Military Dioramas

This section of the diorama website is devoted to military dioramas. This is a very active and intesting subject and hobby. Lots of people are interesting in this kind of diorama. I have put together a lot of stuff here with pictures, tutorials and more on how to make this kind of diorama. If you are considering making something like this you have a lot to choose from: WWI, WW2, Vietnam, Korea, the Civil war, revolutionary war and well just about any kind of conflict. And there are a whole lot of supplies and projects available.

For me one of the best things about this hobby is the models that you can make for the diorama. Just about every kind of military vehicle ever made has also been made into a model that you can put together and add to your scene. For me the tanks are the best.

Quick Links: - Revell Models | Tamiya Models

A military Diorama

The Dioramas and Tutorials

The Crashed Spitfire Diorama

Here is an excellent project with a spitfire. 1/72 scale and it shows you how much you can do with a few materials. Learn more and see more pics here The Crashed Spitfire diorama

Night Boat Diorama This is an amazing diorama that Marshall made from a novel (Night Boat by Robert R. McCammon)

It is all designed for the night shots in the dark. The thumbnail at the left shows night shot and day shot. Check out more pics and information about this diorama here: Night Boat Diorama And this diorama came with a big oops! The casting resin melted the Uboat and well... sunk it! See that here.

Weekend Liberty! Jeep Diorama

Here is a terrific little diorama with a Willy's Jeep. This diorama was made by Rod and it was special because he actually owns a real Willy's Jeep. See pics of this and the real Jeep here: Weekend Liberty Diorama

Building and Weathering a Tank

Here is another tutorial by John. He makes a German Brummbar (Grizzly Bear) step by step and shows us some fantastic weathering techniques. If you like military models you should check this one out. Building and Weathering a model tank

How to make War Torn City Ruins

Here is a nice little tutorial by John where he shows you his techniques for making great looking city ruins. How to Make City Ruins

How to make barbed wire

Here is a nice little tutorial by Glen showing us how to make barbed wire for your military diorama. Lots of pics. How to make barbed wire

Jeep Willys Diorama

The occupants of this Jeep stop at a German road sign that says "Danger Mines". So they "Best Go Around". Check it out and how it is made here: The Jeep Willys Diorama

Panzer Tank on the Railway

This is a terrific diorama that shows a blown out railroad track and a panzer tank sitting right on the tracks. Panzer tank on the railway

Kubelwagen Diorama A unique little diorama that can fit in the corner of a desk or table. The Kubelwagen Desert Diorama

Desperate Allies Diorama German and American troops are forced to work together in a desperate attempt to fight off the onslaught of an undead army! A great blending of WW2 diorama and fantasy diorama! You have got to see this one! Desperate Allies

Make a Military Desert Scene Diorama Easy steps to making a basic Desert scene. Some basic materials and some miniatures and models of and you can get a nice scene. Including some tips. Desert Scene

Gray Eagles Dogfight Diorama This is a fantastic diorama made by Marshall. It has over a dozen airplanes and depicts the moments before conflict in the air. The Gray Eagles Aerial Diorama

An Airfix Dogfight Diorama This is a terrific project made and submitted by a web visitor (Glen) It is an airfix kit that you can buy. It includes two planes, the stand and paints. The Airfix Dogfight Diorama

WW1 Diorama I All I can say about this diorama is WOW! It isn't complete but it is coming along amazing. You have got to see the realistic looking terrain and trenches in this diorama. This diorama is being made by a web visitor (Christophe I.) Amazing WW1 Diorama

Using Real Brick in your diorama to get realistic looking rubble

In this tutoria a web visitor (Glen) shows us how to use real bricks to get realistic rubble in a ruined building. Use real bricks to get realistic rubble in your ww2 diorama

Modifying a ruined building kit

A web visitor took a standard plastic kit of a ruined building (A cafe) and make it much better by doing some easy custom work to it. Modifying a ruined building

Aircraft Diorama thumb

How to make an aerial battle diorama

This is an in depth tutorial with videos on how to make a WW2 diorama. I use 1/72 Scale How to Make a WW2 Diorama

How to make a WW2 Diorama

This is an in depth tutorial with videos on how to make a WW2 diorama. I use 1/72 Scale How to Make a WW2 Diorama

How to make snow in a military diorama

How to make snow in a Tank diorama Here is a great tutorial submitted by a web visitor. It shows you how to make realistic (and durable) snow from scratch.

WW2 Diorama Stuff I have started a whole new section on WW2 Models, miniatures and dioramas. This section is currently growing and it will feature a How to make a WW2 tank Battle diorama tutorial. WW2 Models, Miniatures, and Dioramas

Make a Trench Warfare Diorama
This is a wonderful little trench warfare diorama submitted by a web visitor (Alika). I show you the diorama and also show you a tutorial on how to make trenches for your diorama. If you like Military Dioramas this is for you. Trench Warfare Diorama

Two WW2 dioramas with model vehicles

Two nice dioramas made by a web visitor. They use some great vehicles from the ww2 era. This is a nice way to make a militar diorama. You buy and build some plastic models then build a diorama around them. Two WW 2 Dioramas

- Vietnam era Diorama This is an amazing diorama of a vietnam scene. It has miniature soldiers and a group of excellent vehicles in 1/35 scale. It was made by Ron D. and my thanks go to him for submitting the pictures. Vietnam Diorama

A Civil War Diorama

Here is a nice little Civil War diorama submitted by a web visitor (Tony) It is about a foot in size and Tony uses some nice scratch built techniques. He explains some of his techniques and you can see more pics here: A Civil War Diorama

Inexpensive way to make water in a diorama These pictures and this tutorial was submitted by a web visitor (Ryan) He gives us some tips on how to inexpensively make water in a diorama. He uses caulk and paint. And in this naval scene diorama he even adds the water spouts for dropped bombs! Water in a naval diorama

A WWII Diorama made by a web visitor This diorama was made by Steve. He gives us some great tips and advice on how to make this kind of diorama. See the tips and pictures here: Steves Military WWII Diorama

How to make barbed wire and concertina wire This is a nice tutorial that shows you how to easily make barbed wire or concertina wire for your diorama. All you really need is some wire and cutters. How to make barbed wire

A Russian Front Diorama This is a diorama made by a web visitor (Tom M.) My thanks to him for submitting this project and the pics. You can see more pictures here: Russian Front Diorama.

An Introduction to Model Making This is a short and easy tutorial that shows you what is involved in plastic model making. I show you how a military aircraft is made: making models

A couple of WW2 Dioramas submitted by a web visitor. Here are two videos with tips on making a WW2 trench like the one shown in the pic and a diorama with a Tiger tank. WW2 Diorama stuff

Here are some pictures of a complex series of trenches that a web visitor made (Alec R. ) Complex Diorama Trenches for a war scene

Articles and more:

Want to learn about the Scale of Military Dioramas? 1/48 1/35 and all those other numbers confusing to you? I have an explanation with pictures of the most common model scales. Scale for Military Dioramas

Resources and More

WWII Dioramas (Modelling Manuals)

Still the most popular subject for dioramas at any military modelling show, WWII gives the modeller the opportunity to try out his repertoire from burnt out buildings to weathered machines and men. This book explores the many facets of the subject and shows how composition is all.

A perfect combination of easy-to-follow text combined with comprehensive step-by-step photography make Osprey Modelling Manuals indispensable reference guides for modellers of all standards and abilities.

How to Build Dioramas - Learn everything you need to know about making your dioramas look real! This fantastic revised edition will show you how with new projects, new photos, and expert tips. Includes painting, weathering, and detailing tips for figures, aircraft, vehicles, and more! 290+ photos with color throughout; 41 illus.; softcover