I usually look at diorama accessories and say to myself “I could make that” but when I saw the ad for Mk35 Editions A070 DESTROYED NORMANDY WALL something struck me about it and I decided to splash out and buy it.
The Kit
The kit came in a stout cardboard box with the pieces well protected by bubble wrap. The wall consists of 3 plaster parts; two wall sections and a cast pile of rubble, plus a bag of ceramic rubble pieces. The pieces are very cleanly cast in white plaster and the bag of rubble is a greenish concrete colour. The stonework detail on the face of the wall is very good but quite flat with a few missing stones but no protruding ones. Unfortunately the stonework pattern is only on one side so if the wall is used in a dio where both sides will be obvious then the pattern will have to be scribed in the blank side. The coping section on the top is a continuous piece as if cast in place but I didn’t like that so I scribed in lines to depict different sections.
Assembly
Assembly couldn’t be simpler with the two wall sections slotting into the rubble pile. I haven’t decided on a base so I didn’t glue the pieces together. The wall when assembled measures 80mm high and 246mm long. The gap in the wall goes from approx 40mm at the base to 80mm at the top. There is nothing to stop the modeler making the gap in the wall wider by positioning the pieces further apart and building up the rubble pile or even using the pieces separately. I didn’t open the bag of rubble as I will keep it until I place the wall in its final setting.
I used various washes of inks and acrylics to colour the wall and it turned out darker than I would like so I will probably go back over it with some lighter washes.
Conclusion
A useful piece, easy to assemble, with plenty of possibilities.
I served three years in the Irish Army.
Then I studied fine art for five years.
Acted professionally since leaving college (Look me up on IMDB- Pat McGrathIII)
Interested in Allied Armour 1942-45 and German SPGs.
Other interests are figures and Sci Fi models
I like the way you finished the wall, Pat, and sectioning off the coping really dresses it up. Just not too keen on the rubble pile provided, looks out of place to me. Otherwise looks good, nice job on the finishing, does not look to be too dark from here
I will echo what James has said however I don’t think the rubble looks out of place it just doesn’t seem to match up that well, it appears to have a gloss or semi gloss finish as opposed to the wall which looks great. Is the loose rubble easily painted as it looks very porous in the bag and would lead me to believe that it would suck up any paint, ink, or washes applied unless sealed which I could see driving most people to drink?
Thanks guys. You're both right about the pile of rubble. i didn't pay too much attention to it as I'll wait til the set finds it's place in a dio. I'll sieve the loose rubble and fix the larger pieces in place with a coat of white glue before painting.
Cheers
It's a real pity that a lot of these diorama accessories (walls, ruins) are cast only on one side, as it really limits their scope for use.
Not everyone (myself included!!) has the skill / patience / time (or any combination of same) to texture the other side to match, and I think it's a bit of a half-assed, cheapskate solution.
Nice job you've done on it though, Pat.
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