This first post is about a diorama I made a while back. In addition to painting miniatures I also enjoy making cardstock models, especially of things that are useful for terrain. There are a lot of places now that sell really cool models (mostly for fantasy and modern settings), but there is some sci-fi stuff as well. One of the best designers is Ebbles miniatures. I made this diorama to showcase his LEV, which he designed in tribute to the APC seen in the movie Aliens. Mel Ebbles took the basic design and tweaked it around so that it would be more realistic from a design point of view. I was one of his testbuilders made this diorama to showcase the arctic white version of the LEV. The original forum I posted these pics in no longer exists, so I am re-posting the images here. The setup: An experimental fighter craft has crash landed on an uncharted planet. A recovery team has been dispatched to recover the classified bits from the crash, before the competition can locate the crash and steal their secrets. Unfortunately for the recovery team this icy rock is not exactly uninhabited. 1. The LEV disembarks from the dropship and makes its way to the crash site. Due to unstable ice in the region of the crash, the dropship was unable to land any closer to the crash site.

2. The marines know from past experience to be ready for anything. as soon as the LEV is clear of the dropship the turret goes up. About 20 minutes later they arrive at the crash site.

3. The research team disembarks the LEV and gets to work, while the marines establish a perimeter around the site. Crevices in the ice, generated by the impact, surround the area.

4. Even while alert for trouble, the ambush happens so fast the marines are still caught by surprise. They've never seen creatures such as these.

5. The recovery team is surrounded in a matter of seconds...

6. Even as the Xenomorphs die, acid like blood sprays anyone that is too close.

7. The last hope of escape vanishes as the LEV is overrun and the drivers skull is crushed by the creatures hidden jaws.

8. A few of the prey are kept alive...hosts for the Queen's developing children.