WWI Desert Campaign

12Mar
by patmcf

Well folks I won’t ramble on as I normally do which probably means I will in the end.  The reason I did this one was that I stumbled on a model by MB labelled Mk 1 “Female” British Tank Special Modification for the Gaza Strip 1/72 model and that piqued my interest as I fell in love with big Willie tanks as a kid.  A quick check on the google machine convinced me that I could do something with it, a little more research gave me the excellent set of Turks from Strelets and I was away!  I just love the WWI early British uniform so it was straight to the old Airfix set from yonks ago.  Bugger!  Too small compared with the Turkish lads. A quick check on the PSR (Plastic Soldier Review) threw up some Hat sets that would do nicely as their size is perfect.  I also checked out some vehicles and settled on the neat little Vauxhall D-type and the Junkers D.I, both from Roden. These models don’t include figures so I used a converted Japanese WWII Hat cyclist to drive the auto and purchased a fine set from Orion “Pilots of the first WW”, one in the plane and one in the back of the auto. Well not much more to add except I do like the Green Stuff Tufts of Grass (Xmas Present), so much easier than making my own.   Mind you I had made some until I remembered I had the new ones put away in their proper place!!

That’s it for now but just a few mentions in despatches for a few of the lads.  I’m sure there are more but as I’m elderly, I’ll just mention the ones I can remember!!!  First off Eric for giving the idea for the aircraft, thanks mate, I would never have attempted to add one to one of my dioramas until I saw your WWII one along the white cliffs of Dover (if I recall correctly).  Also, I was having a problem with getting a dusty effect on the tank but then I saw a post from another of our lads Will.  A quick check with him and he was able to tell me about a cheap chalk method to improve the bloody tank!!  It was looking like those new set of runners one buys!!  Thanks Will. And the last one is to our great and highly respected, award winner we know as Dave, but the rest of the world knows him simply as TIM!!  The best thing, simple as it is, was you telling us about Flow Aid!  The best thing since your Model Son (IRO) told me about washes all those years ago!! Thanks Dave. 

The world has turned to shit at the moment as I’m sure you all know.  I’m not a man of any religious faith, so my praying won’t help our friends in dire straits.  I am sure crossing my fingers is quite useless to, so all I can say folks is appreciate the situation you are in if you are one of the lucky ones  like I am,  keep well!!  Regards Pat.

47 thoughts on “WWI Desert Campaign”

  1. theimperfectmodeller

    That’s a cracking little diorama Pat, you kept that one quiet! I love detail as you know so was pleased to see the tank tracks and all the little bits and bobs you’ve positioned here and there. Figures are very important obviously but it’s the little things which catch my eye and make for a great looking diorama. The plane is a great addition and I love the old car too. A very atmospheric piece. 🙂

    Liked by 6 people

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Dave I’m glad you like this little affair, so much easier to do as painting the troops took no time , the hard part was putting the little car together 😅😅. I didn’t think of making the ration tins in the Turkish trenches until I had to melt some for the vehicle😀.

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  2. David

    Excellent Diorama Pat, as always! The tank tracks and sand on the tank look superb. Tufts do beat making your own. Aren’t we glad we live in the “lucky country” with what’s going on. Makes our problems seem minuscule.

    Liked by 5 people

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Dave , I being an old guy te
      Thanks Dave I was a bit worried at the start but managed to get there in the end , thank heavens I found the tufts mate or it would be another week before you have seen it 😅.Your right , I hope some wingers now realise how bloody lucky they are.

      Liked by 3 people

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  3. ericritter65

    Hat off to you, Pat! Another winner of a diorama, and thank you for the shout out, looks like I’m in good company if I made your list of influencer with the list of others I really admire! It’s funny that you did this as I was just saying to the wife a WWI “trench run” would made a great diorama, if only I could find all the bits in 1/72 scale to keep the thing small enough to fit on a table top!

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks mate, the tricks I have picked up from you guys are numeral, I would say finding all the things one needs take up the most time 😳.Your idea sounds great , good luck with the scrounging 😉.

      Liked by 1 person

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      2. patmcf

        Hey mate I started of using steel rod from the model shop used in conjunction with railway modelling I feel , I then changed to brass from a boat modelling shop , all these are in straight rods from .05 upwards. I have heaps of the various rods so if you want any send me an address , my email is , patrick.mcfarland@hotmail.com Cheers Pat.

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Pete, I never thought I would do one as there are so many brilliant ones out there, it was only when I saw that it was in the desert that I thought I would give it a go🤓.

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Roger , you will have noticed I sort out a mono wing 😉I have to many encounters in my youth with double and that pesky triple wing ones that always ended up all wonky 😅😅.

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  12. Kuribo

    This Great War diorama has turned out really well. I love the setting you chose and all of the subjects look well-painted. It really brings that horrible life to war. I echo your sentiment about not being religious but also being concerned with what’s going on in the world. We are very lucky to live in our respective countries is all I can say.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Jeff, there might be another one as I still have all the slightly smaller ones painted up , I might pop some photos up to show folk the difference in sizes.And your right we are very fortunate in where we live.

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks M.B. It was an easy one to do seeings that is so small 🤓, oh and I forgot to say I had the old Route 66 song stuck in my head the other day after your post 😂😂😂

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  14. Marvin

    I love this – there’s so much to appreciate in one small scene! The troops on both sides look great of course and the desert terrain is really nicely done. I’m no expert in tanks but I really like the WWI era and the dusty, desert worn look you’ve created here works well with it.

    Way back in the past I used to have a collection of model WWI aircraft, so the monoplane is right up my street too. Very nice job, Pat!

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks mate , I chose the mono as it was the easiest to build and I wanted the pilot to be seen as he is a great pose . You wouldn’t believe the trouble I had getting the terrain right 😳I thought making it was going to be a breeze but of all the things to do it took a few goes to get it right 🙃.

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  16. Ann

    That is a nice diorama and I liked all of the pictures too, including the one of the plane flying in low over the flowers and weeds, which I guess at that scale would be some sort of jungle perhaps?

    Looks like those defenders, while well dug in, are in some serious trouble, at least at that point in their defensive line.

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    1. patmcf

      Thanks Ann, I wasn’t sure about the plane but it seemed to work out in the end, remembering I was given the tufts was lucky as they certainly changed the terrain from average to somewhat pleasing to my eye 🤔. I loved making the sandbags but when the line broke it was then the idea to have a breakthrough appealed .

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