HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Another figure arrangement.

[JohnReid]

and another!

[JohnReid]

This is probably the most important issue in getting the storyline across to the viewer ,which in this case is the 4 WW1 pilot grouping ,which is front and center(well almost) and obviously the airplane.Notice that the grouping has been arranged in such a way as to invite the viewer into the conversation.
I ran some different arrangements of the other elements,figures,2nd airplane,engine on the pallet etc...past some fellow model artists for their opinions and there seems to be a consensus that the last pic is the best!It doesn't look too staged and the mayor elements seem to be in balance.The eye is encouraged to move around the piece in a more smooth and logical way .The large OX5 engine and pallet will be moved to the loading dock ,where it is more readily available to close-up inspection by the viewer ,without being a distraction to the main story line.Both Harleys will be put outside the hangar walls.Other than a few boxes along the back wall I don't see the need of any more elements to make it any more interesting.There is still some subtle weathering to do where floor meets walls etc..
Other than the airplane ,nothing has been permanently fastened down yet, so please offer your opinions and ideas now before I start to do so.Please don't be shy ,my skin really isn't that thin ,afterall I have been around for almost 67 years now!!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

These are the last 3 figures that I have to find a home for.I thought that the office manager with the book in his hand could go with Harley the dog somewhere in the office.
The guy with his arm in a leaning position ,I could put outside as a totally uninterested driver, leaning against a car looking outside the diorama with a cigarette in his hand.
The barnstormer pilot with his head between his legs and the goofy smile on his face ,I have no idea where to put him.I like the arrangement of one group of three figures and another group of four figures and adding a fourth figure to the three figure group just doesn't appeal to me.Any ideas?

[JohnReid]

You know I never thought about it until now but I have all the materials necessary to build the ailerons ,center section,rudder and horizontal stabilizer of another Jenny but this time the JN-4D model rather than the Canuck version.It would be kind of nice to complete the story of the basketcase model and also to fill in all that empty space along the back wall.The knowledgeable viewer could also compare the two versions all in one diorama. Well here we go again! Will I ever finish this diorama?

[StevePratt]

John,

Your work never ceases to amaze me!