My Largest Project to date - Forests of Normandy WIP

So after seeing General Armendiz's large diorama over on Fllickr, I thought to myself, why not make a large project myself, but at least somewhat realistic and possible, seeing as Armendiz' scale is close to impossible to actually finish. I also find Omaha Beach landings slowly overrated, and so I'm going for an approach which hasn't been covered by many so far - The forests of Normandy

As you can probably tell by diorama's from the past, woodlands and forests are my strength. It'll be on a base of a 96x96 studs, having an american offensive on the german line of defense. I'll need more grass stems but have already found a reasonably priced source for them. What I still need is a source for more tree pieces, and for the centre piece of this MOC:

A Flak 88 Design as well as the pieces to build 3-4 of these. FOr the line shall have 3-4 Flak 88 Nests, with hopefully trenches running in between them. What you can see here is what I have so far...

Figures: I've got about 10 americans with 2 airborne troopers and a colonel, as well as pieces underway for another 6 standard infantry. I have 3 British soldiers (minus helmets) and 10 German soldiers with 2 SS, but I intend to make another 15-20.

Vehicles: At the moment 1 & 1/2 sherman tanks, with pieces for the second underway. These shall be supporting the american offensive. 2 BMW R-75's w/ sidecar. These shall be aiding the germans, with hopefully MG42 (To represent the MG34) mounts. 2 Willys Jeeps. I intend to make another of these. And one StuG III, which shall be revamped into a more accurate model. The final touch would be 3-4 Flak 88's.

This is a project I'm serious about and hope to finish. As you can see, a large amount of the work has already been done, but much more has yet to be finished. If you've read this entire description, bravo, and thanks for taking the time. Any tips are appreciated. I'm trying to make this as good as possible. Thanks!

Jeebuz, you just started talking about this a few hours ago.

I can't wait to see this completed!
I would say watch some Band of brothers, add some dead guys, blown up tanks, and maybe even a crashed plane!
And good luck Phima!

Hmmm...

It looks a bit plain IMO.

Good luck getting all the leaves and tree pieces together.

@Faie: Actually, I had the idea yesterday morning The vehicles are basically all together, I just need to get the landscaping and Flak 88's done.

@Delta: I've watched BoB twice in the last couple months, and a lot of inspiration for this is coming from Carentan and I think the 2nd episode (Can't remember the name) Crashed plane, naww..

@Tac...

Thanks guys!

What always inspires me to build WWII stuff is Call Of Duty or Medal Of Honor.

I wonder how many green pieces you're going to use.

@ Phima: So why the AA guns? Where there are AA guns there is always a crashed plane.

Troopa Daisy wrote:I wonder how many green pieces you're going to use.

Alot. I'll probably be ordering 2000+ grass stems.

Delta 1608 wrote:@ Phima: So why the AA guns? Where there are AA guns there is always a crashed plane.

Although Flak's (FLug Abwehr Kanone=Anti Aircraft Gun) were originally designed for that use, they were also used as anti-tank and artillery (Thanks for that bit of info, Pizza )

THanks again guys!

Sweet! I think I might have heard you talking about doing somthing like this on mibbit. Can't wait!

P.S. What's with the ring of legs on the left side of the picture?

1 Million Watts Of Power wrote:Sweet! I think I might have heard you talking about doing somthing like this on mibbit. Can't wait!

P.S. What's with the ring of legs on the left side of the picture?

For the next batch of 6 american soldiers...I'm eagerly awaiting the torsos from pizzamovies. There are M1 helmets and flesh heads beside it too.

PhiMa wrote:

Troopa Daisy wrote:I wonder how many green pieces you're going to use.

Alot. I'll probably be ordering 2000+ grass stems.

Delta 1608 wrote:@ Phima: So why the AA guns? Where there are AA guns there is always a crashed plane.

Although Flak's (FLug Abwehr Kanone=Anti Aircraft Gun) were originally designed for that use, they were also used as anti-tank and artillery (Thanks for that bit of info, Pizza )

THanks again guys!

I should have shown you this video when you were saying how stupid I was for saying Flaks were used as AT.



Just watch the first 30 seconds.

And PhiMa, good luck with this. I am also working on a trench system for my Washington D.C. movie set, I may take a few ideas from your MOC if it turns out to be really good.

This should be epic. Keep it up man!

Wow! I can't wait to see , and according to the picture I like the tanks the best.

You should watch this video for ideas of artillery. Oh and good luck on the progress. remember to update.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SBROYBtBHDc

Thanks for the feedback guys! I bought 3 more green baseplates and so now I have the 9 I need to complete it. I've also found a Flak 88 design (link) off which I shall be basing mine. I'll also be posting a simplistic tree design in the next couple days which I'll make about 30-35 times.

Wow, PhiMa, you did a great job on everything, and I think it's cool that you are working on Flak 88 design, very interesting, because I am a huge fan of everything World War 2.

As being a fan of your creations, I can't wait to see the finished product. Best of luck too you.

PhiMa wrote:

Troopa Daisy wrote:I wonder how many green pieces you're going to use.

Alot. I'll probably be ordering 2000+ grass stems.

Delta 1608 wrote:@ Phima: So why the AA guns? Where there are AA guns there is always a crashed plane.

Although Flak's (FLug Abwehr Kanone=Anti Aircraft Gun) were originally designed for that use, they were also used as anti-tank and artillery (Thanks for that bit of info, Pizza )

THanks again guys!

ahh I see, then...a blown up tank! Just take your unfinished tank and give it a blown up look!

Delta 1608 wrote:

ahh I see, then...a blown up tank! Just take your unfinished tank and give it a blown up look!

No, there's not gonna be anything blown up! Maybe a broken down Willys Jeep, but I'm finishing the Sherman to support the other.

Can we have another pictures please?

You sure can Pyro!

Prototype Designs




No, not brickarms or LEGO prototypes, but my kind of prototypes, which shall be in the Forests Of Normandy MOC. The Tree I need to reproduce about 30 times, I've got the pieces for about 3-4 atm :S The sandbags shall be infront of the Flak 88's. Fig for scale. Improvements? TIps? Anything?

Update on the overall progress: I've got the entire base laid out now, received the parts for my next batch of americans today, and I've decided to include the Halftrack in the MOC too.[url="http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=18511]This is the Flak 88 design I shall be modifying to my liking[/url]

Awesome, simply awesome. I've been following alot of your work and I am very very impressed. I love the sandbags, I was recently trying to figure out a way to do the same thing. I like the effect. Mind if I ever use the technique? Not sure if its "your" technique. Have you tried seeing how it would look with finished tiles as the last layer?

I like them. Are you going to make different sizes of trees?