Martian Diorama

[trekriffic]

After nearly 2 years of work this diorama is finally done ! Nearly 50 lbs of plywood, ceramic tile, and sand comprise this piece.



The scene depicts an emergency landing by the TWA Mars Liner "Solar Flare" in the deserts of Mars south of the Olmpus Mons escarpment which rises to a height of almost 4 miles in the distance:



Nearby stands the atomic powered MARRV (Mars Advanced Rapid Response Vehicle) patrol and rescue ship piloted by the legendary space ace, Captain Horatio Barnes:




The MARRV, using it's new magnetic grappler, has just towed the "Solar Flare" safely away from certain disaster in the asteroid belt after a fried circuit board disabled her guidance system  As Barnes exits his ship and readies the portable gamma welder for repair of some minor hull damage, the other captain approaches:




"Thanks for saving the day... AGAIN !" comments Major John "Jack" Mason as he nears "But your grappler dented my ship !" Jack points to the small hole and dimple in the side of the liner. Barnes is mildly amused but says nothing as he flips the power switch on the welder which quickly hums to life; although in the thin atmoshere of Mars, no one can actually hear it. Smiling, he shakes his head as he glances up at TWA's most experienced pilot. "Oh now you know that that wasn't me Jack. Remember that pesky little asteroid I blasted with my laser cannon as it tried to put a hole in your ship ? You must've caught a fragment from the explosion. But don't worry, she'll be good as new when I'm done." Minutes later, true to his word, he seals the hull breach with the finely tuned beam of the welder


Meanwhile, co-pilot Anna Voltaire descends the ladder from the spaceliner with a tool box for Captain's Barnes return flight. Inside she's packed a few snacks from the ship's galley as a gesture of thanks for a job well done. As she steps off onto the fine sands of Mars her gaze is transfixed by the grandeur of Olympus Mons looming majestically in the distance



"Amazing" she whispers "How beautiful it is out here...really, it takes your breath away..."

[beowulf]

truely awesome..............superb work

[Ed S]

Beautiful.  Most impressive.   

Ed

[tanktastic43]

Brilliant. Well done. 

tt43.

[nev]

THats awesome.  Got a real 50s sci-fi feel to it as well

Right, I'm off to the whiffies.

[Maverick]

Seriously nice,

Regards,

Mav

[NARSES2]

I love the look of these "retro" sci fi models and dioramas - great work 

[sideshowbob9]

Fantastic! The work you put into it really shows. 

[chrisonord]

Wow, this is absolutely brilliant
I would love to have the room let alone the expertise to build something like this, and yes it does deserve a whiffie!!
Cheers
Chris.

[Weaver]

That's stunning! 

It really gels in the photos too: the lighting and backdrop are spot on.

[BlackOps]

   Beautifully done. I liked the models when you completed them, but the diorama really sets them off!

[thedarkmaster]

Outstanding....  

[jcf]

Nice. Very reminiscent of Bonestell.

[Brian da Basher]

Very well done and one impressive introduction too!

Welcome to they asylum, trekrific! You've already got me looking forward to seeing your next project!

Brian da Basher

[bearmatt]

Beam me up scotty!