This is a toy conversion Wheel excavator diorama project that I have been working on for a while now. I converted a toy 1/24 scale excavator model,for a diorama I wanted to do. This particular excavator is a model of the Volvo Ew160c model. There are some things that are a bit off, but in general overall look, it is pretty similar. I wanted to try and modify it to look like a show piece model.

The container is from an old project. I re-painted and re-weathered it, and made it to look even more dilapidated.

I will be adding a figure or two, maybe three and some accessories. Hope you enjoy the photos so far.

The original toy Model excavator:



The excavator after re-working it:

Part 2:

As you can see in the photos below, I added the boom to the diorama. So far I am liking the whole scene. Did quite a lot of modifications and some scratch building to get it to look descent enough for display.
I painted and modified the engine with some scratch built parts as well. I also added an old truck axle from my previous vignette to this scene. I thought it would add interest, instead of a stand-alone vignette, as it was before.

Added the first hydraulic to the front of the vehicle. It was also detailed with some scratch built parts. I added some hanging cables from the side of the cab to make it look like they are working the internal cables and hydraulics of the machine. Just some added interest.

Started on the first figure for the diorama. Not my best attribute but its a start to making the diorama look lively. Hope you like the progress so far.

Brilliant work once again Charles, everything in the scene works together to tell a great story.

Your conversion on the toy excavator looks superb.

Can you share your thought process in developing these dioramas? Do you find the main subject first and then work up a scene around it as you go, or do you have a picture that you want to replicate and then set about finding the items you need?

Cheers, D

Thank you kindly for looking. My thought process here, was simply to make an ordinary scene of a vehicle being taken apart and/or being renovated. I actually got the idea from photos of an exact Volvo wheel excavator being dissembled. So I decided to use the theme and build around it, changing the overall scene to my liking. I like doing day-to-day scenes that reflect real life moments. Basic is good. But I like doing wild things too. Just depends on the moment, I guess. Although, I have not done such a scene...yet.

Basic is indeed good, and I'm sure we have all spent time in workshops or job sites with all of this going on around us. Your scene here brings back a vivid recollection of the smells and sounds as well as the visual impact, and that is what a great diorama should do!

Cheers, D

Thank you Damian.

Charles,

I'm speechless !!

You successfully turned a plastic toy in a highly detailed model and diorama. Every Hydraulic line, cable, nut & bolt is just perfectly painted, and your weathering is about the most realistic I've seen period. It's that good. Your steel plates look like weathered steel. Same for the bucket. Rust, wear & tear, grease & grime all work together to tell a ordinary maintenance story that's detailed perfectly to look exactly like the real thing.

Honestly, if I didn't know it was a model, I'd think that I was looking at the real thing.


Joel

Thank you so much Joel. I appreciate your respond to this post.

Part 3:

Added the figures and details to the diorama. Unfortunately the figures did not turn out as nice as I would have it. The figures are from Fugimi racing set and they are not the best. The facial feature was a hassle to get right with pretty much no detail expression or lines at all. This made it harder to paint especially with the little skills as a figure painter. But I did my best and the results are better than not having figures on the board. The overall effect is better with figures, so it made sense to include them. Hope you all like the update. Thanks for looking.

Hi Charles,

Great to see you posting again! I guessed you were tied up with life, maybe a project or two, too much “real” work etc - just nice to see your work again!

Cheers
Nick

Thank you for your kind words ans concern. I appreciate it. I rarely post or check back as there are not really responses to threads that I started. So, I just kinda lose interest in posting here. But I do check in once and awhile to check out builds. Thanks again Nick, for your support. Always been a fan and an inspiration of your work. Makes me do better, after seeing your work. Peace.

Picture 2 threw me for a loop, thought it was a real one that you were using as a reference source for the mods you were to make on the yellow toy in image one.


Looks really good.

Thank you Patrick for dropping in. Glad you approve. Your comments reassures me I have succeeded I. Doing what I set out to do. It is the best compliment any modeler can receive, according to me. Thanks.

Holy moly!

That is some backside-kicking work! Fantastically well done! I'm both humbled and inspired. It's truly amazing how well you got plastic to look like metal!

Thank you Adam. Glad u like it. Much appreciate.