Kateenaboy

So more recently I've been looking at different local stores here in OZ to get Plasticard and other materials suitable for making the buildings, I'm also thinking due to size/feasibility of the project of doing int in smaller sections. I've also been doing further research in regards to layouts, of bases in which I'm thinking of adopting a layout resembling @Mancunian airman Grimsby diorama... I've been looking at how I may be able to scale back some of my ambitions so my (19 year old)imagination doesn't run too wild, though still be able to capture the essence of my original dream seek to incorporate references to my original concept via references to the aircraft I originally wanted tot use but would have blown everything out of proportion for instance the use of cockpits of aircraft in a miniature boneyard. another thing I though it may have to occur that different sections of the project may need to be modular to account for space for example separating the bomb-store from the technical site, completing the aircraft hardstanding/marshalling area separately. Though construct these sections in a way that they could attach to the main project to form one cohesive piece. In relation to railways I have found according to the RAF museum "The Royal Air Forces’ once operated extensive narrow and standard gauge railway systems, serving Maintenance Units such as RAF Stafford, bomb stores (Chilmark & Fauld)and airfields (Hendon airfield) in which they used 040 class diesel shunters so the railway line will probably be incorporated into the the bomb store as seen here As previously stated by @Heather Kay it is my project and it'll turn out, how it turns out. I would like to say thank you for the brilliant feedback and knowledge in relation to this and will continue to seek to properly get this project underway, as It has been a longways coming. Regards, Ben

I see what you mean @Paul821 I figure something out as you said I’ll most like use the crane from a recovery set or as shown in the video have the crane mounted a railway flatbed

The idea behind using a heavy dockside crane is due to tonnage involved in lifting lets say the carcass of a plane e.g b17; or halftrack & placing it on a flat bed war wagon would be heavy so the availability of a such a crane may be necessary to move such an object. Though give me your opinion on weather I should use the lower portion of the crane( the supports/rails) as I think it may looks good without it?

It’s going well. I recently got plans for some buildings from Mancunian airman(Ian). The building are from old airfields throughout the uk primarily the Lincolnshire area I’m currently making some cardboard mock ups of the plans I’ll be sure to upload some photos soon. Just trying to figure out the best materials to construct the buildings out of prior to construction of the actual buildings being used for the display ...

Deleted - not a BM issue.

The crane will go with the railways siding and it will most likely depicted lifting either a loading wrecked aircraft on a train car or a unloading a new vehicle being delivered. I have started construction on a few other models which I'm yet to photograph. most of which require extra detailing. I have started a model of a PBY-5"black cat" and two c47's with markings of captain winters' & luitenant Meehan's aircraft with pre d-day marking so the aircraft does not have invasion stripes as the diorama I set prior to the invasion of normandy

so I have stated constructing a crane for railway siding the base model is a oo gauge dipole dockside crane I am using parts from E-100 panzer weapon carrier with v1 missile launcher to modify it. The rocket will be save for another component of the project. I shall post further images of the crane from the stages that I am up to in the next few days. I'm currently contemplating changes to the original dispersal area's design with closer inspections of runway layouts of to help determine these changes

I'm intending on using GPM 1:72 hangars set for the main hangars which reminds me of the J Type hangar without the external doo supports. also just to mention with the feed back it allows for modification as the first layout was mainly a first thoughts I'm now contemplating how the plans could be modified to be more shaped like an actual base whilst also containing most of the major elements

Just wanted to say thank you as the feed back and resources for project the project are helpful allowing for modifications and adaptation, as well as valuable insight for the project

@Heather Kay I know exactly where you are coming from, as previously mentioned the is inspiration from actual bases though I have made adaptations to include elements and the complete set out will be fictional mainly the buildings and vehicles will be real or heavily influenced by actual period pieces

I @Paul821Mostly the design is custom though inspired by aspects of actual airforce base such as pens, though as I do more research the layout may change to add a more realistic setup. The design is both a combination of a busy airforce base(primarily) and to display a collection(secondary). Also reasoning for making of segments allows for easy adaptation for space constraints, so the full set up can be added together to form the full diorama or be split up and used for multiple smaller diorama’s.

Hi guys. it has been a w while another update just come up with the general design for the marshalling area for the airforce base thin this update I have posted an image of the aircraft marshalling area and most of the relevant dimension I intend to use. I have yet to add a mosquito pen and a c47 pen with most likely be placed near the aircraft control tower which will be added later in a another section at the end on the runway. I will Post a general plan of what I'm thinking of for a railway siding by the end of the week. please give feedback and thoughts sorry if it it is a little confusing. Until next time Dimension have been calculated as 3.5m by 2.5m. It will be made in 8 segments measuring 85cm x125cm Hangar dimensions Hangers 1-4 will be 44.5cm x 32cm Hangar 5= 28cm x 22.5cm hangar 6 = 16cm x 16cm The fighter pens dimension will be 19.5cm x 17.4cm interior with a 2cm wall on either side and back Pathways each pathway between the H1-4 is 7cm with 40cm wide patches of grass the end pathways on either far side of the pens is 5cm the gaps between hangers 6 and 6 being being roughly 2-4cm apart the tarmac the tarmac in front of the hangars is a 20cm gap with 20cm partings every 3 pens allowing access to the main runway. the runway width is 48.6 cm with the grass safety barrier being 125cm. The key is H 1,2,3 =hangar P 1,2,3 = blast pen Green=grass Grey= tarmac

Due to space parameters for the project it will be impractical to do the full runway even with it being a modular layout. I’ll most likely only do a small portion of runway with the rest being a backdrop. The main focus will then be the main technical sights and facilities such as hangers, dumps, substations, etc...

I probably then only keep it around major installations such a the bomb dump

For an update date i’ve Been doing research on runway lengths and lay out. For something full 1:72 recreation for a short runway the total distance would be between 11-13m long, up to 50cm wide and a regulation safety barrier of 1.27m on all sides of the runway. I’m also looking at references at marshalling areas and hangers. by either this weekend or next I’ll post some concept layouts for the railway siding, and aircraft marshalling/ hangers

thought my fictional airbase is based in the south of England is the lay out will be inspire by the likes of RAF Windrush & Bibury, etc... as my it is my one of my favourite childhood areas as I had fond memories of visiting my grandfather and walking around the Cotswolds. Just looking at google maps it turns out I us to walk through the fields only about a km or 2 from RAF windrush which wash used between 1940-45. .

I have further refined my design of the airfield that it will be primarily a fighter base though it will still be a shared facility like that of Heston, Ashford & Kingsnorth. Though the infrastructure will support a variety of different aircraft both American and British. These aircraft will be classic fighters will most lightly be some of the most iconic aircraft of the second world war. Aircraft I would used would be using include: the p51D's, the P47D's, p40's, Spitfire's, Hurricane's, Typhoon's, skua's, etc... though that has not come to a final decision. The Building and related infrastructure for the airbase I intend to use, I'm currently in talks with Mancunian airman to obtain plans for his accurate card models. I'm also undergoing the decision making process to design and make a railway siding on the bases perimeter that will serve the personnel on base and deliver essential goods. once the general concept is thought of I'll be purchasing and basic modelling goods such as ballast and other scenic detailing as well as scratch making several pieces such as platforms, signal box etc. Until next time Ben

What I was thinking is a small siding that enables goods to be dropped off near the perimeter of the fence so trains would not actually go into the airforce base but would be able to stop unload essential goods/personnel.

So from the sounds of things most bases would have been serviced primarily by motor transportation such as convoys. Evidently my design may may not be 100% historically accurate as I will be applying a creative license to the project, by adding a railway depot/siding at the base perimeter, which I’m sure everybody incorporates some sort of personal touch in their projects.

@Mancunian airman, yes I’ll be posting progress notes. my first goal is research and ordering first couple of items to start the project off. Just currently going through the PDF you sent and further having a look at the facilities and compiling a list of potential building I’m interested in. I’m also looking at a concept for the train depot that would service the areodrome.

M-Mother was one of the lead Lancaster bombers used in the dam busters raids. It was part of the RAF 617 squadron located at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire

I understand where this coming from I was thinking due to such a large space being required I would potentially the diorama modular sections, then they could be added to together to form the entire airforce Base. Era wise I’m thinking Battle of Britain or 1943-44. Other than that there is not really any set time period The concept I have is based on one of the shared allied airfields in the south of England. I am also considering using some of my favourite aircraft/groups including: The red tails, Hub Zemke’ Wolfpack, ‘M’ for mother, Memphis belle, a custom spitfire flight based on fictional Ace James Bigglesworth, etc.

I’m also looking for recommended any vehicles to add to the diorama bases including: 1. staff cars 2. utilities vehicles e.g fuel trucks 3. motorcycles 4. Anti aircraft guns 5. trucks/armour 6. railway vehicles Could anybody recommend any good airforce personnel, pilot, driver, p.o.w figurine sets.

I’m new to the forum. I have started a new undertaking and in which i’m attempting to construct a 1:72 scale ww2 RAF/USAAF airforce base. I’m looking for inspiration and recommendations for the project. I was wondering about airforce base infrastructure as I’m looking to a way either make or purchase relating to: 1. Hangars 2. Aircraft control towers 3. marshalling area’s 4. Munitions stores 5. Bomb stores/dump 6. Fuel stores/dump 7. medic centre/ fire station 8. mess 9. watchtower/checkpoints/defences 10. barracks 11. Railway depot Thank you you for your help Ben *Due to a previous wording and requests I have had to do a new version of my original post

Okay any chance I could repost an edited copy of the forum without anything that may not be acceptable to the rules. And where can I locate a copy of them