Operating behind enemy lines in the North African desert required rather more than heavily armed jeeps and a willingness to cause trouble. The Special Air Service specialised in raids against Axis airfields and installations, while the Long Range Desert Group combined reconnaissance with an exceptional ability to navigate across vast stretches of apparently empty desert. The two units worked closely together, with the LRDG transporting and guiding SAS raiding parties deep into enemy territory. Fuel, water and supplies were as essential as firepower, even if their arrival made for a less dramatic story.

Built for IPMS Uppsala’s 2024 building challenge, “Desert”, this diorama depicts an SAS camp receiving supplies from an LRDG Chevrolet truck. It is a pause between operations rather than a raid in progress: three Willys jeeps, a tent and a collection of men and equipment gathered around the practical business of keeping a desert war going.

The three jeeps came together in Dragon’s set and were well detailed and enjoyable to build. Tamiya’s Chevrolet was a decent starting point, but benefited considerably from Black Dog’s detailing set. The figures come from several different sets, including those supplied with the jeeps and the Chevrolet, while the tent is from Tamiya’s Tent Set. I made the diorama base myself, incorporating Heller’s Socle Diorama Desert in one corner. Bringing everything together was the point of the build: individually they are vehicles and figures, but arranged around a delivery of supplies they become a small scene with something going on.