HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

Hisso engine for the airshow car.I thought that I would start with a coat of burnt umber gesso to dull things down and get to a color closer to rust.This engine will be outside the car laying on the ground and rusting away.The base it is sitting on is actually a wooden part of the real car.They did some funny things in 1909!The bottom side of the engine will be buried in the sandy soil which saves me from scratchbuiding something that would never be seen anyway.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

From another website!
M Mephiticas wrote:
Dioramas are an art form.
Anyone that says otherwise must be blind.
These creations are indeed miniature works of 3 dimensional art.

That has always been my feeling too! It always bothered me that most modelers (and some still do) think that dioramas are nice bases that you set your model on.In fact some websites still have dioramas listed under bases or decorations for your model.
That is what got me going posting these threads on the various websites.I feel that dioramas should be recognized for what they are 3D ART!
A few years ago (7-8) I had heard that Shep Paine was getting tired of promoting dioramas and wished that someone else would carry the ball for awhile.I am sure that you have heard of his wonderful work,in fact he has published a few books on the subject.Anyway ,I thought why not take up the challenge and use the more modern tool ,the internet to do so.Besides who wants to get involved with all the hassles of book publishing.Another wonderful dioramist and pioneer in modern diorama making is Ken Hamilton ,who also has a book published that I would recommend to anyone.Promoting dioramas now takes up about half of my hobby time but who cares it is a labor of love and besides it is great for the old ego to get such wonderful responses to my work!
Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The Camel /Ford truck will be the last major component of this diorama yet to be built.The pictures here offer 2 nice ideas to think about.
The Ford model T truck changed little over the years and many were modified by their owners for their own use.In fact I believe Ford at the time would sell you the basic frame and engine and you could put your own body on it.The opportunities therefore are endless for modification.
Both of the arrangements pictured here ,I like equally well.I plan to put no fabric on the Camel so most parts should remain easily visible.The fuse on the truck and the wings on a trailer allows for maximum visibility while the other offers a more restrictive, view especially of the fuselage.I kind of like the idea of the airplane being towed using its own undercarriage and there would be no trailer to build.
The Ford 1/16th model could be used pretty much as is ,with extra parts on the roof rack ,although I would have to build a small extension for the tail to rest on.Decisions,decisions!!!!

[JohnReid]