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How I Build Dioramas(step-by-step)

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  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 1, 2006 2:11 PM
this fellow employes the same techniques as I use for my figures except that he uses a different brand of paint.Evidently this paint also has the capability of drying absolutely flat with is a must for good figure painting.
Enjoy!

http://www.ttfxmedia.com/vallejo/cgi-bin/_modelis.asp?p1=ing&p2=modelcolortecnicas

Cheers! John.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 2, 2006 9:25 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 2, 2006 10:13 AM
In this closeup of the engine bay you can see the main engine bearer beams and the web casting at the nose.The double wire braces at longeron stations 1 to 3 have yet to be added.The unfinished OX5 engine is temporarily being fitted.The firewall at stat 3 between engine and fuel tank has yet to be installed.

Yesterday on the hangar I was continuing to install the wiring for the overhead fixtuxes.This is a slow painstaking job working in amoung the roof trusses and beams. I have decided after viewing some pics that the wiring will be placed in aluminium tubing in the hangar area.(thanks to those who offered their advise on this)This means a lot of tube bending and shaping which is a very slow process.All the electricals will be removable for troubleshooting in case of failure.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 2, 2006 11:48 AM
For those who would like more in-depth text to go with these pics you can find the beginnings of this step by step build over on :

http://www.theaerodrome.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16792&page=7&pp=10

It starts at post #63
If you get a 404 error, click on the forum link and that should work OK. then click on Models and then "How I build dioramas.........."
All new posts will continue to be published here on this website.
The reason for this is that just until somewhat recently I could not post pics myself.
Cheers! John.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 2, 2006 6:22 PM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 2, 2006 6:54 PM
The next step,adding the top wing center section and its struts.Note the dual stick controls and their linkages.Also note the throttle,mixture and spark levers mounted on the upper longerons.The jig has been modified with an extra piece of wood to help line up the center section.When secure, I will then remove this piece of wood and mount the upper wings.At ths stage of the build the wings were already built as I decided to do them first.This "How to......".build does not contain any step by step info on how I built the wings as I started this thread only after they were already finished.
When I build the JN4D I will include this wing info.
--------------------
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Harrisburg, PA
Posted by Lufbery on Friday, March 3, 2006 9:08 AM
John,

Are you going to cover, or partially cover the Jenny? If so, how are you going to do that?

Regards,

-Drew

Build what you like; like what you build.

  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 3, 2006 10:42 AM
Hi Drew! Yes I plan to cover the 2nd Jenny the JN4D.I dont know exacely how at this stage but we will see when we get there.
Cheers! John.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 3, 2006 1:46 PM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 3, 2006 2:05 PM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Friday, March 3, 2006 2:45 PM
The top pic is of the other half of the fuselage.Note the tail skid and its shock absorbing bungee cord wrapped around the support beam.You will note that the turnbuckles are a little oversize.This was done on purpose for dioramic effect otherwise they would hardly be noticable on ce in the diorama.If this airplane was meant to be handled up close I would have made them to scale but because it is to be used as an educational tool ,I thought that the need for them to be seen overode the need to be in scale.It is not very often that I take this much licence when I build but I thought that in this case it was warranted.What do you guys think? I would be very interested in your opinions about artistic licence.

The bottom pic is of the center section looking down to the U/C legs.You will notice that the top wing rib looks a little crooked.That is actually a little warp in the trailing part of the rib behind the rear spar.This will be corrected when the metal trailing edge is installed.Also where the forward R/H wingroot fitting will be there is a slight bend in the rod going to the support beam.I noticed this only after the pic was taken.The wings have since been installed with no ill effect. Go figure!
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 7:55 AM

Jenny at home.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 8:58 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 4:27 PM

New pics

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Saturday, March 4, 2006 4:59 PM
This is a pic of Harley the company mascot sitting on his chair in the office module.
These new pics were taken just today but I think the light was a little too strong.I plan to take more tomorrow using only the interior lighting.
This view of the office is from the side that normally faces the hangar and would not normally be seen without removing the module.The swivel chair is scratchbuilt,the rest is modified dollhouse furniture.Harley is a pewter casting that I found in the dollar store,the rest is a combination of scratch and modified stuff.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 8:47 AM

Unfinished office module.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 9:34 AM

Unfinished workshop and WC modules.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Sunday, March 5, 2006 3:13 PM

Hi! C'mon in! the boss is out right now.I hope that you dont mind a little dog hair."

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 7:48 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 8:27 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 8:49 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Monday, March 6, 2006 9:24 AM
Hi guys! well that is it for now.Unfotunately most of these pics are overexposed.In the next couple of days I will try to take some better ones and cut down on the lighting.I have the office wired for lighting the over head and table lamps so maybe I will give that a try.None of these pics represent in any way the finished product.Most of the modules require more weathering and the placing of figures etc....Mr.Dillon ,the office manager will eventually be standing beside Harley looking out through the door into the activity going on in the hanger.
For those who may be interested the blue and white sign that is next to the stove says "Chewers and smokers will please spit on each other and not on the stove or floor".
Chester,the black cat,can barely be seen curled up on top of the blue box .under the bench ,in the workshop.
Cheers! John.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 8:56 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 9:38 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 10:03 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Tuesday, March 7, 2006 10:28 AM
Hi! Todays pics are taken from the same roll of overexposed pics that I took the other day.I hope to get around to taking some new ,better ones today.
First pic from the top
thats Mr. John Dillon ,the unpainted,armless office manager,giving you an idea of scale.
next,the office,note calendar on the wall is set for Nov 11
Pics 3&4.The woodworkers workshop(engine shop to come later)and view into office beyond.
Harley loves to get his picture taken!
Last pic I thought I would include for the stovepipe and roof assembly.Yes,I left a frying pan to cook up a few eggs and coffee on those cold Canadian mornings.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 7:41 AM

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 9:08 AM
Here is a wonderful ,prize winning, build of a difficult project.Congrats to my friend Jim!

http://www.wwi-models.org/Images/Landon/Ni.../index.html#p10

Cheers! John. biggrin.gif
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Wednesday, March 8, 2006 5:33 PM

Using the hangar as a backdrop for classic cars.

Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Montreal/Canada
Posted by JohnReid on Thursday, March 9, 2006 7:01 AM
Dioramas as backdrops
I bet you were surprised to see this pic!!
Diorama scenes can be used as backdrops for pics. You can also change things around if you get bored with a certain scene.I usually end up liking the pics more than the actual diorama anyway.
While under construction I plan to use this diorama as much as I can for my own photography using airplanes ,cars or whatever as subject matter.

Today I plan a major change in direction.I will be going back to finish Jenny before the arrival of summer when it is difficult to work on delicate airplane structures outside.The summer I will reserve for the hangar and its modules.Maybe even build the new engine workshop where I plan to have an OX5 and a Mercedes undergoing buildups.
Guide my hand in your work today.JWRR. My goal in life is to be as good a person as my dog already thinks I am. My Photoshop: http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/
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