So I made a Diorama

So not knowing what I am doing when it comes to making a diorama, I made this up using some items from Woodland Scenics I bought at a local garage sale some time back. 
The tree is from a bush in our yard.  I applied white glue and put grass and some items I guess should be for trees.
I made this just to show how the laser cut tank model might look if used in a diorama setting.  I would suspect a few 1/144 scale German Soldiers might enhance the over-all appearance.
Any suggestions offered will be appreciated!

Sankei Laser Cut Card Model Tank

I have received two more Laser Cut models by Sankei from Hobby Link Japan. (See URL elsewhere in my Blob.  This model is smaller than the cart I built and was reviewed in an earlier Blog.  The tank model comes on two separate pieces of card stock.  The main body of the tank has been laser cut on a piece of Olive Drab card stock. The tank track and Boggie wheels were laser cut on a piece of black card stock. There are no less then ten parts to the track card and 26 pieces to the tank body. I believe the model is to represent a German Panzer IV. A word here about the model, it is not intended to be a de-tailed version, but rather an exercise in how laser cutting can be applied to any media.  To dress the model, I will in the near future make some sort of diorama display which should enhance the over-all finished model.  
Assembly is quite simple and straight forward.  As with the other model, holding the card to the light reveals where the parts are still attached to the card.  As an estimate, I would guess the model took about 4 hours over two days to build.  A tip I managed to pick up on is one I wonder why I never thought of it earlier.  When gluing a small part such as the Boggie wheels on this model. Take a bit of waxed paper, apply some glue to the surface and spread with you finger tip.  Now holding a part with tweezers run the part over the surface.  Now apply the part to the surface where it is suppose to go.  One can still adjust it before the glue sets up.
Tracks proved to be the most challenging parts to assemble; To much moisture on the back side and a little to much pressure when rolling the track causes the track to become over curved.  So I formed the track a little and glued them in place while they were still damp.  Then I placed a weight on the the body and let it set overnight.

The turret, though it seems easy enough, also presents a small challenge. Once bent as it shows in the instructions, you don't want to over bend it at the risk of separating the parts from each other.  So use a fast dry glue which will allow you to hold the part to shape without over bending it.  When attaching the turret to the tank body, a good amount of pressure is necessary to snap the turret in place.  I was afraid of over pressure and just as I was about to give up and try something else, the turret 'SNAPPED' and was seated.  Finely the model measures 2 x 1 x 13/16 inches.

In Memory of Chris Baldwin

It was indeed not an April Fool's Joke when I received an e-mail from Karen Baldwin, Chris Baldwin's wife, yesterday morning.  Karen informed me that Chris of the "ToyHouse" was missing after a canoeing accident on the Delaware River on Sunday 21 March and presumed dead.  Chris has supplied me with many Anker Stone Blocks over the past several years. Here is the URL for Chris Baldwin Obit.
   
http://www.centraljersey.com/articles/2010/04/02/obituaries/doc4babc56b20ac0019765009.txt


I was able to copy from the Princeton New Jersey Packet Newspaper.   Chris will indeed be missed and our prayers go out to Karen and his Family. God Bless!