forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

Modelers Lounge => Time to relax => Topic started by: Chris Johnson on June 20, 2013, 11:33:06 PM

Title: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: Chris Johnson on June 20, 2013, 11:33:06 PM
After my Sopwith Tripe, I decided to take a break from these demanding (for me!) WWI aircraft projects and try my hand at one of Minicraft's 1:35 ruined building kits. They're pretty simple, being of vacuform construction for the main parts with a couple of sprues of accessory pieces. I used a sharp awl to score around the parts and they snapped out easily.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5427_zps83a0a97b.jpg)

I decided to add a drain pipe to hide the gap between the walls when they're assembled and I replaced the window and door frames as the supplied pieces were much too small.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5464_zps1ff6daad.jpg)

So as not to get bogged down on this project, I used a piece of square plastic stock to hide the gap on the interior and I used plastic strip to make the remains of a second floor.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5467_zps2e94b907.jpg)

Painting was done with Tamiya acrylics with oil washes and filters. The grassy area is just a selection of spices raided from my wife. Nothing fancy at all. The roadside is supplied in the kit as a piece of printed paper so you could substitute something else printed on a computer.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5513-72_zpsb4ae5010.jpg)

The sand and gravel came from the curb outside my house and the broken planks are coffee stir sticks stained with a wash of oil paint. I used two linesman pliers to twist them which resulted in a convincing split wood effect.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5521-72_zps6b9901db.jpg)

The frame is a piece of interior household moulding that I mitred to length to fit the base. I sprayed it black to keep things simple. If I was to do it again, I'd dispense with the kit base entirely and make my own to fit an existing picture frame.

(http://i331.photobucket.com/albums/l474/ChrisJohnson56/Ruined%20Normandy%20House/DSCN5563-72_zps94d98b08.jpg)

All in all, it was an enjoyable project and a good way to recharge the battery for my next WWI aviation project.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: GAJouette on June 20, 2013, 11:57:23 PM
   Chris,
Outstanding recharge my old friend.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: lawman56 on June 21, 2013, 02:55:07 AM
Very nice! I used cast plaster buildings in my Cassino diorama and was a little leary of using plastic buildings, but seeing how well yours turned out, I may use them in the future. I like the idea of stir sticks for wood. With summer being here and having 3 grandsons, I may have to start saving their popsicle sticks.
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: michael on June 21, 2013, 06:49:51 AM
fantastic job Chris lovely dio  :)

michael
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: Des on June 21, 2013, 08:28:41 AM
Great work Chris with a lovely result, I like the rubble inside and outside the building, the colours you used for the building are very convincing, well done.

Des.
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: LindsayT on June 21, 2013, 11:14:09 AM
Why don't you crash your Brisfit into the building and really make it a convincing diorama? I'm sure after all the work you put into that bird you'd have no problems using linesman pliers on it to get that splintered effect! :D

Is there a "duck for cover" emoticon?

It looks great, Chris. Thanks for sharing.  :)

Lindsay
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: pepperman42 on June 21, 2013, 11:43:11 AM
Nice work Chris. A straight up armour project can cleanse the palate.

Steve
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: uncletony on June 21, 2013, 11:58:45 AM
Why don't you crash your Brisfit into the building and really make it a convincing diorama?

Ah yes, a forgotten aspect of that conflict:  in late 1944, in the desperate fighting around Caen, Monty ordered every available aircraft into the fray, including a museum piece Brifit once flown by James McCudden; the valiant crew so committed tried to take out a Pz IV with their trusty 20lbs Cooper bombs, but alas, they missed and were unable to pull out...
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: LindsayT on June 21, 2013, 12:13:06 PM
Bo, you know that's historically inaccurate. It was an Avro Arrow that strafed the building...
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: lcarroll on June 21, 2013, 12:17:14 PM
Why don't you crash your Brisfit into the building and really make it a convincing diorama?

Ah yes, a forgotten aspect of that conflict:  in late 1944, in the desperate fighting around Caen, Monty ordered every available aircraft into the fray, including a museum piece Brifit once flown by James McCudden; the valiant crew so committed tried to take out a Pz IV with their trusty 20lbs Cooper bombs, but alas, they missed and were unable to pull out...

See what happens when you stray off Theme Chris!?!? This could turn out worse then the "Bishop Bashing Bunfight"!
But seriously, nice work!
Cheers,
Lance :)
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: Chris Johnson on June 22, 2013, 11:34:03 PM
Thanks for the comments guys.

There are a variety of building types such as sheds and workshops in the Miniart line that could have application in a WWI aircraft diorama or display. You might want to check them out.

Cheers,

Chris
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: coyotemagic on June 24, 2013, 01:39:59 PM
Really nice, Chris!  I love it!
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: Dave W on July 01, 2013, 08:17:56 PM
Outstanding work Chris! I'm really impressed with the level of detail you have achieved with this diorama. A very motivating job for the rest of us.

cheers

Dave Wilson
Gold Coast
Australia
Title: Re: I Took A Break And Wrecked A Building
Post by: Ernie on July 08, 2013, 11:27:47 PM
That reminds me...I've got to get to that plastering I was going
to do. ;)
Really nice job, Chris! Nice change of pace.

Cheers,
Ernie