Diorama help needed.

[PirateOneOne]

Hi, am hoping to find some advice on a first time diorama, I have a completed 1:144 US AH64D Longbow, with two more in the works, and I'm hoping to create a hardtop combat situated rearming and mechanics bay, involving sandbags, fuel barrels, pallets ect. I'd like to use all three aircraft, as the first isn't as clean as I'd like it to be so will probably be either a crash piece, or undergoing some kind of repairs. Am hoping for some advice on aircraft placement, or if someone's got photos or places I could look for some, that would be most appreciated!

Xh

Cheers, Steve

 

[eddiesolo]

Hi Steve.

First off is the size of board you want to. Take into account the amount of aircraft, size and then factor in the ground items, crew etc. Next is to play around with positioning, you do not want it too overcrowded or too big that they are lost. Now look at some airports/military landing strips etc, they are mostly the same and will be on tarmac with markings, planes will be in a certain area and the helo in another.

Si

 

[PirateOneOne]

Thanks Si, have decided on two aircraft, placed on two boards glued together, 4 by 6 inches.

The two bays will be separated by a chainmesh fence, the spatter guards others have suggested are to be used for that. Do you have any suggestions for sensible scale fence posts?

Steve

 

[eddiesolo]

You could use cocktail sticks, just cut down and sand slightly if too fat.

Si

 

[PirateOneOne]

That would work as I'm going to build a sandbag base around the posts. I've been working on my sandbag scale, now I just need to work up the courage to attempt paint mixing ect for colour.

Steve

 

[spanner570]

A good reference is Google Images. If you haven't got any yet, ebay do some great scale real metal mesh. It would be spot on for your diorama fencing......A better bet still is to get to a 'Pound Shop' and buy a couple of cheapo splatter guards. The things you cover sausages with during cooking!

A belated welcome too Steve!

Cheers,

Ron

 

[PirateOneOne]

Cheers Ron, had taken note of the spatter guards, and thank you for the welcome!

I checked your Zulu dio this morning and was both suitably inspires and amazed!

Look forward to hearing and heeding your much needed advice.

Steve

 

[dubster72]

Another Poundshop goodie is some strange fabric they sell for kids craftmaking - it makes very good grilles etc. I've got some at home, so I can post a picture later if that might help. The weave is much finer than a splatter guard.

Cheers

Patrick

 

[PirateOneOne]

Cheers Patrick, that sounds great, I'd love to see some for reference, at the small scale I'm working at, I think the finer the mesh the better.

Steve

 

[dubster72]

Cheers Patrick, that sounds great, I'd love to see some for reference, at the small scale I'm working at, I think the finer the mesh the better.Steve

This is the stuff Steve. As you can see, the mesh is very small.... I've just realised that there's nothing to give it a sense of scale! From measuring it, a millimeter is 3 of the mesh squares - hope that makes sense!

View attachment 98979

View attachment 98980

 

[eddiesolo]

I thought they read Orgazma strips Patrick...get ya glasses on Si. Nice one though, like the look of those and as you say fine too.

Si

 

[PirateOneOne]

Yeah, that looks great! I'll keep an eye out.

Cheers Steve

 

[dubster72]

I thought they read Orgazma strips Patrick...get ya glasses on Si. Nice one though, like the look of those and as you say fine too.Si

Oh god Si ! If they did, SWMBO would buy a few!

Also, if you tease out individual strands, they make great antennae wire! Being plastic they stretch a bit & if it's too loose, a hot nail or soldering iron tightens it up nicely.