HOW TO BUILD AIRCRAFT DIORAMAS

[JohnReid]

Well yesterday I finished off the WC/rear entrance module(without the WC as you cant see it anyway) and did a little more research on a revised plan for future expansion.With the addition of one more door at the rear of the hangar I can provide for a future engine shop.
Today I will break down the total assembly(Ihope for the last time) and cut in the new door ,finish the workshop and begin furnishing the main hangar floor.
This is the last time that I will have easy access to the rear wall panel so this expansion idea came just at the right time.When I build the engine shop module it will be easily attached from the outside with no danger of screwing up any of the indoor furnishings.
This idea of doing small modular units is really the way to go on a large project of this type.I have the option of finishing whenever I run out of patience or lifetime or both.It takes the pressure off any time to finish once the main structure is finished and future expansion is provided for.I have the option to continue on with this project or do another in between(finish my car dio for example)My goal would be to do the group of buildings that you see in the earlier picture that I posted.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

In the picture of the airport above (Toronto in the early days)the hangar at the top of the picture is where I am working now.Behind the R/H sliding door storage structure is the red roofed office building.The rear entrance/WC in hidden from view but next to it at the rear panels L/H corner you can see the sloping roof of the engine shop.The structure attached to the side panel at the rear will not be built as the garage door ramp assembly, that I have already built, gives a great view inside the hangar and it would be blocked if I built this structure.
The red roofed building next to the L/H front sliding door storage structure will be the radio shack/operations room.This would complete the first phase and could be a self contained unit.The other hangar and its attached buildings could be also added in the future.The grounds, airplane,cars are all possible future projects.Man,this is fun!

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

This close up of the front end reveals a little more weathering is required.The tires and brake drums are entirely too new and the grill for the rad needs a little more depth(a wash of black or a litlte more pastels)The headlights are also a little cross-eyed.The thickness of the hood could be due to the sheet metal being bent 90deg however I think that maybe I should paint it a different color.

Yesterday,I cut into the rear wall panel and created a new door for the future engine shop.I simply drilled a series of holes around the edge and then with a razor saw cut out the door in one piece.The cutout will become the new door with a little modification.Now I want to finish around all the doors and do a few touchups to the interior of the wall panels while I have easy access.Maybe a few shelves here and there.

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

The above is a pic of the beginnings of the airshow advertising trailer.They were often driven thru the local town to drum up business before the big show.
Mine is made from the body of an old Model T model that I had laying around.

Yesterday ,I continued working on the new hangar door for the future engine shop.I split it vertically down the center and actually made 2 doors out of it (so that I will have maximum flexiblity when I design the engine shop.)The sliding door idea is out because it would have to be on the outside, which would be impractical, and one large door swinging outward would take up too much space.The final design is more interesting anyway I think.

[JohnReid]

Pastels (from an earlier post on another site)
I am presently weathering the chassis and wheels of the towcar.This is the first time that I have been able to really get into Dirk style weathering.(Although the Ford model A in the Nieuport diorama was somewhat weathered .) Having loads of fun just using mostly black with burnt sienna for the rust and a little dark grey for dust and dirt.I used black gesso for the base coat as it holds up well to the surface rubbing of the pastels into the paint.The gesso also dries flat which looks more natural on what is supposed to look like old paint.I use a stubby pigs bristle brush.As you go along you can mix the pastels together to get various effects.This is really loads of fun as things happen really quickly.You can weather a chassis in no time(instant gratification)Make sure your pastels are of the chaulk variety and not oils.For very fine work like cracks and crevaces use smaller brushes.
Get some good references (see Dirks website)and use your imagination as to where discolorization and fading would be effective.Lots of rust for example around the brake drums etc....
I am really looking forward to weathering the 2nd Jenny which I plan to do as the A model with ripped and torn fabric .to be cont.....

[JohnReid]

[JohnReid]

Over 30,000 hits! I cant beleive it.Thanks for making this thread a success. I know that the subject matter and scale that I build in is a little off the beaten track so that makes me even happier knowing that you guys are so open to this .I dont expect a lot of response but it is just very rewarding to know you guys are out there following along with this build.
I now post on about 10 other sites with varying degrees of success and I am happy to say that the interest in dioramas is growing day by day.This was the first site that I posted any of this and I want to thank you all for your encouragment.Makes an old guy happy Cheers! John.