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Looking for ideas and suggestions please, as first foray into such a large diorama for me, gulp 😆!! Please see images below - I am going to create a diorama to replicate Short Stirling MG-V W7445 at it's hard stand at RAF Oakington, with the LNER D16 locomotive and carriage in the back ground (I've purchased both) as seen in the B&W image below. My initial plans are to are cut out a "Trapezoid" that's 50cm across the front, 60cm deep and 70 wide at the back out of a solid foam, this gives it depth, width at the back and possibly a good composition too? . I am not going to use the frame that's in the image below with the paper cut out of the Stirling, that was way too heavy and large but it shows the concept. The rail track will sit at the back as the 70cm gives it the width for the D16 locomotive & carriage and the Stirling at the front, with it's front wheels on the hard stand and tail wheels on the grass behind. I'm thinking of using Balsa wood to create the edging of the foam. There will be a tractor and bomb trolley's, may be a vehicle and definitely figures working on the Stirling and loading Bombs too. It's Nov 1941, it'll be wet, even with a light snow here and there. Lots of Youtube info available, perhaps too much, so appreciate any suggestions? The scene below is what I'm thinking I'd like to replicate, though some bombs will be loaded and some being drawn up into the bay too. By Charles E. Brown - This photograph TR 36 comes from the collections of the Imperial War Museums., Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2050947

Beyond the railway line is Westwick Farm, owned by my Grand Father Fredrick Pearson in 1941. Who was awarded the BEM (Civil) for rescuing two of the crew from Short Stirling MG-V, W7445 that crashed upon take off close to his farmhouse having clipped another house close by. The Stirling model build can be viewed through the link below and that provides all the detail behind the Stirling itself, the LNER D16 locomotive and Teak carriage that will sit upon the diorama. The diorama base is yet to be completed but not too far away from calling it done! There's the Airfix Bomber resupply kit to build and from that add in those items that make it more real plus some ground crew too! The idea behind the diorama came from this image: Series of images showing the process for the diorama build: This is the next stage of the diorama plus some ground crew too!

Hi Looking for ideas for the best base material to build a diorama to display a 1/72 Short Stirling, a D16 LNER lococmotive and carriage. Where the main wheels of the Stirling sit on the perimeter concrete track and the rear wheel on the grass area, with the D16 and carriage behind mounted on railway track behind the Stirling? See images below for an idea of what I am looking to achieve. i1

Hi all, a few very quick questions about colours on the Short Stirling. 1) What colour should the inside of the engine cowlings be? 2) What's the best way of reproducing the collector ring at the front of the cowling? I think the instructions have you use a fairly garish bronze colour, but this always looks too red for me. I made a bit of progress on the Stirling over Christmas and would really like to get it finished.

HI, This time a bigger machine. Short Stirling Mk I, from Airfix 1/72, a bit shaped. This particular markings (HA-D, N3725) are from 218 Squadron (BC) RAF, in 1942. She was lost over Hamburg on 15 September 1942... I made the model in 2005. EDIT - emblem is hand painted Regards Jerzy-Wojtek

Photo Etch and Resin Detail Sets for Airfix Short Stirling 1:72 White Ensign Models When Bobby Moore lifted the Jules Rimet trophy back in 1966, few could have guessed that Airfix’s then brand new Short Stirling would still be soldiering on as the only available kit of the RAF’s first wartime ‘heavy’ nearly fifty years later. Despite the longevity of this venerable kit however, relatively few aftermarket items have been released for it over the years. Now White Ensign Models have released two comprehensive frets of photo etched parts and a set of resin wheels to help us to spruce up this Airfix classic. Each of the photo etched frets arrives packed into a re-sealable plastic bag, safely ensconced in a sturdy hard-backed envelope. Detailed instructions are also included, clearly printed in black and white on A4 paper. One thing I particularly like about White Ensign’s instructions is that fact that they provide a detailed breakdown of each and every part. This gives the reassurance that they have really done their homework, as well as providing a useful reference for the modeller. Short Stirling Interior Detail Set 1:72 White Ensign Models The first of the sets contains parts for detailing the inside of the Airfix kit. Included are a number of larger, structural parts including the main cabin floor, the cockpit floor, the main cabin bulkhead, the forward bulkheads (port and starboard) and the aft cabin bulkhead. The cockpit is well catered for and features an instrument panel, side panel, throttle quadrant and details for the control column. Two complete seats for the pilot and co-pilot are also included. A comprehensive set of parts is included for the bomb aimer’s position too, including the steps leading from the main cabin to the nose compartment, the bomb aimer’s couch, bomb sight, bombing computer and switching panels. The navigator’s position is comprised of a table, instrument box, side panel, stowage boxes and seats. The radio operator’s position is similarly well-appointed. Moving further aft, White Ensign have provided the deck and bulkheads for the tail section, as well as the elsan toilet and privacy curtain. Racks for the smoke floats and flares are also included. Parts for detailing the insides of the defensive turrets are also on the fret, and include seats, ammunition boxes and structural framework. Overall this is an incredibly comprehensive set. Short Stirling Exterior and Wing Bomb Bay Detail Set 1:72 White Ensign Models The second set contains parts for the outside of the airframe. The engine oil coolers, which are a prominent feature of the main landing gear bays are included, as are the main undercarriage bay frames. The wing bomb bays are also included, and use is made of folding parts to make construction a little easier. The crew entry door for the rear fuselage is included, as is the crew access ladder. The engine front supports, aileron control linkages and a range of antennae and pitot masts are also provided, including the Yagi antennae and Mandrel antennae fitted to 100 Group aircraft. Short Stirling Weighted Wheels 1:72 White Ensign Models These are simple but effective resin weighted wheels designed as direct replacements for the kit parts. The wheels are cast in cream resin and, as you would expect from White Ensign, the casting is first class. Conclusion It has taken nearly fifty years, but at last we have a comprehensive aftermarket offering for the Airfix Stirling. Hopefully the release of these sets will breathe new life into the venerable kit. If you fancy having a bash at the largest but least well-known of the RAF’s World War Two heavy bombers, then you should give these sets very serious consideration. Highly recommended. Review sample courtesy of John at