Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 It was only recently that I came back to plastic models since my childhood as I have my own children now and they are into planes. I've built a few of late and I really needed somewhere to stick them (as well as their bedroom ceiling) and as I have never made a diorama before, I felt it was about time I gave it a try so here goes. Bear with me as it may take me some time as I work full time and have 2 young boys to entertain. I value opinion at any level so please feel free to comment good or bad. The theme is a generic WW2 fighter base/Airfield around early summer 1941 and is going to be as much about developing different techniques and processes as I go along. Hope you enjoy how this progresses. Deano 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) I bought various kits in 1:72 scale to make up my diorama but I couldn't find a kit for a Nissen hut that I was totally happy with. I bought Vac formed, which were too basic, Cardboard kit, which had no texture etc, etc so I thought I would have a bash at scratch building my own. Here goes. Starting with a empty sweets box I cut out some shapes for my first one. I used the Excellent Metcalfe Cardboard kit as a template. Edited June 29, 2017 by Stonenkey 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Major_Error Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Very nice start! I am looking forward to follow your project! 8-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 (edited) Thanks Major ;-) I then started to put it together and primed it. I am going to use corrugated plastic sheet for the roof. I also decided to add lighting at this stage. Edited June 29, 2017 by Stonenkey 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I lightly scored the corrugated plastic with a blade to make bending easier and to give the effect of multiple sheets of steel. I used superglue to attach to one beam at a time. Whilst it set with the help of sellotape, I made a small hut too... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 Plain cardboard is less basic than the vacform examples? I don't quite follow you there - wouldn't it have been easier (if less fun) to improve the vacform? Did you consider the metal one from Flightpath? https://www.djparkins.com/home.php?cat=246 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I then attached window frames and cut out openings behind them for the light to shine from later. Then to create a chimney. Those boys needed a stove to keep them huts warm. I found some small bits in Halfords that I thought might make ideal flues... Next, to clad the ends in small strips of Obechi wood. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 3 minutes ago, Graham Boak said: Plain cardboard is less basic than the vacform examples? I don't quite follow you there - wouldn't it have been easier (if less fun) to improve the vacform? Did you consider the metal one from Flightpath? https://www.djparkins.com/home.php?cat=246 Thanks for the link Graham, I hadnt seen those. As for the Vac formed, yes I considered improving them but I also felt that the scale was off and that I hoped by starting a fresh, I could maybe make a better job. Not sure yet... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 I then decided that I didnt like the wooden cladding, except for around the windows. I covered in a gritty mix of filler and cut some wood for the supports. I built a second one too at this point and started to wish I had bought some 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Graham Boak Posted June 29, 2017 Share Posted June 29, 2017 A few suggestions about vehicles. There aren't a lot available in 1/72, especially early-war, but you will find some, including a selection of Albions, on the Matador website. http://www.matadormodels.co.uk/catalogue.htm#AA If your're ok with 1/76 the choice is much wider, although you do have to be careful with the Airfix range. There are a goodly number of RAF vehicles available from MMS models http://www.mmsmodels.co.uk/ These are white metal and to much the same quality (if a little heavier!) than the Airfix range. They are easy to make, just requiring superglue of epoxy rather than polystyrene, but that's also true about the resin kits. Another source is Milicast http://www.milicast.com/pages/new.php although they don't have so many RAF vehicles, and they are more detailed so more difficult to work with than MMS. If you'd like to see some of these send me a pm - I'm in Kirkham. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 For my research, I took the family to Yorkshire Air Museum for some piccies. Found it very useful indeed and can well recomend it. Then started to Airbrush. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 29, 2017 Author Share Posted June 29, 2017 3 minutes ago, Graham Boak said: A few suggestions about vehicles. There aren't a lot available in 1/72, especially early-war, but you will find some, including a selection of Albions, on the Matador website. http://www.matadormodels.co.uk/catalogue.htm#AA If your're ok with 1/76 the choice is much wider, although you do have to be careful with the Airfix range. There are a goodly number of RAF vehicles available from MMS models http://www.mmsmodels.co.uk/ These are white metal and to much the same quality (if a little heavier!) than the Airfix range. They are easy to make, just requiring superglue of epoxy rather than polystyrene, but that's also true about the resin kits. Another source is Milicast http://www.milicast.com/pages/new.php although they don't have so many RAF vehicles, and they are more detailed so more difficult to work with than MMS. If you'd like to see some of these send me a pm - I'm in Kirkham. Awesome Graham, thanks so much for all this. Kirkham aint far so it would be great to see some in the near future thanks. Dean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Now for the base, I used a sheet of MDF and started to layer up the terrain with Polystyrene. I wanted the track leading in to the Airfield to come down a slope and pass over a river. I wanted the river to be dammed to create a pond water source for the base and for swimming in the off time for the people stationed there. (it is summer after all). I also wanted to play with water effects as I have never done this before. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 To create my Air Raid Shelters, I simply cut down into the Polystyrene and used the corrugated plastic to form them. As I have decided to put lights in all the buildings, I put some basic interior detail in my main shelter and Anderson. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Lovely job,where's the popcorn this's going to be a belter... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 'Sends Vince some salted caramel popcorn' Thanks mate, I have to say that I am thoroughly enjoying putting this together and learning as I go. Should have made one years ago. :-) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Basic interiors and sealed with watered PVA... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 I then started to cover the whole area with filler and started to mark out the tracks etc. I made up a mix of PVA, Water, Brown Emulsion and garden soil to render the whole thing with. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gorby Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 Very impressive so far, particularly in regard to the scratch building - I'll be following with interest. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 I had been looking at different trees but wasnt that enthused with the ones I saw, so decided I would make my own using florist wire, latex and clump foliage. I have never used clump foliage before and when I saw the price, I decided to make my own with the help of the good old internet, some cheap foam, tester pots of paints, PVA, water and an old blender. I have ended up making LOADS lol for next to nothing in all shades and colours. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 2 minutes ago, Gorbygould said: Very impressive so far, particularly in regard to the scratch building - I'll be following with interest. Many thanks Gorby. Good to know, especially as I had a look at some of your great work already. Cheers Deano 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince1159 Posted June 30, 2017 Share Posted June 30, 2017 25 minutes ago, Stonenkey said: 'Sends Vince some salted caramel popcorn' ,ta.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 Started to stick the clump to my branches which was tricky and time consuming. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonenkey Posted June 30, 2017 Author Share Posted June 30, 2017 (edited) My track onto the base needed a small bridge to cross the stream so I made one out of wood and secured with milliput. I also used some milliput to help define my tracks etc... Edited June 30, 2017 by Stonenkey 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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