HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

I can see that my idea of a group build of the 1/16th Camel went over like a lead balloon. What I would like to know is ,who is Model airways selling these models to?I seldom see one finished,I guess most of them never get built or are started and never finished.Too bad,I would love to have some company on this thread or contribute to someone else's.(maybe I just have too much time on my hands) or maybe they are all waiting to retire like me!
Just as well though .After downloading all of Ken's construction pictures and comparing them to my kits version of the Camel ,I will have a lot of scratchbuilding and modifing to do.When I built the Nieuport which is of about the same quality ,I used it in the diorama of course and simply left a lot of the parts I didnt like off altogether.This one however will be a stand alone model right up next to the glass case which will invite some close up inspection.The airplane will be in pieces,wings and control surfaces off and tied to the fuselage for transport.This will no doubt make the task of rigging a little easier but still it will require a lot of work, to do what I consider an acceptable job..As I suspected from the beginning ,it will only be a nice place to start.Should be fun!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

She is finally back in the hangar!I put the rafters on but have yet to hook up the lighting.The fighter pilot group will be next to go in permanently and then I can concentrate on the outside.
The Camel research is still an ongoing process .Ken's pics are a great visual help
when coming up with a list of modifications to be made.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

After looking carefully at the last two pics I think that I will probably make a major change in this diorama.The Jenny looks so nice taking center stage that I think that I will place the fighter pilot group aft of the wing near the motorcycle.This will help to downplay the "Memories of Flying School "idea and give all the figures a more even level of importance as,"Keepers of the Flame" 1918-1927.After all Jenny's participation in the war effort was just a part of her history here in Canada.It will require taking things apart again but what the hell I am used to that by now.Nothing is written in stone anyway until it is finally finished and that is the way I like it, as that way it keeps the whole thing interesting for me too.Imagine if I had an idea six years ago and felt compelled to see it through unchanged until the end.( boooring)
Especially in the finishing stages, I find that taking lots of pics really helps you to focus on one area that may need changes or additions or in some cases complete removal.
Little things ,like extending the rusty water spot on the rag where the rad is ,onto the hangar floor itself. (yet to be done) Or big things like moving a major figure group.Also the parts on the floor which I thought needed removal as being just too much, can now hardly be seen with the roof on.
The camera also really helps to find little things that need attention, like the inside of the light electrical boxes in the rafters that require painting black.

[JohnReid]

An even more radical idea is to put them outdoors as if they were just arriving by car and being greeted by Billy Bishop!c

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

I think that I will go with the idea of Billy Bishop greeting his American fighter pilot friends at the door of the office.
Now that I have changed and expanded the idea for the diorama,I feel that this is a better idea.The veteran connection is still there with the sign inside the hangar ,which justifies the pilot group being dressed in uniform for the occasion of Remembrance Day.There is still one RAF fighter pilot type in the hangar talking with the Al Capone group.He probably arrived earlier!
For those who have only recently joined this thread Al Capone is the big guy with the fedora hat.
I find that even the other idea of putting the pilot group directly behind the L/H wing of Jenny, still draws too much attention away from the airplane.
While the story now is centered around the people of the era ,the airplane still ties it all together.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]