Brad Cancian Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 (edited) Hi all, I've recently started a little aircraft crash diorama, based on the Eduard Albatros D.Va in 1/48 scale. It's not based on any photographs or historical event, rather, I got the idea many moons ago when I saw Stan Stokes' painting "Gotcha": I've chosen a different aircraft (I am thinking an Albatros painted in markings from mid / late 1918, when they were very much outclassed), a different angle into the water (slightly more dramatic), and a different pilot (to help tell the story), but the basic concept is there in the painting. Here is where I began with fleshing out the basic concept: The figure is a modified figure from the spares box, utilising bits and pieces from various figures (rather grotesque, really...). Next came some ground work. This was rather scary for me as it's my first time at any kind of terrain other than flat ground.... so feedback is always welcomed. First up, I used sheet plastic and cut foam to define the shape of the ground work: I then covered this in sculptamold, and scattered various grades of woodland scenics rocks / gravel over the base, secured using mod podge. Once this had dried (several days), I base coated with Tamiya gloss black from a rattle can. This helped to produce shadows for the top coats: Next came some Gunze dark earth, keeping some darker patches for the river bed: Then some dry brushing: Next came some long grass and reeds, as well as some small shrubs, again from woodland scenics: And some more dry brushing to get the final effect: A bit more of an idea of how this might look. You can probably get a feel for where I will have the river level, once I work out the best way to do that without making a huge mess.... ??? 😕 As I said, first time at something like this, so i welcome all feedback! Anyone know where to get some 1/48 scale ducks....? Cheers, BC Edited March 11, 2019 by Brad Cancian 27 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 (edited) Hi everyone - the interior is now completed. It's mostly out of the box with a couple of additions - I added a Karaya 1/48 engine to replace the kit engine, and added some detail to the engine compartment to fill the large void behind the engine in the kit (namely oil tanks, fuel tanks, and some bulkhead detail - nothing significant as not much more will be seen with the top wing on). The seat belts are at a bit of a funny angle as the finished model will also have a nose-down angle. The shoulder harnesses will be added towards the end of the build. Fuselage is now together and it's off to major construction...! Cheers, BC Edited April 3, 2019 by Brad Cancian 26 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 That's a great little diorama, looking forward to seeing how it progresses Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Very nice Brad, I'm looking forward to seeing this come together. A great start on the base by the way although I can offer no tips on that subject I'm afraid! Ian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell209 Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Coming along very nicely! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 On 3/11/2019 at 7:33 AM, Brad Cancian said: Anyone know where to get some 1/48 scale ducks....? Preisser are well-known manufacturers of figures (usually for model railways but obviously usable in other situations. The nearest to 1:48 would be 'O' scale in model-railway-speak, and the do indeed make a set of assorted animals (Ref: PR65326, 3 Geese, 4 Ducks, 8 Chickens, 2 Pigs, 1 Goat & a Cat - all painted) Good work on the pilot figure by the way. I tend to fill the gaps in the limbs with Milliput or similar before sanding and painting, to hide the joins. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicarage Vee Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Looking superb. I wouldn't worry too much about the ducks. If that thing had just come to rest (and the pilot is just getting out) they would be some way away by then! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smithy Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Brilliant work and a great idea for a really dramatic diorama 👍 👍 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 That´s looking very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted April 3, 2019 Author Share Posted April 3, 2019 Thanks everyone, including for the suggestions around the composition. I'll mull over whether I'll need something in the front right corner of the diorama... perhaps once everything is a bit more solidly in place I can make a judgement call. Thanks again! BC 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Harrison Posted April 3, 2019 Share Posted April 3, 2019 Great idea for a dio! Following with interest :) I assume you know what you're doing, but here's a similar dio as some reference for the water! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nikolay Polyakov Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 What a fantastic work, Brad! 👍 The diorama base looks wonderful, along with the painting job on the plane cockpit. Cheers! 😎 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdave22014 Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 Congratulations on an excellent base. Can't wait to see how this develops. And, although I like the idea of the ducks I have to agree with @Vicarage Vee that they would have scarpered sharpish! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul J Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 I like the approach in creating the base will look out for the next stages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SafetyDad Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 The base looks great! The riverbed could always be a dry one if you decide to leave the base as is... 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vicarage Vee Posted April 4, 2019 Share Posted April 4, 2019 12 hours ago, Brad Cancian said: Thanks everyone, including for the suggestions around the composition. I'll mull over whether I'll need something in the front right corner of the diorama... perhaps once everything is a bit more solidly in place I can make a judgement call. Thanks again! BC This is going to be quite stunning. For the front right corner, would either the stbd aileron or a propeller blade broken off in the drop over the bank work? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Absolutely beautiful work. The diorama is amazing as is the finishing on the interior. Will you be adding the Spad as well ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
German Armour Posted April 5, 2019 Share Posted April 5, 2019 Wow! Excellent job! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted April 7, 2019 Author Share Posted April 7, 2019 Thanks everyone - I could try and do some forced perspective trickery with a small scale SPAD, but I think i've got enough challenges just getting this one together Minor update - I've started to add some basic 'battle damage' - mainly some detail which will sit under shot / torn fabric. In all, I want it to look like just enough damage to necessitate an inexperienced pilot to make a forced landing, so i'm going for some fairly significant damage to the rudder fabric, some damage to the elevator, and a holed radiator (to be done) and torn fabric on the upper wing. A few bullets will also have made their way into the engine compartment, and the wheel has damaged the lower wing on the tumble into the river. The torn fabric will probably be done with lozenge decal, or painted foil. Still yet to work that one out... Cheers, BC 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exdraken Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Great work!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 That's brilliant! Would tissue paper soaked in PVA be an option for representing fabric? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco Posted April 7, 2019 Share Posted April 7, 2019 Beautiful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brad Cancian Posted April 12, 2019 Author Share Posted April 12, 2019 She now has some crumpled legs... most of this will be under the water line, but there may be enough clarity in the water that something might be seen (or at least hinted at).... worst case, at least i'll know it's there Cheers, BC 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clive_t Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 Excellent! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marklo Posted April 12, 2019 Share Posted April 12, 2019 Try reading This the author had to make forced landings several times and you'll get some detail. It's a pretty good account of the era and an enjoyable read. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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