HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The first pic is of the Tamiya pilots' flight suit.The second is of an American/Canadian pilot from the 20'-30's era.The third is from the same era but notice how bulky these flying suits can be.(A long way from our skinny mannequin).
This diorama is taking place in Canada around mid November so I feel that I am free to dress this barnstormer/mail pilot in varying degrees of warm clothing.

[JohnReid]

Question from another thread:

Quote:

Hey John Just a quick question here. For the uniform / flying kit what will you use for the surfacing... Epoxy tape?



No what I normally use is the same A+B epoxy paste that I used during my bird carving days to scratchbuild birds feet etc. ..What I normally do is over-build the area with paste buliding it up layer by layer.Because it sets in 5 mins it is quite easy to do.Then I shape it with power and hand tools adding and substracting little bits hear and there.This paste type exopy carves just like wood if you let it cure for 24 hours.My only problem is that I have heard that it is not made anymore.I have a couple of tubes left but even that is getting a little lumpy in the tube,so I am looking around for a substitute.
I will post a pic of some bird feet that I did years ago to give you an idea just how much detail can be worked into this epox y paste.If anyone knows where some is still available for sale please let me know.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is A+B epoxy paste over an armature of copper wire.The feet are from a peregrine falcon so they are quite large.You can see just how much detail can be worked into this paste.It does not melt with the heat generated and clog up yours burrs put comes off as a fine powdery dust.(wear a mask!)
I used a real falcons' foot as an example which I kept frozen in a freezer which I keep especially for that purpose.There is nothing like working from the real thing!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

From another thread:

John, that's some beautiful work, on the A+B Epoxy...What's the brand or manufacturers name? I am sure there is probably a substitute or someone out there making a similar product...


Hi Howard! Ken was telling me that there is something called "Evercoat" a 2 part polyester automotive putty.My local auto store has something called "Bondo" which is also a 2 part polyester.I wonder if this is the same stuff?Is resin and polyester the same thing?

[JohnReid]