HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

I have deciced to modify the 2nd bike and include it in the diorama.I have broken it down and dechromed it.Over the next couple of days I will repaint,modify and re-built it as a airshow bike.If I decide in the end not to use it afterall, I will still have an interesting model.
My ego has got the better of me and I will be making up a sign to put on the hangars front above the doors, Reid Flying Service. (I guess the only way will ever get to see my name up on the marquee is to put it there myself )
I have been mulling around in my head about where to place the 2nd Jenny,the JN4A.If I decide to fabric the fuselage I will have to place it along the back wall of the hangar as I want an unobstructed view from hanger front to back.The wings and tail planes can be put in racks along the walls or on sawhorses.I could even put some up in the roofs rafters, in storage ,if things become too cluttered on the hangar floor.If I decide to leave any color on the 2nd airplane I will leave it in military colors signifiying its history.The Jenny Canuck will be the more colorful barnstormer.

[JohnReid]

Martin Wolf has a very nice Model Expo 1/16th Albatros build over on http://www.wwi-models.org He has just about finished the Mercedes D111 engine using a multimedia approach. Some Ken Forans resin engine,some Model Expo and some scratch.A very nice job! He has posted some nice pics of the engine and the initial stages of the wing buildup.Good luck Martin.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

The 2nd Harley is now finished and I really like it.I hope that I can find room in the diorama for it.I went with the fabric covered spokes idea but this time in a circular red,white & blue pattern.
I havent quite decided whats next but I am not ready to go back to the airplane yet.That is one of the great things about doing dioramas ,there is a lot less of a chance to get stuck in a rut.Instead of just walking away from the workbench your can focus on something else to fill the well.I can dig out my books now on advertising signs and research how they may have looked at a typical airport in the 20s.Style ,color, design etc...or I can finish the sign trailer or heating stove.

This summer I will concentrate on finishing the Hangar and probably build the 2nd Jenny over next winter.
The museum in Ottawa will probably want me to put the finishing touches on the Albatros and Nieuport dioramas sometime soon so that could delays things a little.
Jeez,I am supposed to be retired and I have never been so busy.I also have a classic car diorama that I am building into a 1930s radio cabinet that has 3 different levels all dipicting various showrroms of the period.Duesenberg,Packard,Mercedes.

Then of course the Bleriot and the Wright Flyer.Jeez that should take me to about age 75 (man plans,God laughs) Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

Because my dad flew all his life (16-64) and my brother flies for an airline, I thought that ," Reid & Sons Flying Services ",sounds good for the front of the hangar.I made up my own sign on the computer in green on a grey background for the name part(Irish heritage you know) and black on grey for the flying services part.The wood is already weathered a grey color so it fits into the background quite nicely.I also made a small sign "Home of the Flying Aces" in reference to the fact that most pilots of this era were ex military.
When I do the roof in a checkerboard pattern I would like to also put up there a advertising sign of some now defunct gas company that sold gas in Canada. Any ideas?

After designing the sign,I sprayed it on both sides with a fixative.(You cannot brush laquer as it smears the lettering)When good and dry I glued it down to a piece of veneer with watered down carpenters glue .When dry I will cut it out with an xacto and glue that to a piece of thin plywood.Then I will put a rough frame around the whole thing and weather it using thin acrylics.I enjoy this part ,making rusty nails and finger-flicking(my term) crud on with an old toothbrush. to be cont.....

[JohnReid]

I have not yet tried it myself but he uses Coverite (antique).
http://www.coverite.com

It has heat activated glue on one side.Use mid-temp setting.Tack set the perimeter first.Then on hot setting hold iron face over but not touching the fabric to start shrinking.As it shrinks to fit ,move iron onto surface to tighten and seal to wood.Do just enough heat to look good,overheating could cause wing to warp.You can put strips of material and glue it on top for rib reinforcment.Once done you can paint,weather,rip or put bullet holes in.
Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

for restoring the pics.I really like the thumbnail idea.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

Here is a little something for you old co-pilots out there;

The Co-Pilot
by Ken Murray

I am the co-pilot I sit on the right,
Its up to me to be quick and bright.
I never talk back ,for I have regrets,
But I have to remember what the Captain forgets.

I make out the flight plans and study the weather,
Pull up the gear and standby to feather,
Check the tanks and do the reporting,
And fly the old crate while the Captain is courting.

I call for my Captain and buy him cokes,
I always laugh at his corny jokes;
And once in a while when his landings are rusty,
I always come through with "By gosh,its gusty."

All in all I am a general stooge
As I sit on the right of the man I call "Scrooge."
I guess that you think that it is past understanding
But maybe some day he will give me a landing.

Cheers! John

[JohnReid]

The Canada Aviation Museum has posted a whole new set of historical pics over on http://www.aviation.technomuses.ca go to Image Bank. Enjoy.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I made a trip to Ottawa today to take a look at the new museum and see where my dioramas will be displayed.The good news is that they are taking care of all the carpentry and building of the display cases.(My 1:1 carpentry skills are terrible,just ask my wife)Its funny how you can love to do things in miniature and hate carpentry.

The museum is a great place for my dioramas to go as they are to be used both for display and educational purposes.The person that I am dealing with there is an artist herself ,as well as an aviation expert who appreciates what goes into these dioramas.

While I was there I visited the gift store and picked up a great book that was on sale called "On Miniature Wings" by Thomas Dietz.The pics of the models in the National Air and Space Museum are terrific.I think that it is out of print and I am glad to have found a copy.(they have a few left) Needless to say ,no progress on the Jenny today.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

There are some great pics over on http://www.arcforums.com . Go to Classic aviation forum and todays entry by Mole and click on Albums 1 & 11.Also see the 2003 Album.Cheers! John.