HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This is not the true shape of the horiz stab but it is ok for a crated version.For those who want to build the real thing see Ken Foran's site or Scale Aircraft Drawing Vol#1
I used 1" pink insulation and steel pins to bend the brass to shape.If you place your pins close together it is amazing how much stress can be applied.Just be sure that the is no spring tension left in the wire when finished ,this can be accomplished by over-bending the rod slightly and letting it spring back to hold the shape that you want.The ribs are held vertical using smaller pins.

[JohnReid]

I don't know what I have been thinking but the van idea is really not a good one.A flat bed would be much better as it would allow me to rest the Camel's tail directly over the T's rear wheels. I could also leave the fin and rudder on the airplane which may look a lot better.It would also provide for a much more open concept to view the various parts and pieces.This would be an easy modification at this stage.The seated figures are on order at the hobby shop and when I get them they will be temporarily fitted to the seats of the T or one seated in the T and the other on the flatbed as an observer.Remember the driver is in the mens room taking a nervous one!

[JohnReid]

Horiz stab ready for shipment!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

You may have noticed that the elevator was painted an olive green color,while the horiz stab is a blackened brass.I tried something a little different this time to blacken the brass and it seems to work very well and is simple to do.First I spray lacquered the whole assembly ,wood and brass including the crate.Then I took a little acrylic matte medium and mixed it with my standard ,distilled water/flow medium mix,added a little black gesso and randomly painted the brass with this mixture .It dulls down the brass and leaves a blackened finish.I left mine a little transparent but you could go all the way and blacken it right down if you wish.
In this case I used a brush because of the confined space that I was working in but on large brass surfaces an airbrush would be preferred.

[JohnReid]

The fin and rudder will have to wait for now until I decide whether to crate them too or attach them to the fuselage.
Speaking of the fuselage ,now that I am over the quality issue I plan to approach it in a new light.I will work with what I have and cover what I don"t like,that means that aft of the cockpit I will cover everything with tarps and leave off the fittings all together.Forward of the cockpit I will decide what to leave in and what to leave out as I go along.Both wing assemblies (4 wings)will be strapped to the side of the fuselage so it remains to be seen just how much will be visible anyway.

[JohnReid]