"Memories of Flight School"

[JohnReid]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ross_Moorhouse View Post
Its a shame that kids today don't get the same thrill from aviation as we did as kids. I lived under the main flight line from the north. So go to see al sorts of aircraft flying over as they headed to and out of Bankstown Airport.

The cost of learning to fly these days must be a real put off for the young person. When they can buy a hotted up car for the same amount as it costs to learn to fly.

Makes you wonder what will happen to our hobby in 50 years time?

Ross,
Today there just seems to be too much of the "pilot" and not enough of the "aviator" in aviation.To find the fun part anymore, it won't be around cities but in small country airports ,where the most of todays kids just don't have the ready access to anymore.Today I find that most pilots talk over the heads of most of us aviators anyway.You don't hear much talk of "stick and rudder" just a lot about electronic wizardry.The romance has gone out of aviation and I am glad that I was part of probably the last generation to remember the way it really was.I know that I sound like an old fart saying this but in this case it is not just nostalgia for the "good old days."
Cheers! John.
__________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)

 

[paulyrichard]

John, I take it your project will be totally wired up for lightin'. If so, will there be any street lamps?

It'll look stunnin' by day and also by night when finished. Your details are sublime!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Re-designing the engine shop roof!
There is just something that bothered me about this roof.It looked too big and bulky and about to fall down from its own weight.So a little re-designing was in order.I took the large face plate off the roof rafters and I think that I shall just leave it open to give it a lighter look.I have cut the rafters back since this pic was taken and allowed more overhang for the roof.
Unfortunately, when taking the roof off I broke all 4 light fixtures in the shop but that is nothing that can't be repaired.While I have the roof off I will finish the furnishings in the engine shop and do a final buildup of this area.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Imitation logs!
Here is something that I found that makes great scale logs.They are called "licorice sticks" and are available at your local spice store.In Arab countries I believe that they are used to freshed breath and clean teeth!My wife found them for me(dioramist's eye in training) and I am headed back to get more.

 

[John Bowery]

John,
I used to eat those when I was a kid as candy. You used to get them in the "sweet" (candy) shop.
Cheers
John

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Cracked concrete base.
I accidentely allowed a acrylic paint and sand mix to dry in the bottom of a glass dish ,when I was experimenting with ground cover.I discovered it after a few days ,and then soaked it in water which released the whole thing in one piece.Rather than throw it out ,I put it aside again for awhile and it really dried out.
After weathering the gas pump I was looking for a concrete looking base to set it upon, when it again came to mind.So I broke the acrylic/sand piece into 3 different pieces and glued them to a piece of wood ,leaving the cracks a little open.When weathered it should fit right in!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Garbage Cans.
The can in the middle is an old plastic pill bottle and the ones on each end are plastic 35mm film canisters.
I sanded the surfaces and then took a hot curling iron and pressed in some bashes on their sides.The rusted through areas were drilled in with a rotary tool.
The top is wood with a bent brass rod for a handle.
I sprayed on black gesso and painted on Reid& Sons French blue acrylic with a brush.
Next will come the weathering!(the fun part)

 

[JohnReid]

Coffee creamer tin waste baskets.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Cool poster!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Making a windsock!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Windsock!
I took a finger off of a cotton glove and slipped it over the handle of an old tapered paintbrush ,that I had prepared with a wrapping of wax paper.I then painted on a few coats of laquer on the large end and let it dry.Around the open end I put a little thin superglue to hold its round shape.
It was then slipped off the brush and the wax paper removed from the inside.
I made up a brass ring and superglued it to the end and cut off any excess with an xacto knife.
I shaped the trailing end to a "no wind" position and laqured it in position and let the whole thing dry for awhile.It was then dusted with orange pastel and a little grey pastel for shading.This was fixed on with spray laquer.
I am not really happy with the large weave of the cotton glove but it doesn't look too bad in 1:1 scale.I wanted it to look old,sun-bleached and weathered ,with the small end frayed off by the wind.