In 2025, life was quite hectic and seemed to pass quickly. Running a large block takes up plenty of time so I don’t get as much time for the hobby as I would like. However, I did manage to complete a diorama of Australians in the Vietnam War.
I had been wanting to create this diorama for some time, but the limited availability of Australian soldiers from that era made it challenging. I eventually found a set of 3D-printed figures that perfectly suited my needs. Although there are only seven figures in the set, I decided to add a tank to make the mini a bit more exciting.
The figures came from Military Field (1499), and the centurion was from Vespid Models. the tank proved to be more difficult to assemble, particularly due to the kit including one of those irritable sheet metal parts that I always bugger up. 😉
Well, that’s all but to wish you all a belated Happy New Year!!







tankfanboy
Looks great 👍
And there’s a tank!
The weathering and muck on it looks great. I can never get that right.
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patmcf
Thanks matey! It’s only taken me fourteen years practice and great advice from the crew to get there 😂😂👍🏻
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maenoferren22
Great work Pat.
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patmcf
Thanks Steve, I bet the temperature up in your neck of the woods is opposite to ours 😉we had a 40 c day last week and bush fire 10 k away while you folks were suffering freezing temps, I know where I would rather be, that’s just because I’m an old weakling when it comes to the cold😉, take care matey, maybe I’ll be able to check in more on what you have been up to, fingers crossed 😉.
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lorenzoseventh
Thanks for sharing Pat, what’s a block? Nice animation using the sculpted figures and the tank gives the figures a great background. And an uncommon subject into the bargain- very interesting.
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patmcf
Hey matey ! Some times I forget we Aussies are so removed and use slang terms without thinking, I lived on a farm in the UK back in the seventies and found out what we call a paddock can be thousands of acres where as I the Uk it’s a small field. 😉. When us Aussies say a block it generally refers to a 1/4 acre that most houses are built on, but when folks like myself out in the country say block, it can be anywhere between an acre and a fully blown farm of thousands of acres, we are are a weird mob matey.
It was a plus finding those Aussie soldiers , I could have used US guys, the Aussies troops were issued with us helmets but prefer the giggle hat or Boony as the Americans call the floppy hat that our troop wore. I would love to know why the us guys chose the helmet over a flimsy cloth hat .
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lorenzoseventh
Thanks for the info Pat. Maybe the Aussies were more rebellious/independent?
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patmcf
Ahh matey😂😂we old ones are a bunch off mischievous troublesome buggers but now things are different and the younger crew have been o work out where they stand in the changing direction of this country of ours, time for us oldies to step aside as we have have a dream run that will never be repeated.
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Dave Stone
A truly atmospheric diorama Pat, and a great subject as well. Hope you and the family have a happy and healthy 2026
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patmcf
Thanks Dave, I hope to dig out some more of the old stuff and get back to my original themes though it’s been great that I could cover some different things that I haven’t done before,
My wife said what about these old Roman’s she found on her knitting table 😂😂, forgot where they ended up last year! Will post them soon😉
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Zauberwurf
Nice work! When I see Aussies in Vietnam I always think of the battle of Long Tan. I know there were no Centurions at this battle, but I can’t help myself.
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patmcf
So true as it was one of the terrible battles that Australia troops endured, no room for tanks in that show, well done for remembering Long Tan.
I’m 71 and fortunately missed it , but when I at 17 and joined the work force I met a lot of our lads that had been there and one of the them was a tanker and regaled me with his tales in that terrible war. Great guys that should never have been there.
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