"Memories of Flight School"

[JohnReid]

On art and being creative.
I and most other artists/craftsmen that I have talked to usually feel at their best when they are being creative.Why?
According to a piece that I was watching on TV last night it seems that we have been creating art for at least 70,000 years.It seems that thought,language and art all developed together over hundreds of thousands of years but really exploded on the scene about 40,000 years ago.
The ability to think in a creative way led to the human need to create art.No other organism has ever (as far as we know)been able to do this.Art therefore is the hallmark of our species.Is it any wonder then that we feel sad ,angry, crumpy and confused when we don't get to practice our art?
So when the "honey do" lists get too long and life in general seems to suck ,drop whatever you are doing and go practice your art.After all your only being human.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Here is an old 40's style radio cabinet that would make a nice case for a period diorama.The back wall and 2 side walls could be fitted with mirrors .You could add lighting and even sound if you would like to.40's airplanes or cars would be the obvious choice here.I plan to put a 1/16th scale Ford Model A Tudor in this one just like the 1:1 I have sitting in my garage.
I have seen very nice half models of aircraft in flight where the half facing the viewer has all the interior detail while in the mirror you see the aircraft in flight.One of the radio knobs could be hooked up to a motor to turn the props and another for sound for the engines!All this contained in a dust free case.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Old Radios part 2
Here is another old radio cabinet from the 20-30's era.I plan to use mine for showroom classic cars but any subject matter would do.The dioramas would be removable from the back for closer inspection, as this cabinet sits very close to the floor.This also could be lighted or rigged for sound etc..With a lock on the doors or a glass face it would be a very safe place to display you models.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Roof is on ,now for the tar paper and weathering.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

I took some ordinary black paper and glued it on with 3M spray adhesive ,so the roof structure would not warp as it would had I used a water based glue.I wanted a rough look, so I pressed the paper hard against the wood planks to retain their outline.I then took a small hard roller like they used for silk screening, covered it with a little gray pastel and emphasized the pattern.A little spray matte laquer was used as a fixative.
The wood battens were then nailed on and the nail heads rusted using the usual method.I worked a little burnt sienna pastels around the nail heads ,and along the battens I used a little burnt umber for contrast.
Looking at it now I think that I will add more nails to the battens.The rest of the weathering will be done on final assembly.I will now have to build some kind of a rear support for the roof where it meets the hangar wall ,as this module must be a self contained unit that is free to be moved from the wall.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Module #3
This will be the largest outdoor module between the rear right hand corner and the engine shop.Where the car and trailer are located in the pic that is where I eventually plan to put the Camel aircraft on its trailer, being pulled by a Model T truck.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]