Kriegshafen - Military harbour

Awarded: Gold

Users' choice

This gallery has 21.52% of the users' votes.

By: Akos Szabo

Manufacturer(s): Revell, CMK, Academy, Mig Productions

Modifications: Storage building: scratch from Evergreen stirol and balsa wood. Scratchbuilt: concrete stair and cobblestone from plaster, air compressor.

After-market parts: S-100 Schnellboot: Revell, and Eduard etched parts; Harbour crane, Guard house, Harbour wall: CMK Maritime Line; Opel Blitz: Academy; Rail Wagon: Mig Productions; Figures: CMK, Revell

Description: This diorama depicts a typical workday of a German military harbour in the World War two.

Judge 1: The composition of this work is well-thought. Foreground is totally occupied by a Snellboot that immediately catches our eyes, background contains two buildings and in the center there is a crane which unites the whole work not only geometrically, but also in terms of idea of the diorama – showing preparations of the ship’s cruise, a typical day of a German military harbor. The pier came out very good with carefully reconstructed cobblestone and concrete areas. Both buildings look natural showing that much attention was paid to small details. All terrain elements are beautifully painted with good shading and realistic dusting. The single portion of critics is that water came out a little flat and vertical sides of the pier lack streaks and typical traces of ooze. The Snellboot is excellently painted with good coloration. Washing is carefully applied and chipping is sublte and is situated in appropriate places. The track, though it is in the background, deserves at least one close-up photo. The same is true for the crane. The figures are nicely painted with smooth shades and highlighting. All in all well done.
Judge 2: Beautiful diorama with a lovely Schelboot model, very nice paint work with subtle chipping & stains which is carried out through the whole diorama.Nice details like the creates,Crane with the torpedo,the rail car,The Opel truck and the diver. The only thing would be all the figures (bar the diver & his helper) are all spaced evenly apart some standing talking together or those loading actually passing boxes to each other over the Schnelboot rails etc or off the tailgate of the truck etc. otherwise a very interesting & impressive diorama.
Judge 3: Beautiful! The craftsmanship is stunning with some of the best painted figures in this scale I have seen. The weathering is subtle and not overpowering. The water effect is simply perfect. If there is any room for suggestion, it is only around composition in that my eye goes to the boat and the crane/torpedo first. I would have placed the Crane off to one side and also placed some figures at varying heights (eg., on the crane itself). The guard you have standing on the platform is very effective in this manner, that breaks up the 2d composition aspect. Also try for a story of some kind in your diorama. Also need a few more in-progress photos. Otherwise your painting and weathering are really professional and worthy of entry in national competitions!