HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I call this my Jimmy Stewart group.Notice the face in the window!Jimmy is trying to make a little time with Bonnie while Clyde is loading the truck.These figures are now in their permanent position, except Bonnie ,who will have to be glued to the truck and pinned to the floor.The edge of the box can just be seen in this pic.I will have to stick something over the screw head.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This grouping is not yet finished but it gives you an idea of how the figures will relate to one another.Bonnie doesn't look all that interested in what is being said,rather she is looking away at the fighter pilot group.Jimmy seems to be laughing at his own joke ,while Clyde has dropped the wing rib on his foot.Jimmy needs a bath judging by his shirt collar(the camera picks up every little thing)
After I clean up this grouping a bit and finish the truck screw down assembly and the wheel barrow,it will be time to move on to the R/H sidewall.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I found this plan for a Wright Bros 1903 Flier and I couldn't resist putting this little tribute to the Wrights in the diorama.You would have to really search to find it as it is behind the truck and only viewable through the garage door.The 2nd pic would not be normally available once the roof is on.This is part of a game I like to play when kids view this diorama ,now or in the future.It really helps to draw them in when you ask them to find the Flier or the four animals that will ultimately be in there.The horse and dog are easy to spot but the owl and cat (especially the cat) are another story.Kids love these games and I will encourage the museum to do likewise.

[JohnReid]

New 1/16th figure from Trumpeter Models.(TSM 701) Soviet army tank crewman WW2 but could easily be adapted to a mechanic in coveralls representing just about any era.He is in a nice relaxed casual position .It is my personal opinion that these ,still or relatively still poses ,can be used to great advantage in a diorama.In fact ,all of my figures in this and the other two dioramas do imply some action ,but actually could be held in its position for even a few seconds ,which I think makes them more believable.In other words,the viewer can suspend his disbelief for just a few seconds while viewing the scene.Waiting for the other shoe to drop,so to speak, can in the short term be very powerful in catching the viewers eye ,it can be a little irritating over the long haul.Just think how out of place it would look to have some figure striding across the hangar floor or in mid-flight jumping off a truck.(Just my opinion)
That being said I just gotta get one of these figures!

[JohnReid]