HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The basic block is a little too blueish ,but I will rectify this when I weather it with acrylic washes and pastels.All other parts were left their natural metal color and sealed with the laquer mix.I will give them a coat of matte varnish later in order for the pastels to stick on better to the surface.When glueing these parts I just scrape off the laquer where the parts join together.To be on the safe side I also pin these parts together using steel pins cut to length.
I somehow lost the inner half of the water pump and had to scratchbuild it ,there is also one of the middle bolting feet missing.I had to put a small shim between the camshaft gear box and the engine to get it to sit vertical in order to install the magneto.The mag installation is next.........

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The above pic is from the RAFM London where my next diorama will be headed.This is the first time that I have seen pics of the inside of the museum.Looks like a great collection!
I am still in the research stage with this diorama and hope to have a lot more info shortly.
Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I drilled in 8 holes in the magnetos face and test fit the wire leads.I then glued and pinned the magneto to the top of the block.

I also glued and pinned each cylinder to the block.No problems there,just make sure to re-drill all holes and test fit the manifolds and water pipes.All spark plug holes are drilled on the rear side of the cylinder with the the water pipe hole pointed outboard.With the cylinders pinned in and the manifolds temporarily fit on ,I glued down the cylinders using super thin crazy glue at the base of each cylinder.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]