How I build large scale dioramas! (4 Viewers)

Hi Jeff! you guys can't get rid of me that easy:)I still will be posting but not quite so often.
 
JohnReid said:
Hi Jeff! you guys can't get rid of me that easy:)I still will be posting but not quite so often.
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John, that's great! I hope the photo's come on a regular basis as this is most entertaining, thanks.

Jeff
 
Another change of plans!
When I started this Camel model I wanted to approach it like a newcomer would to this type of build. I held off on any serious research other than just a cursory look at the plans and the instruction booklet.I wanted this to be a real time build, with all the ups and downs of what a typical modeler would experience.
What I wasn't expecting was to have to scratchbuild most of the airplane!I now can see that to make a model that meets my minimum standard ,it will require a level of commitment that I am not ready to commit to at this time.Building it now will seriously lengthen the the completion time of the diorama as a whole.
Therefore I am putting this build on hold until I finish the rest of the diorama.It is fortune for me that where the Camel/Truck build would sit in the diorama only effects one of the outdoor landscaping panels, and in no way even touches the main storyline.It is only an extra that could be left in or left out. The rest of the diorama is not optional and has to be finished first.
I regret this change in plans and hope I haven't encouraged anyone to buy this kit who wouldn't have bought it otherwise.Like I have said before,if you want a good kit with the minimum of scratchbuilding buy the Jenny,it really is worth the few extra bucks.
 
There maybe room for compromise on the Camel!
Darn ,It just bothers me to give up (postpone) the Camel. The engine is built and I can't think of a place to put it in the diorama other than on the yet to be built Ford truck.I could build some kind of a trailer just for the engine and let it go at that or (and I just thought of this) use some well placed tarps over the fuselage and wings like I did with the basketcase Jenny. The fact that a lot of the aircraft would be covered would eliminate the majority of the scratchbuilding and would not be unexpected by the viewer who would just assume that the tarps were there to protect the airplane for its road trip.It will also help to rescue my enthusiasm for the whole project.
You know it is funny about art sometimes what looks like a failure at first can be just a change in direction! I must admit that I was very disappointed when things didn't work out as I had planned.I don't want this episode to turn into a creative dry spell for me ,which would just delay this diorama further,so I had better find a compromise solution.
One way or the other the Ford truck is going in, so I will build that first which will give me lots of time to think about the Camel.
Why am I bothering to tell you all this? Well creative U-turns are part of doing a long term diorama project like this ,especially when you just kind of wing-it as you go along.It ain't easy sometimes but it sure is a hell of a lot of fun working out the unexpected problems that you can run into once in awhile and not let your self get discouraged.
Bring on the Ford..............!
 
Ford20hp4.jpg
 
John, your work is incredible, the detail is second to none, thanks for sharing. Mike:)
 
Modifying the "T"
Before I go any further with the T I had better figure out where and how I am going to stash all the Camel parts and pieces.The 4 wings will be attached to the fuselage and will be resting up against the side probably held on with rope etc..The center section and its struts will be left on the fuselage for easy re-assembly.The horizontal stab ,fin and elevators will be strapped to the side of the T and the ailerons on the roof rack.
I hate to cut this nice kit up but I have to re-design it a bit for my purposes.The cab portion will remain the same but the body will have to be opened up a bit as I find it too enclosed .I want the focus to be on the aircraft parts and pieces that the truck is carrying and not the truck itself.
I have a set of more modern headlights left over from another project ,so I will convert the system to electric more in keeping with a T from early 20's.
 
Thanks guys for your kind comments ,Jeff that diorama I finished about 5 years ago!:)
 
This is the plan for strapping things on to the van.The horiz stab and elevator will take up one side ,with the ailerons on the top rack and the rest inside. I don't plan to fabric cover any of this.I have had to stop building the T for now until I get the seated figs that you see here,which should be in a couple of weeks or so.These figs are already in a seated pose so I don"t anticipate too much modification.The uniforms can be altered to become street clothes or coveralls.The hats I will modify or change the heads altogether.I plan to improve my painting techniques(especially the faces) as these figs are outside and not subject to hangar lighting .They also are near the edge of the diorama and more subject to up-close observation by the viewer.
This Camel /Ford truck piece will probably take a lot more time than I anticipated as it seems to grow in complexity day-by-day.The whole thing is just an add-on and not central to the storyline .It is more just a fun piece that I thought would add more interest to the back of the diorama . We don't often get to see airplanes being towed on our roads anymore!
 
From van to flatbed!
I don't know what I have been thinking but the van idea is really not a good one.A flat bed would be much better as it would allow me to rest the Camel's tail directly over the T's rear wheels. I could also leave the fin and rudder on the airplane which may look a lot better.It would also provide for a much more open concept to view the various parts and pieces.This would be an easy modification at this stage.The seated figures are on order at the hobby shop and when I get them they will be temporarily fitted to the seats of the T or one seated in the T and the other on the flatbed as an observer.Remember the driver is in the mens room taking a nervous one!
 
Except for the plumbing most of the engine area is finished.A few paint touch ups and a little weathering later should do it.
I temporarily installed the engine up against the firewall to see how it looks and now will remove it again to put the fuselage assembly in the kit supplied jig and complete the cockpit area.
I must confess about how easy it is to screw up even when you think that you are being careful.It always usually happens when I set my mind to finishing something at the end of a building session.I just wanted to see the engine mount permanently glued to the fuselage. I super glued it and then much to my horror discovered it was upside down.Luckily I caught it before it had time to really cure.Luckily I had some un-cure handy and it worked out well with no damage to the structure.Darn,you can't let your guard down for a minute!
 
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