More diorama questions

For shipping, I use the box-within-a-box method:

First box has the model, carefully wrapped with delicate filler materials like tissue, etc. Put the 1st box, wrapped in bubble wrap, into a bigger one filled with styrofoam popcorn.

Don't write FRAGILE on it; they just kick it around. Just be sure to insure it VERY well.

In the July 1996 issue of FSM there is a very good article re. making display bases. It covers instructions, which I have extensively used with excellent results, for painting and marking concrete tarmac. The article suggests the use of Floquil concrete paint, which is a real close match to actual tarmac. It is sprayed on double thick Cresent mat board (used to mount photos). Mat board is available at artists' supply stores. If you can find this issue, I believe it is what you are looking for.
Dick McC

If you wish to mount the model semi permanently, mark where the wheels sit, drill two small (.5mm) holes either side of each position, put the model back in place & loop thin wire over the axles, twisting it under the base, If you need to remove the model, simply snip the wire!

I mounted a B-29 to it's base by CAREFULLY marking where the tires sit, drilling holes and screwing the tires to the base from underneath. USE SMALL SCREWS AND DRILL PILOT HOLES OR THE TIRES WILL SPLIT OR CRACK!

for the 1/72 airfield: i use a fine grit sand paper, spray it a concrete gray, use a thick oil paint (that gums) and put it through a pipette thing the lay it in lines to represent the seperate blocks, the press it down when almost dry, u can also fade it a little, then this burnt sienna or black thinned with thinner, and dip a brush it it and press it down where u want it to be a stain! any more questions about this (i know it sounds complicated) mark6560@hotmail.com

For JMcBride:
If you are unable to locate the July 1996 FSM article re. tarmac, let me know and I will scan it to you.
Dick McC

Re the shipping question.

If you ship something UPS, it must be able to survive a 4' drop to concrete and be able to be turned over. And have at least 60lbs dropped on it.

Writing fragile is for those who can read and care. The double method mentioned is the best. Use peanuts or air bags. If you really want to track it, pick up excessive force shipping indicators. They will trip or indicate if a box has been mistreated or handled rough beyond normal. They have differnt levels of abuse.

My best advice is make the diorama so that it can be separated into components. Anything fragile like antennaes, towers, trees etc must be taken into account and have some sort of rigid canopy over the whole thing. Then the rest of the components can be assembled upon arrival. We used to send a model builder to the site when we sent commercial models to assemble the parts. This helped with shipping costs and logistics. If this is not feasable, then I would do it in such a way that instructions can be provided for the completion or a hard shell or case is built around the diorama, everything is secure and then double box that.

You might go to your shipper and tell them what you are trying to ship and see what they suggest. They want your business and don't want to pay a settlement so they'll either tell you no, or give you the info needed to successfully ship your pkg.

Good luck.
Mike

i posted this on another thread, but i use very fine gray sandpaper for a tarmac effect. I photograph all my models with a background i made...sky, trees, clouds, etc.

Hey, you can use something like plaster of paris pourn and smoothed to your desired texture and then take something like Woodland Scenics (MAN!! they sure do make a lot of stuff!!) concrete wash and apply a few coats of that and you should have a nice looking concreat surface. You also can take some of there black paint or the cheap craft stuff and thin it with water to get that weathered look. Good Luck!