JohnReid
A Fixture
I think that I like this idea better!
"Memories of Flight School"
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I think that I like this idea better!
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
Another figure arrangement
JohnReid
A Fixture
and another!
JohnReid
A Fixture
Figure arrangement.
This is probably the most important issue in getting the storyline across to the viewer ,which in this case is the 4 WW1 pilot grouping ,which is front and center(well almost) and obviously the airplane.Notice that the grouping has been arranged in such a way as to invite the viewer into the conversation.
I ran some different arrangements of the other elements,figures,2nd airplane,engine on the pallet etc...past some fellow model artists for their opinions and there seems to be a consensus that the last pic is the best!It doesn't look too staged and the mayor elements seem to be in balance.The eye is encouraged to move around the piece in a more smooth and logical way .The large OX5 engine and pallet will be moved to the loading dock ,where it is more readily available to close-up inspection by the viewer ,without being a distraction to the main story line.Both Harleys will be put outside the hangar walls.Other than a few boxes along the back wall I don't see the need of any more elements to make it any more interesting.There is still some subtle weathering to do where floor meets walls etc..
Other than the airplane ,nothing has been permanently fastened down yet, so please offer your opinions and ideas now before I start to do so.Please don't be shy ,my skin really isn't that thin ,afterall I have been around for almost 67 years now!!
This is probably the most important issue in getting the storyline across to the viewer ,which in this case is the 4 WW1 pilot grouping ,which is front and center(well almost) and obviously the airplane.Notice that the grouping has been arranged in such a way as to invite the viewer into the conversation.
I ran some different arrangements of the other elements,figures,2nd airplane,engine on the pallet etc...past some fellow model artists for their opinions and there seems to be a consensus that the last pic is the best!It doesn't look too staged and the mayor elements seem to be in balance.The eye is encouraged to move around the piece in a more smooth and logical way .The large OX5 engine and pallet will be moved to the loading dock ,where it is more readily available to close-up inspection by the viewer ,without being a distraction to the main story line.Both Harleys will be put outside the hangar walls.Other than a few boxes along the back wall I don't see the need of any more elements to make it any more interesting.There is still some subtle weathering to do where floor meets walls etc..
Other than the airplane ,nothing has been permanently fastened down yet, so please offer your opinions and ideas now before I start to do so.Please don't be shy ,my skin really isn't that thin ,afterall I have been around for almost 67 years now!!
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
These are the last 3 figures that I have to find a home for.I thought that the office manager with the book in his hand could go with Harley the dog somewhere in the office.
The guy with his arm in a leaning position ,I could put outside as a totally uninterested driver, leaning against a car looking outside the diorama with a cigarette in his hand.
The barnstormer pilot with his head between his legs and the goofy smile on his face ,I have no idea where to put him.I like the arrangement of one group of three figures and another group of four figures and adding a fourth figure to the three figure group just doesn't appeal to me.Any ideas?
The guy with his arm in a leaning position ,I could put outside as a totally uninterested driver, leaning against a car looking outside the diorama with a cigarette in his hand.
The barnstormer pilot with his head between his legs and the goofy smile on his face ,I have no idea where to put him.I like the arrangement of one group of three figures and another group of four figures and adding a fourth figure to the three figure group just doesn't appeal to me.Any ideas?
JohnReid
A Fixture
You know I never thought about it until now but I have all the materials necessary to build the ailerons ,center section,rudder and horizontal stabilizer of another Jenny but this time the JN-4D model rather than the Canuck version.It would be kind of nice to complete the story of the basketcase model and also to fill in all that empty space along the back wall.The knowledgeable viewer could also compare the two versions all in one diorama. Well here we go again! Will I ever finish this diorama?
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
Just chatting up Bonnie! Talk about losing your head over a woman.
JohnReid
A Fixture
JN4 control surfaces.
I am starting with the JN4 ailerons.One will show some damage at the tip like the wings(groundloop?) They will be made from solid wood shaped like the aileron and where the damage is, I will put in a few ribs and fake the rest.I plan to fabric cover them and hang them on the back wall.While the Canuck is double aileroned the JN4 has only two.Because of the different rigging arrangement I will be able to show the aileron braces however.As space permits the rudder,horiz stab,fin and rudder will be next.These will show more open framework. The only problem that I can see now is knowing when to stop as I really don't want the back wall competing for attention.
I am starting with the JN4 ailerons.One will show some damage at the tip like the wings(groundloop?) They will be made from solid wood shaped like the aileron and where the damage is, I will put in a few ribs and fake the rest.I plan to fabric cover them and hang them on the back wall.While the Canuck is double aileroned the JN4 has only two.Because of the different rigging arrangement I will be able to show the aileron braces however.As space permits the rudder,horiz stab,fin and rudder will be next.These will show more open framework. The only problem that I can see now is knowing when to stop as I really don't want the back wall competing for attention.
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
Disregard the stuff at the top of the pic for now, as that is for the horiz stab.
The 2 ailerons at the bottom are what I am building now.After shaping the wood as required ,I added a false spar along the leading edge and broke it off on the end ,leaving a ragged edge as would be the case in an accident.The aileron ribs will now be given cap strips and set in their vertical position.The trailing edge will be brass wire.Fabric will then be applied to the whole structure leaving one aileron tip ripped and broken as need be.They will then be weathered and set against the back wall.
The 2 ailerons at the bottom are what I am building now.After shaping the wood as required ,I added a false spar along the leading edge and broke it off on the end ,leaving a ragged edge as would be the case in an accident.The aileron ribs will now be given cap strips and set in their vertical position.The trailing edge will be brass wire.Fabric will then be applied to the whole structure leaving one aileron tip ripped and broken as need be.They will then be weathered and set against the back wall.
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
The last laugh!
This is the JN4D horiz stab and elevator assembly.As you can see it has quite a different shape compared to the Canuck.The Canucks tail is made of metal while the JN4D is all wood except for the edge which is metal tubing.
The right side of the pic shows the basic shape,the left side shows the addition of rib caps and internal braces.The JN4D must also be provided with fittings for the hard wires which go from the braces to the trailing edge of the flying surfaces.These were eliminated on the Canuck ,along with one of the tail to fuselage braces ,probably because of the increased strength of the metal in the Canucks's tail.This would also decrease drag a bit but was probably unnoticeable in performance.
All the major wooden assemblies were build the same way ,on a piece of foam insulation.I simply attach the plan to the foam with pins and then place a piece of wax paper over top ,pin that on, and build right on top.Nothing could be simpler.The problem I had was I wanted to do the Canuck style tail so I had to make my own drawings.I cheated a bit here(due to lack of reference at the time) and built the Canuck tail out of wood thinking that I would fabric cover the control surfaces anyway.One problem,I later came to realize this would look stupid and besides I liked the open framework.Solution,there were no rules and regs in those days.If I wanted to build a barnstormer Canuck tail out of wood ,that would actually be a plus factor ,as it would depict the craziness of the times when pilots would often use anything that was handy just to get airborne .In fact I have heard tales of pilots drastically changing the aircraft's stagger to make the airplane more unstable for airshows.If I was doing a military airplane that would be a different matter however.So if in the future some one comes along and criticizes my wood tail,I can secretly have the last laugh.
This is the JN4D horiz stab and elevator assembly.As you can see it has quite a different shape compared to the Canuck.The Canucks tail is made of metal while the JN4D is all wood except for the edge which is metal tubing.
The right side of the pic shows the basic shape,the left side shows the addition of rib caps and internal braces.The JN4D must also be provided with fittings for the hard wires which go from the braces to the trailing edge of the flying surfaces.These were eliminated on the Canuck ,along with one of the tail to fuselage braces ,probably because of the increased strength of the metal in the Canucks's tail.This would also decrease drag a bit but was probably unnoticeable in performance.
All the major wooden assemblies were build the same way ,on a piece of foam insulation.I simply attach the plan to the foam with pins and then place a piece of wax paper over top ,pin that on, and build right on top.Nothing could be simpler.The problem I had was I wanted to do the Canuck style tail so I had to make my own drawings.I cheated a bit here(due to lack of reference at the time) and built the Canuck tail out of wood thinking that I would fabric cover the control surfaces anyway.One problem,I later came to realize this would look stupid and besides I liked the open framework.Solution,there were no rules and regs in those days.If I wanted to build a barnstormer Canuck tail out of wood ,that would actually be a plus factor ,as it would depict the craziness of the times when pilots would often use anything that was handy just to get airborne .In fact I have heard tales of pilots drastically changing the aircraft's stagger to make the airplane more unstable for airshows.If I was doing a military airplane that would be a different matter however.So if in the future some one comes along and criticizes my wood tail,I can secretly have the last laugh.
JohnReid
A Fixture
JohnReid
A Fixture
I plan to fabric cover the ailerons when all the control surfaces are finished.I have put the horiz stab/elevator on hold for now as it may be just too big for the back wall.
I decided to do the upper wing center section instead.On the JN4D their is a cutout in the upper wing assembly above the cockpit.On the Canuck the trailing edge goes straight across the wings and center section,so therefore the center section is larger.
I will probably do the fin next and then probably the rudder as it is of an interesting design.I think that will pretty much fill up the back wall.
I decided to do the upper wing center section instead.On the JN4D their is a cutout in the upper wing assembly above the cockpit.On the Canuck the trailing edge goes straight across the wings and center section,so therefore the center section is larger.
I will probably do the fin next and then probably the rudder as it is of an interesting design.I think that will pretty much fill up the back wall.
