The UH-1B helicopter and the M113 transporter together on one diorama

The diorama entitled "Recovery" was made in 1:72 scale and contains plastic models of US army vehicles from the Vietnam War period. The diorama represents the operation of drawing the M113 1A armoured personnel carrier from the water.

Whence did the idea to build a diorama come from?

A photo published in the Verlinden Publications' "Building Military Dioramas Vol. VI" was an inspiration for the construction of the diorama. The difference is that the diorama shown in the photos above was made in 1:72 scale and the original in 1/35 scale. In addition, the diorama made by Mr. Jacek Minich covers a larger area and contains more figurines. The Bell UH-1B helicopter was also added, fixed on a palm tree according to the modeller's own idea.

Some details about the diorama

Both models visible on the diorama were built from the Italeri kits. The palm trees come from the Preiser kit, and most of the rest of the vegetation is artificial plants from the aquarium store. The M60 machine gun covers and ammo boxes were made from scratch from pieces of polystyrene. The helicopter grenade containers were also made from scratch. The pilots are from the Hasegawa kit from another helicopter. The elephant was bought at a gift shop. It only needed to be converted from an African to an Indian elephant.

"Recovery" diorama was appreciating at scale model exhibitions:

• 1st place at the Polish Championship of P Classes Plastic Reduction Models in Gniezno in 2009,
• 1st place at the International Model Making Festival in Warsaw in 2010,
• 2nd place at the 1st Lusatian Competition of Plastic and Cardboard Reduction Models in 2010,
• 1st place at the 10th Reduction Models Competition for the Cup of the Łambinowice Commune Head in 2011.

Vehicles shown in the diorama

The M113 armoured personnel carrier was produced in the years 1969-2007. 80,000 copies were made in various versions.

Some technical data:

• Length: 5.05 m (16.57 ft),
• Width: 2.69 m (8.83 ft),
• Height: 2.10 m (6.89 ft),
• Mass: 11,000 kg (24,251 lb),
• Speed: 60 km/h (37.29 mph),
• Range: 480 km (298 mi).

The Bell UH-1 helicopter was produced in the years 1957-1986. 16,000 copies were made in various versions.

Some technical data:

• Length: 17.4 m (57.09 ft),
• Width: 2.6 m (8.53 ft),
• Height: 4.4 m (14.44 ft),
• Rotor diameter: 14.6 m (47.90 ft),
• Take-off weight: 4,309 kg (9,450 lb),
• Speed: 204 km/h (126.77 mph),
• Ceiling: 4,300 m (14,108 ft),
• Range: 512 km (318 mi).

The plastic model of the UH-1 B helicopter can also be seen in another diorama in the Model Gallery.

Sources:

• Piotr Taras "Kampanie Lotnicze Wietnam 1950-75 - Wojna Śmigłowców" A.J. Press 1996
• Michael Green & Peter Sorson "Armor on the Vietnam War (1) Allied Forces" Concord Publications Company 1996

18 Sept. 2022