Airfix Model World – September 2019

DIORAMA BUILD
M24 CHAFFEE

DIORAMA BUILD

M24 CHAFFEE

http://www.airfi xmodelworld.com 29

DIORAMA BUILD

M24 CHAFFEE

dampened brush was dabbed

gently on the surface, with care

taken not to remove too much

of the delicate top coat, before

a cocktail stick was employed to

create scratches and abrasions.

More white was airbrushed onto

the turret sides and the process

repeated until the desired effect

was achieved. The model was set

aside until the paint had dried

fully, after which ALC-311 Klear

Kote Light Sheen was applied to

form a protective seal.

Under the weather

Reproducing wear and tear on

such a small model required a

LET IT SNOW

Inspired by the box art, it was decided to opt for a wintry scene as the basis for a

small diorama to frame the Chaffee. Having tried before (with varying degrees of

success) to make a believable snow diorama, I was keen to perfect the appearance

of a thawing, muddy winter setting.

Reality in Scale’s 72009

Arnhem House (www.

realityinscale.com) had been

sitting in my stash for years.

This resin building required

minimal neatening and

incorporated exquisite

replicas of period designs

into the casting.

The groundwork texture was crafted with Sculptamold modelling compound (www.

amaco.com), mixed with XF-52 Flat Earth to produce suitably diverse tones on the base.

 Lightened US375 Deep Cockpit served for the brickwork, with lighter and darker hues

accentuating individual masonry sections, while the roof was brush painted in various

shades of UA737 Worn Brick. Several AMMO-MIG Oilbrusher washes were used to form a

believably war-ravaged façade, before it was placed on the diorama base.

The muddy aftermath of thawing snow was recreated via A.MIG-7442 Glossy Wet Mud

Set and 73.807 European Thick Mud. Several Precision Ice and Snow products (www.

precisioniceandsnow.com), including Snow Wash and Insta-Snow, were then blended

into the mud effects while they were drying.