How I Build Dioramas(step-by-step)

The inter-truss beams looking through the viewing window in the roof .The roof is 1/4 plywood and is held on with a few screws so there is the option of leaving the roof on or off.The truss assembly is remarkably strong even without the roof being screwed on.

Thanks to those who responded to my glue question.Hi-heat silicone used for chimneys sounds like a good solution.
My reason for posting the above pic is to give you an idea of just how easy it is to change your mind when using foamboard.
The garage door was originally supposed to go where the windows are now.I simply used the cutouts to patch the hole.(that is a good reason to save all cutouts and to cut them in one piece if possible)They also make great templates for doors and windows.I simply used masking tape to repair the foamboard.
Cheers! John.

In case anyone is confused as to just when these pics were taken,they are about a year and a half old now.The hanger is actually just about completed now except for the wiring for the lights and a few odds and ends.The whole thing will soon be broken down one final time and then will be put back together permanently.The roof,roof trusses,walls,and modules are all designed to come apart with just a few screws, for ease of any future maintenance and transport.The cars,airplanes, figures etc.. will all be permanently fixed to the base.
Today I started designing the wiring scheme for the lighting and the actual fixtures themselves.Lightshades are built up using brass Christmas bells(like the Albatros dio) and cigar tube covers that I had from 30 years ago.(I even found some beautiful spanish cedar veneer wrapping the old cigars)The bells are reduced in size to look more like shades than bells and the wiring is run through brass tubing.
I have run into a little problem that maybe someone could help me with.I have made up little wood receptacles to hold the bulb sockets which I have been assured is ok as there is not enough heat to case a problem.(I hope)I want to glue the sockets into the wood receptacles but i was wondering what kind of glue to use? Epoxy would probably melt with the heat and the continual expansion and contraction would be really hard on most glues. Any suggestions? Thanks! Cheers! John.

I figure that I am coming up to about the 2000 hour mark on the "Memories of Flight School diorama. The hangar windows are finished and I am presently finishing off the doors but they too also contain windows.
I think that the next thing that I will tackle will be the lighting.I plan to put lights in the hangar ,office and back door modules, as well as some exterior lighting over doors and some of the advertising signs.I am really looking forward to doing this because with the lighting things will really start to come to life.My plan is to light it much like the Albatros diorama with individual overhead lights.I will be using the same lighting as the dollhouse miniaturists use.It is very safe and does not throw off too much heat.I am planning to be able to control the lighting in such a way as to light up just the hangar or the modules or both.There will be a dimmer switch to control the intensity.I havent as of yet been able to find amber bulbs but the clear ones are probably more authentic anyway.With all the different wood tones it still should create a nice warm scene.The bulbs are the screw in type so they should be a lot easier to maintain.The roof and wall panels can be taken apart with just a few well hidden scrrews. The windows will be removable until after I have taken lots of pictures then I will install them permanently.I am hoping that this work will be finished by the end of January or so.Then I can finish the Canuck and start the JN4.The JN4 is a basket case being robbed for parts so I am really looking forward to the antiqueing and weathering which I find a lot of fun.Well thats the plan for now.I am still shooting for a Fall 96 finish.
Cheers! John.