HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS - Page 58

JohnReid · 18 September 2005, 10:20 AM

Stephen ,It doesnt have to be strictly on the Jenny it is ideas that I am looking for,especially torn fabric and such.Cheers! John.

StephenLawson · 18 September 2005, 12:06 PM

Oh I see you mean...

buzz1941 · 19 September 2005, 04:47 PM

Actually, adding a car and figures to a dio is quite useful in imparting a sense of scale to viewers, as they are familiar objects. Here's a 1/48 WWI dio of a Kreutzer Rolling Searchlight Tower I did in which I had an extra week or so and added a 1/48 Model T converted to a military stake truck. Not visible in this picture is the 1917-era surfboard (redwood 3-board, no skeg) in the back of the truck!

JohnReid · 20 September 2005, 05:49 AM

Love those Model Ts! Cheers! John.

Ross_Moorhouse · 20 September 2005, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzz1941

Actually, adding a car and figures to a dio is quite useful in imparting a sense of scale to viewers, as they are familiar objects. Here's a 1/48 WWI dio of a Kreutzer Rolling Searchlight Tower I did in which I had an extra week or so and added a 1/48 Model T converted to a military stake truck. Not visible in this picture is the 1917-era surfboard (redwood 3-board, no skeg) in the back of the truck!

I didn't know you could get 1/48 scale car kits? Where did this one come from?

StephenLawson · 20 September 2005, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by buzz1941

Actually, adding a car and figures to a dio is quite useful in imparting a sense of scale to viewers, as they are familiar objects... Not visible in this picture is the 1917-era surfboard (redwood 3-board, no skeg) in the back of the truck!

Dude! Sweet! Right on Big Kahuna!

buzz1941 · 20 September 2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross_Moorhouse

I didn't know you could get 1/48 scale car kits? Where did this one come from?

It was an O-scale model railroad accessory. Cast metal -- had to use a hacksaw to cut away the rear for the bed!
BTW, the Kreutzer was an amazing design. Some 300 were built in coastal defense areas. The tower is counterweighted and it took only two guys with wormscrews to raise and lower it by muscle power. The adjacent building is the power generator and machine shop. When lowered, the platform beneath the tower top became the wall of the building.
I got really tired of making 1/48 rivets on this one.
Aurora prop-swinger guys are an easy mod into ladder-climbing guys.

JohnReid · 22 September 2005, 05:00 AM

You know sometimes it pays to be a packrat.I have had this old diningroom table that I picked up in someones trash a few years ago and an old TV cabinet that a friend gave me.(I have a thing about throwing good wood in the garbage)My wife has been bugging me to get rid of it as junk.Well yesterday I gutted the old TV to find that it was made of cheap pressboard.I was about to throw it out when I noticed the wheel casters.It got me to thinking "movable worktable"? then I thought of the old dining room table.I removed the legs and it fits perfectly over the rolling cabinet.It has two extension pieces that can be installed if need be.It is well made and perfectly flat.After a little cleaning and much huffing and puffing it now sits in my studio/workshop waiting for the Jenny diorama to be set upon it today.It is big enough to accomodate the hangars increased size and more.
Perfect. Now I have solved my wifes problem and I have gained a great new worktable.
Sometimes it pays to be a packrat.Anyway thats my story and I am sticking with it. Cheers! John.

JohnReid · 22 September 2005, 05:07 AM

This new movable workbench idea is working out just great.The 37 x47 inch diorama fits with a couple of feet to spare.It is just the right height for working without undue back strain and everything is readily accessable.
I have begun the moduler units that will be attached to 3 sides of the diorama .An office,a back door lean to structure, and a garage area that will house the ModelT parade car.
Because I dont yet have the car, I have deciced to start with the office module.The first thing that I had to do was cut in a new door opening into the hangar wall.This was accomplished by drilling a series of small holes along the perimeter of where the door will eventually be.I then used a small knife and chisel and carved out the door opening.
I then drew up a rough floor plan and determined where the walls will be erected and the
doors and windows will be placed.The rest such as placement of furniture etc...will come later.
I measured off where the 7x 81/2 inch module will be attached and began the cherry wood beams that will act as footings for the walls.The beam that fits againt the hangar wall is attached by two screws,the other footing beams were epoxied.( I normally to not use screws in any parts of my dioramas as I build them, because of drill breakage)These 2 screws with be accessable from under the diorama and thus making the modular unit removable for transportation purposes and maintenance.
Today I will glue on the plywood underfloor and begin the second module.
Cheers John.

"Creation is only the projection into form of that which already exists." Shrimad Bhagavatam

JohnReid · 22 September 2005, 05:12 AM

Hey this whole thing is getting out of hand! I was thinking ,the office has to be heated here in the GWN ,and there is no room in the office for a second stove.Sooooo ,I will have to open up at least a window to the shop to let in the heat ,right above the lunch table which will be great for more visual access to the shop. And the beat goes on,and on ,and on........I know guys I will have to take some pictures soon but I would like to get the start of the modules done so that you can see the final setup.
Cheers! John.