HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by JohnReid

"...I usually always go through this about mid-project just before I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. No one said that it was going to be easy! Cheers! John..."

Just be thankful its not a train!

[Lufbery]

John,

It's actually encouraging to read that even such skilled modelers as yourself have trouble with motivation from time to time. I'm working on a Glencoe 1/74 scale Martin MB-2. I've been working on it since May of 04!

I never took a lot of time off from the build, but the kit has taken a ton of work to get it up to my standards. I think I've finally hit the point where I can see it finished -- the light at the end of the tunnel, as you put it.

Regards,

[JohnReid]

Have had computer problems! Things are now back to normal.
Thank God I have recovered from that dry spell.Anyway I finished the workshop windows and furniture and I am now working on the hangar windows and doors.Each window is divided into 4 individual panes which I made from the plexiglass boxes that the fittings came inThe hangar has a total of 8 windows and 2 doors so this should keep me busy for awhile.Hope to get those pics up soon! Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

Check out the Hansa Brandenberg GD1 1/24 scale multimedia kit over on L.S.P.
This would make a wonderful subject for a diorama and in a nice scale too! Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I have been getting anxious to start on the checkerboard roof.Well today is the day!
Once I decide what grit sandpaper to use I will spray laquer the grit side and then airbrush white and black gesso on a few sheets and see what happens.
The only problem I see is getting the squares cut exactly right so that there is no visible line between the squares.I wonder if wooden battens would look ok?
Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I divided the roof area up into squares(approximately)and then laid down individual sheets of emery cloth ,medium grit.I prepared the emery cloth with 2 coats of laquer which I brushed on with an old pigs bristle brush.Over the laquer I brushed on the gesso coats of black and white with the same type of brush.The emery cloth can be broken down into squares using a metal ruler.Medium grit seems about right as it leaves a rough surface that is visible even through the matte finish.I believe that the rooves(plurel?) were tarred in those days so the finish seems about right.The final step was to glue down the emery paper using carpenters glue.I have decided to use battens with rusty nails to complete the roof.When brushing on the white gesso try to leave an uneven suface as it looks more natural.So far I have completed 4 squares.Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

In doing the roof ,I realized that this will be a real eye catcher with its black and white checkerboard pattern.I am going to treat this like a large canvas and build in lots of contrast and shading using acrylics and pastels.
I havent yet decided on an avgas sign or maybe a "mechanic on duty" sign.
I am a little undecided on the wooden battens that run horizontally across the roof.I know that battens were often used from the peak to the edge of the roofline but I wonder if horizontal battens would be OK too.Seems to me that they would create little water dams that may not look right.I am thinking that maybe these horiz. battens should be some type of very thin material painted to represent slightly rusty metal.I will do both a see which looks best. Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

Wow,there sure is a lot of work in this roof.I must have about 20 hours in it now and still have another 10 or so more to complete just the first half.No sense in taking any new pics until at least half is completed.I have decided to go with the wooden battens outlining each square.With lots of rusty nails it should look OK.
I am still planning to have the hangar done by the end of summer which will leave me all winter for the 2nd JN4D. Cheers! John.

[JohnReid]

I am still undecided about the hangar doors.My options are

(1)Make full doors with windows for viewing.
(2)No
doors at all and cover the opening with plexiglass.
(3)Make large storage racks for doors on both sides of the hangar.
(4)make the doors like thick canvas curtains
(5)make doors that somehow swing inwards on hinges and attach to the roof beams
(6)make sliding doors that somehow slide on tracks and stow along the hangar walls interior

Option (1) would restrict the view too much I think.
Option (2) is the easiest solution but least realistic
Option(3) would increase the overall size of the diorama to very large preportions
Option(4) not too practical for the GWNWinter season
Option (5)I have never seen a door of this configuration
Option(6) very complicated design

Any other ideas?
Cheers! John.

[EricGoedkoop]

I like Complicated Idea Number 6. Sliding doors would be the most realistic, and if operable would allow different display options and add a little "life." The sliding doors could certainly have windows in them as well, so perhaps one side could be open and one closed but you'd still be able to see and get light through the window.

This is just a crazy thought off the top of my head, but the hardware for real sliding doors is HUGE - really, really massive stuff. Considering the large scale you're working at, why don't you pop in to the Home Depot / Lowe's / Neighborhood Hardware and have a look at the setups for sliding or pocket closet doors? I think you might be able to adapt some of the rollers and track to your purpose and it wouldn't look too unrealistic in the end.