Making of the Kapyong Diorama

The battle of Kapyong is one of the most memorable battles of the Korean War. In April 1951 against incredible odds the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Australian Regiment helped to repulse the advance of communist Chinese forces. To commemorate this significant show of Australian courage the Kapyong Diorama has been constructed for the new "Conflicts 1945 to Today" galleries.

The Australian War Memorial has a long history of using dioramas to commemorate Australia's participation in battles. This latest diorama has been enhanced by the use of battle sounds, atmospheric lighting and evocation of the claustrophobic conditions. Commissioned artists Dean Colls and Louise Skacej have through careful application of detailed research and highly talented craftsmanship, captured the tough conditions faced by these soldiers at Kapyong.

From the crafting of each pine tree, to the moulding of the faces of 3RAR members Ray Parry, Eric Roberts, Kevin Simms and Leo Whidbourne, the delicate yet complex process of constructing a replicated landscape (based on a real site), take shape and has been documented on film. The film depicts the behind the scenes side of the new galleries and the complex processes of constructing a diorama.

• Category

  Education

[Zak Taylor]

Throughout history the Canadian and Australian war efforts have been down played. I can't understand why. Perhaps it's because our film industries aren't interested with sharing these stories, but I guarantee if it were American solders, the battle of Kapyong would be a much much more popular story.

Australians and Canadians always kick ass.

My name is Zak and I am Canadian!

[steve simms]

my name is steve simms,my father kevin who is depicted in this diorama passed away on monday 9-7-2012,he was so proud and humbled by this model.dad was a quiet man ,never talked much about the war until his later years we loved the old bugger and miss him.RIP dad .ps,two years ago my brother and myself took him to canberra to view this work the look on his face was priceless,love you dad,lest we forget.

[steve simms]

thank you zakfmt, for your comment.you are spot on,as to explain,my dad is the soldier bottom left(near the grenades, which he timed for 4 seconds & rolled into the advancing chinese troops )he is now the only surviving soldier out of the 4 blokes depicted.he he is now 80 years of age & living in bendigo victoria.i just found out that a movie is being released shortly & will be screened on foxtel.sincerely,steve53ify.

[Airborne1995]

2nd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (2PPCLI) hold off 7,000 Chinese forces and later Awared the United States Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation.

[girabbit85]

Nice quality.

Very interesting.

:)