Help wanted for airfield Diorama base

[Michael Morris]

I've just bought a Revell's 1/144 scale model of Virgin Galactic's Spaceship Two.  When I've finished it, I'd like to display it on a runway or taxi strip at their Spaceport in New Mexico.  I've never produced a diorama base before.  Any signposts to guides to producing convincing looking concrete runways and North American desert landscapes gratefully received!

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spaceport_America#/media/File:White_Knight_Two_and_SpaceShipTwo_on_the_taxiway_at_Spaceport_America.jpg

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiJ6PLfwt7lAhXPzYUKHWHzB9IQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnet.com%2Fnews%2Fvirgin-galactic-flies-a-surprise-passenger-to-suborbital-space%2F&psig=AOvVaw1RDZcXplqtEYSwFlFWWqmu&ust=1573436729228063

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjSlenxwt7lAhUlxoUKHUwPBGwQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fhome.bt.com%2Fnews%2Fscience-news%2Fvirgin-galactic-aims-to-reach-space-with-tourism-rocket-11364317553882&psig=AOvVaw1RDZcXplqtEYSwFlFWWqmu&ust=1573436729228063

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=virgin+galactic+runway&sxsrf=ACYBGNRFRCB3UkDkrJV7jF0NTA49R2aW8w:1573350254167&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiO4Ya4wt7lAhXPi1wKHQgACDAQ_AUIEygC&biw=1366&bih=608#imgrc=KcnfbUBoOhCN3M:

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjuwd-Vw97lAhUDxoUKHdynA0wQjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.popularmechanics.com%2Fspace%2Fa17905%2Fspaceport-america-emptiness%2F&psig=AOvVaw1RDZcXplqtEYSwFlFWWqmu&ust=1573436729228063

 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwi6k8Gqw97lAhUwyIUKHU3GAY0QjRx6BAgBEAQ&url=https%3A%2F%2Ftwitter.com%2Fvirgingalactic%2Fstatus%2F1073035807408017409&psig=AOvVaw1RDZcXplqtEYSwFlFWWqmu&ust=1573436729228063

 

Thanks

[OutcastJoel]

It tends to be a little (a lot really I guess) over scale but i like the effect a sand textured paint gives for concrete runways. Pop it on a card or wood base and then overpaint as normal to match the real runway. 

Remember that concrete is not a perfect grey and enjoy the fact it is cheap and quick compared to a kit and just experiment and have fun with it. 

There are some great concrete tutorials on YouTube, Luke Towen and Kathy Millet being the names to look for. Both are more aimed at railway modellers but for 1/144 that is pretty well ideal.