"Memories of Flight School"

[JohnReid]

The Ride!
The pic above shows just how far this diorama has evolved from what I had planned in the beginning.I hadn't even thought of doing modules other than an interior workshop.The only part of this diorama that was pre-planned is what you see here.The reason that I mention this is to illustrate how much of your creativity can be added as you go along.I like to have a rough idea of the dimensions and the storyline going in,but a lot of the rest just happens over time.This is what makes it really a lot of fun for me ,is not even I have any idea of what it will look like upon completion.On a long project such as this keeping your interest up is essential.This started out to be a Jenny in a hangar with a few figures and a showcar which I thought that I could wrap up in a year or so! When it comes to estimating time "forget about it".The best thing to do is sit back and enjoy the ride,and let your creative instincts take you where they may! Cheers! John.

 

[JohnReid]

Before weathering!

 

[JohnReid]

Weathering the roof!
The above pic depicts the engine shop/loading ramp roof sections.In order to add some interest and not to make it look too monotonous I broke it into two sections using a larger and slightly different color board.The two halves don't match up perfectly and the nail patterns are not evenly spaced ,which suggests that the loading ramp may have been added at a later time.I haven't yet decided whether to put the woodstove's chimney through the roof or off to the side.The signs are for interest mostly, but I have seen pics of signs such as this during the pre-radio days ,advertising the availability of emergency maintanence.
As I did with the flooring I will treat this roof area as a canvas and try to make it as interesting as possible by shading and weathering where necessary.The first step is to break out the watery raw umber acrylic and crud things up a bit with our trustly toothbrush sprayer.This whole roof area is very important to the overall success of this diorama as it is an eye-catcher and the first thing that the casual viewer would probably notice when walking by.
__________________
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)

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Thinking ahead a bit to the Camel/Trailer build (I think I am getting anxious to build another airplane)The arrangement above would also be worth consideration.I am planning to leave the structure of the aircraft open with no fabric,so that close up views would be possible.With the fuselage on the truck and the wings on the trailer it may make for a better view than what I was planning. The trailer itself is also quite interesting in its construction.

 

[JohnReid]

The other option!

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Although it may be a little hard to see in this pic ,I have added a little subtle weathering ,using very watery raw umber flicked on with an old toothbrush ,which is even better than an airbrush for this purpose, as it tends to make for various size cruddy spots.Speaking about an airbrush,although I do own one from my decorative bird carving days ,I almost never use it in my diorama work.Occasionally I will use it to antique a silver or gold part on a car or for spraying a matte medium on a very smooth ,slippery surface.Just about all my work is done with a brush using watered down acrylics and pastels for shading, which is the next step in the weathering process.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Where areas look a little too dark I can now come back with a little light gray pastel to soften them up a bit.Next step will be to paint each nail head with burnt umber gesso ,followed by burnt sienna acrylic, softened with a little burnt sienna pastel for a nice rusty look.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Well this is about as far as I plan to go on the roof for now.When I secure it for good I will do a few touch ups here and there.Funny, I have been meaning to eliminate that little vertical joint line on the sign square since the beginning but I see it is still there.
I guess the next step will be to complete the rest of this engine shop/loading ramp module.As mid-summer approaches I think that I am in pretty good shape to finish this diorama by years end.(minus the Camel /trailer winter project,which is basically an add-on.)

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Change of direction!
In order to keep my flagging interest up and to take advantage of the nice weather while I can here in the GWN,I am going to change direction for awhile.
I have begun the research for the winter 08 project,the Camel/Truck build and I may even tackle the engine/prop group at this time.
The above pic is of course the 1/16th Camel by Model Airways.For fun I may modify it into a Sea Camel ,if I can confirm this type was send to Canada for aeronautical research at one of our universities around this time.
Like I do with all my builds I will gather as much info as I can on the Camel and especially the engine.The internet is usually the best resource for this and although the plans in the kit look pretty good I always like to have more than just one source of info.

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

 

[JohnReid]

Best Research Sites for the Camel!!!!!!!
For model reference:
http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Foran/Camel/index.html

Ken Foran is a good model friend of mine and one of the best scratchbuilders around.
Enjoy! Cheers! John.

 

[JohnReid]