Matilda alternative history. A display on a shoestring.

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 Tamiya. Matilda MkIII 1/48.

Tamiya. Matilda MkIII 1/48 Caunter scheme.
The Matilda MKIII. What's in the box?
Matilda MKIII Caunter Scheme build. That's the odd one with the blue.


I did an alternative history group build on a budget. Let's look at the how and why.

 You're my inspiration....

Display case. Ingredients. Prices in yen. Small change (less than 30 yen) not included.

German loading crew                                                            900

Display case.                                                                           300.

Wood look plastic edging.                                                    100

Cement 1/3 bag.                                                  approx.     100   (Super glue to fix.)

Tea leaves. Recycled.

Wall. Soft floor tile. Recycled.

Plaster skim for wall.   'Paper clay'  150g               approx 30 

Water based paint black, white, brown green.

PVA glue.

Approximate total 1,450 yen including the figures.  about eight pounds $9.50 at time of writing.

A Matilda MK III because I can.

For the display, I am using a cheap Japanese display rom the local 1oo yen (56P)/(68c) shop. I've added some wood look plastic edging to hold the cement fill. It will be a stiff cement mix with added tea leaves that I use for that. 


 Cutting the strip to allow for creating the curve.


Before adding the cement, I'm using a strip of dry stone wall made from old sponge floor tiles.

I'll face the wall with the cheap 'paper clay' which should take an impressed texture.

That will do nicely for the first effort.


Here it is with the cement added and the tea pressed into the moist surface.

The Matilda has to be the owner of some of the coolest colour schemes. The one above appears to be yellow painted over the green. The one below looks more like green painted over the yellow. 
You takes your chances I assume.

Just added some wall texture with a clay tool in the paper clay skim. I also skimmed the surface to get a predominantly dried mud surface.


It'll will look different when I get some paint on it. Lots of brown washes in different shades. 
Here I am applying several layers of different shades of brown to create some depth in the road and it's surroundings. Lighter shades add highlights to the texture while darker washes create shadows.

Notice how I am adding a touch of green to suggest a hint of low lying vegetation.


Let's check it out with the tank...
I think that looks ok.

Populating the diorama.
A lone German engineer wanders in with a ladder and a table.

Soon, some of his mates turn up. "What you doing here Hans?"
"I'm finishing this model. I look really good here washing my hands in the bucket".
"..." 



Well, If Hans says we are finished... we must be finished. Let's have a look at the result.
Overall, I think I'm satisfied.






Putting the cover back on.



All done. I love the Matilda and I'm well happy with this little diorama built on a shoestring budget.

But what do you think? please feel free to let  me know your thoughts.

 Tamiya. Matilda MkIII 1/48.

Tamiya. Matilda MkIII 1/48 Caunter scheme.
The Matilda MKIII. What's in the box?
Matilda MKIII Caunter Scheme build. That's the odd one with the blue.


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