HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[DonnyW]

John.. I just meant as many pics of different areas as possible .. I enjoy "eye candy"...but please do include a clear shot of the "microwaved" cushions ..I intend copying that technique on mine. I have given my choise of Jenny some considerable though. Because I enjoy displaying and flying it at local competitions, I have to document and prove my work is accurate (outside and paint scheme only). Initially I wanted to do the JN-4H based on Rhinebeck's Navy example. Unfortunately because it has a Hiso engine..it doesnt have a cowl over the engine. My problem is my petrol engine cylinder head would stick through the dummy Hiso engine..spoiling the appearance. This wont happen on an OX-5 engine with the "hood". I am not doing a Canuck as I cant get enough pics of one individual airframe to prove my work. Hence my decision to do a JN-4D. I have ordered a CD with 130 pics of the Kelly Fields Jenny from here http://www.modelactivitypress.com/amifs-cdmain.php
About half way down the page. Look forward to your pictures ...

[JohnReid]

Donny,Thanks for the Jenny CD website.I sent it on to my friend Ken Foran as he will be doing a Stearman in the future.Have you checked out the www.largescale planes.com or www.wwi-models.org websites as they have a lot of my pics there.
The pics of the Albatros seat cushions are not very clear and now I dont have easy access to that area anymore.The ones I did for the Jenny are not quite as puffy looking, as I had to build up the seat rails so that the rigging of the aileron pulleys would clear the seat.I didnt want the aviator sitting too high in his seat, so the seat cushions are quite thin and not a true representation of how nice the seat cushions can turn out using this method.When you get to that stage ,I will do one and take pics for you.
I certainly can understand your problem getting references for the Canuck.I hope some day to get access to the Canuck at the Canada Aviation Museum and do a nice walkaround portfolio for modelers.
I have another few days of work on the wings of the Canuck model and then I will start to put the L/H upper/lower wing assembly together complete with the interplane struts. to be cont....

[JohnReid]

Somebody asked me the other day,how long does it take to make one of my dioramas? I figure I work about 3-4 hours a day over about 300 days a year.So that works out to about 900-1200 hours a year.I have completed 2 1/2 dioramas over a 5 year period so that sounds about right,say 2,000 hours each but that is shop time only not including research etc.. I dont keep a day to day log anymore like when I was building HMS Victory.Cheers! John

[JohnReid]

Well , today I modified the jig to handle the L/H wing assembly.Everything seems to line up ok and now it is finally looking like an airplane (or at least half an airplane) I will take some pics tomorrow and try to have them up in a few days.Cheers! John.

[StephenLawson]

Right On JohnReid; This is a great thread I really like going back and re-reading some about your work techniques and comments.

[JohnReid]

Well thank you Stephen ,coming from you thats a great compliment.I love what I do and I guess it shows.Being able to share my retirement years with you guys is just super.Cheers! John

[StephenLawson]

Your welcome JohnReid; How about a bit of info on your figure modifications? Do you use expoxy tape for filler? For facde pieces such as tunics and their packets, collars and etc?

[JohnReid]

My first experience with shaping 2 part epoxy was for correcting mistakes or building up areas to be recarved on my birds of prey sculptures.Because I was painting over these areas I could get away with it and it didnt show(dont worry we all did it)So I have some experience using this material.
It is a 5 minute exopy paste called A+B made by Hexcel of Chatsworth CA 91311.Problem is the last I heard they stopped making it.I will ask my bird carver friends what they are now using.The great thing about A+B is that you can overbuild it in 5 min stages and then let it dry for 24Hrs and it carves sands and shapes just like wood .You can even use power tools as it will not melt and clog up your bits.All around a great product, of which unfortunately, I only have one tube in reserve.Dont know what I will do when I run out. It may be worthwhile calling Hexcel as they may be back in production.
A friend of mine brought me back from a bird carving show a couple of years ago, a product called A+B made by the H.B. Fuller company.I have not used any yet so I am not familiar with it. It does say epoxy putty and not paste on the box but may be they may make a paste too.Their address is in St. Paul MN 55126-8076.Hope this helps.Cheers ! John.

[JohnReid]

Ross should be posting the new pics sometime today.Thanks Ross.Cheers! John.

[Ross_Moorhouse]