Space Marine Flag Raising Diorama

[Brass Scorpion]

I've had that wonderful Limited Edition Space Marine diorama model inspired by the US Marine Corps Iwo Jima flag raising for years and recently decided to finally assemble and paint it as part of a diorama contest at my local GW store. The only requirement of the contest is that some part of the Honoured Imperium set must be used and it must be no larger than 11"X11"X11". The broken aquila model from Honoured Imperium seemed like the perfect piece to use as both part of the diorama and its base. The Space Marine Flag Raising model will form the centerpiece of the diorama sitting nicely in the middle of the broken aquila.

The pictures below show the Space Marine Flag Raising model in various stages of assembly and at different angles. The Dark Angel is sitting on pins without glue. It will be glued in place later to facilitate ease of painting.

The photos shown here are hosted in my Dakkadakka Gallery if you want to see more photos and the full sized originals of what is shown here. I will post final pictures of the diorama after it is fully painted. The contest ends on May 2, 2010. Wish me luck!

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/21/99692_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Iwo%20Jima%2C%20Space %20Marines.jpg

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/21/99693_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Iwo%20Jima%2C%20Space %20Marines.jpg

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/21/99696_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Iwo%20Jima%2C%20Space %20Marines.jpg

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/21/99697_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Iwo%20Jima%2C%20Space %20Marines.jpg

[Lord Azaghul]

I don't know. I've kind of got mixed feelings on that whole thing.
I kind of like it, and I kind of don't. It feels like its 'missing' something. Something that shows the battle that was fought to raise the flag, some sort of quick visual history. Perhaps a few marines encircling the flag, beating back a few foe? Or a few dead marine bodies lying around? ... still ponding this one...

[Schnitzel]

I don't know. I've kind of got mixed feelings on that whole thing.
I kind of like it, and I kind of don't. It feels like its 'missing' something. Something that shows the battle that was fought to raise the flag, some sort of quick visual history. Perhaps a few marines encircling the flag, beating back a few foe? Or a few dead marine bodies lying around? ... still ponding this one...

What I got from this is it looks like nothing was done to pave the way for the flag raising because there's no action in the shot. This being the case, and it being based off of the flag raising on Mt Suribachi, I'm a little offended. Is the iconic image of the Marines (and one Corpsman) raising our flag on that mountain top worth nothing because it doesn't depict violence? Rubbish!

@ Brass Scorpion: I believe the something thats amiss is a Corpsman equivalent. Throw in an Apothecary and you're all set. ;)

[Herald of Nurgle]

Why not an ironic chaos one? Topple one of the statues and have a big *** icon being planted in the guy's skull.

[Lord Azaghul]

What I got from this is it looks like nothing was done to pave the way for the flag raising because there's no action in the shot. This being the case, and it being based off of the flag raising on Mt Suribachi, I'm a little offended. Is the iconic image of the Marines (and one Corpsman) raising our flag on that mountain top worth nothing because it doesn't depict violence? Rubbish!

@ Brass Scorpion: I believe the something thats amiss is a Corpsman equivalent. Throw in an Apothecary and you're all set. ;)

I think you misunderstand me sir.

I think the reasons I don't like the SM flag raising is for the reasons you sited. The historical occurance is almost sacred. I don't think GW should be touching that territory, I don't thing SM stand for what was fought for in WWII.

For me to like the model more I would want to see it more 'space marine' show some action, or something. I want it more removed from the Mt Suribachi flag raising.

[Herald of Nurgle]

I think you misunderstand me sir.

I think the reasons I don't like the SM flag raising is for the reasons you sited. The historical occurance is almost sacred. I don't think GW should be touching that territory, I don't thing SM stand for what was fought for in WWII.

For me to like the model more I would want to see it more 'space marine' show some action, or something. I want it more removed from the Mt Suribachi flag raising.
Indeed. I see your point even as a Brit.
If you are to re-enact that sort of historic moment, do it justice or at least make something new based on it. Could you use multiple types of Imperial trooper - a SoB, SM, and Guardsman - holding it up, or go classic and JUST have IG holding it?

[isotope99]

Surely a space marine would be able to haul a flag up by himself, being superhuman and all that?

[Lunar Camel]

I agree with Lord Azaghul. Some sense of whom they were fighting would give narrative to the battle.

I would paint each space marine different. The idea of three different chapters having to come together to raise one flag would also strengthen the severity of the battle. (By the looks of the models, they look like a Dark Angel, Ultramarine, and another one)

[PalinMoonstride]

The third marine is a blood angel.

I think it needs a few dead chaos parts littered across the ground to spice it up a bit.

[Brass Scorpion]

Something that shows the battle that was fought to raise the flagMy plan is to add something along those lines after the main piece shown here is finished and assuming there's still time for that before the deadline. Such additions will be minimal, however, because the flag raising is the main subject and it would be an aesthetic mistake to take away visual focus from that. As for what I'm adding, I can't let the competition know everything ahead of time now can I? ;)

Regarding the metal model, it's a rare collectible and my intention here is to simply show it off in a good light by hopefully giving it a nice paint job, so I won't be making any modifications to it.

[faolan]

I'm sorry, but, poor taste sirs, poor taste. I find this, honestly, worse than the DKoK with full **** regalia or the NKVD Valhallans that are out there.

It would be mildly less offensive if it was Guardsmen, after all, they're not super humans, they're just ordinary men under extraordinary circumstances, but it'd still be in piss poor taste overall.

[gorepants]

Poor taste? Worse than death korps (I suppose they are mostly based on the French)? I'm surprised you can play the game at since it is full of cultural references done badly. (For what it's worth, it's based on the lid of the ancient citadel space marines paints set (http://www.solegends.com/citcat911/c2156paint-m.htm) (also containing marines of different chapters), based on the iwo jima photo).

Back to the original topic. I'm not sure the just putting the model on the base will work. The line doesn't seem quite right - the aquila is flat then the rubble and skulls seem kind of stuck on. You (say) broke the aquila in half then laid it over a hill shape (as if it has fallen and shattered across the crest), then you could blend in the rubble on the model with the crack in the middle.

[Fellend]

+++CENSORED BY THE INQUISITION+++ As pointed out earlier the entire warhammer world is filled with real life reference, how do you think soviet survivors feels when the see the "heroic" valhallans, throwing away thousands of lives? It's a game. end of story. Damn americans

+++CENSORED BY THE INQUISITION+++ but seriously, that could be an awesome diorama, My suggestion is that you move it back a bit, because it feels strange that the pile of mud is standing ontop of the aquila, A better place for the flag is if you put it right behind the head on the dirtpatch, raise it up a bit so it's higher than the aquila, that will give the illusion that they are fighting on the top of a hill, if you have marines running down the hills to engage the enemy you can make it seem like the heroic last stand or last push. I think the picture on page 10 in the rulebook if you want a winning scene or the picture on page 18 if you want a desperate battle can be good reference.

Having several typical units, like Ultramarines honour guard, dark angels in their robes and the new uberpimp blood angel units stand along side each other fighting of a foe that seems identical and endless could be really cool, due to the flag i'd suggest chaos. most other bad guys just seem not to care about a flag.

[Phairsto]

I'm sorry, but, poor taste sirs, poor taste. I find this, honestly, worse than the DKoK with full **** regalia or the NKVD Valhallans that are out there.

The Death Korps of Kreig are actually referencing German stormtroopers from World War 1. gas masks, huge wheeled artillery pieces, spiked helmets, cavalry, huge trench systems - not the third reich.


It would be mildly less offensive if it was Guardsmen, after all, they're not super humans, they're just ordinary men under extraordinary circumstances, but it'd still be in piss poor taste overall.

It's a toy diorama of tiny spacemen raising a flag in a historically referential way. I don't think GW is equating their imaginary space soldiers with the efforts and sacrifices of anyreal soldiers, be they American marines, German stormtroopers from WW1, or the Soviet army. Are you offended by video games that are set during World War 2 as well? what about games set in modern day? how about those set in the future that don't accurately represent the future sacrifices of future soldiers?


Back on topic, I agree that some sense of context for the scene would be good, though because the image is so heavily laden with a historical context, it might not be necessary. We already know a battle was fought to raise this flag because of the real battle that was fought to raise the real flag.

I do like the idea of having the eagle broken over a mound of rubble, it would make more sense with the mound the flag I sticking out of.

as a side note, I'm glad to see someone held onto this really old and (in my opinion) really cool diorama from the olde days of the hobby. Good on you, and good luck in the competition.

[Lord Azaghul]

+++CENSORED BY THE INQUISITION+++ As pointed out earlier the entire warhammer world is filled with real life reference, how do you think soviet survivors feels when the see the "heroic" valhallans, throwing away thousands of lives? It's a game. end of story. Damn americans

+++CENSORED BY THE INQUISITION+++ .

You are an idiot.

No one was insulting any nationality or raving about cultural superiotity. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

[L192837465]

You are an idiot.

No one was insulting any nationality or raving about cultural superiotity. You clearly have no idea what you are talking about.

I thought politics was banned on here anyways?


\Competency can be argued.
\\Not getting into it.

Love the model! You need to figure a way to blend the flags metal base into the aquila. Right now it kind of looks stuck there.

[athanor]

This thread has taken a wild turn... I gotta say, if Brass Scorpion's model triggers the same amount of debate in his FLGS he should win regardless of the paint job... best of luck!

[Brass Scorpion]

The centerpiece of the diorama is now painted as well as the base. Backpacks for the three Space Marines still need to be painted and glued on and a fallen enemy model or two added to the base. After that, a final review and touch-up as needed and the diorama is complete. Here are views from both sides of the nearly complete diorama.

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/23/100214_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Painting%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/23/100213_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Painting%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.JPG

[Brass Scorpion]

Here are views from three different angles of the finished diorama with all parts in place and fully painted. The Space Marines, which GW sculpted respectively as an Ultramarine, a Blood Angel and a Dark Angel have been painted in traditional colors for those chapters. The dead Ork off to the side was added to imply that there had recently been a raging battle which damaged the Imperial terrain that forms the base of the diorama and that the Space Marines are raising the flag as a symbol of their victorious efforts to recapture the territory. Larger versions of these images are available in my Dakkadakka Gallery.

A front view of the completed diorama.
http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/26/100830_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Painting%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg

A view from the reverse side.
http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/26/100831_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Painting%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg

A top down view.
http://images.dakkadakka.com/gallery/2010/4/26/100832_sm-Conversion%2C%20Diorama%2C%20Painting%2C%20Space%2 0Marines%2C%20Warhammer%2040%2C000.jpg

[FastEd]

Looking good. I think the Ork adds just the right amount of narrative by implying recent events without creating a battle scene. Let us know how you do in the competition.

[Brass Scorpion]

Looking good. I think the Ork adds just the right amount of narrative by implying recent events without creating a battle scene. Let us know how you do in the competition.Thanks for that. As expected, some commenters in other places have suggested adding all kinds of stuff to it for any number of reasons, but the real emphasis of this piece was intended to be the flag raising centerpiece, not to create a busy battle scene. I didn't want to add a lot of stuff that would pull the viewer's focus from the central display piece.

[gwensdad]

Wooo, and look at GW's "What's new today" for 5/4/10

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=10500066a&utm_source=VoxCaster&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=new-blog&utm_content=new-blog&utm_campaign=VoxCaster-New-Blog-Posts&_requestid=255804

[Lord Azaghul]

Wooo, and look at GW's "What's new today" for 5/4/10

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=10500066a&utm_source=VoxCaster&utm_medium=twitter&utm_term=new-blog&utm_content=new-blog&utm_campaign=VoxCaster-New-Blog-Posts&_requestid=255804

I saw that earlier today! Must say I'm kind of amused.

[person person]

Looks nice, good idea adding the Ork in the background, implies fighting without stealing attention.

[eldargal]

What an excellent diorama, very evocative.

[FastEd]

Your diorama got posted on the GW blog. Congratulations dude.

http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=10500066a&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed:+TheGamesWorkshopBlogEN+(What's+ New+Today+@+Games+Workshop)

[Brass Scorpion]

Thanks everyone! I was pretty excited about it being posted by GW yesterday. I was helping a friend at GW with Games Day preparations yesterday by constructing some buildings for a table display. On my way out of the HQ I stopped by the computer order point in the Battle Bunker and said, "let's see what's new today" and was pleasantly surprised to see that my diorama was on there. I sent the pictures for it off to GW about nine days earlier and so my hopes that it would get used were starting to diminish as days passed. It was definitely a fun surprise for me, especially after having my Venerable Dreadnought on there too on the March 22, What's New Today (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/blogPost.jsp?aId=9200023a).

By the way, if you haven't been checking out the "Road To Games Day" blog on the GW web (http://www.games-workshop.com/gws/content/article.jsp?categoryId=3900014&pIndex=3&aId=9500025a&start=4) you might want to take a look at the 40K display table that's in the works at that link. It's awesome!

[krispy]

good work there - it looks lovely - congrats on getting on the GW site ;)

/k

[FastEd]

I remember seeing your Venerable Dread get put up there. The Spears of Ares thread you've got going is great, and I love the work you've done on them.

Also, yes, that board is incredible. Should be damned fun to play on.

[Phairsto]

grats dude! looks great!