HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

The spoked wheels are tricky little things to work with but the secret is to make an accurate jig.The parts fit together well but bending the spokes evenly can be a hassle.Be sure that the hub is 90% to the plane of the wheel to avoid whobble.I used superthin crazy glue and glued the inner rim to the hub first and then worked my way around the outer rim glueing down as I proceeded along the rim.It is a good idea to bend the spokes a little prior to attemping this.See the plans and instruction booklet for details and remember to spend lot of time making your jig accurate as everything depends on this.I will not be painting the rims or the spokes but will leave them the way they are as I am afraid that if I paint them they would show every little flaw.Those silver spokes against a painted rim would not look good anyway.I plan to fininish all 4 wheels for both airplanes.

The second prop : I have made a little experiment with the blackened glue idea using a couple of tongue depressors and let it set overnite.I havent yet carved it to see the results but here is what I have done so far.I tried adding the black acryllic paint to the glue,bad mistake as it wont mix properly.Next, I tried mixing the paint 50/50 with water and adding it slowly to the glue.This seems to work OK.You can water down the glue as well about 25% if you want to.(I used yellow carpenters glue)You will have to use your own judgement here and experiment with various consistencies.Apply the glue to both sides of the wood sandwich style and clamp or use multiple clothes pins and let it set overnite.
Well that is where I am now.I should be fun to see the results. To be cont...

[JohnReid]

The black glue idea worked out OK.There is no sign of delamination or weakening of the joints.I sanded the test pieces as you would the prop and a nice sharp pencil thin line is visible.I would highly recommend using this idea especially on light colored woods.Cheers! John.

[davecww1]

Hi John,
Elmers makes a black glue, I got some at the local Target store in the kid's art section. I think that it has the same properties as normal elmers white glue, may be a good way to do this without having to do any mixing. I have not yet tried the glue, but if it works like normal Elmers white glue it can be thinned with water.
Dave

[JohnReid]

Thanks Dave,I will try to find some.It sure would make a messy job easier.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I have been working on a new dioramic (is that a word?)idea over the last few days involving,initally at least,old classic cars in 1/18th scale.I am going to follow this idea and see where it leads.It will involve the viewer being actively invovled with the piece.I havent seen anything like this before and am very excited to see where it takes me.I will still be working on the Jenny but at a little slower pace while I develope this idea.It doesnt require a lot of building so it should go fairly fast.Will keep you advised.

I will be carving out the 2nd prop today.The one with the black glue joints.I am quite anxious to see how it works out. I will try to send in pics of all this soon.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

The prop with the black colored glue has been carved and laquered.There isnt a lot of difference between the two except the colored glue ones joints are much more subtle.The black paper layered one looks like it has a walnut veneer sandwiched between the layers.
If I was going to make these props again I would cut them slightly oversize to compensate for any edge staining, especially if I was using a softer wood such as basswood.
The multiple layer props are actually easier to carve than one piece of wood because of the pattern that emerges as you shape it.All you have to do is be sure both blades look the same and bingo your prop looks balanced.
When finishing the colored glue prop do not use alcohol as a sanding agent as it is a thinner of acryilic paint.I will take a pic of both props side by side for comparison. Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

In Shep Paines book "How to Build Dioramas" (2nd edition)at the back of the book Chapter 16 he has added a section on mirrors,forced perspective and other special effects.This is what I mean about thinking outside the box.His HMS VICTORY gun deck with the moving ship outdside the portholes is another great example.This is where the real fun of diorama making exists.Trying to expand your creative horizons.It really isnt that hard if you have an open mind and a kids sense of play and go where your interests take you.

I have an idea that I am working on at present that really is someone elses idea that I am taking one step further.When I was a bird carver I would often find myself looking at others work and saying "now why didnt I think of that".That is when I knew that I was somehow blocked in that field of creativity.I think that it had something to do with not understanding the subject completely.Since I have taken up diorama making the opposite is true.The ideas seem to be everywhere.I know that I will never be able to do everything at my age (I need a couple more lifetimes for that)But I sure am having fun at 64 ,being a kid again.

I guess what I am trying to say is that when you are on the right track you will know it.If you have what you think is a great creative idea,go for it.Otherwise it could be lost forever. Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

For those who maybe interested I have started a new thread over on http://www.diecastxchange.com dealing with my other passion 1/18th classic car diecasts.Specifically, making dioramas using diecasts and antiqueing them to look like old cars in need of restoration.You will find my thread under Model Accessories "How to Build Diecast Car Dioramas". Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

Because of this allergy problem I have been encountering after a winter of sniffing CA, I will be returning to building the hangar outdoors for awhile.There are many thing to be done.More tongue depressors(ugh) for the workshops floor and walls,weathering the interior and exterior,making all the windows and trim,finishing the roof and painting it in a checkerboard fashion,,electrical wiring,hangar doors etc.....
Next winter I will be more careful about ventilating the CA fumes and wood dust.

I will set the Jenny on the hangar floor and then finalize the exact demensions of the workshop.I hope to send pics soon.

For an excellent downloadable scale calculator go to http://largescaleplanes.com
Click on Whats New For May 5th.
Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

The workshop that will be contained within the hangar is a little diorama within a diorama.I may make it a self-contained removable unit if I decide to go with battery power for the lighting.The batteries could easily be hidden under the floorboards with a simple dissconnect of the entire workshop.
I have already ordered the tools from a dollhouse manufacturer and the stove is nearly completed.The rest I will scratchbuild as I go along.
First up will be to finalize the measurments to make sure everything fits without looking too crowded.I f posiible I would like to have the 2nd engine in the workshop being re-built.The workshop will also have its own independant lighting so that I can light just the workshop,the hangar, or both at the same time.In my imagination I can see some very nice lighting effects of the workshop lighting shining through the windows onto the darkened hangar floor with the Jenny in the shadows.Or you could leave the lights off in the workshop with just the fire from the stove creating its warm glow.
This is what is great about doing a diorama in an enclosed space.There are so many creative possibilities using lighting and as I have said before you dont even have to be the greatest painter of figures in the world if you let the lighting work for you.
Now I must stop procrastinating and build the floor and walls with tongue depresors over the foam board core.Today is going to be sunny and warm ,a great day to start.Cheers! John.