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Dakimbrell

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Posts posted by Dakimbrell

  1. One of the problems we have is deciding what is a diorama. As a hardcore diorama builder, I mostly see things as what I call Prize Cows and dioramas. This should not be seen as derogatory because I got it from a museum staffer describing one way to display dinosaur skeletons. However, just because a model is presented differently than most does not make it strictly a diorama.

    For example, based on the rules, I believe a model of the B-24 Lady Be Good crashed in the desert could still be entered in the basic aircraft category. The same could be done with a blown-up tank or one simply stuck in the mud. Or rusty abandoned car....perhaps the one driven by Bonnie and Clyde all full of bullet holes.

    You could say this WWI tank tells a story, but it doesn't step outside the rules.

    Dak

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  2. 15 hours ago, JClark said:

    All I would say is this. It was mentioned to everyone that is a member of IPMS. It was shown in the new rules, for this year.THAT IS the official notification for everyone. 

    While true, this does not explain why a seemingly expanding class has been eliminated without some open discussion. This isn't a class slowly fading away, but exactly the opposite.

    As I have said, I think the IPMS judging system is the best around for a large contest. However, perfection is never an option. This may work fine, and perhaps it will encourage more people to learn how to judge dioramas, as long as the head judge checks up on things properly.

    Dak

  3. Another aspect of a good diorama/vignette (D/V) is using historically accurate elements. I saw one some years ago where the builder used modern dumpsters in the scene. Also do a check on the weight limits on bridges. It seems one of the common errors is a Tiger II on a bridge which would not hold a VW Beetle.

    And no "neat" rubble. It is true in places people do clean up rubble a bit into somewhat neat piles, but that is usually after all the fighting is done. However, Panther tanks which just happen to find a nice clear path through piles of debris is unusual.

    Dak 

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  4. I've been involved in judging models since 1977. We'll have to see how things go. This may turn out to work well, or it may cause problems. We won't know until it all plays out this summer. It seems the number of diorama/vignette entries is increasing. (See my post in the Diorama Forum)

    I still would like to understand why it was chosen, and why it wasn't simply put out in the journal or on the website. Also, those responsible have made no effort to clear up that question. It is this sort of thing which eggs on the anti-IPMS lackwits and those who never partake in the judging. There are a lot of people out there who decline participation but complain about the judging with no actual first-hand knowledge.

    Dak

  5. Another aspect to a good diorama is not squaring off the model display. For example, if a model is posed right to left, then it should be turned at least 10 degrees towards or away the front edge of the base. Putting everything at right angles does not mean the diorama or vignette are bad, but it will be less visually appealing. This element also effects the story of the scene. If two scenes are about equal in quality of work, it is probable the one at an angle will be the winner. 

    Also consider what is going on. Having a fire fight going on with one guy calmly standing drinking coffee while in the line of fire is poor story work no matter how well the figures are painted. More than once, I have seen aircraft put in revetments where they could never be able to get out. The same applies to putting anti-tank guns in pits. (88mm guns in particular.)

    Make sure all figures are working in the same way. No troops cooking a meal or relaxing with a drink, while a few feet away some are charging into battle. Having figures running in odd directions doesn't do a good job.

    There will always be variable situations in dioramas and vignettes. However, there are general artistic considerations to keep in mind.

    Dak

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  6. Well, I’m willing to see how things work even though I do think the NCC should formally and clearly explain the reason for the change. The nature of our event often requires changes. 

    I would love to be a head judge, but that will never happen because I am extremely opinionated and do not always agree with the the NCC decisions. I do think the IPMS method and style of judging is generally the most superior for the contest we have and would never go with other formats. 

    Like Grune said, I am an outlier and I come to play even when things don’t always make me happy. Some people can’t stand losing at Nationals and act really stupid about it. I have no tolerance for those types.

    Dak

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  7. Because of the change to dioramas this year, I thought I would put my two cents in on what makes a good diorama.

    To me, dioramas and vignettes stand on three legs. The primary model(s), the base, and the story. They are all equal. I say this because I have seen many winners over the years which tend to push only one of the three elements. A winner with a super fine model, but a poor story and base, or a poor model, but good story, a well-done base with mediocre model and story.

    I have been building models for 65 years and 99% of what I do could be generally called dioramic. The only things I put on a decorative base art the large-scale busts which I do. I am a student of Shep Paine and have all his books as well as his biography. I base my opinions and ideas on what I learned there.

    It is true my concept slides a bit due to the type of diorama/vignette. Obviously, a small ship diorama might not have a lot of figures, or a figure vignette might not have anything but the base and some figures. But a beautifully done airplane needs the fuel truck to be as well done.

    What I consider the "base" includes the ground, trees, walls, buildings, and sometimes the figures. The model, or models are the kits which are the core of the scene. Buildings, etc, are part of the base because they remain even if the core model is removed.

    The story should be clear to everyone. I title all my works. That helps focus the viewer on what I meant the story to be. Admittedly, still some don't understand things. I did a simple scene of a Fokker D.VII which I titled "Not a Messerschmitt" hopefully playing on the old joke. But at least one person didn't get it. This is why having a team of judges works best.

    Dioramas and vignettes seem to be increasing in numbers in recent years, but it also seems many are reluctant to participate in the judging. I can't judge dioramas often because I am primarily entered there, so the job falls to many others who aren't entered.

    Thoughts, anyone?

    Dak

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  8. Back in 2014, my email was used to send out junk email. I notified Cox.net about it repeatedly following their directions, but to no avail....until the trip to the Hampton Show. At that time, they froze up my emails because of complaints. I could not clear it until I got home because I needed my password to satisfy them. Once logged on, I showed all the times I had notified them without them doing the job.

    They were embarrassed and apologetic. 🙂

    Dak

  9. Public debate is one thing. However, someone should have posted information about it and specifically notified those individuals they had been talking with about it earlier. That would have not upset some people who brought it to my attention because they know I will publicly ask about it. 

    We will have just have to see how it plays out now. And in the future, perhaps those making a change could simply post a notice about such types of things. Such an action would probably defer umbrage taken by the un-consulted.

    Dak

  10. I realize the awards will be the same, and I’m not worried about that. I am dubious that this will work well because the dioramas will now be scattered around, and I think this will cause some problems. To many are afraid to judge dioramas.

    I also suspect diorama judging may take a bad hit. By that I mean it may be done by people that aren’t good at judging it. 

    However, I’m willing to see how it goes. But I do question why this wasn’t discussed publicly before changing it and to announce it more publicly. One person, who was asked last summer to be a possible head judge for it wasn’t even notified. 

    It looks like I will have to make some posts promoting what I see as better diorama/vignette judging.

    To me, dioramas/vignettes have 3 legs of judging to make them winners. One part is the base model(s), one is the base work, and one is the story. All three are EQUAL and the winners should have that balance. 
     

    Dak

  11. Now days we tend to look for the basics. We are not judging accuracy to any great degree. When looking at seams, alignment, paint and glue, it is not a major problem. As a big diorama builder, I am of the opinion too many don't give the best consideration to the story. Or they expect all dioramas to be like the excellent Steve Hustad work duplicating a photo.

    Still, the main question is why is this seen as a good way to go? Why is the diorama CLASS deleted? I'm open to new ideas, however this is coming as a bit under the table and that has bad implications.

    Based on what I have been seeing in recent years, I was expecting dioramas and vignettes to be expanded.

    Dak

  12. So, we can assume the dioramas and vignettes will now be displayed throughout the contest room and not in one area as a class.

    Still, this does not answer the question why so many entries which seem to be increasing are now downgraded. Why is it BETTER to eliminate a diorama class? Is everyone afraid they are distracting from all the other models? This reminds me of the way armor was treated in the eighties which resulted in the creation of AMPS.

    As a hardcore diorama guy, I don't understand the idea am asking why we go from a separate class to a sub-category of a class.

    Dak

     

  13. Dioramas: The Dioramas Class has been reorganized - all Diorama categories have been moved to their respective model-subject classes. (All aircraft dioramas are now in the Aircraft Class, all automotive dioramas are now in the Automotive Class, etc.) No other changes have been made to the quantity or definition of the Diorama categories. Some class or category numbers have been changed to accommodate this realignment. Per Rule IV-1D, Vignette (Small Composition) includes a single vehicle and/or no more than 5 figures; Diorama (Large Composition) includes more than one vehicle and/or more than 5 figures.

    Dioramas seem to be increasing in numbers the past twelve years, so I have to ask why it was decided to eliminate them as a full and separate class. Is their contest placement going to be mixed in with the other categories of the respective class? As presented, it doesn't make sense to me. Looking for information before I go into a rage and begin tearing my shirt and overturning tables.

    Dak

  14. Following my early Panzer IIB and Panzer IVA, I decided to do the Bronco Panzer III A. There were only ten of them built. It seems they were all used in the invasion of Poland however, they were all withdrawn from frontline service by February 1940. The suspension was not torsion bar but swing arms on coiled springs. Nor were there any hull escape hatches. Don't confuse this kit with the Miniart B kit.

    The kit has simple markings for only four vehicles. There is a nice interior for the turret, but nothing much for the hull. As you can see from the comparison picture that the hull had a bit different shape. The decals go on fairly well but take some work to get them set down over the hatches and vision flaps. I use Solvaset mostly, but in the end, I used some MEK in a few spots.

    Dak

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  15. This is the Dragon kit of the Panzer II B. (#6572). The figures are from Alpine and Bravo 6. The tree was a dead bonsai with leaves from a die cutter.

    The kit comes with some interior, and markings for the western campaigns. The kit is not as complete as it should be and is missing tow hooks for the bow, which I had to scratch up. otherwise, the model is mostly OOB.

    Dak

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  16. Just finished the Dragon Panzer IV A for the invasion of Poland. Used Fruilmodel 36 cm tracks which I’ve had since 2003. I actually started the kit in 2013. Time to finish it.

    The model is classic DML and not perfect by any means. The figure in the cupola is from a DML set and the standing guy is from Alpine. 

    Paint scheme is the brown on grey. Tamiya paints with lacquer thinner were used.

    Dak

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  17. This is my first completion of the year. I started it on December 28 so you can see it is a quick build. I was very impressed with the fit of the model and the only problem was getting the windscreen in place. paints used were mostly Tamiya with lacquer thinner.

    The decals went on ok but did need a setting solution. After dull coating, I found a few tiny silvering spots and fixed them with a drop of MEK.

    The figure is from Aero Bonus and was made to look a bit like Adolf Galland. The markings are for his aircraft in 1939 during the invasion of Poland. The scheme is the prewar RLM 61/62/63/65 splinter pattern.

    I recommend the kit.

    Dak

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