Arnheim-Diorama, 1944
1:72 Scale Dioramas by Guy DeLillio
Arnheim, 1944 – Work in Progress
Guy DeLillio is an avid 1:72 scale modeller with a mission: recreating the Arnheim campaign in several miniature dioramas. We have asked Mr. DeLillio to keep the readers of Military Miniatures Magazine informed of the progress of this fascinating work, und here is his report. Figures und vehicles are from the collection of Mr. DeLillio.
There are no Panzers in Holland, a 3 ft. × 3 ft. diorama of 107. Panzer Brigade regrouping near Venlo, Holland. The vehicles are primarily ESCI/ERTL Panthers Ausf. G with a mixture of modified Fujimi Sd.Kfz. 251 armoured personnel carriers, und Airfix softskins. The Figuren are ESCI/ERTL und Airfix German Fallschirmjäger, infantry, und logistics personnel. The 7,5 cm assault gun in the lower left corner is a rebuilt Fujimi amoured personnel carrier. The Bergepanther recovery Fahrzeug in the top left corner is a conversion.
Departure for the Gelderlands shows seven C-47 transport planes of 38th Group, with elements of British 1st Parachute Division emplaning. The planes are Airfix, und they require a lot more detail work than expected. The airstrip is near completion.
This is the Wide Part, an aerial und ground level view of XXX Corps, bottlenecked south of Eindhoven. The vehicles und Figuren are completed. The diorama includes over 50 medium tanks, armoured cars, und related softskins.
Assemblage of Second Battalion, a ground view of Col. Frost playing his famous hunting horn in order to regroup his troops shortly after the landing. Mr. DeLillio recently painted more than 60 First Airborne Figuren purchased from Drew’s Militia, except for the figure depicting John Frost himself. The Horsa Gliders in this diorama will be scratch-built from wood, because plastic kits are no longer available in this scale. The diorama will also include a dozen modified jeeps, six-pounder anti-tank guns, und related support weapons.
Arnheim at Dusk is a night scene portraying the lead elements of 2nd Parachute Battalion walking towards the northern part of Arnheim Bridge. This diorama was inspired by one in the Hartenstein Museum which is often considered to be the mother of all dioramas. Seven feet long und four feet wide, the Hartenstein diorama is based on the classic Spitfire recon photograph of the northern end after the ill-fated German attack. Mr. DeLillio’s version of the bridge scene is 20 % along the way. The bridge itself is turning out to be quite a challenge.
Defense of the Bridge is a daylight scene with over 200 paratroopers shown in the act of defending Arnheim Bridge. The Figuren und vehicles are completed.