How I Build Dioramas(step-by-step)

Well it worked out OK.I had to use only 8 layers of wood to build it up to the proper thickness(.See the booklet and plans for the dimensions.) The black paper sandwiched betrween the wood layers looks good,almost like an extra layer of walnut veneer.I built the prop to the kit dimensions but it looks a little too narrow compared to some pics of the Jenny that I have seen.Although it seems that many different props were used over the years .Some drawings call for copper tips and leading edges but I am a little reluctant to do this and spoil the look of the prop.The wood really looks nice the way it is.Maybe I will make 2, one with copper and one without.

Laminated wood props are not hard to make.This style of prop has a fairly simple shape.From the hub center to half way down the length there is no taper and from there to tip a gradual taper to the end.If you draw a pencil line half way down the prop blade and then another line tapered to the end and carve out of boths sides to that line that should get you strarted.Get yourself an example of a prop from your stash and study it carefully for overall shape.Once you have the initial tapered shape you should be able to go from there using your example.If you screw up the first one put a model clock in the middle and hang it on the hangar wall.

When finished carving, sand down with different grit sandpapers down to 600.Spray with alcohol to raise the grain and sand again with 600 paper.Repeat until the wood shines.I finished mine with a mix of 2/3 laquer and 1/3 laquer thinner. Now whats next! To be cont......

The advertising trailer is finished, weathering and all.One of the great things about doing these hangar scenes, is that you can put in a lot of colorful detail but still have the option of toning the whole thing down through weathering.The trailer,car and motorcycles for example, were originally painted quite bright but by using just 3 colors of pastels,black,dark grey,&sienna, these objects just seem to fade into the background while leaving the aircraft the centerpiece of the diorama.The airplane is only slightly weathered because most of its life was spent fabric covered.By adjusting the amount of weathering you do on an object you can draw your viewers attention to or away from it.The second Jenny will be heavily weatherind being a derelict airplane with hanging and torn fabric,rust etc....The lighting will also determine where the spotlight goes so to speak.This is very much a balancing act and I spend a lot of time trying to get it right but when you do the effects can be dramatic.A lot of the art of the diorama is in creating a certain atmosphere or mood.Downplaying here and highlighting there.

I also try to keep in mind the enviroment.This is a late Fall scene,November 11,here in Canada and it can be quite cold.I will have a fire going in the stove and the figures dressed fairly warmly(however we Canucks are a hardy bunch but I may have to dress our American guests a little more warmly )The sign on the trailer has been weathered and reflects a long summer in the sun,and is little faded and worn.These little thing are very important to creating believability in your piece. to be cont.....

The book that I picked up at the CAM on models at the Smithsonian Institution National Air and Space Museum is very informative.I have never been there nor have I ever seen these models before.I was surpised to find that most of their models are 1/16th scale which seems to be the museum standard although they do have other scales.The other thing that I found very interesting is that they do accept kit built airplanes provided that they are part of a diorama.(Douglas World Cruiser Diorama 1/72 scale, P58-59)If any of my American modeling friends have any ambitions about having their models at the Smithsonian and you dont want to scratchbuild the airplane ,do a diorama in any scale and if it is good enough it possibly could be accepted at the museum as that standard has already been set.I may be wrong on this but I havent seen any other plastic kit models in the book.(not that some of them dont belong there) Cheers! John.

Further to my visit yesterday.Things are a little crowded at the museum these days.If anyone is planning to go I think that I would wait until some of the airplanes are in the new hangar and will be properly displayed.The Jenny looks great but seems smaller than I visualized when building the model.(still a big airplane for its day)Although I love museums,I always find that there is something a little sad about it.Almost like a bird in a cage.I miss the roar of the engines, the popping and banging of start up on the old radials and even the smell of the avgas exhaust.It will be a sad day when those engines get too old to fly anymore

On my next visit ,Iwill go solo and spend more time talking to the oldtimers in the shop.My wife usually has lots of patience with me and my passions but after dragging her to museums and airshows for almost 50 years now ,I think it is starting to wear a bit thin.

By chance when I was there I saw a 104 Starfighter,a Sabre and a Mig all lined up one after the other and it got me to thinking about an old friend who has since Gone West.He was a test pilot at Canadair on 104s but he also was an ace in the USAF in Korea and shot down Migs.(on loan from the RCAF)

I will tell you guys a little story about Bruce.Something in the catagory of "I learned about flying from that".
When I was a hot-shot flying instructor at the same field as the 104s used to fly out of ,Bruce stopped me on the flight line one day and said something about the company sending him to Ottawa to pickup some paperwork. He asked me without hesitation to give him a few circuits in a Cessna 150,which I did and kind of forgot about it.Then I got to thinking ,104 test pilot asking me for a couple of circuits in a 150.Bruce was a fun loving ,carefree kind of guy but when it came to flying he was deadly serious.He new that it was just as easy to kill yourself in a 150 as a 104.Thanks for the flying lesson Bruce,I will never forget you. Cheers! John.

__________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)
Guide my hand in your work today.

I made a trip to Ottawa today to take a look at the new museum and see where my dioramas will be displayed.The good news is that they are taking care of all the carpentry and building of the display cases.(My 1:1 carpentry skills are terrible,just ask my wife)Its funny how you can love to do things in miniature and hate carpentry.

The museum is a great place for my dioramas to go as they are to be used both for display and educational purposes.The person that I am dealing with there is an artist herself ,as well as an aviation expert who appreciates what goes into these dioramas.

While I was there I visited the gift store and picked up a great book that was on sale called "On Miniature Wings" by Thomas Dietz.The pics of the models in the National Air and Space Museum are terrific.I think that it is out of print and I am glad to have found a copy.(they have a few left) Needless to say ,no progress on the Jenny today.Cheers! John.

Here is a little something for you old co-pilots out there;

The Co-Pilot
by Ken Murray

I am the co-pilot I sit on the right,
Its up to me to be quick and bright.
I never talk back ,for I have regrets,
But I have to remember what the Captain forgets.

I make out the flight plans and study the weather,
Pull up the gear and standby to feather,
Check the tanks and do the reporting,
And fly the old crate while the Captain is courting.

I call for my Captain and buy him cokes,
I always laugh at his corny jokes;
And once in a while when his landings are rusty,
I always come through with "By gosh,its gusty."

All in all I am a general stooge
As I sit on the right of the man I call "Scrooge."
I guess that you think that it is past understanding
But maybe some day he will give me a landing.

Cheers! John

The 2nd Harley is now finished and I really like it.I hope that I can find room in the diorama for it.I went with the fabric covered spokes idea but this time in a circular red,white & blue pattern.
I havent quite decided whats next but I am not ready to go back to the airplane yet.That is one of the great things about doing dioramas ,there is a lot less of a chance to get stuck in a rut.Instead of just walking away from the workbench your can focus on something else to fill the well.I can dig out my books now on advertising signs and research how they may have looked at a typical airport in the 20s.Style ,color, design etc...or I can finish the sign trailer or heating stove.

This summer I will concentrate on finishing the Hangar and probably build the 2nd Jenny over next winter.
The museum in Ottawa will probably want me to put the finishing touches on the Albatros and Nieuport dioramas sometime soon so that could delays things a little.
Jeez,I am supposed to be retired and I have never been so busy.I also have a classic car diorama that I am building into a 1930s radio cabinet that has 3 different levels all dipicting various showrroms of the period.Duesenberg,Packard,Mercedes.

Then of course the Bleriot and the Wright Flyer.Jeez that should take me to about age 75 (man plans,God laughs) Cheers! John.

Posted earlier on another site.

__________________
It has been said that the difference between a "pilot" and an "aviator" is that a pilot is a technician,and an aviator is an artist in love with flight.
JohnReid (Aviator)
Guide my hand in your work today.

I have deciced to modify the 2nd bike and include it in the diorama.I have broken it down and dechromed it.Over the next couple of days I will repaint,modify and re-built it as a airshow bike.If I decide in the end not to use it afterall, I will still have an interesting model.
My ego has got the better of me and I will be making up a sign to put on the hangars front above the doors, Reid Flying Service. (I guess the only way will ever get to see my name up on the marquee is to put it there myself )
I have been mulling around in my head about where to place the 2nd Jenny,the JN4A.If I decide to fabric the fuselage I will have to place it along the back wall of the hangar as I want an unobstructed view from hanger front to back.The wings and tail planes can be put in racks along the walls or on sawhorses.I could even put some up in the roofs rafters, in storage ,if things become too cluttered on the hangar floor.If I decide to leave any color on the 2nd airplane I will leave it in military colors signifiying its history.The Jenny Canuck will be the more colorful barnstormer.v

Posted earlier on another site.

The bike is finished except for some last minute weathering before final installation.I also have a 1909 Harley bike that I was thinking of only slightly modifying, to be either an airport workers mode of transportation to the airfield, or as part of the airshow.The main problem is the spokes on the wheels are not too realistic.I solved this on the 1936 modification by replacing them with wooden discs that represent a sort of fabric covering.For a workers bike I would probably have to respoke the wheels,if I use it as an airshow bike I will probably go with the disc idea again.The reason that I am mentioning all this stuff is to give you guys an idea of how I solve problems as they come up and still try to balance composition ,storyline ,creative modifications etc...Would 2 bikes be overdoing it?(but I really like the 09 Harley) Am I taking away from the main subject ,the airplane? Is there too much going on?Will the viewers eye be too distracted and confused to get the main storyline,that of the history of the Jennys contribution to aviation?The figures will be dressed in WW1 costume and I am thinking of posting a sign welcoming them to the airport on armistic day but is that too obvious?Should I be more subtle and let the viewer connect the dots? It can be more powerful to do so.All these questions must be considered and weighed by the artist/modeler when creating a diorama.Although sometimes difficult this is really the most fun in diorama making.Sort of playing like THE CREATOR in your own little world.In real life we get to control very little,in many ways not even our own health or destiny but in our little diorama world we get to make all the decisions.Fun Huh ? (or should I say Eh?) Cheers! John.