HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

I think that maybe just the Harley showbike is enough, as it makes for a little color and compliments the bunting overhead.It is off to one side from the wing and doesn't interfere with the view.
The garbage pail was made from an old coffee creamer painted a gunmetal color(silver with a bit of black added).I filled it with old oily newspapers and other junk and then used a little subtle pastel colors here and there.
The sitting bench, outside the carpenter's shop, is made of a couple of old ship modeling barrels that I had hanging around and and a wood slab seat.I painted the whole thing Reid & Company blue(French blue) and weathered it with pastels.
I have yet to dirty up the floor a little and shade in the wall/floor area.I hope to have the back wall on permanently this week.
Hang in ,were gettin there slow but sure!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Today I was playing around making a coke sign.This particular sign was from the 1910 era.It could of been hand painted directly on the siding of placed on thin plywood and then attached with nails.I opted for the 2nd option because my barnsiding is already painted and I didn't want to screw it up.The 1st pic was with a combo light and the 2nd with incandescent only.I figure that after 15 years of rain,wind , sun and snow it would something like this.I will nail it on later and add a few rusty nail heads.

[JohnReid]

I inadvertently tested the strength of the glue joints on the R/H side wall yesterday ,with a test known as "letting it drop on the floor".It came through with flying colors with only a few detached parts ,which I re-glued in record time.
The test was of course due to a little unplanned "finger trouble".I removed the screw holding the back and side walls together and over she went.
I then went on to trying to gluing down a garbage pail to the floor and failed after three attempts.
(will have to use epoxy I guess)
Anyway,all this to tell you guys there are days you should just take the hint and go watch TV or something.I did,and I am glad,maybe today the stars will be better aligned .Ever have one of those days?.

[JohnReid]

Here is a remarkable educational site.Enjoy!
WWI Student Project

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I have been looking for a good way to secure down the heavy diecast that I modified.If it ever came lose it would be a disaster rolling around the hangar.
Being in the corner it was actually quite easy to do and not visible from any angle other than a little through the garage door.I just made a wooden box and fit it under the running board with a screw through the center and down into the plywood floor.I will disguise it as a box that was sort of half pushed under the running board.Problem solved!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Well now that I am finally gluing things to the hangar floor ,it is time to think about the first grouping of figures that have yet to be secured.
This group I called the "Big Al" (Capone) threesome ,I plan to have positioned somewhat as you see here,why? I like the curious cock of the uniformed guys head like he is listening intently to what big Al is saying.(maybe he is making him an offer he can't refuse)also you can see Al's gesturing hand and the barnstormer, who is holding gloves in his hands and has goggles on his head.
I must say that it is one heck of a lot of fun reaching this stage .From here on in things will really come alive! Most of the tedious stuff has been done and now things should come together a little more quickly.Still hoping for a Spring 08 finish!