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Let me start off saying I have never attempted a diorama before.

I got the idea of a "last stand" for a diorama. This is the image I have: a wounded IG soldier/Space Marine is mere feet from being crushed below some Xeno APC (I can't decide on the faction). Luckily he has a melta gun at hand. So he fires a melta gun blast into the front armor of the APC, and melts straight through it. He has averted his gaze, thinking himself doomed. Because of the impending explosion, Xeno soldiers start pouring out of the ruptured tank, panic in their eyes.

So some questions:
IG or SM? I don't paint imperial guard, so that would be a little more difficult.
How is our hero injured? I'm thinking he is missing one leg. That way he obviously has a dire wound, preventing him from escaping, but not an extremely deadly injury.
What Xeno faction? The only xeno faction I play is Tau, and I don't think a skimmer flying toward you is very scary. Chaos marines? Orks?
What sort of base would I mount this on? This would obviously be larger than any base GW makes. I could always use 1/4" plywood cause my dad has a lot of that laying around, but I feel like that would be kind of heavy.

My other idea was for the melta gun shot. I intend on using some clear plastic rod, and attaching it from melta barrel to the front of the tank, with appropriately melted metal effect on front. I want to paint this piece a fluorescent (see also:see through) color. What color is melta fire? I'm thinking orange. Anyone know of any companies that make paint such as this?


So what do you guys think of this idea? Would this make a good diorama? Am I too over my head? I think I have the skills to do it, it is just a matter of breaking it down into manageable pieces.

Why do you think guard would be harder to paint then SM? For a diorama it might actually be worth the trouble as you can really sit backa nd take your time with it.

For the leg injury, you might want to think a little bigger. Instead of simply removing the leg, try using green stuff to mangle it real good instead. If you descide to go with the space marine, you've got more options as you could cut and reattach the leg to make it appear as if he has a hole in his armor. A little GS work (not hard for this appication) and you could see the hole, some mangled leg inside, and blood coming out. It's one of those little dramatic things that shows you put more effort into it instead of just lopping off the limb.

Chaos Marines and Orks are the two most obvious choices. However a Chaos Chimera would look good too, and an Eldar Warwalker getting ready to trample our injuried hero would be kinda nifty as well.

For the base, you'll probably want to just go with masonite or something.

As far as meltagun shots color, the DOW series shows them in two ways, The first game has them as bright white-blue beams, the second has them as not as bright beams that start blue-white and fade to a more yellow orange color.

Somethign to think about: if the beam will be striking the vehicle, and you decide to go with an acryclic rod, consider mounting a white LED in the vehicle in such a way that will cause the rod to light up. it will be tricky, but the end result could be worth it.

Ghostofman wrote:Why do you think guard would be harder to paint then SM? For a diorama it might actually be worth the trouble as you can really sit backa nd take your time with it.

I just have never painted an Imperial Guardsman, so that is something that I would have to tackle. I know they aren't hard to paint, but I want to mitigate the amount of "new" stuff I have to learn to do.

Ghostofman wrote:For the leg injury, you might want to think a little bigger. Instead of simply removing the leg, try using green stuff to mangle it real good instead. If you descide to go with the space marine, you've got more options as you could cut and reattach the leg to make it appear as if he has a hole in his armor. A little GS work (not hard for this appication) and you could see the hole, some mangled leg inside, and blood coming out. It's one of those little dramatic things that shows you put more effort into it instead of just lopping off the limb.

I was planning on having a mangled limb. Possibly having it laying near him, as if blown of by a shell or something, with a pool of blood underneath him. Also, I haven't worked with GS extensively. Just a little gap filling here and there.

Ghostofman wrote:Chaos Marines and Orks are the two most obvious choices. However a Chaos Chimera would look good too, and an Eldar Warwalker getting ready to trample our injuried hero would be kinda nifty as well.

I like the Warwalker idea, but I want to have troops trying to pile out of the tank, attempting to save themselves.

Ghostofman wrote:For the base, you'll probably want to just go with masonite or something.

That looks like it will work.

Ghostofman wrote:As far as meltagun shots color, the DOW series shows them in two ways, The first game has them as bright white-blue beams, the second has them as not as bright beams that start blue-white and fade to a more yellow orange color.

Somethign to think about: if the beam will be striking the vehicle, and you decide to go with an acryclic rod, consider mounting a white LED in the vehicle in such a way that will cause the rod to light up. it will be tricky, but the end result could be worth it.

I know what you are talking about. I feel like the "white-hot" won't translate as well as a really bright color. I thought about the LED idea, but I don't want to have to fiddle around with electronics. Hence why I want a flourescent color, which will catch natural light on its own, and looking fairly "glowy".

One problem I foresee with using a translucent acrylic rod for the melta shot - it's going to be a perfectly smooth cylinder. That's going to look weird. While it will be more challenging to paint, I think a solid, sculpted form will look better. Perhaps Armorcast has a decent substitute in their Cinematic Effects range, if you don't feel like doing much sculpting.

As for the scene itself, a guardsman would be more likely to avert his gaze than a Space Marine, if you want to keep things fluffy. I rather like the idea, though - half comedy, half heroic last stand.

Actually that stuff from Armorcast is really awesome. I will definetly have to check that out.

I would think the guardsman would be a better idea than the marine. I don't really have a viable reason for this, I just think the guardsman would look better As for the vehicle, I think the traitor chimera would work quite nicely. I mean, chaos marines probably wouldn't be running in terror from a guardsman, its just not in their nature. As for the orks, its quite possible to create a diorama similar to this, however I've never seen someone model a scared ork, so I'm not sure about how you would go about doing that

orkboy232 wrote:I would think the guardsman would be a better idea than the marine. I don't really have a viable reason for this, I just think the guardsman would look better As for the vehicle, I think the traitor chimera would work quite nicely. I mean, chaos marines probably wouldn't be running in terror from a guardsman, its just not in their nature. As for the orks, its quite possible to create a diorama similar to this, however I've never seen someone model a scared ork, so I'm not sure about how you would go about doing that

They aren't running from the guardsman, they are trying to run from the (about to explode) APC. I'm sure even fearless Chaos space marine would prefer not to get esploded. As for the orks, I was thinking more in the posing than the faces. So they would be climbing over each other, pushing others out of the way, in an attempt to get out.

If you're modelling the melta as being in the process of firing, how have the vehicle occupants had enough time to start exiting the vehicle?

A Blood Angel Sanguinary Guard with an Infernus pistol would be very stylish. The wrist-mounted pistol would be much less awkward than a melta gun extended out in one hand.

Of course a Canoness or a Seraphim would look better than either a Marine or a Guardsmen, but would be more difficult to model.

If you use Orks, you've got a LOT more modelling potential. With their vehicles being open Topped, you can have them leaping out in all different directions (including the gunner). I can imagine that a bit of a conversion and swap n the driver's head going make quite a nice little "funny."

Eric

P.S. Ditto on the IG. Space Marines wouldn't avert their gaze. They'd watch the Xenos scum die. Then again, you could do it as an Ordos Xenos Inquisitor... He'd still watch, though.

If you do the wounded marine then start with the space marine casualties set from GW. You can use the one who's wounded on the ground aiming a bolt pistol. Just cut off the pistol and replace it with a meltagun. If you wanted you could probably cut off a leg quite easily as well if you wanted. As for the xenos race just make sure it's not a skimmer as this would probably just go straight over the guy, maybe the engines would warm him up as it passed.

However, if you did the vehicle already hit, you could do a skimmer that's crashed and skidded but has stopped just in front of him with a hole from the meltagun, that would be awesome.

IG or SM? I don't paint imperial guard, so that would be a little more difficult.

I would say IG, as your description is "panic in his eyes". A Space Marine knows no fear.

How is our hero injured? I'm thinking he is missing one leg. That way he obviously has a dire wound, preventing him from escaping, but not an extremely deadly injury.

I wouldn't recommend removing an entire limb. How about am injury with less chance of fatality, such as having fallen back onto a stake that went through his leg. Perhaps he was already determined to fire at the vehicle, lost footing, *spike*... ouch... but now the vehicle is bearing down on him and his reaction is based on instinct and training.

What Xeno faction? The only xeno faction I play is Tau, and I don't think a skimmer flying toward you is very scary. Chaos marines? Orks?

Orks. The conversion possibilities are limited only by your imagination, you can almost completely scratch-build the vehicle, etc.

What sort of base would I mount this on? This would obviously be larger than any base GW makes. I could always use 1/4" plywood cause my dad has a lot of that laying around, but I feel like that would be kind of heavy.

You'll appreciate the heavier base as time passes, and since it is a diorama it should be solid and sturdy anyway.

My other idea was for the melta gun shot. I intend on using some clear plastic rod, and attaching it from melta barrel to the front of the tank, with appropriately melted metal effect on front. I want to paint this piece a fluorescent (see also:see through) color. What color is melta fire? I'm thinking orange. Anyone know of any companies that make paint such as this?

Based on the fluff, a Metla Gun is like a hossed-up microwave oven on steroids. The beam is superheated, and aside from the bizarre shimmer that comes from a source of intense heat, it would not necessarily be visible at all. A solid straight-line blast like a laser isn't what I would envision here. Just offering that for consideration.

Another thing to consider was pointed out by The Dreadnote. It's a matter of timing. Anyone in the vehicle, that close, would be certain they were going to crush the (Guardsman / Space Marine) if they even regarded him at all (think of the scene in Star Wars when General Tarkin was advised that the Rebel plan might work. He didn't care because there was no way they were in danger... ha). I think the situation would be more believable if either (1) the vehicle occupants were certain of a "crushing" victory... ha... or (2) you modeled a melted explosion that the occupants were trying to avoid. I can't see the scene the way you describe it. Consider speed of the vehicle and the reaction time of the crew. Even of the (Guardsman / Space Marine) is successful, there still has to be time for the event to occur, and then time for reaction from the occupants.

Just my opinion.

I can see it now...

Ork Trukk barreling towards a wounded SM. The SM is down but not out (In fact, that can be your title; "Down but not out.").
The SM has his arm extended, pointing a meltagun at the trukk. It's a direct hit. His melta shot is hitting right into the engine block.
In response, the trukk is in mid-kareen. The rear wheels are up off of the ground. The Trukk is at a 45 degree angle, on it's way to flipping over. Orks are flying out at all angles. Some are jumping, and others are being thrown.

For humor, I can see two very great ideas:
1) The warboss has a dead Boy underfoot, using him to jump off of. In his haste to exit the vehicle, he's stomping anything in his way.
2) Maybe there's a grot in the vehicle, and he's doing the same thing... obviously not to the same effect.

Eric

Awesome idea.

With the selection of the xeno faction I would go with:

The Eldar Avatar and two wraithlords (sorry I know they're not tanks)

A Chaos Land Raider

Ork Battle Wagon

Hope this helps

Not to mention that the Avatar's immune to melta and it would take a LOT of Melta shots to kill the Wratihlords.

Also, Chaos isn't Xeno (though it could be interesting).

Eric

Thanks for the help guys. I get what you are saying fluff wise, however, how in the world am I supposed to model an "invisible heat beam"?
And as to the xenos having time to get out, I image the melta would take time to bore through the armor. So the tank hasn't exploded, but all the guys inside have realized that they are F****d.

Unfortunately, I am away at college right now, so I'm not in any state (time, space or monetarily) to begin this project

Choose IG , for the needed dramatic element needed in every good diorama.

Transport , the army should be something daunting in melee. Because thats whats coming next right? So either Orks or Dark Eldar no... more specifically Wyches.

Every diorama has a story , uncertainty and a twist. Prevail or fight to his death against some sexy Dark Elves?
( If you have chose a space marine , it would be less dramatic as the chance of the hero surviving the outcome will sky rocket , imho = boring )

Ok use the space marine casulties bitz kit. Then have whoevere he's fighting put one foot ontop of him. Make sure he has a gun GS some blast coming out of the gun. And put a whole bunch of holes in the front of him. Make sure he has a screaming face like he just got his foot hit with a hammer.

TNM wrote:Ok use the space marine casulties bitz kit. Then have whoevere he's fighting put one foot ontop of him. Make sure he has a gun GS some blast coming out of the gun. And put a whole bunch of holes in the front of him. Make sure he has a screaming face like he just got his foot hit with a hammer.

People.

Read the OP's initial post.
He's not doing a 1 on 1 battle scene here. He's doing an individual blowing up a vehicle with a ranged weapon & the occupants diving for cover from the exploding wreckage.

If you're making any suggestions to the contrary, you're not part of the solution.


Eric