My New Old Alley Diorama/Backdrop

[oldcarfan]

I wanted to share this idea because it's simple and seems to work quite well and maybe someone can use it or improve on it. Last year I wanted a place to take pictures of builds. I started a basic two wall and floor photo backdrop but was never happy with it, so I put it away and moved on. This weekend the weather kept me indoors and I began thinking about that backdrop again. 

I liked the basic layout but wanted to be able to change the scene. The problem was how to do that without messing up the walls. But first the base needed a few repairs. Version 1.0 was made with 1/4 inch foamcore but I soon found it flimsy. As I also found out, in areas with temperature and humidity variations, foamcore can warp. I added some basswood across the back to stabilize it and that seems to be adequate. With the base strengthened I moved on to redoing the walls. I toyed with various ideas, but none really felt right. This morning I wandered Home Depot for ideas. They sell thin galvanized right angle roof flashing. It's about 7 x 7 inches, folded in a V-shape and at about 80 cents, they were a good price. Once home I flattened out five pieces, which was more than enough. As seen in the picture, I attached them to the walls and covered the whole thing with a new layer of brick paper.

Here are some closeups of it in action. The first is a steel rollup door I made a while back. A couple of tiny rare earth magnets on the back and it stays put as long as needed. To celebrate that success I made a couple other doors. I'll be making some signs and other things to add detail. 

So now it's basically finished with and I'm much happier with the look. It's not much, just a simple two wall brick scene, but it can be an alley or the inside of an old building in any time period with only a few easy changes. 

Edited July 8 by oldcarfan
Fat fingers

[Ace-Garageguy]

Very nice work, well thought out.  

[ChrisR]

Very nice.

[espo]

What are your overall dimensions of the display? 

[oldcarfan]

3 hours ago, espo said:

What are your overall dimensions of the display? 

I originally built it on the fly so I never measured it. However, I just checked and it's about 20 inches long x 12 1/2 high x 13 deep. I was aiming for something small enough for a desktop sized that would still allow for any sized model.

[bobss396]

I'm thinking of making one myself. It would have to fit inside a box for storage. Maybe a 11" x 17" bankers box.

[oldcarfan]

6 hours ago, bobss396 said:

I'm thinking of making one myself. It would have to fit inside a box for storage. Maybe a 11" x 17" bankers box.

I jumped in to building this one last year and almost instantly found several changes I wanted to make. It's now on the third and hopefully final version. Also, if you want to use the magnets like I did, make sure it's steel and not aluminum you're using behind the paper walls. I grabbed some metal signs without checking and got it all done only to find out it wasn't steel. 

I built another one during the lockdown that was easily disassembled so it would fit in a box. Ended up giving it away to a friend. Also, on eBay or Etsy there are lots of different printed brick, stone and even wood look paper sheets. They work well for the walls and there are plenty of G Scale fittings out there to add detail.

 

[Coyote_6]

I like the magnetic aspect - looks very nice!

Steve

[slusher]

Looks great!

[89AKurt]

So that isn't 3D printed brick?   I think it looks great.   I have an idea, and the figures, some day......

[oldcarfan]

14 hours ago, 89AKurt said:

So that isn't 3D printed brick?   I think it looks great.   I have an idea, and the figures, some day......

This is actually brick printed on regular paper. It has a really 3D look to it thought. I got it off eBay for something else and it never got used. When I put the steel up, this seemed like the perfect place for it. 

If I had it to do over, I'd probably get a couple of the printed steel novelty signs so I wouldn't need to piece the steel. You could probably even use one for the floor so that props could be stood up as well. 

If anyone wants to try this, be sure and do a test first to make sure whatever you plan to use for covering isn't so thick the magnets can't stick to the walls.