This is a fantastic little diorama made by Glen E. My thanks go to him for submitting the pictures and the information about how he made this.

It is a great example of a small diorama that really works! And Glen gives us a whole bunch of really useful tips including how to make bullet holes.

If you want to make a military diorama and start out small this is a great example of how you can start out small and make a spectacular diorama. The level of detail here is really very good!

 

First I made up spitfire Airfix 1/72 spitfire A76502 and painted up pilot from airfix Raf set, this then was to give me scale for size of base.

(Note from Will: This is a great tip. When doing a diorama with models you really have to get a good sense of the scale so everything looks right. You might want to partially build the model first so you can use it to plan your diorama)

 

Here is the painted pilot.

I use scatter to make the meadow and ploughed field, and lichen for the bushes.

I thought it would be interesting if I used an animal in this diorama, I used a cow, but you could use sheep or horses. the cow came from a set made by Hornby for train set layouts.

You can see the door down on the plane in this next pic.

 

To make the bullet holes in the plane, I made up the plane, painted it and put on decals, it was then that I attached the door. Using a needle heated over a candle i got the needle hot and pushed it right through the plane and back out, and then painted the holes for effect. It is a good idea when using the pin or needle or even a paper clip, is to use a cork from a wine bottle to put needle in so that you don't burn your fingers when heating up the needle.

 

Let's continue on with this tutorial and see more including how Glen made the textured surface of this diorama

On Amazon.com

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Airfix 1:72 Supermarine Spitfire Mk1/Mk11a

The legendary Spitfire has come to be seen as the fighter of the Second World War. This kit features the earliest version, the Mk I, with its two bladed propeller and early canopy, and the final Battle of Britain variant, the improved Mk IIa. Both are hugely important versions of the Spitfire and highlight the number of changes of the airframe in the short period between their introductions. The operational history of the Spitfire with the RAF started with the first Mk Is which entered service with 19 Squadron at RAF Duxford on 4 August 1938. The MkIIa was fitted with a superior propellor and 8 wing-mounted Browning machine guns.

Amazon.com has a whole lot of spitfire models in this scale: 1:72 scale Spitfires on Amazon.com

 

Heavy armor and Tufts of Grass Cliff is a modeler that specializes in heavy armor. He does some terrific dioramas and has a neat technique for making tufts of grass in 1/72 scale. Check out the technique and some of his models here.

Iwo Jima This is a fantastic little diorama of an ambush on Iwo Jima. John brilliantly uses Volcanic rock to make an impressive battlefield scene. Check it out here: Black Sand Hell: Ambush on Iwo Jima