Philippine diorama

Hi Matt. Nice to have you aboard. The easiest way to find out how is to search the Internet about how the rural settings in the Philippines looks like during the 1940's. I came from the Philippines too, just move in with my wife here in the states. I'm also in the process of picking up where I left off in my modeling. There's one Filipino modeler/ contributor to this Forum based in the Philippines, his name is Dwight Ta-ala he may be able to help you.
Nice to have you aboard.

Hi Matt,

First of all welcome to FSM.

Secondly, during WWII, there are basically two types of school structures here in the Philippines. In major cities or towns, we had wooden structures with galvanized iron sheet roofing. These were basically made by the Americans and were called the "Gabaldon" type of school building. Other schools in rural areas are made of bamboo/wood with nipa (palm like leaves) roof.

I'll try to find some pics for you.

Just for historical information, the Philippines offer a lot of historical events that are good for dioramas. Here are two of the major historical events that could be of interest to modelers:

1.) The Battle of Manila Bay (May 1898)

US ironsides overpowered the Spanish armada of galleons and coastal batteries ending the Spanish 333 years of occupation of the Philippine Islands.

http://www.wtj.com/archives/dewey2.htm

2.) The Battle of Leyte Gulf (October 1944)
Considered as one of the last greatest naval battle of WWII where the US Navy handed the final blow to the Japanese Imperial Navy in an all-out, face-to-face sea battle pitting the largest and strongest battle ships of WWII.

http://www.battleship.org/html/Articles/History/Leyte0.htm


Good luck.

Here is a link with pictures of old schools:

http://www.zamboanga.com/arts_and_culture/IcelleARTicle_remembering_old_Burleigh_school_part2.htm

Good luck.

Dwight, you are a star (well, 3 actually..!) and a credit to those Forums... Very interesting stuff. Thanks.

Dear Dwight and others,

Thanks! I was so surprised to see a response so quickly! I always got the impression that my father crashlanded his Wildcat in a remote area of Palawan. Unfortunately he never said the town, but it sounded like it wasn't a big city or anything. I'm guessing any school would have been primitive. I'll have to give this some thought.

Also, any thoughts as to how to get figures 1/48 scale running up to the plane (citizens, children, etc) In reality, he had flipped his plane on its back and had to be dug out of the cockpit by local citizens, who told him they would have killed him with machetes if he had been japanese! He stayed with villagers for 3-4 days before a PBY rescued him.

So I'm left with how to make figures like this...how would they be dressed? I haven't a clue as to how Phillippine citizens would dress on Palawan circa 1940s! Again, are there figures I could modify from railroad suppliers? (Is O scale same as 1/48?)

Any input would help...and thanks for the help already.

Matt

Your right O scale model railroad figures will work, they're 1/48 scale. I'd try a modle railroad supplier. Bob

The way Filipino people dress has been very much influenced by the Spanish Culture. Although in 1940, the Americans have been here for about 40 years and pretty much have also transferred some of its culture to the Philippines. At that time, the Philippine Islands is considered as very culturally advanced. Here are some ideas on how Filipinos dress in those times:


Men:

Everyday wear:
White long-sleeved shirts with so-called chinese collar
Dark loose long pants
Hat made from leaves of local palm
Barefoot or with slippers/sandals
http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/camisadechino.htm
Formal wear:
Barong Tagalog
Dark loose long pants
Or Suit and Tie (same as being used in the US at that time)
Shoes


http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/barong_tagalog.htm


Women:
Everyday wear:
Simple spanish-style (Maria Clara) overall dress or Simple blouse with wrap-around skirt

http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/dress4.htm
http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/dress3.htm
http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/tapis.htm

Formal wear:
Maria Clara or Formal Gown
http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/trajede_mestiza.htm
http://www.filipinoheritage.com/costumes/dress4.htm


Good luck.

Just wanted to thank you all again...I'll be mulling over some details and getting back with a question or two. I think I'll assume this school yard has a primitive building as Dwight descibed. A special thanks for that info...I never could find anything on Phillippine clothing circa WWII so that helped a lot. (Now if only I can paint it!)

So, thanks again and we'll talk again!

Matt