forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Dioramas => Topic started by: Squiffy on June 17, 2014, 06:03:53 AM

Title: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on June 17, 2014, 06:03:53 AM
Evening chaps,

I spent most of this weekend building a hangar as something to photograph my kites in front of. The Bessoneau hangar is made from a Cornflakes packet and newspaper, with the external supports being from plastic strip.

The ground is a sheet of card, covered with a proprietary grass matting for model railways. On parts of this where there would be lots of traffic of feet and aeroplane wheels I wet it using a paint brush and then scraped the "grass" off and painted the bare ground.

The backdrop was made on the computer by taking a French village and some field scenes, splicing them together and printing them off.

I intend to add more buildings and people at some time in the future.

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36037/Hangar18.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36037/Hangar18.jpg.html)

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36037/DH2s1mono.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36037/DH2s1mono.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Bessoneau Hangar
Post by: radio on June 17, 2014, 06:11:13 AM
Great work, looks very good.
Marton
Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: RAGIII on June 17, 2014, 08:57:29 AM
Very clever use of materials most would not think of. I have a plan for one of these in a book and it always looked too complicated. I need to think out of the "Box"  :-X
RAGIII
Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: Ernie on June 17, 2014, 09:28:40 AM
Great imagination and really nicely built, Sqiffy.  Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: Des on June 17, 2014, 09:47:49 AM
The canvas hangar looks very impressive, a very clever use of materials and very well constructed.

Des.
Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: Squiffy on June 17, 2014, 05:44:58 PM
Very clever use of materials most would not think of. I have a plan for one of these in a book and it always looked too complicated. I need to think out of the "Box"  :-X
RAGIII

I found the plan online and it is complicated if you build it as shown, which is almost a scaled-down version of the real thing, as far as the internal framing goes. The plan shows to use various thicknesses of wood strip etc. but as these are internal and won't be seen, it's rather a waste of time and money when all that matters is the impression of a beam with sagging canvas on the outside. My use of odd materials probably comes from watching the BBC childrens' programme Blue Peter when I was a kid in the seventies, not that I'm a cheapskate, honest.  ;D

Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: lone modeller on June 18, 2014, 03:09:38 AM
Cheapskate or not this is an impressive hangar. Using materials which do not always look promising to start with is what good modelling is about in my opinion. Well done.
Title: Re: Bessoneau Canvas Hangar
Post by: Snowy on June 18, 2014, 03:48:17 AM
Good idea and great execution Sqiiffy.
Title: Re: RFC/RNAS/RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on July 27, 2014, 01:52:31 AM
The Top Brass made a visit in order to inspect one of the squadron's new kites.

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36058/Staffcar1.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36058/Staffcar1.jpg.html)
The Crossley staff car is made from a WDmodels resin kit (my first resin and quite a shock from injction-moulded plastic!) and the Snipe is an old Toko kit that I picked up, unstarted, at a show. It's the first one I've weathered. There's quite a bit of castor oil staining underneath.

I've posted this one in the topic about 72nd scale figures but I'll re-post here for the sake of keeping my diorama photos together...
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36052/Chaps2.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36052/Chaps2.jpg.html)
Revell Tripe and WDmodels RFC figures.

I think it's time the Hun had his own airfield, especially as I'll have a pair of D.VII to show from the Group Build...
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: LindsayT on July 27, 2014, 02:17:51 AM
I like it! Really sets the mood.

Lindsay
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: RAGIII on July 27, 2014, 08:03:32 AM
EXCELLENT! You are making great use of the Hanger and that car is awesome!
RAGIII
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Vickers on July 27, 2014, 09:10:38 AM
That looks great!  I like seeing modelers create stuff from everyday household objects.  The field in the background looks like its full of red poppies, which would be seem appropriate during these WW1 anniversary years.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Des on July 27, 2014, 09:50:49 AM
What an excellent looking diorama, the car and the figures are extremely well done and compliment the hangar and aeroplane beautifully.

Des.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Nigel Jackson on July 27, 2014, 03:24:17 PM
Don't these dioramas work well! Very effective Squiffy.

Best wishes
Nigel
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Snowy on July 27, 2014, 04:50:47 PM
Nice Squiffy! Resin is certainly a different medium. I'm doing some 120mm figures. They can cast very sharp details.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Ernie on July 27, 2014, 09:10:29 PM
It has come together really well, Squiffy. The figures look super.
Good work!

Cheers,
Ernie :)
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on November 23, 2014, 08:36:11 AM
Thanks for the nice comments, chaps.

Over the last few weeks I've been working on a few bits and pieces for the airfield and today they all came together and were completed and/or fitted in place.

Firstly we've now got a shed as C-flight office, and a nissen hut as aircrew accomodation, or perhaps the officers' mess. I'm not sure if they'd have had a flagpole but I've made one anyway.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-014.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-014.jpg.html)
The nissen hut is a resin casting but the shed is scratched from plain plasticard with the planks done using an OLFA cutter, which actually takes a sliver of plastic out instead of merely scoring it. The flag is a computer printout and the pole is plastic rod.

We've also got anti-aircraft measures in the form of a Lewis gun, surrounded by sandbags. There is a gap at the back, in case you were wondering how anyone got in there to man the gun.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-017.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-017.jpg.html)
The Lewis is a kit spare part and the sand bags are made of milliput. I suspect the Lewis should really be of the infantry pattern with a butt but it's all I had.

In the corner I've added a farm building, outside which an infantry squad parade before returning to the trenches. To fit in with the period of the majority of my aeroplanes (1917/18) I guess these chaps should have Brodie helmets and not soft caps but you can't have everything absolutely right...
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-039.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-039.jpg.html)
The building was scratched using a shell of plain plasticard and embossed plasticard outer. The soldiers are WD models resin casts.

Pilot and observer of this "Harry Tate" have just returned from Hunland, where they were spotting for the artillery...
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-038.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-038.jpg.html)

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-033.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-033.jpg.html)
The R.E.8 is one of my earliest models that I've repainted and rigged.

That damned staff officer is back!
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36110/mix-023.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36110/mix-023.jpg.html)
He wasn't on the staff but he is now I've added some red to his hat and his collar patches.  ;D

And this is the overall scene.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36111/mix-051.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36111/mix-051.jpg.html)
You'll notice that in all the previous photos I've roughly added in the sky. This is due to the wrinkles in the background and because photographing indoors shows them up too much. It was alright in the summer when I could photograph it outdoors and in good light but now it's winter I need a little electronic help.  :P

Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: RAGIII on December 05, 2014, 01:57:31 AM
Squiffy,
Very cool additions to your diorama/airfield! I love the figures, very well done in tiny scale!
RAGIII
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: malaula on January 16, 2015, 07:37:29 AM
Squiffy!I don't know how Imanaged to miss this one ,I really like that!I 've got the crossley in my stash and think I'll put it on my 0/400 dio,did you have any issues building it? 
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Des on January 16, 2015, 07:45:31 AM
The additional buildings and figures have made a huge difference to your scene, the figures are beautifully painted and fit in extremely well with the busy scene. Having vehicles standing around adds more realism to the dio, well done.

Des.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on January 16, 2015, 07:51:00 PM
Thanks, Des.  :D

Malaula - the Crossley was the first resin kit I built and went together without difficulty.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on May 05, 2015, 05:23:53 AM
A flight of Pups on the airfield.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/soddit36181/Pups-002BW.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/soddit36181/Pups-002BW.jpg.html)
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: lone modeller on May 05, 2015, 05:28:19 PM
That really looks as though it is a vintage photo. This is an excellent mini-dio that you have there and a wonderful backdrop for some of your excellent models. Better than displaying on the ceiling!
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: coyotemagic on June 02, 2015, 07:24:55 AM
Awesome work, Squiffy!
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Pgtaylorart on June 02, 2015, 09:08:14 AM
Nice looking Pups, and nice period looking photo, Squiffy! :)
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: RAGIII on June 15, 2015, 03:34:40 AM
Awesome Squiffy! I love the Black and white shot!
RAGIII
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: GAJouette on August 02, 2015, 02:46:06 PM
  Squiffy,
Outstanding works my friend. You got one heck of a diorama there. Well Done! The canvas hanger is excellent.The folded hanger curtains really stand out. What did you use to construct your hanger?

Love those beautiful aircraft you've used in your setting.Outstanding job on them as well. I take it the two DH-2 must have been built awhile before the others. Not that they don't look as great as the others,just the lack of rigging is noticeable . This is not a criticism merely my observation . Looking forward to seeing more.

Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on August 03, 2015, 12:21:39 AM
Hello, Gregory,

Yes, the DH2s are both some of my early efforts and were built before I had learnt how to rig them. The hangar is mostly made from a cornflakes packet and newspaper.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: GAJouette on August 03, 2015, 03:40:23 AM
 Squiffy,
Thank you for you reply my friend. Your early efforts on the DH-2 sans rigging are far superior to my early attempts. The few of my earliest to survive in bits and pieces for over fifty years are covered with little Gregory's gluey finger prints.
Highest Regard,
Gregory Jouette

PS: Pardon me for forgetting thanking you for the information on what your excellent hanger was built up with.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on January 19, 2016, 06:07:24 AM
It's been a while since I added to this but there have been some small changes. The airstrip has added weeds and muddiness, with some extra trees and weeds in the area to the rear of the buildings.

The farmyard area now has a few chickens in it and several pilots' dogs now populate the aerodrome (pictures to follow).

For now though here are some pictures that include my newly painted Gunthwaite Miniatures figures.

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff2/Pilots-009.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff2/Pilots-009.jpg.html)

(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff2/Pilots-020.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff2/Pilots-020.jpg.html)

Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: coyotemagic on January 19, 2016, 06:51:39 AM
Outstanding work, Squiffy!  Those new figures are marvelous!
Cheers,
Bud
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: GAJouette on January 19, 2016, 12:51:12 PM
 Absolutely Outstanding figures Squiffy my old friend. Extra cudo's to you for the excellent photos too.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Des on January 19, 2016, 12:55:38 PM
Beautiful job with the new figures Squiffy, they certainly add a lot of character to the scene.

Des.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: RAGIII on January 19, 2016, 08:29:40 PM
Outstanding work, Squiffy!  Those new figures are marvelous!
Cheers,
Bud

I agree with Bud! Outstanding figures. They really add to the feel of the scene!
RAGIII
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: malaula on January 20, 2016, 08:04:30 AM
Nice pics,Squiffy!How tall are the gunthwaite guys? 24mm ?
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on January 20, 2016, 08:19:26 AM
Thanks, chaps.

Nice pics,Squiffy!How tall are the gunthwaite guys? 24mm ?

I'll measure them tomorrow and let you know.

Chickens added to the farm area.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff2/Pilots-001.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff2/Pilots-001.jpg.html)

The extra foliage and the dogs. Better not let the CO see the one that's cocking it's leg up the flagpole!
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff2/Pilots-005.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff2/Pilots-005.jpg.html)

The overall view.
(http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l5/soddit36/Stuff2/Pilots-012.jpg) (http://s92.photobucket.com/user/soddit36/media/Stuff2/Pilots-012.jpg.html)
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Des on January 20, 2016, 08:36:26 AM
You have done a fantastic job with your dio Squiffy, each addition you incorporate makes it so much more realistic, I like the chickens  :)
What are the overall dimensions of this diorama?

Des.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Nigel Jackson on January 20, 2016, 05:21:33 PM
Very nice, Squiffy. Where do you manage to keep all of your dioramas?

Best wishes
Nigel
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: WarrenD on January 22, 2016, 11:44:12 PM
I too like the addition of the chickens. (Especially since we keep a backyard flock.)

Squiffy, you may have posted it before, but I didn't see it: did you scratchbuild your Bess. hangar?

Warren
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: lone modeller on January 28, 2016, 02:04:44 AM
Your period photos look so realistic. The poses of the figures are very good too and I like the idea of the farmyard with chickens, but I expect that their life expectancy next to an RFC/RNAS aerodrome would have been rather less than that of a BE 2c aircrew in April 1917. Brilliant work.
Title: Re: RFC RNAS RAF ...Somewhere on the Western Front
Post by: Squiffy on January 31, 2016, 11:06:48 PM
Sorry that it's taken so long to reply.

Matz - The figures are between 23 and 25mm tall.

Nigel - I keep the in the shed, under the model railway.

I'm considering rebuilding this one. At the moment the base and backgrounds are on mounting card. The Mark II version will be on 2-inch thick foamboard with mounting card background. The foamboard will not only be larger in length but will allow sub-surface detail to be added. Maybe a sunken lane, a bomb crater and slit trenches for use in case of enemy air attack. I will lay it out so that a part hangar can be positioned on the edge so that photos can be taken from the viewpoint of looking out of a hangar.