Displaying flying airplanes

Sounds like a low level strafing or rocket run on the tank.....maybe a thin (1/4") clear acrylic rod, using a tree to camoflage most of it?

That's an interesting idea. This will be a rocket pass, Eduard makes a detail rocket launcher that is just like what is used in a picture I have. 

I was thinking more of an urban scene but still could easily hide a small acrylic rod.

A hidden rod or clear rod is a much better idea than suspending the aircraft from above.  Here is a 1/35 Huey that I suspended by a brass rod disguised as a tree.

In-process showing the rod.

After completeing with the support rod hidden in the tree.

Yeah I am liking that idea much better. I was thinking no matter how small the line you really can't hide it. But with angles, shadows, and out right camouflage from below rod could be hidden. 

You guys have the creative juices flowing. Even if not from underneath from behind I am starting to get some ideas. 

Thanks

The best results would be to use forced perspective method. In other words, one of the subjects is smaller in scale to the other. If you have a 1/48 T Bolt than use a 1/72 tank or visa versa. If using rockets, you might want to think about hiding a wire in the rocket exhaust trail, otherwise I would go with the clear rod method.

Urban scene, maybe a chimmney or smoke stack, or building corner to hide it in.

I knew I came to the right place. I got a set of the fine scale modeler annuals from a deceased friends widow. I didn't know about this magazine or group prior. But after looking through them I figured someone here would know. These are all awesome ideas.

Sometimes you need to compromise a little. I've seen them done well with a clear rod, where it comes out of the back of the diorama and has a nice looking quarter turn forward to attach to the back side of the airplane. Then you create something pretty dramatic at the other end of the diorama to draw the eye away, like the tank exploding.

Shooter/ target dioramas are difficult, because of the ranges involved. Even with selective compression, this 9th AF P-47 is firing the HVAR at probably 1000 yards or so, as it'll travel 1300 ft per second and has an activation distance. Divide that by 72 and it's still a distance that creates too much open space.

You might consider the aircraft actually flying over the tank while it blows up. Maybe you could hide your rod in the explosion.

GMorrison

 

You might consider the aircraft actually flying over the tank while it blows up. Maybe you could hide your rod in the explosion.

 

I was already leaning this way. Especially since the diorama will likely be less than 24" long. I really had not envisioned this as a scene where the rockets are being fired. In my mind it has always been a moment of impact scene. So for the necesary compression for my display space a scene as you describe is more approperiate.

This begs for a follow up question then that I have yet to consider. How do you model an explosion. I am not new to modeling, I am not new to dioramas (isn't that what railroading is) but live action scenes are totally a new concept. All prior aircraft and model cars I have done were static single object displays. The object only. Modeling a live action scene diorama is just the challenge I need. Event he one I am doing now of the Corsair is static.

Most will use cotton balls, and/or polyester fiber (available at craft/fabric stores) for smoke and fire effects.  And they paint to suit the scene.   Just saw a fire retardant drop dio last w/e, looked great with cotton balls worked to shape and the support rod was in the cotton and totally hidden.  Plus the support rod did double duty, as is also supported the "retardant"

There was a spread of a bomber going down in flames awhile back (within the last year, IIRC) in FSM, showed his technique for doing it.  Was also the cover for that issue.

Thanks for input. Thinking on it some more 1:48 is to ambitious for my space. 1:72 will make for a far more interesting scene.