Blenheim landing...

[AlasdairGF]

So have never done a diorama before or anything like that, but there's a photo of my grandfather's plane landing in Greece (unconfirmed whether he's at the controls but likely) and I thought it would be a nice idea to replicate it - do a section of dusty airfield with the plane above it, gear down, flaps down, etc.


How do you pose a plane stationary in mid-air though? Don't want to just rest one of those clunky model aircraft stands on the runway!


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[papa 695]

I use clear rod Alasdair.

 

[papa 695]

I hope you don't mind me posting some pictures of two of my builds Alasdair, but it's easier to show pictures than tell you how I do it


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[demon]

Sounds like the only way unless you have it with mainwheels down tail up but then it's an unbalanced engineering nightmare

 

[stona]

Yep, clear acrylic rod. You will have to insert a tube into the fuselage of the model somewhere near the balance point. I can't remember the dimensions off the top of my head, but my rods are an interference fit with the tune. This allows the model to be easily removed for cleaning or repair.


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This Me 262 has it's base plonked on top of a grass matt, but you could easily pass the rod through a larger mat, stick up a backdrop and do a decent job of replicating that image. Here's a Spitfire, not flying, in just such a situation.


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It would be simple to have the Spitfire flying across the scene to landing


Cheers


Steve

 

[papa 695]

If it's a large model you could have one rod at the front, and one at the rear. Easier than trying to find the centre of balance and it will be a lot more steady on the base.

 

[eddiesolo]

This is my 1/144 He-111 coming in doing a emergency landing.


As mentioned just use some clear acrylic rod, can get it in various thickness.


Si

 

[Bunkerbarge]

One thing worth considering. If you mount the propellers on proper ball bearings and put a bit of weight on the back of the shaft then a good blow on the front and they will spin for quite a long time. It is well worth it if you want some realistic pictures but it also gives a very realistic effect just to enjoy looking at.

 

[stona]

If it's a large model you could have one rod at the front, and one at the rear. Easier than trying to find the centre of balance and it will be a lot more steady on the base.

You don't need it smack on the centre of balance. That Me 262 is 1/32 scale and because of the way the cockpit tub fits I had to fit the tube/rod behind the perfect point. It's fine as long as you make sure that the tube that will take the rod is well fixed


Cheers


Steve

 

[AlasdairGF]

Thanks for all the suggestions - sounds very doable, was worried it would be beyond me. Suspect the free-rotating props on ball bearings is a bridge to far, but would love to see that in action!