"Heroes of Leningrad" 1/48 Winter Diorama

My friends, winter scenes are often full of contrast between snow and mud. But what if it's freezing outside, the snow blanket is fresh, and you don't have too much contrast to play with? Well, can't say I tackled it like a champ, but here goes!
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Disclaimer: Most of the weathering products I use in my videos such as Ammo by Mig Jimenez, AK-Interactive, Wilder and VMS were sent to me for free, but with no obligations to promote them. I received a lot of them a long time ago, even before I started this channel. VMS is also one of my Patreon supporters. Being independent from big and exclusive sponsorship deals and showing you a wide variety of different brands and products was one of the founding ideas of this channel and I will always stand by this.
Music: Quincas Moreira - Scratch the Itch - KZbin Audio Library

[@The_White_House]

Take as long of a break you need, moving and modeling is a lot to do. Your videos are infinitely rewatchable anyway.

[@hansvandermeer7635]

BTW that chimney is awesome.

[@The_White_House]

@@hansvandermeer7635 I agree!

[@garyparker2969]

YEAH What He Said n GBA 🤗👍 Gary.

[@matthayward7889]

Absolutely this

[@SixPieceNoNuggets]

Re watched so many of his vids a small break just means more time to revisit the old catalog.

[@daspanzer135]

Night Shift never disappoints. These videos are very fun and informative.

[@НиколайЖесткий-ю2л]

12:25 Dear nightshift, it is absolutely not a mistake! The climate in Leningrad is rather wet and not so cold. The snow is half-melted during the whole winter. It is even possible to see rain in January. So your snow is much more natural that you think!))) P.s. Source: I live in Saint-Petersburg (was named Leningrad those times)

[@daniel_charms]

A good thing that he chose 1943 as his date, as the winter of 1943 was mild compared to 1941/42. The tankers should be way more emasculated from starvation, though...

[@exoticbreadstick8661]

@@daniel_charms you just cant tell because the winter uniforms are fluffy

[@Hellsong89]

@@exoticbreadstick8661 Faces... faces tell the tale of malnutrition. Check next time you see really thin/anorectic guy or chick though chicks tend to put half a pound of make up, but they cannot hide the shape that well. For the snow yes area is wet and muddy. Warm days heat up the snow from the things like bricks pretty efficiently and water runs under the snow creating soggy mess underneat that is protected from the frost days pretty efficiently, specially early spring and late autumn, after first snowfalls. Areas with less trees get soggiest since less trees to suck up the moisture from the ground and combine that that heavy equipment, well as numbers of equipment gets water mixed in the surface soil producing mud. I recall even military doctrine where forces get split up to smaller formations moving parallels to others so soil dont get manipulated much, otherwise you end up with mudpits that ruin the last guys day, well as hinder your logistics, that try to keep up with you bringing enough material to keep army running.

[@certifiedidiot9625]

Absolutely phenomenal! I’m not nearly as good as you, but I have learned so much from your channel. I hope your house remodeling goes well and I can’t wait to see your next video!

[@BombshellCreations]

I really like this concept and how the project looks and turned out. only criticism I would have and seems to be the case with your figures is too much contrast and shadowing in the recesses of the exposed skin areas, such as face and hands. Your structure work is really coming along and you can really tell you enjoy that part. Nicely done as always, Martin.

[@ScottKenny1978]

The extra contrast makes the figures look good at arms reach or across the room.

[@Modkits131]

The death fridge is a very stronk ruski tonk. Perfect for Soviet winter defense.

[@parzywas6728]

Will you ever make a diorama where it is mostle figuers e.g 10 soilders marching?

[@professor4903]

That would be cool

[@caiden1347]

Others: using quick tricks to get quick results Nightshift: test new methods, master old ones; compare results For this guy it just seems like the process is what is important. I want him to try new things just to see how he approaches new problems.

[@kuartz.]

I’ve been sick all week so this is definitely a blessing, thank you Mr. Night Shift!

[@gustaflekander718]

Lovely video as always Uncle Nightshift. i have a question. Can you make something swedish for a video or two. Maybe a cv90 or the strv 122 (leo 2a5)? Would be really nice to see

[@billmoore3779]

Take a brake myyyfirend. So You can get your mojo back!! Again you to start making t shirts !!!

[@kastorviking538]

Hey nightshift, do you come to the euroscale moddeling show??? Would be cool if you would be there ;)

[@kastorviking538]

other name for it : IPMS, some call it the biggest moddeling show in the world

[@ModeliteDiorama]

it's similar for me. i've also tried to work faster and faster and to finish by certain deadlines, but the fun and the overall quality have suffered a lot. At some point I didn't even keep up with the drying times to be as productive as possible. Now I'm taking a step back and going back through my previous projects and trying to bring them up to the level they deserve. As you say, rushing isn't worth it and doesn't do the models justice!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

❄Another GREAT video!❄

[@ariochiv]

It's amazing that you never really did dioramas until recently, because these are super fun.

[@tankbuilder9618]

Hi nightshift could you try to do like a tank vs tank diarama? I think that would be fun. Or like one tank is ambushing another. Something like a sherman attacking a tiger or the other way around. Probably a 1/76 scale. If not I won't mind I am just giving ideas :)

[@kaferrat]

The work on the chimney was excellent. Great diorama. 😎

[@kidnamedfinger99]

Always a good day when nightshift uploads love your vids they help me relax afer school keep it up man :)

[@LowNSlowIII]

It's Friday! That means it's time to watch Night Shift!

[@dogforeyals]

someday I'll try that brick thing...:)

[@patrik-4163]

When i look at it now, maybe snowy/ dirt-y footsteps over tank's hull and melted snow on engine bay would improve over all impression.

[@lesthiele4921]

Greetings Night Shift, you sir are a true artist, this diorama is absolutely outstanding, that snow actually made the scene look cold, pace yourself at your own speed so you really enjoy what you are modelling, good luck with the new house, best regards from Australia.

[@MikeyRumi180]

MICHTOY sucks. their website is never up to date with their goddam inventory.

[@sidekickbob7227]

Enjoyed the video as always. -One question; I often find the skin of the figures to be a sickly kind of greenish-yellow skin tone. Is this due to the recording (color balance) or is it something else?

[@mikemcculloch7118]

Your garden must be starting to look like the Somme by now, your missus must be very understanding. Awesome build, cheers.

[@kenjimeulendijk7797]

Good tip for you if you need mud mix’s brown acrylic paint with black oil paint and dirt from a garden until thiccccc

[@Andrew-se4tg]

Absolutely amazing my friend!👍🍻

[@dgd2991]

KZbin needs to fuckin chill with the commercials, a 134 minute commercial is a bit much

[@perrycooper7460]

Why not do a tank crashing through a building diorama? this way you can still do the tanks and finally build a larger building diorama.

[@thatotherguy7596]

Beautiful work, but trade marking garden dirt was an absolute stroke of genius 😁 Thanks again Uncle Night Shift 💕

[@W44640]

Syrian T-55 dio?

[@silentfox2521]

how about another simple zvezda model?

[@S-T-E-V-E]

The Grass was the wrong colour of Green! 😂🤣😂

[@CounterCraftYT]

Next time It‘s time for Africa (Korps)?

[@erwinrommell5044]

Великолепный Мартин 👌👌👌

[@SmallSoldier]

That chimney was fantastic! I really need to try some foam sculpting in a diorama soon. Great as usual Martin. 😉

[@styrenehelp]

Simply fantastic, my friend.

[@SLICK-GLN]

Moving didn't you just remodel your room

[@hanssmidt12]

I wish i will be able to make such models in The future

[@Iroook]

Where do you buy this gray styrofoam?

[@TheIngsten]

well done , but the US canister's looks funny in a soviet diorama :P

[@raptorscalemodelling422]

They were supplied since 1942 in the Lend-Lease shipments, so they can be be put in most soviet-themed models (but i do agree that they shouldn't be on this particular diorama, since Leningrad was under siege from 1941 to 1944 and they wouldn't receive new supplies).

[@bluebooooo7165]

Yaaay! A new video on my sick day!

[@willthorson4543]

Life is always above everything else and it's always a bonus when you put out a video, but taking a week or weeks off for yourself shouldn't be an issue for anyone, especially you. You have literally no one to apologize too. Watching your videos is a fantastic bonus for us as fans of our wonderful hobby. Recharge your batteries, we will patiently wait...ok... not really patient. Lol

[@gunnarsoderhielm3425]

I definetely get you're difficulties with snow. I recently finished my CV90-40 going through snow covered woods and wanted to use AK snow sprinkles and AK Snow, since it looked real neat in your T38 vignette. But when I tried to do a covering layer with snow sprinkles, rather than dotting it like you've done for your videos, it didn't look right and as if someone had been spreading it around. So I tried to cover it with Snow to really get that opaque and white layer and it looked even worse. Wether spreading it with a brush, a spatula or even my fingers, it looked like someone had covered the landscape with cake frosting and it felt awful. I figured out that the way to partially improve it, was to wet my finger with tap water and smoot out the surface, removing most of the folds and creases which it got while I was spreading it. The end result isn't great and it does look artificial up close, but from a slight distance it's fine. It sort of has the look as if the temperature is just around 0° celsius and the snow is just beginning to melt, and I don't mind it to much. But you're always learning in this hobby and if I try to do another snow covered landscape I'll look into other products. Perhaps the kind which are a powder that you're supposed to "drop" over pva glue. Regarding your diorama and the snow specifically, I really like it. I can't quite say that it's an effect I remember seeing in real life, but it doesn't look implausible. And more importantly (at least in my opinion) it looks real nice and gives a lovely colour to the scene, especially when it's right on top of and partially covering the other colours. Even if you don't love it, I think it's really nice as a winter scene. But either way, I hope you have more fun with the next project. I am certainly intrigued by the teaser. Can't wait to see what you will do with a desert since last time.

[@fluffykoala5265]

Finally new video yeey 😍

[@andrewnevermind4902]

Just looking at this makes me chilly.

[@jasongillis4424]

What foam material is the chimney made out of?

[@josta2010]

XPS - extruded polystyrene. Thermal insulation. Get it at builders merchants or some larger DIY stores.

[@yugoslav2891]

Please make a T-34 diorama

[@Swigester]

I’m doing a 1/35 tamiya easy eight Sherman right now. And I recently realized About 90% of the techniques I’m using have come from your videos.

[@Dusn62819]

через 21 день, будет не праздник! А день скорби! 8 сентября 1941 года, начало Блокады Ленинграда..... Слава тем, кто погибли от рук фашистов! "НИКТО НЕ ЗАБЫТ, НИЧТО НЕ ЗАБЫТО!"

[@JedenSiedemDwa]

Great result - from diorama parts chimney is the best. And You are very brave using that huge can of black paint in the workshop. I event dont't want to try to imagine the spilovert from that.. ;) All the best for You! ;)

[@digitalspacestudio3956]

super cool work!😀

[@zsoltuveges6913]

Hi Martin! I follow your youtube channel. Very helpful for me. Just one qvestion. Do you plan paint white uniform?

[@toddgraves6994]

I'm not sure which I enjoy more...just sitting back and watching your craftsmanship unfold or taking meticulous mental notes of all the tips you include in the videos. Both speak volumes to your commitment to your craft sir! Very well done!

[@loritorringa8454]

:)

[@hanssmidt12]

Its really awesome

[@lyagushkha8490]

Hi Uncle Night Shift! Do you have any plans to build Tiger II, maaaybe the so called ,,porshe" version? I am currently building one myself and I would be extremely curious what your take on it would look like! I searched through your videos and it looks like you haven't made any models of what could be argueably one of the most iconic WWII tanks. Maybe that's why it wasn't as alluring as other models. I wish you a happy work break, take thy time!

[@Sammael66685]

I don't know why but, with that description on the next project, i was expecting something from britain getting red under the sun, maybe a Matilda II, a Grant? ...Or maybe a Challenger II? Anyway, just take your time with it, take as much as a break you might feel to need and don't worry at all. Results would be ALWAYS superb, as this one has finished to be, for real.

[@reinhardsvoiciss9782]

Amazing diorama! ❄️ can I ask what CPU, GPU and RAM does your computer have to eddit so good videos? Thank you :)

[@thorforsell1300]

You could probably get more content out of the same amount of modelling work by doing two things: 1; Dont be afraid to show tecniques you've shown before. Seeing it repeated many times on different surfaces can be just as instructional as having it explained in detail. 2; You can do longer and more zoomed out shots of a process that seem tedious to you. Example: If you're doing brush chipping it's super helpful to see all the little things you do without thinking of it. How much do you load your brush, how much and how do you wipe it, how close do you sit, how do you support your arms, how much and with what do you clean your brushes while working, what muscles in your arm does the actual work, is it like with a pen where you move your hand or is your hand stiff and you move your wrist or arm even? Etc etc. There are many things we can learn by just watching it happen, again and again. Finally; remember that a lot of your audience doesn't do a lot of armour modelling themselves, but rather enjoy watching you, and hearing what goes through your head while you do, they won't be disappointed if videos aren't as packed with instructional information. Those of us that are just after tips and techniques, well we can use the scroll bar. Just put timestamps in the description and we're happy :p Anyway, great work with the KV2! Love seeing my favorite warthunder derpgun get some attention. You've also inspired me to start building model houses using historical building techniques!

[@egorsan1195]

Hi uncle night shift, I really like how you make models and I would like to ask how long have you been doing this? And also I would like to see how you make a model from the Chinese company Border model, this is a very good and high-quality company with very interesting and original models. Good luck with the next builds. Hello from Russia!

[@prostojanis]

You work out everything so much, every little thing, every detail, but I can’t understand why many craftsmen, including you, have prominent seams for gluing barrel parts? The barrel on the kv2 tank is one solid piece, the seams need to be masked, and you highlight them with color, shadows, shedding

[@rszanger]

So hard to make realistic , weathering for 1/48 scale tanks....is this Tamiya model? Awesome diorama.

[@slendrick]

Nice model as always Uncle! Will you show your rebuilded house in some future IRL related vids? Such as video when you explained leg accident ( i remember that)

[@stuartwalters96]

Love this but have a small criticism.....the diorama screems melting snow but the ground work, chimney etc looks dry. Wet puddles, damp soil, water run marks down the concrete etc. Hope this doesn't read as me being a tw#t, im a massive fan and love your channel!

[@nikpic6226]

Отличная работа!

[@thatoneguy8459]

Also keep up the good work it looks really nice

[@l77mikks]

Yo, I remember seeing how much talent you had at making dioramas, and I know you might not be able to/can’t be bothered to/don’t want to, but can you please make a diorama for me? This is gonna be my first birthday on my own; I just moved. It doesn’t really matter if you can’t. Thanks if you read this.

[@leonardusgroenendyk6027]

Great work. Just need to remove the US jerry can.

[@olmocap5548]

I'm really sorry I'm putting a link here but I just had an idea. So tank models are quite expensive to build and paint and so on so why not using all the the techniques you would normally do on a physical model (from texturing steel and wheel tyres to postshading and weathering) by using blender? I'm linking here a video I saw of a guy painting an Abrams kzbin.info/www/bejne/l3nMnpadf6ycjac

[@leonweber5244]

Dont worry about taking more time and putting less content in one video. I don't have the most time so I can't build models fast and sometimes lose touch of what weathering to do and in what order to do them. So to help me with that I always go back to your Jagdtiger video series, it explains perfectly what to do and when to do it. That video series is a step by step guide for me and it helps me not getting overwhelmed😄

[@alexdoe5627]

Excellent job as usual. May I ask, what colors did you use for the green soviet uniforms?

[@chrismocko5715]

Been watching your videos,they are so informative and like the way you explain step by step in an easy way,getting back to modelling and find your approach is one of the best on U Tube in my opinion. Where can I find your fan page which would be great to follow . Chris uk

[@CorsairWT]

i think that you should build a unique tamiya 1/48 scale King Tiger...

[@tylerczarnecki783]

MYYYY Friend! I just joined the patron pumped to see the shout out and enjoying the benefits that come along with it! Cheers from Michigan!

[@bloodgulchpatrick]

I think skin tones could use some more reddish hue. There's this peculiar thing where yellowish hues, when darkened, turn almost greenish. Anyways, great diorama. Chimney is quite authentic looking.

[@garythegoblin6177]

if you want to do a smaller kit, I recommend the Tamiya Pak 40 because it is easy to build, it is cheap (around $11) and it isn't a tank which would be a new video idea (sort of)

[@FredGlt]

Honestly, the single thing that breaks the visuals of the diaporama for me is the fact that there is as much snow on the humid dirt as there is on the cold concrete and grass. Since you live in Slovakia, I suppose you have probably seen good exemples of such details. Concrete loses it's thermal energy quite quickly and by the time snow covers it, it's already at atmospheric temperature. Dirt on the other hand, loses its surface temperature a lot more gradually, as the ground below is still warm. Grass accumulates snow over itself, so the dirt upon which the grass is doesn't have the chance to melt it. The next time you make an early winter diaporama, applying more snow on the greenery as well as concrete and less on the wet dirt (or asphalt) would hopefully help to sell the scene a little more. Otherwise, the Kv-2 and the diaporama are beautifully made. Keep up the good work, it's always a blast to watch your videos :D

[@j0hnn13K]

I got a challenge for you that you might enjoy (and it would be different for you too), but.. only for after your well deserved break and at a time you have the time and headspace to tackle it. How about a bombed out submarine base where the roof and sidewall are blown away and inside you can see damaged submarines, one in a dock and one hanging from the remains of a collapsed crane. Yes i realize that would be a massively big diorama and job to build/do, but with the detail work you do, such a diorama would look absolutely amazing i think. Ofc it's just an idea suggestion, you do whatever you like my friend :)

[@earthad1000]

golden's light molding paste is excellent for thicker amounts of snow.

[@nanuq83]

Your thumb was uncomfortably close to the foam cutting wire. Made me nervous! You do you, we'll be here. 🙂

[@jaanikaapa6925]

Latex paint primer. Doesn't mess with foam, usually. Leaves you a latex surface and so you can use thinners.

[@alexs7670]

You could say thinnes if you want, but much like weight or height thickness can describe less or more thick objects. I the case of this video either is understandable, but thickness would probably sound more naturan.

[@Incrediblebowlesmodels]

I'm just blown away that this is rushed my rushed projects are the stuff of nightmares lol I want to do a diaroma so bad for the HEMTT wrecker I have but I'm terrified it will be bad

[@sebastianhansen3715]

Hey Mr. Night Shift! I was wondering, do you have any tips on how to do the cast steel armor texture on resin models? I have some Warhammer tanks that are mixed resin and plastic, and i want them to have a even look, but since i cant melt the resin like the plastic, im looking for alternatives :D

[@richardorta8960]

An industrial building hosting infantry in an urban combat scene? Maybe hide an anti tank gun in there. a spotter. sniper... 🤔 some molotov cocktails waiting to be used... the rest of the unit with the kits they have?

[@keithralston1133]

Where can I buy that trademarked garden ground you're always bragging about?

[@-Imperial]

Hey I’ve watched a few of your model videos and wanted to know what your airbrush setup is?

[@coenvancamp1976]

Dude, keep it fun! As a viewer I'd much rather have less content because you paced yourself, as opposed to no content at all because you've burned yourself out.

[@RoddyHarris-z4p]

Martin, What kind of foam board did you use for the smokestack and where can I get it and what was the name of that wood putty used for the Mortar again. Thank you

[@richardorta8960]

Bricks are thereaputic, I shall keep that in mind. Think i will try this out and make some clay bricks and start building a house. Bricks can also lead to needing therapy, so don't drop any on your head.

[@stefanzemliansky974]

Ahoj Martin, v jednom zo svojich videí si spomínal sovietské monštrum 2A3 Kondensator. Veľa práce, ale neplánuješ sa do neho pustiť?

[@seanberry1]

I think the problem with this build was that there is no story - it's just scenery. Beautiful, and perfectly executed, but uninteresting. Your best builds have an unspoken narrative around the events leading up to the scene, or a tension implying that something is about to happen, where the scenery is as much a character in the story as the machines and people.

[@diremiralis1998]

Try building the tamiya Messerschmitt me-262

[@svenf.2291]

When you went to bed after making the chimney, I bet you saw bricks when you closed your eyes. 😅

[@XxBloggs]

Beautiful work on once again. How about you build a Russian tank being towed by a Ukrainian tractor….

[@warroomscale]

Great work like allways uncle nightShift

[@chiarachiara7607]

Hi, your work are very nice and amazing!one question do you have a site where to buy styrofoam grey?Thank you

[@erwincoplo6305]

That promises for my first diorama being a snow diorama on 1/24 scale 😬

[@lilypondgarage2968]

Concrete footing is what we say in the USA. Thanks for your hard work