MattBlack33 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 For those of you who have seen my builds that I have shared on the forum probably know by now that I'm a fan of a good old diorama. I love to see an aircraft in an operational setting with work going on around it, but as of late I'm running out of space quicker than I'm building. What to do? Stop building? Sell my kits on eBay? Turn the dioramas into some sort of functional appliance? The first suggestion is out of the question, I love modelling and am not about to stop while I still have a few square feet of space free. The second suggestion is also a non-starter, I might not be 100% pleased with all of my builds, but I spend my precious time building them and want to enjoy them for as long as possible (*cough* and they're not good enough to sell *cough*). Erm, turn them into a functional appliance, let's give that a go... This idea may sound a bit mad, but I think if I can pull it off it might be quite special. I've been meaning to build a Lightning for a while and have been fostering a growing love for the aircraft with a particular interest for the quick response interceptor role they had thoughout the Cold War. I've also seen some of the Lightning RFI and WIPs as well as Bar side's HAS build and they've really inspired me. 'Tell us where the functional appliance bit comes in, you fool!?' I hear you all shouting at your monitors. Well, the following pictures made me think: can I make something similar in 1/72 scale that not only acts as a cool diorama during the daylight hours but also acts as a super cool desk lamp when the sun goes down? The original Binbrook Q Area, picture reference from the Save the Binbrook Q Area Facebook page https://m.facebook.com/pages/Scramble-Scramble-ScrambleHelp-save-the-RAF-Binbrook-Q-area/310070375768814eAfter a bit of planning, deliberation and help from some of BM's finest, I came up with the following plan, which would meet my needs to save space, light my desk and display an aircraft in an operational setting. I plan to include the aircraft just outside of the shed with some ground crew and equipment on and around them. The shed itself will be a facade and as per the image above, I will attach three lights which will act as the 'useful' part of the diorama and illuminate my desk. The shed and ground equipment will be a mixture of Flightpath (Houchin power unit and RAF diorama accessories) and scratch building. The Lightning build can be found in the Work in Progress section.From the plan above I have created the cardboard 'skeleton' for the Q-shed facade. It looks rough and ready but I've got some 1/72 (1/76?) iron cladding sheets that will cover the cardboard sins. Once I had a physical sense of how big the main area is going to be I started drawing out other details. I've been able to shave off a few inches to save on more space. I'm loving the Lightning build, but I'm considering another aircraft for Q2. The ones I've considered are listed in the picture, but if anyone has any other suggestions I'd love to hear them. I know the Typhoon never flew from Q sheds like this, but I thought it'd look quite cool to have a 'then and now' comparison. Im also wondering what 1/72 support vehicles are out there. I thought an RAF landie would look good, but if there are others available I'd like to hear about them! The bungalow begins... The front 'room' will be furnished with a few bits, maybe a figure or two. The rear section will house the transformer and lighting switch/wiring. I'm planning to wire the lights at the front of the building within the door mechanism. A couple of other views, figure for scale. This is where I'm up to. I'm currently drawing up the plans for the doors and door mechanism as well as awaiting the lighting wiring and bulbs so I can get that worked out and wired up. Any tips, tricks, comments or queries are greatly appreciated. I'm flying blind on this one! 11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mooney Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Now that's an great idea, I shall be watching this one. Great work so far :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartp Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Looking good so far Matt. I found the disk and have uploaded them here: http://s1328.photobucket.com/user/stuartp68/library/Binbrook%20Q%20Shed?sort=3&page=1 Help yourself (and anyone else !). 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dermo245 Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 Cracking idea and look forward to seeing more of this! Dermot 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knight_Flyer Posted August 19, 2015 Share Posted August 19, 2015 I certainly like the idea you've come up with and quite look forward to seeing the completed build. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Have you tried oo gauge etched window frames & doors - you haven't got too many there: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ancorton-Models-OO-Gauge-SIGNAL-BOX-DOORS-WINDOWS-Railway-Scale-Models-Kits-/131300962261 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Thanks everyone for their kind words! I've finished the cardboard skeleton this week and have begun the cladding process. It's quite a relief that my plan is actually working out! I'm not going to post any pictures just yet as I ran out of cladding material halfway through so a trip to the LHS is required (unfortunately they don't open on a Sunday). Thanks to StuartP's pictures of the real thing I've been able to draw up some semi-accurate metalwork plans so once the cladding is on I can start the detailing process. I do have a question regarding the doors and how to replicate them in 1/72. I've tried folding paper and card into a concertina but it just doesn't look right. I want them to be pulled open as in the image in my first post so if anyone has any suggestions im happy to give them a go! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Also, have you seen the printable oo gauge cardboard kits from Scalecene - download & print as many times as you like. Might have some useful bits in the MPD kit http://scalescenes.com/products/R023a-Diesel-Depot I did have a quick look to see if there are any etch kits for the main folding doors but so far drew a blank 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Could try the doors using a flat sheet of paper (normal copier paper, nothing too stiff) and gluing on either strips of card or plasticard with a 2mm space between each vertical strip. Then when you fold along the spaces it will neatly concertina up with the paper acting as a hinge. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 22, 2015 Author Share Posted August 22, 2015 Have you tried oo gauge etched window frames & doors - you haven't got too many there: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ancorton-Models-OO-Gauge-SIGNAL-BOX-DOORS-WINDOWS-Railway-Scale-Models-Kits-/131300962261 Ive not done any railway modelling for about 20 years so I feel really out of the loop with what's available in that realm so thanks for that, there's a lot of useable bits in there, it might be a good buy! Also, have you seen the printable oo gauge cardboard kits from Scalecene - download & print as many times as you like. Might have some useful bits in the MPD kit http://scalescenes.com/products/R023a-Diesel-Depot I did have a quick look to see if there are any etch kits for the main folding doors but so far drew a blank Thanks for Looking. I did have a quick look thinking there may have been a OO TMD/loco shed set or similar that I could use, but the ones I've seen are too small or the roller door style so I decided on the scratchbuild route. Could try the doors using a flat sheet of paper (normal copier paper, nothing too stiff) and gluing on either strips of card or plasticard with a 2mm space between each vertical strip. Then when you fold along the spaces it will neatly concertina up with the paper acting as a hinge.That might be the best approach. The problem I was having with the card/paper was that it was bending in all the wrong places and it looked really out of place against the straight lines and edges of the iron cladding sheets. I think strengthening it with plasticard and using the paper as a hinge is a a great idea. So simple too. I'll let you know how I get on. I had a feeling you'd have a solution, bar side! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) Could try brass strip but I always end up bending it more than plasticard - plus the door would be heavy & probably sag in the middle. Could sandwich the paper with 0.5mm plasticard for improved rigidity. Maybe even drill a hole through the top & tuck it up under the door frame. The doors would hang like curtains on a curtain pole. Edited August 22, 2015 by bar side 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 Some good links here, it would make a fellow get ideas too big for his modelling room! I await progress pics, Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stuartp Posted August 22, 2015 Share Posted August 22, 2015 (edited) When the doors are fully open the leaves lie flat against each other with only the outer edge showing. At the back (not that you can see the back on yours) the various flat strips of the bracing/folding concertina thingies all form a flat face with bolts sticking out. I used a long thin square tube made from 30 thou styrene sheet with 1mm styrene rod forming corrugations on one side to represent the hinged edges lying flat against each other, the dimensions of the box are depth of one leaf x number of visible door edges when folded. Another bout of bookshelf building has left the box with my bits in temporarily inaccessible otherwise I'd take a pic, but here's a sketch which hopefully explains things - visible front face to the left: They may look a little too regular (your colour pic of the real Binbrook shed in post 1 shows them a little 'ragged' to the right of Q1 where the tops haven't quite come together), if you want to replicate that just glue one on slightly skew-whiff. I wondered about it but then decided it would just look as though I'd glued it on skew-whiff so I didn't. Edited August 22, 2015 by stuartp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurrantBunbury Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 What a cool idea. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Could try brass strip but I always end up bending it more than plasticard - plus the door would be heavy & probably sag in the middle. Could sandwich the paper with 0.5mm plasticard for improved rigidity. Maybe even drill a hole through the top & tuck it up under the door frame. The doors would hang like curtains on a curtain pole.The curtain pole idea sounds like a really good idea, I'll give that a try. I think I'll steer clear of the brass for now though, there're 14 individual leaves on each door so I think the weight will start to build up even after one side. Plus I'm trying my hardest to keep costs down as I'm not sure how it's going to turn out and don't want to start ploughing too much into it for it to fall apart the first time I switch the lights on! Some good links here, it would make a fellow get ideas too big for his modelling room! I await progress pics, Sean Go for it! The Q-shed building has been a lot of fun, and passes the time between coats of paint on the aircraft that I want to display on it! I really wanted to post some pictures today, but I don't want to post any while the cladding is half finished When the doors are fully open the leaves lie flat against each other with only the outer edge showing. At the back (not that you can see the back on yours) the various flat strips of the bracing/folding concertina thingies all form a flat face with bolts sticking out. I used a long thin square tube made from 30 thou styrene sheet with 1mm styrene rod forming corrugations on one side to represent the hinged edges lying flat against each other, the dimensions of the box are depth of one leaf x number of visible door edges when folded. Another bout of bookshelf building has left the box with my bits in temporarily inaccessible otherwise I'd take a pic, but here's a sketch which hopefully explains things - visible front face to the left: They may look a little too regular (your colour pic of the real Binbrook shed in post 1 shows them a little 'ragged' to the right of Q1 where the tops haven't quite come together), if you want to replicate that just glue one on slightly skew-whiff. I wondered about it but then decided it would just look as though I'd glued it on skew-whiff so I didn't. That makes perfect sense. Another technique added to the to-try list I hear what you're saying about replicating scale skew-wiffery. There's been a few times where I've had to straighten up beams etc because it looks like poor workmanship on my part rather than a defect of the actual thing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F-32 Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Very smart idea, it'll look great when finished 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 So I've been peer pressured by Sean into posting a few pictures so here is today's update from the building site: This is what she looks like with a bit of cladding on. As the posts above I'm still playing with a few ideas to sort the doors so I've used my excellent MS Paint skills to simulate where they'll be. And a few pre-cladding. The black dots are guide holes for the lighting wires. I've been looking at lighting options today too. I'm between Woodland Scenics lighting range (thanks for the picture, Danyel) (nice but expensive) or http://www.smallscalelights.co.uk/index.php which are within budget but requires a bit of construction. Thanks again for everyone's expertise and advice. You're all making this a fun build! 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 23, 2015 Share Posted August 23, 2015 Small Scale Lights website looks good. Not heard of them before but they seem to cover most bases 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 23, 2015 Author Share Posted August 23, 2015 Small Scale Lights website looks good. Not heard of them before but they seem to cover most bases They seem to do a wide variety of lighting at reasonable prices. I was thinking about getting these: http://www.smallscalelights.co.uk/viewcategory.php?groupid=64 I was also thinking about putting one or two lights inside of the crew bungalow too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Had a bit of time to have a play this evening. The outer brick wall has now gone on the crew quarters. For some reason in the picture below the top looks a bit creased but I can assure you it's flat as a pancake. I've allowed myself some artistic license with the windows, but they don't look out of place so I'll keep them. The frames are made from card strips, they'll be painted to match the shed once I manage to mix up the hideous green colour the RAF decided to paint it! One from above. The posters on the wall are an 11 squadron badge (above the door) outlines of Russian aircraft (just in case the pilots forget) an airfield map and a Lighting intercepting a Bear picture/poster. I'm assuming it's some sort of office, whether this is accurate or not is another matter...Once the floor is in and it's attached to the base I'll add some wiring, furniture and other details. I fear they'll just fall off if I add them now as it still requires a lot of handling. It's all coming together nicely. Now to work out these bloody doors! Thanks for looking. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bar side Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Superquick brick paper? Like the inside details. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Superquick brick paper? Like the inside details. I used: http://paperbrick.co.uk just as a test until I could buy some but it came out quite well so I kept it. The inside details look a bit garish, but I hope once the roof is on it'll tone down a bit but still show the detail. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 Looking good so far M.B., those little touches with the posters bring it a up a level. Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattBlack33 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Thanks again, Sean. I do worry about posting pictures with it in such a state! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sean Posted August 24, 2015 Share Posted August 24, 2015 I wouldn't worry about that, it's nice to see how comes together, Sean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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