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Tea in Libya

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"Tea in Libya" is a diorama based around Takom's 1/35 M3 Grant model, with additional photo-etched parts from Voyager, resin stowage set by Black Dog and gun with dust cover by Panzer Art. Steven painted it in a similar camo scheme as the box art but due to recent findings and photograph analysis, he went with a light blue/grey instead of the olive drab as is most commonly depicted.

The figures are from MiniArt and were originally the "British Armored Car Crew" box which were then reposed and given resin heads form Hornet.

The scene was based with a palm tree made by Reality In Scale to give the whole piece a vertical element to bring all of it together.
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About the Author

About Steven Eldridge (DrChopp)
FROM: VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA

I'm a 34 year old modeler from Melbourne, Australia. I am focused on armor models, particularly German, WW2 era. I have been modeling for about 20 years and like to always have something on my bench.


Comments

Can't stop admiring the dust application around the dio! Looks very great, especially on how you coloring the sand. Also the figures. Just put more details on the palm tree, still looks too green. You can try to make a little bit dry on some (not all of them) leaflets/pinnae. Anyway, congratulations of this brilliant work! Cheers Garry
APR 28, 2020 - 05:43 AM
Excellent dio. I like very much the interaction between the figures and the overall atmosphere. BRAVO ! ... also very interested in learning more about : "due to recent findings and photograph analysis, he went with a light blue/grey instead of the olive drab as is most commonly depicted" Thanks in a advance
APR 28, 2020 - 09:07 AM
Thanks Garry! I did try to put some yellowing in the centre, and on the edges of the leaves but maybe not enough? Thanks mate! I'm not sure about linking to other forums, but there are a few topics out there. I went off the pics below which show a big contrast between the upper section, and the border of the WD number, which we know is Olive Drab. Mike Starmer suggested it is likely "Silver Grey" but as we only have B&W photos we cant know for certain. I went with a slightly greener tone for the Silver Grey to simulate it being sprayed over Olive Drab.
APR 28, 2020 - 01:09 PM
I like it a lot; the theme is cutesy & realistic. The figures are good and the tank appropriately dusty. However, at the risk of being a picky SOB I'd like to know how the top of the bogey wheels remained clean whereas the bottoms are appropriately dusty? Ya, I know: Picky, picky, picky.
APR 29, 2020 - 04:00 AM
really a great scene !!!
APR 29, 2020 - 06:01 AM
Definitely a winner! The painting/weathering on the figures & the M3 looks great. I can picture this scene coming from a history book.
APR 29, 2020 - 06:14 AM
Thanks Frank! do you mean the return rollers? Or the wheels themselves? I dont think I put any dust on the return rollers at all. The wheels themselves have a fairly patchy application of dust, you're correct. Thanks very much! Cheers Jack, much appreciated!
APR 29, 2020 - 07:51 PM
Steven, Wonderful work. And silver-gray on a Grant!? I will build mine as such - love the Caunter colors. Very fun diorama to inspect. Love the concept.
APR 30, 2020 - 08:11 AM
Thank you Steven for your input about the pics showing a big contrast between the upper section, and the border of the WD number and Mike Starmer suggestions... and sorry for answering that late. All the best
MAY 04, 2020 - 07:57 AM
Very nice build and diorama. I like that it teels an instant story and one can feel the atmosphere of the scene. Thanks for sharing
MAY 05, 2020 - 07:24 AM