HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

Ken is also a master at creating interior detail as well!It may all look like it was placed at random but the art is in making it look that way.Actually the placement of each item was given a lot of thought.The "this end up" box is a nice touch of humor.You could look at this a long time and always discover something new.Note the use of just the right color combinations.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

each square=2inches
Diorama overall =48x78inches
Main Hangar floor=30x40inches
old cars=5 ,plus Camel trailer

I hope it all fits and doesn't look too crowded.I thought of putting the dio at an angle but there is no room to spare.I will now try to place everything and take pics to see how it looks

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The model T car is about the size of the van that will be pulling the 1/16th Camel trailer, as represented here by the 14" Mercedes Benz showcar.
The ruler and tape represent the outer edges of the new plywood base.It looks as though I will have lots of room for most of the stuff that I would like to put in the case.We are expecting the weather to warm up a little over the next few days so I am hopeful that I can get the base cut out and installed on the table.I should have lots of room for junk outside the hangar walls to keep things interesting.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Well I had my first look inside the box today and I am quite impressed with the overall quality of this kit.The cast metal fittings are up to the same standard as the Jenny ,which saw a big improvement over the Albatros and Nieuport kits.The wood is of the usual high quality and very nicely laser cut for accuracy.I just hope that the spars etc.. slip into the pre-cut laser holes in the ribs as there is little room for error.
The instruction booklet and plans appear to be accurate enough to make for a nice smooth build.
The airplane seems a little chunky in appearance and not nicely shaped like the Nieuport or the Albatros designs.It has a 21"wingspan and the fuselage is 14"long.
I don't anticipate any problems building this one or attaching it to the Model T trailer (ready to hit the road for the local universities aeronautical study course.)Because it will be placed close to the back of the hangar ,where it can be studied in detail by the viewer, it should create a lot of interest.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

There should be lots of room for junk on this side of the hangar.If I were ever to build phase 2 of this diorama,it could be butted up against this side without too much difficulty.
I think that the challenge now will be to have a plexiglass case that doesn't look too much like an aquarium.I kind of like the contoured edge idea to give it the "slice of life "look although being an airfield the surrounding terrain would normally be quite flat .
This is going to be quite a challenge for me as I have never before attempted to build anything beyond the perimeter of the buildings.Working with sand and mud,flora and fauna is all new to me.Hope I don't screw it up!

[JohnReid]