How I build dioramas Part 2

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Facadewindows.jpg
 
How to rig a ship model.
I don't know if any of you guys are ship modelers but I have something on my photobucket that may be of interest.I spent a long time rigging an 1/72 scale HMS Victory before I took up 1/16th aircraft dioramas.I have started an album on how to rig this ship.Look for the album titled Friggin' in the Riggin' in my photobucket.
Believe me after that aircraft were easy! Cheers.John.
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"Once upon a time......." Storyboard dioramas by JohnReid.
My photobucket:
http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
 
Guys,you may have noticed that I have slacked off a bit on this build.There is a good explanation for this and it is not what you may think, it is an attempt to do two projects at once.No not another diorama but something that I always promised myself to do and that is to write a little online booklet on how I rigged my 1/72 scale HMS Victory ship model.Right now there is precious little out there for the inexperienced rigger on the proper sequence to use when rigging a ship-of-the line.Lots of info on this or that but just about none on sequence and as you biplane modelers know this can be crucial to success in rigging anything.Cheers! John.
 
The windows are finished so now it is on to the two back doors.They will be of simple design being in the backyard.I plan a single window near the top.You will notice that doors were much narrower in those days. The figure looks about right standing in the door however you will see that the back is not finely carved as it doesn't show when placed properly in the diorama.It is also now quite shiny due to too much handling and will have to be re-painted.After the doors will come the porch and stairs which should be lots of fun!
 
I think I need a little change of pace for awhile so I thought that I would modify my returning war hero figure that will be going into the diorama.
I have changed the head for a more Canadian looking character rather than try to modify that hat.
I also will be removing all those wonderfully detailed medals from his chest and demoting him in rank.The rest of the uniform is of the military style of the era and needs no major modifications.
Please note : the replacement head is from my own collection and not part of the kit.
 
I sanded off all those hard won medals and used super thin super glue to fill in any imperfections and sanded that again till smooth again.
When placed in the diorama none of this will be visible so there is no need to re-sculpt anything.The head is only on temporarily as gluing it down is one of the last things I do after painting.Because head positioning is so important to the mood I want to create, it is best left to last.He has sort of a neutral expression on his face which is what I want as though he is questioning himself "do I really want to finish this airplane."
 
Now that's one pair of skinny legs,a little weak on the rudder pedals I'd say.
When the viewer is standing at the front of the diorama this will be the view of the figure when looking towards the building's facade.He will be standing near the rear gate, having just got out of a model T truck or car that I will be building this winter as well.The landscaping and final assembly I will leave for next summer when I can again work outside.
The finished facade will be used as a backdrop for much picture taking over the winter.Airplanes ,cars, trucks etc.. but especially old classic cars and a gangster poster series I am planning.Should be fun!
 
The above pic color is the closest to the facade's real color as it sits indoors.The next sunny day I"ll take it outside and see how it looks.I have started to weather this panel using dark grey and black pastels .I have also used an old toothbrush and sprayed a little very thin coat of raw umber acrylic over the whole facade to give it an older look.
 
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