1/700 Amagi diorama

[Benva]

Accompanying your work. Very cool. It is a work of restoration of truth. Congratulations. I ask: Has your experience come from a long time?

Best regards.

Benva

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks Benva!

Yes, I do have quite a lot of experience.
I have been modelling since the age of 6, and I just turned 39. I joined a modelling club when I was 19, and have been going to a lot of modelling shows and competitions since. But most importantly: for many years, I devoted quite a large amount of time to my hobby and passion. The years don't count, but the hours do�
But rest assured: my first models were as humble as anyone elses' first models!

When I started more 'serious' modelling as a teenager, I got into AFV diorama's. Around 2005, I switched to figures and vignettes, often scratch built.
This is only my second ship diorama, but all the experience from AFV's and figure diorama's certainly helps.
On top of that, I really enjoy working in tiny detail and have good eyesight (at least from code-by). I think I also have a longer attention span than the average modeller, and choose my projects carefully, which both help a lot to get ambitious projects finished.

Cheers,

Marijn

[LE BOSCO]

HI Marijn

has seen your of latest progress, the dio will be great You have a very pronounced scenic sense
No need for profusion of accessories with you ...your dio speak of themselves
much talent here
cheers
Nicolas

[GewoonWouter]

Seems I missed a couple of updates last year

Astonishing stuff there mate, really looking good. Will be even better when you release your paint and weathering fury on it ^^

About the fact that you have a lot of experience and all, I'd like to add one. Many well accomplished modellers tend to mention their experience to explain the high level of results they achieve. And that certainly is true, but all too often one is modest about the other part which you have or don't: talent, and that certainly comes into the mix in your case Marijn

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks guys!

Ok Wouter, I won't argue and just accept your nice compliment!

Cheers,

Marijn

[Forlornhope]

I have been following this thread for a while and I have to say I am in awe of the level of detail you have achieved. I have no idea how you are going to paint some of those areas on the ship but I look forward to more progress.

[J. Soca]

Impressive




Jose

[gscott]

Running out of superlatives to describe this build....just incredible. Can't wait to see it completed.

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks for all the nice words!

Not much progress I'm afraid. One of my three year old daughters just had a 2,5 week stay in the hospital with a heavy pneumonia, so hobby time has been scarce lately� I did prime everything, but still need to correct some flaws and re-prime.

I have no idea how you are going to paint some of those areas on the ship but I look forward to more progress.

Coming from armor and figure modelling, I'm of the school of assembling as much as possible before painting. I devote quite some time to painting and weathering, and that helps me get the painting process more efficient and more consistent. But that's just a personal preference�

Of course I make sure that I can reach everything for painting. The model is in subassemblies (hull, aft flight deck section, boat deck, forward flight deck section, island, collapsible masts, props, and a couple of small details).
Besides that, it is a matter of being careful while painting. Airbrushing is done with heavily thinned paint at a low pressure, making sure to build up paint very slowly with many thin coats. I start with the hard to reach parts first, which automatically gets plenty of paint on their adjacent areas. Then I fill in the rest. Most importantly, I take my time for it! Just getting a coat of primer on everything (including groundwork and small ships) took me about 4 hours of airbrushing.
Brush painting (mostly weathering) is done with fine brushes and with a lot of care.

But I can certainly see how it might look scary to someone who prefers to paint much smaller subassemblies!

Cheers,

Marijn

[Dan K]

I hope your daughter is feeling better, Marijn. That's always a tough circumstance.

[wee_tam]

holy sheeeeeeeeeeit...

i can honestly say without fear of contradiction that that, is the finest piece of customisation i have ever seen. i hope when i grow up, ill be as good as you (i don't think there is much hope of that now as i'm 40 )

[MatthewB]

Geeeeez.

I want to cry every time I see this thread, because it is so well done, and then because it is so destructive to a model kit.

But that is one freakishly impressive build.

And will likely look even better painted and withy water around it.

MB

[Mike C]

I hope your daughter is feeling better, Marijn. Family comes first, so I hope she is up and about and feeling well soon.

You've made a LOT of progress on this since I saw it last. I'm looking forward to seeing it painted and in the water. Personally, I think you sawed it in half so you wouldn't have to spend all that time detailing the other half.

Have fun,
Mike

[Mike C]

I just saw this video. I hope it isn't a repost here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BpMGgjtLLrE

[marijn van gils]

Thanks guys!

My daughter is completely better now. She spent 2,5 weeks in hospital, and had to stay home from school until now, but she got the all-clear from the doctor yesterday and can return to school on monday.

I haven't been doing any modelling lately, not so much because of her, but busy at the job and with my other hobby�
I only got everything primed, and ready for base coat airbrushing.

I want to cry every time I see this thread, because it is so well done, and then because it is so destructive to a model kit.

Many thanks Matthew!
Myself, I don't even have to think half a second on about sawing a kit in half. As a diorama modeler, I always start from the story, and the kit is just a means in function of telling the story. That makes it really easy!

Personally, I think you sawed it in half so you wouldn't have to spend all that time detailing the other half.

Thanks Mike!
I know you're joking, but you're actually spot-on!
I always wanted to build an IJN carrier, and I love all the typical platforms and their supports. But they are a lot of work, certainly at this level of detail. When saw the images of Amagi (amongst them the video you posted, but thanks!), this gave me the opportunity to go all the way on detailing. I only have to do half of the platforms, and also only the fligth deck overhang at the stern and not the bow, while at the same time all the work is extra worthwhile because it is extra visible because of the angle. So cutting the kit in half certainly didn't bother me!

Cheers,

Marijn

[JIM BAUMANN]

Happy to hear that your daughter is better !

...'other hobby'.....

eh? what is the other hobby...?
JIM B

[marijn van gils]

Thanks Jim!

It's not classic cars!
I play bass guitar.
One band is relatively new, and found it's last member (keys) around new year. So that one is now taking extra work to get running.
And the other band has a concert coming up which requires learning some extra songs at the moment.
But I'm going to quit that second band soon, which will hopefully free some time for modelling too�

Cheers,

Marijn

[EJFoeth]

Witnesses the model in real life today with a coat of primer; it's going to be absolutely great

[batka]

I saw this beauty at Mosonshow last weekend... what can I say, it is amazing!
Thank you Marijn for showing it. (Not to mention the Lexington dio... )

[MatthewB]

Many thanks guys!
It is 1/700 alright. A carrier in 1/350 would be just too much work for me�

I'm also really looking forward to seeing some paint on this!
But for now only some pictures of the complete diorama sans paint:































Cheers!

Marijn

What are the small ships you have in this scene, and are they available for sale anywhere (including PE)?

MB