Royal Navy Detachment January 1941, Souda Bay, Crete

[zs180]

Let me present my latest diorama showing HMS York, HMS Ajax and HMS Gloxinia at Souda Bay. After all three models had been completed I started working on the diorama. I wanted to show an anchorage to represent a calm sea rippled by a light breeze. I glued artist’s watercolour paper to the base, then cut out the individual ships’ outlines.

I airbrushed several layers of blue and green shades over the base, some of them obliquely to accentuate the “waves” created by the paper’s texture.

The base was covered by clear varnish from a rattle can. As a next layer acrylic gel was added to simulate the small ripples.

Two ships are shown tied to buoys, four of which were scratch built using plastic rings and some wire. These were painted, weathered and attached to the base while the acrylic gel was applied. The third ship (HMS York) is shown underway at slow speed, accordingly white paint was sparingly brushed around her cut out shape and to her wake. After screwing the three ships to the base, any gaps were filled with more acrylic gel, then a barge was glued along HMS Ajax’s starboard side, complete with crates, barrels and some crew members. Booms and accommodation ladders were also added at this stage along with three boats alongside HMS Ajax, and one, ready to be lifted aboard, HMS Gloxinia completing the diorama.

[zs180]

[zs180]

[zs180]

.
I would like to everyone who followed the build of the three ships for their continuous interest and encouragement.
Next I plan to build two RN anti-aircraft cruisers shown in the Med in 1943.

[Quaestor]

I have only one word for this display: masterful.

[RichardAigner]

Superb!

[hypno7]

I had the chance to see this in the flesh, photos don't do it justice, the detail and precision is something to behold!

looking forward to your next build!

[Sszabi]

I saw this diorama with my own eyes in April . Honestly, I need the photos because I can see the details better Beautiful as always

[MartinJQuinn]

This is an absolute feast for the eyes. I don't know where to look first. The builds are first rate, the rigging is fantastic and the weathering is tastefully done. Congratulations on a job well done - this may be your best work yet. And that's saying something.

[zs180]

Quaestor, Richard Aigner, Erick, Szabi and Martin,
Thank you very much for your kind words! I am really satistied with the way this work turned out. I plan to take it to Telford this autumn.
My next build will be HMS Colombo as an anti-aircraft cruiser.

[Yuth]

an incredible build !

[Rui Matos]

Excellent work!
The more I look, the more I like

Congratulations "zs180"!
Cheers,
Rui

[Mr. Church]

Beautiful work.

You have done a top job on the camouflage schemes. Looks so good.

[brocken1sm]

Everything about this is just spectacular!
I really like the background you're using for these photos, is it printed onto a backdrop or edited in digitally?