either one of these ideas done in time but I have 2 initial thoughts:

1: Figure or figures in no specific time frame hiding behind or walking over a section of mostly scratched 1/35th scale wing wreckage.

2. Post apocalypse robotic foot standing on or near at least one figure.

Like I said, don't change the rules. I will just plan until the start date...
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 07, 2013 - 12:27 PM UTC
Ola Shaun

No problems. As I said before. I'd like people to enjoy their built and to enjoy and be proud of a good diorama at the end of this. If some people need to get some extra time then that can be awarded.
By the way. The rules clearly say that when a part of a vehicle is used it can be a started kit.. Part of a wing or part of a robots foot sounds like part of a vehicle to me. So yeah. It doesn't really say when exactly you had started it . Make use of the holes in the net they are there to be exploited. It still leaves you with the scratchbuilt item element though But then again. a scratchbuilt item doesn't neccesarily need to be big.
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2013 - 07:02 AM UTC
hello guys,

ok so my van arrived today and its thrown my plans in the air. admittingly i haven't measured my plans or anything yet and looking at it, it isnt going to work as a EOD controller will not fit without being so close to the 'bomb'. i am worried that the van is too big, i measured the space between the two axles, 105mm, the van looks big next to my only built 1/35 i have to hand. so i did a mock up and have changed my plan again. Black Dogs do a great EOD guy in a blast suit, the plan is to have him standing by the rear doors of the van as he inspects the van. i have taken a picture and wondered if you guys feel the size is right, when i get time im going to look for specs of the van and see if the scale is correct. although the van is painted etc i am going to spray it and paint it myself in blue most likely. the white paper is the size of the postcard and the van will be cut and sit at this angle, at a angle it will show the inside very well. oh and that horrible tow bar is the first thing i will be changing and getting rid of it.

Tiger_213
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: August 10, 2012
KitMaker: 1,510 posts
Armorama: 1,443 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2013 - 07:33 AM UTC

Quoted Text

hello guys,

ok so my van arrived today and its thrown my plans in the air. admittingly i haven't measured my plans or anything yet and looking at it, it isnt going to work as a EOD controller will not fit without being so close to the 'bomb'. i am worried that the van is too big, i measured the space between the two axles, 105mm, the van looks big next to my only built 1/35 i have to hand. so i did a mock up and have changed my plan again. Black Dogs do a great EOD guy in a blast suit, the plan is to have him standing by the rear doors of the van as he inspects the van. i have taken a picture and wondered if you guys feel the size is right, when i get time im going to look for specs of the van and see if the scale is correct. although the van is painted etc i am going to spray it and paint it myself in blue most likely. the white paper is the size of the postcard and the van will be cut and sit at this angle, at a angle it will show the inside very well. oh and that horrible tow bar is the first thing i will be changing and getting rid of it.




You could have two 'separate' scenes. If you made slight changes to the terrain, small enough so it's obviously the same area but not so few changes the base is a carbon copy you should be able to achieve a sense of distance by displaying them close to each other; almost like looking at two pictures of a scene. I don't know how to fix your oversize van problem though.
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2013 - 07:44 AM UTC
weve just pulled up the specs for the van from the Ford website and yes, it is correct, even though it seems wrong... hhhmmm maybe its bright yellow in your face colour that is putting me off lol

as for the nice idea of spilting the dio in half, i like it but feel it may be abit beyond my skill set. plus if i go with my new plan it gives me a good reason to watch The Hurt Locker film a dozen times! for research of course!
Tiger_213
Visit this Community
California, United States
Joined: August 10, 2012
KitMaker: 1,510 posts
Armorama: 1,443 posts
Posted: Monday, March 11, 2013 - 01:38 PM UTC
Mmmh, The Hurt Locker. Love that film.

If you're worried about messing up or having an inconsistent look between the two bases you could build 'one' base that's the same width, but twice the length. When you finished building it carefully divide them into equal halves.

Maybe I'm just making this WAY to hard? Egh, all my good ideas are always easier said than done.
strongarden
Visit this Community
Florida, United States
Joined: May 14, 2012
KitMaker: 730 posts
Armorama: 624 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 04:36 PM UTC
OK I'm in as well!

@Robert- Just reviewed "Greta's Revenge" and really like it! Very comprehensive yet simple, no?

I think this one will be great in as much as all enlisted will have the same final dims. - Plus - if the ideas being bantied about already are any indication then this should really be interesting.

Thanks to Robert for this, but also Honorable Mention to LesPaulJames!
Bringing the Diorama Spirit!

Cheers Dave
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 09:13 PM UTC
Ola Guys.

Just checked in at the Campaign page and saw we are already at 24 enlistments. That is going very well. So welcome all the new enlistees at the Postcard Challenge.

@ Alex
Nice van man. The towing hitch is a bit odd indeed but I already read that will be removed. I think your rough set up with the van that way will convey the story perfectly. It gives a good view on the load. And on the surface left you still have enough space for the EOD guy. Maybe even a robot of sorts and a bit of groundworks/scenery to give som context to the scene. Like a sidewalk, garbage etc. You have quite succesfully distilled all the elements so you are left with only the essentials to tell your story.

Also the suggestion of christopher to make two diorama's with the same vehicle is a good one. I have done this in the past but sadly I have no pics of that. I cut up an Opel Blitz in 2 and placed the back end in front of the front end both at the opposite edges of the dio to give the impression you are looking at a section of a column.

@ Dave
Welcome to the Postcard Challenge.
And thanks for the compliments on Distraction. It is an oldie but still one I like a lot. A lot of thought went into that. And I like simple. Simple tells the story often so much better
I'm so looking forward to this challenge. As you mention everybody is equal in the size. And I'm extremely curious how people are going to fill it. The ideas that are tossed around are already great.

With friendly greetz

Robert Blokker
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 09:45 PM UTC
Rob,

thank you for your kind comments, ive had a pretty clear picture in my mind of what i have wanted since the start and i think this helps, while parts of the idea have changed, the core part of having a IED hidden within a 'van' and to show it by taking advantge of the small size of the dio has always been my goal. the outer space will be like a iraq street, i was thinking using one of those concrete barriers and then some 'junk' around, to fill the space but not to draw away from the main part.

providing you have no problem with it i would like to cut the van before the start of the campaign, this is mainly as i am having nightmares thinking that i will leave the cut to the start and end up messing it right up and then wasting half the campaign time trying to find a replacement, seeing as i was 'right place right time' to find this one on ebay.

bronzey
FAUST
#130
Visit this Community
Noord-Holland, Netherlands
Joined: June 07, 2002
KitMaker: 8,797 posts
Armorama: 4,190 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 10:08 PM UTC
Ola Alex
Some great ideas you got going there. I like that.
And by all means go ahead with cutting up the van before the campaign date. It would indeed be a shame if you might not reach the deadline because of a possible mess up. And Of course I hope the cut goes as planned. Good luck with the hacksaw. I have seen people sticking tape over the area that needs to be cut to prevent paint from chipping. Maybe you can take that to your advantage as well otherwise you may have to strip the complete van and then repaint it. instead of directly priming and painting.
hofpig
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: March 04, 2007
KitMaker: 1,330 posts
Armorama: 1,017 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 10:23 PM UTC
Alex,

Good luck cutting that van straight. You must have far more patience than I.

Paul
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Wednesday, March 13, 2013 - 11:55 PM UTC
Ahhh I like that idea, wouldn't of thought using masking tape. It has crossed my mind how I would prevent chips to the paint, even more so when your silly enough to leave it on the dinning table and your terrible duo sons find it and the pair of them disappear to their rooms to play 'monster crushing banger racing'! Lucky I found them and the van before it was too late!

Bronzey
Bluestab
Visit this Community
South Carolina, United States
Joined: December 03, 2009
KitMaker: 2,160 posts
Armorama: 1,906 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 04:32 AM UTC
Alex B, That's goign to be a trick cutting that van. Tape it, but also try to set up a jig or something to give you a cutting guide to keep the cutting blade where you want it. If you are using a hacksaw you could try a miter box. You'd have to set up wedges and shims to keep it from moving on you.

Are you going to box in the cut end? Take a sheet of clear styrene and use that. That way you can see inside the van from both ends while creating some added support for the cut van It'll also give you a flush plane to line the van's cut edge on and smooth out against.

If you have access to a band saw set up for metal work, I'd suggest using it. It'll give you a clean cut.
bronzey
Visit this Community
England - South East, United Kingdom
Joined: January 06, 2012
KitMaker: 300 posts
Armorama: 256 posts
Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2013 - 05:16 AM UTC
Alex,

Yes you are correct I will be boxing off the end but I decided more on the problem of the details under the van, while it has a nicely moulded underside, its not designed to be looked from this angle and the cut will ruin its look. The plan on supporting it I was going to use a off cut of clear plastic sprue and use it under the van to 'hold it up'.

Unfortunately I do not have access to a band saw, this campaign I think is going to help my ongoing battle with the wife to get the garage for my hobby, just can't wait to see her face when i begin to fill her beloved dinner room table with saws and jigs etc lol