HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

Just a little more on where to find good ideas.I was involved with decorative bird sculpture in wood for about 20 years or so.When I would attend shows I would often go directly to the novice table, as that is where I would find some of my best inspiration.Novices sometimes have great artistic ideas without even knowing it.They are not incumbered with what could or should be done.Their imagination has not yet been narrowed down by the criticisms or beliefs of others.I would often find a great idea on these tables and say to myself,just watch next year some of the professionals will have borrowed this idea and simply expanded on it.There is nothing wrong with doing this,artists have borrowed ideas from one another since the beginning,as long as you dont make a direct copy it is accepted practice.There is also no shame in being influenced by the masters.Having said that, I can see in my minds eye ,a P51 Mustang sitting on top of a 1950's diner.Or maybe a Jenny being towed or taxiing down main street in support of the war effort.Any takers?

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is Bonnie giving her best Venus statue performance.She is the only female in the diorama so far .She is Aces' girlfriend ,a stuntwoman and wingwalker.She only looks tougher than she really is!
This figure is from the Legends and Lore series of 1/16th figures and is part of the Bonnie & Clyde duet.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Someone asked me on another website if I knew of any 1/24 scale figures.These are the only ones I know about as of now.
The 3 yellow figures are from an old kit that a friend (Erwin) sent me. The white figures are made by Model builders supply.Tamiya makes a Rally mechanics set dressed in coveralls that could easily be adapted to cars or aircraft.

[JohnReid]

Beginnings
I would like to share the following with you.I found it shortly before starting my Nieuport 28 diorama.

Until one is committed,there is hesitancy,the chance to draw back,always ineffectiveness,concerning all acts of initiative(and creation).There is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans:that the moment one definitely commits oneself,then providence moves too.All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occured.A whole stream of events issues from the decision,raising in ones favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way.Whatever you can do or dream you can,begin it.Boldness has genius,power,and magic in it.Begin it now.

Johann Wolfgang Von Gorthe

Cheers! John
__________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is John D,Harley's friend, the office manager.His hand and the book are a little distorted due to the scanner but you can get the idea.His ultimate destination is in the office module.I am using mostly shades of browns and greys for the civilians as I don't want them competeing with the military guys but just to act as the supporting cast.Bonnie maybe the exception though!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I now have 3 figures still to finish but I feel I need a change of pace.so I thought that I would start on the model T Ford truck.It will be a company truck with a Red Indian gas logo.
It came apart very easily with 1 small phillips head screwdriver.A little superglue remover in a few spots worked fine.I will start by weathering the body part shown above and changing the Texaco logo.Unfortunately this is a limited edition collectable (1 of 5,000 worldwide)but at least when I am finished it will be 1 of 1.
I could do pretty much anything with this model as Henry Ford often sold just engines and the basic frame so you could in effect build your own truck.i think that I will retain the basic shape as is but change a few things.By 1925 this truck would have been converted to a 6 volt electrical system and of course the white rubber would have been replaced by black.
For you aircraft guys out there this weathering tutorial is also good for ground equipment and such..I will try to make it as interesting as possible.
This truck started off life as a 1913 Ford Model T Delivery truck in 1/16th scale by Gearbox.They also make a black police paddy wagon in black with NYPD logos.Generally they are both of an acceptable standard except for the rear door hinges which are way out of scale.(they wont be seen in my diorama)
Cheers! John.