Jump to content
Model Cars Magazine Forum

How I build dioramas.


JohnReid

Recommended Posts

I will pick it up from where I am now!

Well the first three are finally finished and should be boxed up this week for transport in about a week from now.I will be really happy to get some space back again as things are just getting too crowded to be able to work properly on anything.I will take some pics of this operation ,I hope things go OK.The two large dios require that they be tipped 90 deg to go up the stairs. I have checked and re-checked that things are secure but you never know.The boxes will only be opened upon arrival in Ottawa .I hope that there are no surprises!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Along the rear wall of the engine shop the Camel wings are being crated for the trip to Hollywood.Originally it was planned to load everything on one truck with the wings being lashed to the fuselage sides but it looks now like another truck will have to be sent to pickup the wings and flight surfaces.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Veneering a door.

Here is a fun project,veneering a plastic door in 1/24 scale.This was done mostly with coffee stir sticks and a few odds and ends of wood I had lying around the shop.It is an old RR car door that still requires painting and weathering.The little bit of gray plastic still showing will easily be lost in the shadows.I used something a little different to glue on the boards to the plastic,it is called "goo" and is made by Walthers.Unfortunately it is hard to find in Canada,so I also use something called "sho goo" as a substitute.

Prepare the plastic by sanding the surfaces to give the glue a little tooth to hold on to.It can be messy stuff but just use it sparingly as it is very strong.

It is toxic in confined areas like super glues etc... but so far I have had no allergic reaction to it.A mask and good ventilation is recommended.

Sand the wood carefully and remove any left over glue especially in the corners.

I will make a simple pull type door handle and some fake hinges to finish it off.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This pic gives you guys an idea of the size of these crates.I will put some bubble wrap along the underside of the top to make sure nothing moves and to stabilize things.The roofs are removable on my dioramas and are the key piece to remove first when you want to take it apart.I plan to put foam rubber on the bed of the truck to help absorb any vibration.The crates will have to be tipped almost 90deg to get them up the stairs.Estimated weight 150 to 200 pounds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The finished door was weathered with pastels.The door handle is just a simple arrangement of a ring and eyebolt design.The hinges are on the inside with just a hint of rust to indicate their position.The glass of course has long been broken and removed but I left the space open for viewing.It too would normally be covered to keep the elements out.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

'Tis the night before the big move to Ottawa and I am nervous as hell ! I hope that the next time that I see these guys that they are in their new permanent home at the museum.

After almost ten years now, I hope the kids (and the kids at heart) have as much fun looking at them as I had building them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Well now I will finally have some space to move around again.I will set up the next diorama right away and get busy finishing it too! This time I have learned my lesson and it will be modular and a lot easier to move ,as it will be constructed in sections with the final assembly done on site.It probably will be the last of my really big dioramas.The RR diorama that I am doing now is basically a round piece of about 48 inches in overall diameter at 1/24 scale.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

These little creamers from the coffee shop make excellent tin garbage pails or forms for building wooden ones.I first cut out the bottom disc and then glue on the side pieces,trim the top level and add a band around the top.I painted it burnt umber and then sanded most of it off.

I spent way too much time making this but because a lot of the storyline revolves around the symbolism of water I felt it was worth it.However it looks a little large in this scale.I will live with it for a few days and see if I have to make another one and keep this one as a wood bucket.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

With the New Year fast approaching and Winter here to stay for awhile ,I think that it is time to return to the "Backyard Flyer" and finish it off before Spring ,now that I have lots of space available again.It is another big one but this time it is done in removable modules so that it will not be such a problem to move.I can then do the final assembly at the museum in just a couple of hours.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...