WWII Locomotives & War Series nº 29 - by Carlos Briz

(Class FS 650 locomotive - Italian State Railways)

Back to WWII and the desert we return, to bring you two more great dioramas.

The Macchi C.200 fighter was manouverable and able to stand it's own against the Hurricane, when well handled. 

However, it's two 12.7 machine guns and lack or armour gave it (and it's pilots...) a limited life span.

(Class FS 650 locomotive - Italian State Railways)

This diorama is also related to Lybia, I think, although the tag mentions "Finland 1942".

The German supplied the Stuka to the Italian airforce, to be used in North Africa and the Balkans, and one of the units that received it was the 97.º Gruppo Bombardamento a Tuffo. 

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Second Sino-Japanese War & Locomotives nº 1 - by Carlos Briz

(Class C-50 locomotive - Japan National Railways)

Now it is time to travel to the Far -East and take a look at another (yet another?) brand new Series, this time related to the Second Sino-Japanese war. 

At this time, the Japanese pretty much picked a fight with every one of it's neighbours, and this conflict was a particularly nasty one, with a lot of civilan casualties.

(Class Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive - China National Railways)

The Germans, as usual, took the opportunity to sell as much war stuff to the Chinese as possible.
Business is business, after all...

It seems 12 of these airplanes (Henschel Hs 123) were used as dive bombers, on the Yangtze river, against the Japanese fleet.

(Class Pacific 4-6-2 locomotive - China National Railways)

And since the British do not like to be left behind in these matters, it seems they also supplied more than 30 of these  (Gloster Gladiator) biplane fighters to the Chinese.

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Cold War & Locomotives Series nº 2 - by Carlos Briz

(Class DB V 320 locomotive - German Federal Railways)

With this post we are also introducing another brand new poll, this time related to Carlos modelling skills.

Now you will finally be able to speak your mind and let him know what you really think about his work!

(Class DB V 60 locomotive - German Federal Railways)

(Class DB 290 locomotive - German Federal Railways)

(Class DB 103 locomotive - German Federal Railways)

Disclaimer:  Carlos, if this new poll goes the wrong way, you should blame Jorge - it was his idea after all...

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Albuera Battle Diorama - The "Making Of"

Thanks to our friend Benito, we are able to leave you a link where you can explore the "making of" of  all the outstanding dioramas related to the battle of La Albuera.

http://ameba.mforos.com/1934896-recreaciones-historicas-en-miniatura-dioramas-de-la-albuera/

Thanks again Benito, and congratulations to all the guys that worked on this fine project!

Pedro Casimiro

Spanish Civil War & Locomotives Series nº 8 - by Carlos Briz

(Class 4021 locomotive - Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railways)

The Tupolev SB was a state-of-the-art bomber at this time and was delivered in Spain early in this conflict. It speed was faster than that of most Nationalist fighters (namely the Fiat CR.32 and the Heinkel He 51) and with it's soviet pilots gave the Republican side some good services.

Here you can see another unique propaganda poster, on the side of that building.

(Class 4021 locomotive - Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railways)

The Potez 540 bomber was on the far side of the Tupolev, in operational terms, and served as good target practice for the Nationalist fighter pilots.

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Cold War & Locomotives Series nº 1 - by Carlos Briz

(Class DB E 118 locomotive - German Federal Railways)

Here we have a brand new Series, this time related to the so called Cold War, where you can see locomotives with a silver lining.

Enjoy!

(Class DB V 200 - German Federal Railways)

(Class DB E 194 - German Federal Railways)

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Spanish Civil War & Locomotives Series nº 7 - by Carlos Briz

(Class 4021 locomotive - Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railways)

That's right guys, the paint is not quite dry yet, but here you have them!

Carlos has worked hard night and day to deliver on his promise (or was it our promise...) to bring you another wonderful series of dioramas.

Check out the propaganda poster, placed on the wall of that building.

(Class 4021 locomotive - Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railways)

I just love Auntie Ju!

(Class 4021 locomotive - Madrid-Zaragoza-Alicante Railways)

Well, you can hold your breath and take a good long look at this seaplane!

You can compare all you want, but the Italians sure knew how to design stuff! 

The Cant Z.506B saw active service for the first time during this conflict, for reconnaissance and bombing purposes. It's modest performance made it vulnerable to enemy fighters.

Outstanding Carlos!

Jorge Faria/Pedro Casimiro

Albuera Battle Diorama

Our huge following must be wondering what happened to the almost daily posts related to Carlos Briz dioramas.

The short answer is this: Carlos is only human, after all!

Let's give him a well deserved rest and allow him time to complete his ongoing projects.

Carlos: you have until next week to do all of that and send us more stuff...

I've been in the Albuera last weekend for the bicentennial reenactment of the battle that took place the in 16th May 1811, and took the chance to visit the local museum, where I found these very interesting dioramas.

Here we have a representation of the French cavalry charge (Polish lancers included) that decimated the Colborne Brigade, during this battle

The French columns cross the La Albuera bridge

Die hard, 57th! 

These were some to the last words of Lieutenant-Colonel William Inglis, who after being wounded during the battle refused to retire and leave his boys from the 57th Regiment of Foot

This is an outstandig diorama of the village of La Albuera in 1811, in the process of being stormed by the French columns

The quality and the details of the figures and buildings are simply breathtaking.

Pedro Casimiro