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Carl Christensen
46 articles

Abandoned monster

April 3, 2021 · in Diorama · · 15 · 2.5K

This is the Hobbyboss Russian 'big turret' and the Tamiya Panzer IV.

This is my first 1/48 diorama. Unfortunately there isn't a lot of figure selection out there but these Tamiya German figures are pretty good, and help to tell the story. It's not until you put the figures next to the KV-2 that you get a true sense of what a monstrosity it was, and why it was ultimately proven to be too big and heavy to be of any real use in combat. Also, as the turret was so heavy that the mechanism to turn it would often fail rendering it useless if you had to fire on multiple targets closing in on you from more than one direction.

I have also used the Blackdog storage set on the Panzer which really gives the tank a well used look.

Both these tank kits are very good, and it's good to be able to make these big tanks in a smaller scale but still keep a lot of the detail you get with 1/35.

Reader reactions:
8  Awesome

10 additional images. Click to enlarge.


15 responses

  1. This is a really excellent diorama, Carl. Everything about it fills in a bit of the overall story, the mark of a well-planned and thought out diorama.

    "liked"

    • Thanks Tom, I quite enjoyed doing these two tanks. The Panzer has been an off and on job over last couple of years, it wasn't until I thought of this idea that I got inspired to finish it.

  2. Fantastic first diorama ! A great imagined scene that probably happened on different occasions in Russia.
    A piece like yours keep this history alive.
    I’m starting In on diorama building and feel inspired to see more of your work.
    Nice work!

  3. Great work. These 1/48 tanks are ideal for dioramas.

  4. Excellent models, Carl and excellent, realistic diorama.
    I had no idea about this "monster" tank.

  5. I really like 1/48 vehicles, and your use of them here is simply outstanding. The AM for these are surprisingly large considering how the scale is not really liked by most manufacturers. Great that Tamiya still sends out a new 1/48 item now and then. Thank you for sharing.

  6. Well done Carl, your dio really does tell a story. The KV-2 is IMHO an unbelievably ugly tank, and because of it's height and size represents a very nice target.

  7. Well thought out, Carl, that Russian tank really is ugly, almost makes the German tank good looking, almost, but not quite! Definitely liked.

  8. Outstanding build, Carl!

  9. I'm a major fan of the KV-2. It's probably my favorite tank of the war, if I'm honest. Heres some more pics I have:

    8 attached images. Click to enlarge.

  10. Nicely done - that is an awkward-looking machine!

  11. Nice subjects & diorama!

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