HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

The Jenny Jn4 wings are very similiar to the Canuck version.Wing tips,double ailerons, overall measurements are all the same.There is a slight unnoticable difference in the airfoil camber in that the Canuck uses the RAF experimental design.The trailing edge of the upper wing through the center section of the Canuck is straight while the 4A has a square cutout.I havent been able to find any reference for the cutout on the bottom trailing edge at the fuselage side but I assume that it was square also.
The wing that I am presently working on is the bottom R/H panel.This is somewhat of a new thing for me as I have never covered a model wing before with fabric.I am using the same method as I did for the fuselage.I have built up the spar/ribs/leading and trailing edges.As I did with the fuse the wires and fitting will be mostly absent as they wont be seen.I will install them only where I punch through the fabric.I have smashed the wingtip on this panel as though the airplane had been in an accident.The ailerons will be built but left off and stored.

[JohnReid]

Interesting rigging detail.Not that you would want to try it in 1/72 or even 1/16th for that matter!

[JohnReid]

For the lastest pics of the "Memories of Flight School diorama(Part 13),please see:
http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Reid/index.html

Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

The lower R/h wing panel is in the process of being covered with the Coverite antique white fabric.I cut out a piece large enough to cover both upper and lower surfaces.On the real aircraft a fabric bag was sewn together and stretched over the airplane's wing frame and stiched down to the ribs with cord at intervals of 5-6 inches.To simulate this my fabric bag will be pulled taunt over the frame and fastened at the trailing edge.The leading edge is glued first and
and pulled tight over the ribs and allowed to set overnite.That is where I am now.
Today I will glue the fabric to the ribs working slowly from leading to trailing edge pulling the fabric tight as I go.This fabric is capable of being tightened with an heated iron.Because I have no experience or tools to do this and I am concerned that I may distort the fragile wing panel I will stretch it as best I can by hand.I am not worried about doing a perfect job as this afterall is a bastketcase and wouldn't be in perfect shape anyway.I cant see investing in a heating iron for this job.
After the fabric is in place I will spray laquer a couple of thin coats and then airbrush on some thin titanium white acrylic paint until I can just see the underlying ribs when I hold it to the light.Then it is on to weathering.
When this diorama is finished I will have made 8 Jenny wing panels.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

"Wow john, the Jenny is looking really nice. The amount of detail is really fascinating. I'm sure there is not one single bolt missing. I have been through your photos, I am still impressed by the engine. I just can;t stop looking at the engine photos, it looks absolutely real, so real."

Well thank you very much but have you seen Ken Foran's work?Ken is the true master of scratchbuilt detail.I just modify kits and try to tell a story.There really is no comparison.Thank god that Ken got fed up with the lousy 1/16th kits available and decided to do his own stuff.I could never do what he does as I just dont have the patience for highly accurate detail or engineering.It takes a very special type of personality to do this.Ken and I are at completely opposite ends of the scale but we admire each others work.Dioramas are primarily the art of telling a story.In the movie world sort of the difference between a documentary and a novel.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The R/H lower wing panel is finished.Everything turned out OK considering what it is supposed to represent,a basketcase airplane with a damaged wing.
The fabric is loose and crinkley which would give most RCers a good laugh but you know it actually looks like an overstessed wing that was the result of a prang.This was more luck than planning on my part.If I ever do a wing capable of flying I certainly will have to brushup on my lack of technique.
The wing tip is torn off and the fabric and wood has been left jagged and even has a few grass stains..I painted and weathered it the same as the fuselage.My research shows no insignia of any type on the wings of a Canadian airplane.(if anyone has differing info on this please advise)
I went to the dressmakers shop where I found some great material for taping the wings.The weave was a little pronounced so I put on a few coats of laquer to blend them in.All in all I think it looks pretty convincing and I am generally happy with the result.Maybe its time for another round of pictures to give you guys(and gals) an idea of where I am now.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Allied spy cam