I am ashamed to admit that I had started this way back in 2001. The last 6 years were rough ones. Susan and I worked many 70-80 hour weeks, rarely had a day off and I had to build and paint so much box art, (IN the hundreds), there was really little time to model a superdiorama. I built the original “Legacies”, working part time in a single year! I have space available for this “Monster” in the museum, however, I do not have room for another of this size. Besides, I am getting up there and I am not quite as fast as I once was. “Logistics” will therefore be the last Superdiorama.

Now retired, it has taken some time to get back into the “Groove”, but I am getting there. These are photos taken yesterday of the base and buildings. Please remember nothing is finished and every building is in one stage or another of completion, and not a single one is even near finishing. It is a work in progress. The title came about as a result of the “Feel” it will have. It will be extremely “busy”, with vehicles, (Over 30), and well over 200 figures. The story line is 4th Armored division rolling through a German city in April 1945. The XYZ Express, the largest single express truck program in the ETO, (Even larger than the Red Ball), is converging at the “V” intersection. Patton and entourage will be trying to manage the traffic jam. Just below them in the cutaway of a train station will sit a BR-52 locomotive w/tender hooked up to a K-5E Railroad Gun. The huge train shed which will span the entire front of the diorama, will be collapsed onto the locomotive and RR gun at various places. On the major cross street, A US construction battalion will be clearing the massive amounts of rubble to make the road passable. On the street farthest back with the “OLD Town” buildings will have masses of refugees scurrying to the rear lines. There will also be ambulances carrying the wounded to the field hospitals and German P.O.W.s being both trucked and marched to the camps.

 

Here are the pics.

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The first few are of the train shed, a canopy that leads into the train station, It will eventually span the entire front of the diorama. The canopy only has a base coat of paint.

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This area will all be under the canopy with a K-5E RR gun. Note the truck for the gun behind the tender.

A small square in Old Town with a statue of Hermann Von Balke. SCratch base with a Pegaso 90mm figure.

This is “Old Town”, such as the one in Mainz or other cities in Germany. They were a lot of work and still more coming.

Another angle.

For the moment, I call this the Cinzano building. It will become a restaurant and hotel.

These are row houses that all have stores on the first floors with apartments and hotels on the upper floors. They back up to the Kaufhalle, (Department store).

The street parallel to the train canopy will be used by the armored column. The intersecting street will be the truck route.

The tank column will be coming through the tunnel.

I stuck the deuce and a half in there to give the viewer some proportion.

This building will have a basement and you will be able to look down into it. All my dioramas are built like this. A lower base that is completely flat. An upper base that has hills and valleys. The buildings are always made to lower into the upper base and rest on the lower one to be certain they are all true, regardless of the contour of the upper base. This diorama has a difference of 11.5 inches between the lowest and highest point of the base.

The rear of the Black Dog Brewery. There will be several pounds of rubble on the streets when complete.

“Der Schwarze Hund” A beer brewery and hall. “The Black Dog”

Last, the “Kaufhalle, literally “Sale Hall” Department store. This was, of course, the largest and most difficult building in the Diorama. After making the various parts of the facade, the casting and recasting took a considerable amount of time. The patina on various parts of the building is only in it’s second stage. There are two more coming. All the window frame have to be made separately. the front ones are in place and one on the third story has been made to accommodate the curved corner windows.

Note the elevator shaft with brass doors about the center of the photo.

If you enlarge the picture and look closely, you can see the ancient elevator motor with data plates, etc.

All the damaged steel girders in the roof were made with Plastruct.

Don’t ask how much longer to complete this monster. Hopefully a year, but maybe more.

As “Logistics” will have a column of deuce and a half XYZ Express trucks, there were always Diamond Ts roving about to assist broken down trucks. I had acquired this kit in 2002, and never opened it until about three weeks ago. The box art looked OK! Surprise, surprise! It has to be the worst cast resin kit I have ever seen and I have seen some bad ones! It isn’t surprising they went out of business so quickly!

But, what the hell, a challenge, right? So I started it.

Lots of parts!

A considerable amount of scratch building was involved because of absolutely unusable parts. The windshield was beyond human capability to clean.

The pattern was good, the castings were awful! But, with some work I think it will finish out OK.

The windshield was rebuilt and parts added to improve the detail. The front bumper was salvageable and a siren added.

I took one look at the kit grill, (Lower right), and made a new one from strip plastic an brass.

Ditto, headlight guards!

I converted the Tamiya ring mount and .50 cal, and added the roof bracing with the canvas top in the rolled up position.

A rear shot of the bed with the Holmes wrecker equipment. There are many more details to go!

Now with a base coat, the weathering and detaing processes will begin.

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I will continue the update as they progress.

To be continued!

I have had some requests to put some photos of my workshop on the site. Actually, I have two. One in our lower level where I do Figures and Vehicles. It is in an unfinished portion of the lower level so it is not very pretty. As usual, my shops are a permanent mess.

The kits on the shelf on the right are for three specific dioramas. I rarely buy kits when I have no plans for them. Only now and then, something special.

The kits on the floor on the left are for the current dio, “Logistics” Got a TV, lots of war movies that I listen to as I work!

Some of those special kits I was referring to.

Note the “Dora”. I bought that at Mastercon during the Squadron sale! One of these days!

See, I have all this space, but regardless, I always end up working surrounded by a mess in a 6″ X 6″ area!

Then, I have another workshop in the Museum building. The reason being, I didn’t have room in the other workshop to get the big dioramas out in one piece. I couldn’t spare any more room in the museum, so, this one I use strictly for the diorama bases, buildings and landscape.

This shows the workbenches, I usually work on several buildings simultaneously. Again, the TV and lots of war movies!

The far half of the shelves contain my reference books, the near half contain the bins with all my castings of construction parts.

Various power tools and part of my George Patton picture collection.

Another angle of the benches. Note the Tiger tank on the wall. Lewis Pruneau made that for me when I first opened Warwinds International, (Later to become VLS). If you look at “The Early Years”, photo of crew, furthest image down, it is hanging directly above the group photo from the ceiling. The corsair is from the Miniature World Museum that was in St. Charles, Missouri.

This shop is located behind the museum in the same building.

Susan and I have always loved movies. The first 20 years, we lived in theaters and drive-ins. Then I bought a VCR and a big screen TV in 1981 when both were very rare. In fact, there were no movie rental places or even video tapes for sale as yet. So, I recorded our own collection. Then when pre=recorded video tapes became available, I started collecting them. When I reached 2,400 movies, guess what, the DVD was the new cutting edge. I began collecting the new releases immediately and gradually replacing the tapes. Today, I have 2,900 DVDs and still have over 2,200 tapes. There are a lot of movies done on tape that have never been released on DVD. Here are photos of most of the collection.

These are all television series.

These cabinets are part of the collection by star’s names

More Star’s names

Again, Stars names on the right and then categories, War, Western, Sci-Fi, 007, Super heroes, etc.

All categories, Classic, Drama, Action, Fantasy, Documentary, Comedy, etc.

These are other hobbies and pastimes. All the photos in this post were taken on the lower level of our home! When we sold VLS, many of the computers were leased. I had to pay off the leases, fortunately, the computers were recent acquisitions, so, we just set up a network and use them all! There are two in this photo. Note the poster signed by Mathew McConaughey. Many of the Hollywood studios, especially special effects studios, were customers of VLS. One day, a studio head asked to talk to me, they were filming U-571, he asked if I would like an autographed poster, and that is how I got it!

This is the computer I use for the movie program, to track and update.

Susan’s Office

And, our computers we use to surf and email.

In another area of our home, there is a Police (museum?) which has all the awards, plaques, newspaper and magazine articles and memorabilia from my 25 years of police work in the City of St. Louis. 

The picture in the center was taken shortly after Susan and I were married. She was 20 and I was 24. (1965). The plaque on the left is a brass photoengraved copy of the cover of the Saturday Evening Post, which at the time, was the largest circulation magazine in the world. The article was 18 pages long.

Besides this, I have two very large scrapbooks with hundreds of photos and memorabilia from those 25 years.

I have had some requests to see some more detailed pictures of the museum subjects. I have hundreds of photos of the models in the museum taken under ideal conditions, however are lost in computer files of more than a hundred thousand photos, Others in boxes of tens of thousands of prints and slides. Until I have time to sort through all of those, I spent some time just taking shots through the plexiglass cases. Most are really large and I cannot remove them by myself, some take as many as four men to do so.

Here are many of the models, dioramas, uniforms and memorabilia in the museum.

There are 16 Lewis Pruneau dioramas in the museum. The first is a scratch built 1/35 German E Boat with a sinking ship in it’s wake. (Lewis Pruneau)

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This is a 1/16th scale Sherman Flail tank at the Seigfried Line. The kit was resin, unknown manufacturer. (Lewis Pruneau) The picture of Susan and I was taken in Japan at the Shizuoka show in 1989.

A Civil War diorama in 120mm, using Verlinden figures and Civil war canons. (Lewis Pruneau)

A scratch experimental manned V1 Rocket in 1/16th scale. (Lewis Pruneau)

An scratch built 1/16th scale Afrika Korps half track and trailer diorama (Lewis Pruneau)

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A very nicely done WW I diorama in 1/16th scale. The tank was built and painted by Verlinden and the dio completed by Lewis. (Lewis Pruneau)

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A really cool scratch BMW motorcycle in 1/16 and converted VP figures. (Lewis Pruneau)

A scratch built Russian Seige Gun in a ruined Berlin street with converted VP figures in 1/16th scale. (Lewis Pruneau)

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These two dioramas are (Left) An 88mm antitank gun in 1/16th scale built and painted by Francois Verlinden and Lewis completed the diorama. (Lewis Pruneau)

(Right) A collaboration of Francois Verlinden, (The AFV), Joe Porter, (The Elephant), and a diorama by Lewis all in 1/16th scale. (Lewis Pruneau)

“Costly Lesson at Tarawa”. Francois built and painted the Stuart and Lewis did the jeep, figures and diorama in 1/16th scale. (Lewis Pruneau)

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The experimental U-Boot V-80 being built in the factory. The Dio included a welder with lights and sounds in 1/35th scale. (Lewis Pruneau)

This is the first work of a collection in the museum of models of those who helped shape the hobby way back when.

When I first got into modeling clubs, George Woodard was one of the, if not THE top armor modelers in America. Here is a Lee diorama. The Lee has a scratch interior and radial engine. No update sets back then! (George Woodard)

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Gordon Stronach, a master pattern maker for Verlinden, Custom Dioramics, Warriors and Trakz is a fantastic painter as well. This is a Hetzer diorama in the museum. (Gordon Stronach)

A collaboration between Gordon and Pruneau. Gordon built the PBY and Lewis created a dio around it. (Gordon Stronach)

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This diorama is from Ian Hill, an Australian modeler with a truly unique style. He gave this to the museum in 1992. 1/35th scale (Ian Hill).

Don Kanaval, one of the most unique and creative people in the hobby, the creator of his own series of Nose Art models. Gave these to me and Susan. Unfortunately, due to illness, Don no longer models, but his work will always be remembered with a smile! (Don Kanaval)

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Both the diorama and the nose art in the background. (Don Kanaval)

Ralph’s Pawn Shop. This was impossible to categorize. (Don Kanaval)

Bill Konn’s Israeli semi truck w/tank in 1/35th scale. He was a major player back in the 80s and 90s! (Bill Konn)

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The bust and the Panzer figure were sculpted and painted by Mike Good, one of the top sculptors in the world during the 80s, 90,s and up to the present. (Mike Good)

On the left is a bust from Hal Sanford of the Modelaholics book fame. An excellent modeler and one of the funniest men I know! (Hal Sanford)

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“Rebel Yell”, a Stuart tank in 1/16th scale built by Mort Schmidt, one of the all time biggest winners in Mastercon history. He is off into photography, his other love at the moment, but someday… (Mort Schmidt)

This case contains many of the works by Richard Mitchell, a retired soldier who won the Distinguished Service Cross among many others, was the all time biggest winner in Mastercon History. Mitch passed on a couple of years ago, but nobody who ever knew him will forget him. (Richard Mitchell)

“The Last Council” In 1/16th scale. A Civil War diorama. (Richard Mitchell)

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Grandpa’s War. A WW I dio very well pulled off. That is why he always took home the trophies! (Richard Mitchell)

“Royal Jordanian M-47 Patton” A beautiful piece of armor by Bob Oehler. A top name in armor modeling today! 1/35th scale. (Bob Oehler)

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This is a scratch built truck by Duane Pfister, another legendary name in armor modeling. Many will remember all his articles in the old Military Modeler magazine out of California. The truck is 1/16th scale. (Duane Pfister).

A master of weathering with pastels before there were any masters, Jim Stephens scratch built 1/25th scale armor and softskins were known around the world. This is a scratch Mack Tank Truck in 1/25th scale. His work was featured in Shep Paines books How to build Dioramas and How to build armor models. He, like me is an ex cop! (Jim Stephens)

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Everybody will remember this diorama from the Verlinden Way series of books. “The Tobruk Pit” was one of two Verlinden dioramas given me when we first knew each other before becoming partners in 1985. Francois Verlinden was absolutely one of the top driving forces in creating the model industry and hobby we enjoy today. The dio is 1/35th scale. (Francois Verlinden)

The second diorama was “The Rathaus” An 88mm anti tank gun abandoned in front of a German town hall in 1/35th scale. (Francois Verlinden)

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The F-16 Cockpit built and painted for The Verlinden Way Vol. 3 by Verlinden. The photo behind the model was taken on a cruise in the Bahamas in happier times! (Francois Verlinden).

My most prized piece in the museum is this diorama of the Monogram Panzerpahwagen. Sheperd Paine, who I believe is the single person most responsible for the hobby we know today. This diorama was made for Monogram and the photo became one of their Tips on Building Dioramas pamphlets that came in the kit box of every Monogram armor kit. Way back in the eighties, the then president of Monogram gave me this, the last one of Shep’s works they had left. Ownership of Monogram has changed hands many times since. It was built in 1972 and still stands up today! (Sheperd Paine)

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Here are some shots of Cocoon, a 1/72 scale diorama of a British shipyard drydock and a 95% scratch built Modified Flower Class Sub Chaser. Excuse the Glare from the plexi covers. Built in 1986. Click on photo to enlarge. (Bob Letterman)

The administration buildings.

Close up of the bridge and details of the ship. Click on photos to enlarge

Note the rake and shear are totally different than the Matchbox kit.

Note the gun sights on the scratched gun/platform Click on photos to enlarge

There are three cases with assorted cars I have built in the last 40 years.(Bob Letterman)

This Cobra was built around 1982 (1/12) Click on photos to enlarge

Another car case.

A French Bus (Heller) I built this because they were still in wide use when I was in France in the army, 1959-1962 (1/25) (Bob Letterman) Click on photos to enlarge

This 1/8 Monogram XKE had working head and tail lights, working turn signals, horn button on steering wheel, leather padded upholstery, working dash lights, etc. etc. Back in the early 80s, it won several Best of Shows. (Bob Letterman)

This Porsche 930 Turbo, was the last civilian car I built, I think in 1981. It was responsible for a lot of trophies I remember. (1/12) (Bob Letterman) Click on photos to enlarge

“Nest” was featured in several magazine and books. Built it in ‘85 (1/25th scale) (Bob Letterman)

The Liberation of Shiela, (1/48th scale) (Bob Letterman) Click on photos to enlarge

Bad photo of “Quota” A 120mm dio of a German Krupp 88mm Gun factory. I built this around 18 years ago.(Bob Letterman)

A little better shot. Click on photos to enlarge

This one is called “Comrades”, a 120mm diorama with a scratch built 75mm anti tank cannon at the end of WW II. (Bob Letterman)

The Cannon prior to painting. The 120mm figures converted prior to painting and etc. I took the top off to get the following pictures.

The 75mm pak from behind.

The figures painted. I eventually just eliminated the converted heads and sculpted new ones.

 

This is “Knight takes King’s Bishop”, an Israeli/Arab diorama in 1/35th scale. (Bob Letterman)

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I called this one “Arrogance” It is a 120mm diorama depicting Goering and others discussing the invasion of England that, of course, never happened. (Bob Letterman)

This is a vignette from the 1/35th diorama, “Lost Cause”. It has a scratch built Canadian (CMP) C-60L Mobile Workshop and a nearly scratch Daimler Dingo. The radio in back of the driving compartment has over 200 pieces alone.(Bob Letterman) I removed the top for these photos.

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The Dingo

A shot of the front of the CMP and rear of the Firefly. Click on photos to enlarge.

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The workshop end of the CMP. All Scratch, this won a gold at the Model Engineering exhibition in Wembley, England awarded by the grandson of Lord Montbatten.

I included this poster, so you can see some of the scratch work that went into both vehicles in this diorama.

This is a weird effect shot of “Legacies”. A 1/35th, 8′ X 4′ diorama of Metz France in WW II. I has been featured in more than 50 books and magazines all over the world! (Bob Letterman)

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The river wall and railroad bridge has over 8,000 stones laid one at a time!

More, Click on photos to enlarge

Another frontal shot

More Click on photos to enlarge

This is called “Masquerade” It depicts German soldiers being trained to use US equipment during the Battle of the Bulge. Note the Panthers being converted into ersatz M-10s. 1/35th scale. (Bob Letterman)

This comes from the pre historic part of the museum. I built this old Nichimo Porsche turret tiger so many years ago I can’t even remember when. It has a full scratch built interior, engine, transmission, zimmerit and photo-etched leaves. At the time there was no photo-etch of any brand for armor or aircraft. (Bob Letterman) Click on photos to enlarge

A Portuguese friend of mine, Carles, had this photo (above) of a Russian house and challenged me to paint it. He was a pattern maker of several Custom Dioramics buildings. He said he would build the kit if I would paint it exactly like the photo. See below the photo. 1/35 (Bob Letterman)

 

Custom Dioramics sold the Superdiorama series with three 20″ square dios in a kit. This one is SD 001. I created all the SD series and painted the box art. It is 1/35th scale. (Bob Letterman)

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I made several shadow boxes in my career, but this was my favorite. “The Limits of Glory” is a 120mm shadow box with all scratch built interior of a French palace. The 8 figures all have heads I sculpted. Napoleon was a Verlinden figure, but didn’t look enough like the emperor to me. There was one marshall figure available at the time, so I used it, extensively posed and converted to make all six marshalls. This was the last diorama I completed. (Bob Letterman) Click on photos to enlarge

The interior of the room is all scratch built including the desk and other furniture. Note the “N” monogram on the front of the desk! The fireplace works!

The converted Marshalls (All the same figure)

Another Marshall and a courier.

Note the ceiling and the massive bookcases.

Napoleon’ head was sculpted using two paintings during the Emperor’s reign.

I had to mention this. Rosemarian Koebbeman, the wife of Ralph Koebbeman and my partner in Miniature World museum, painted a portrait of Ralph, Verlinden and me for the museum in St. Charles. She is in her 90s and still teaching art classes. She is one incredible lady and also painted a portrait of my dogs, Star and Cagney. (Bob Letterman)

Some of the more prized pieces in the collection are in the Militaria field. This helmet was worn by Colin Powell during Desert Storm. It and some of the following artifacts were acquired through the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. All are documented.

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During Desert Storm, several VLS customers got together and had this entire uniform made with the Letterman name tag and sent it to me.

These are more artifacts, gas masks from around the world on the left and WW I artifacts on the right side. Many are very rare! Click on photos to enlarge

This case has more than 40 hats, military and police from around the world. I acquired them in my travels.

One of the wall cases contains the hats and scarfs of Colin Powell and Gen. Schwartzkopf. the documentation, and other interesting items. Click on photos to enlarge

There are so many more items to see in the museum, I have much more militaria than I can photograph, and far too many models. If you are in the St. Louis area, email me and if we will be in town, we would be happy to give you and your family the grand tour!

Bob

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