Aviation Art,My way

[JohnReid]

I am not talking about your traditional type 2 D art drawings or painting of airplanes,no my way is quite different.In fact it is so new that the traditional gatekeepers don't know how to classify it.I hope you like it and please try to keep an open mind.:)

[JohnReid]

I build dioramas for the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa ,Canada.I have three on display there now and a fourth one will be on display sometime this year.
My latest creation is an attempt to bring sculpture and modeling together in a 3D storyboard type diorama.The story revolves around the relationship between a Peregrine falcon and an old Bleriot aircraft and mans early attempts to take to the air.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Modelsculpture039-1.jpg
Here is a mockup of what I am planning.The bird will be full size and the airplane 1/10th scale.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/BleriotPeregrineFalcon004.jpg
The bird sculpture is 90% finished and the Bleriot is now well under way.

[cgaif]

Beautiful sculpture John. Wish I could carve like that! Looking forward to seeing the finished project. I've yet to get to the Ottawa Aviation and Space Musiem. Someday I hope. :-):)

[JohnReid]

Thank you ,glad you like it !

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Old%20farts%20like%20me/th_Stayinalive-1.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Old%20farts%20like%20me/?action=view&current=Stayinalive-1.jpg)
Click on thumbnail. Sorry I just couldn't resist.

[JohnReid]

I figure it is time to take it up a notch .Although this thread will be centered on building the Bleriot model eventually it will become an element in a model/sculpture type piece that I am now planning.The sculpture is just about finished,now it is time to build the model.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/BleriotPeregrineFalcon005.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/th_Bleriothangingwings015.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/?action=view&current=Bleriothangingwings015.jpg)
Please click on thumbnail to see the real thing under construction.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/th_Bleriotfalcon027-1.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/?action=view&current=Bleriotfalcon027-1.jpg)
Please click on thumbnail to see the model under construction.

[JohnReid]

Model Sculpture,An Artistic Approach.
I am planning something a little different.Something that I haven't seen anywhere before(at least not in the modeling world),something that has been bugging me for a long time and now maybe at age 71 I will finally finish it.
About 15 years ago I modeled a full size Peregrine Falcon as a decorative art piece,lost interest and put it aside.There it has sat all this time in my studio just looking at me but I have never been able to bring myself to finish it ,until now.
I can't draw worth a damn ( but I never went to art school either), so I can't draw you a picture of what I have in mind.
What it will be is a culmination of all that I have learned over a lifetime of doing this stuff.
I want to incorporate a 3D, 1/10th scale model airplane(Bleriot) and a full scale bird sculpture together into a storytelling composition.

[cgaif]

John

I'm a metal builder,but the wooden ribs on the Bleriot are beautiful. I think they should be covered in Mylar rather than fabric just so the woodwork will show!

John Veale

[Frank Giger]

A lot of planes are like that, particularly the Pioneer and WWI replicas!

Looking at the build photos of them it seems almost criminal to cover them to where the craftsmanship can't be seen!

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/Bleriothangingwings006.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon023.jpg

As you can see for yourself the model plans and the real aircraft wing are very different.Any resemblance of one to the another is only coincidental.Leaving out the lightening holes is only one of many areas of artistic license taken by the designers of this kit but for storytelling purposes it works out to be just fine with me.I am not looking for historical accuracy here but what I am really looking for is a general shape of the Bleriot type aircraft that can be used as a prop for my own artistic purposes.How many cardboard Spitfires have we seen over the years being blown up by a movies director ? Well this is somewhat the same in nature.

[JohnReid]

A lot of planes are like that, particularly the Pioneer and WWI replicas!

Looking at the build photos of them it seems almost criminal to cover them to where the craftsmanship can't be seen!
Hi Frank ! I agree,in fact I may leave the fabric off all together and let the viewers imagination fill in the rest.But as I have already explained though the model's design leaves a lot to be desired.From normal viewing distance and with the airplane actually quite high off the museums floor this shouldn't be a problem ,however if it is I can always cover them.

[JohnReid]

John

I'm a metal builder,but the wooden ribs on the Bleriot are beautiful. I think they should be covered in Mylar rather than fabric just so the woodwork will show!

John Veale

Hi John ! I think that it what the manufacturer of this kit may have intended all along using the fabric to cover up the flaws in the plans(including the tail feathers). I still have this option open to me if need be.I am hoping that the fuselage assembly looks more like the real thing .In looking over the fuselage plans this does seem to be the case.

[JohnReid]

I know that some of you guys are model builders too.


Is diorama building for me ?

Here are a few thing to be considered.


"What to leave in and what to leave out" is a very important consideration. Not only from the standpoint of the pure number of objects in a diorama but also in the sense of what things your viewer notices and what he doesn't.
Example: what I am working on right now the wings of the Bleriot.Your average viewer would never even notice that the lightening holes in the ribs are missing but they sure would notice if the wings were upside down.Things like the human face or human body language would be picked up right away as we are all experts on this but if he had a medal on his chest improperly placed or painted no one would care less except of course the "experts".In other words are you building your stuff for the competition model judges or for your average viewer or museum visitor.This is a very important consideration. It is also extremely important to know yourself .Would your temperament fit in with your diorama plans ?
If you are a perfectionist and can't stand for a spot of dust on a shiny surface then I would stick to "stand alone" models as dioramas are usually a lot messier than that and more concessions(artistic license) usually have to be made in order to ever finish ,especially on a very large project.It is really all about knowing yourself and your audience and where and how you plan to put your stuff out there.

[JohnReid]

How far do I want to go with this ?


But before starting I think that you must ask yourself a few questions first.
Will this be a piece that you are doing for yourself ? well then anything works as long as it pleases you. Or
will your goal be a piece that will hold the interest of an audience or viewer as long as possible ?.Well then that changes everything.It can be as simple as adding a little weathering or leaving a cowl off an engine.The viewer will then fill in the rest.Not much of a storyline there but still it is more than a "factory fresh" example sitting in showcase.I am not criticizing those that prefer to build this way but it holds little interest for me or the average viewer.
Next step up would be the simple vignette,un-cowled engine or bullet holes or weathering,or steps in the sand,ground or oil on the floor,some sign of human presence without having to do a figure.(sometimes it is even a more powerful story this way)
The next step can be a little intimidating for some modelers,modifying or painting figures but it really doesn't have to be this way.Personally I am only an average painter of figures in the traditional sense.In fact I find that most of the professionally painted stuff a little overdone.Just avoid the bug eyed look and let the light and shadows work for you.In my case the viewer never gets close enough to see if the eyes are painted or not.Here is a little experiment you may want to try for yourself.Don't paint the eyes in at all but just leave shadows where the eyes would have been and most viewers brains will fill them in for you.It seems that human beings are so used to seeing eyes where they should be that the brain automatically fills them in for you, at a normal scale viewing distance.Where judges or nitpickers will actually pick up your work and look close up for flaws of course it wouldn't work.
The next step would be a vignette or diorama of a neutral or landscape type setting.Something like a travel documentary.Nice to look at but....
The best dioramas tell a story and need little explanation other than the title.The storyboard diorama is designed specifically to hold the viewers interest as long as possible. It can be hard to get right and nobody is successful all the time.What looks good on paper will probably have to be revised many times.
A storyboard diorama puts you in the directors shoes except you are the lighting guy,carpenter, ,producer,costume gal etc.. I am sure you get what I mean.And you must accomplish your storytelling goals with no music,dialogue or movement of any kind,a pretty tall order that may even intimidate Spielberg a bit.

The next level of diorama building,in my opinion, is what I am attempting to do right now with my Bleriot/Falcon piece ,which is to mix not only the media aspects together but the modeling and the art genres together as well.
In other words taking whatever is available to you out there to help tell your story.Plastic,wood,kit or scratch,hobby or art ,it really doesn't matter when the storyline is your most important consideration.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/Bleriothangingwings007.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Posters/Picture1319jpgSepia-1-1.jpg

[Jon Ferguson]

It would be nice barnstorming made a comeback, that's the kind of flying that made people fall in love with aviation. Love the sculptures by the way!

[JohnReid]

It would be nice barnstorming made a comeback, that's the kind of flying that made people fall in love with aviation. Love the sculptures by the way!
1918-1929 was a wonderful era of complete freedom in the skies.I am afraid that it is gone forever.I will post a few pics of my diorama that is now in the Canada Aviation Museum in Ottawa titled "Keepers of the Flame-1918-1928" which is all about this era.Hope you enjoy them !

[JohnReid]

I guess that the hints of future change began as early as 1926 but who knew what it really meant at the time !http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Yours Truly/yourstruly002-2-1.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%204%20%20Jenny%20Canuck/Jennylastpics053.jpg

[JohnReid]

The above is a pic of a sign that would have been used for advertising purposes either pulled down main street of left out on the highway.It has been faded to look like it has been out in the sun all summer.

[JohnReid]

Barnstormers it was said gave aviation a bad image but they sure did give the airlines a ready and willing passenger list of people who had already flown on rides or had seen others take rides and return safely to earth.The airlines had a love/hate relationship with them but in many ways they own their early existence to these guys.

[Jon Ferguson]

I think legislation is what has undone it all, followed closely by litigation.

[JohnReid]

I think legislation is what has undone it all, followed closely by litigation.
Exactly !

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%204%20%20Jenny%20Canuck/Jennylastpics039-1.jpg

[JohnReid]

Everything you see is 1/16th scale.Museums seem to prefer the larger scales for their displays.:)

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama 7 BleriotFalcon/Bleriot005.jpghttp://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot Peregrine falcon/Bleriot005.jpg

[JohnReid]

The floor boards,cockpit seat,and wing root supports are now temporarily installed.:)

[JohnReid]

Somebody asked me why the dark color Bleriot.Well the simple answer is,
this is a art piece and not meant to look like the real airplane.I wanted the airplane dark but not a cold black so I used burnt umber instead.The falcon will be painted white (and it is not white in real life),the ring will be brass.I want the emphasis on the storyline and I don't want to distract the viewers attention with color.Call it "artistic license.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Yours%20Truly/Artisticlicense004-1-1-1-1-1-1.jpg

[JohnReid]

Bleriot flotation device.

Here is another great example of not believing everything you see or read without doing some personal research on it yourself.
I followed the model instructions booklet and assumed that because the book said to make this piece with wood strips using a very long and convoluted method that took a forever and tested my patience ,I thought that I was ok to assume that it was made of wood. Wrong ! further research by me found out it is made of rubber and has a smooth surface all around.
Luckily I hadn't followed the other strange reason of making it in two pieces .Why bother when the wood strips are long enough to make it in one piece ? Or why not just make it in dowel (solid wood) ? less work getting the shape ,sanding etc.. and a dowel would have the added advantage of being able to carve some imperfections into the surface like ripples or bumps without worrying about breaking through the flotation bags thin wood strips skin.
If the excuse for this is they couldn't find a dowel of the right size (too small) it could be turned down just like the two end cone pieces were. http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules/SquawkBox/images/smilies/huh.gif
This kit has not only terrible instructions but terrible methodology as well. http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules/SquawkBox/images/smilies/mad.gif
The wood itself however is of a very high quality.

[JohnReid]

In view of the above I have decided to turn this negative experience into a positive one by doing a tutorial on sanding and finishing wood, so it doesn't look like wood but as in this case rubber.
I have absolutely no references on the type of rubber used way back then on the Bleriot but I would imagine that it would look something like an old fisherman's rubber coat like they used on the whalers at the turn of the century.It was blown up with air under pressure(I believe) so therefore it would have to be leak proof with quite a shiny surface like a semi-gloss paint.
I have taken lots of pics of the process of building and finishing this flotation bag,so not a lot of text should be required.

[JohnReid]

Sanding Wood Tutorial


http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial023.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial024.jpg
The above two pics illustrate their method of building the rubber flotation bag.

[JohnReid]

This is the wood as it came out of the box.I built a small jig to keep the thin wood strips straight and properly aligned with the interior framing.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial006.jpg

This is the wood as it came out of the box.I built a small jig to keep the thin wood strips straight and properly aligned with the interior framing.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial005.jpg
Here you can see that I have coated the interior with carpenters glue which is waterproof when cured.This not only strengthens the thin wood strips but also prevents any warping when using water based products (gesso ,acrylic etc..) .It also helps to seal the space between the individual boards.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/CTVL%20airport/CTVLairport016.jpg
An early pic of Cartierville Airport at Montreal long before Dorval (now Trudeau) airport was built just a couple of miles off what became runway 24.Had Bleriot flown over it at the time this is how it looked to him way back when.Runway 24 was built almost 90deg to the road and on the left side of those series of tent like hangers.

[JohnReid]

Once I have attached both cone shaped pieces to the ends (or you can wait till later if you want )I now begin sanding it with 220/340 sandpaper.Use cloth backed paper if you can find it ,as it lasts longer and grit left behind by the paper backed stuff will dull carving tools,although that is not a concern of ours here.
This initial sanding is meant to take of the edges of the strip wood and remove stray glue spots or bumps.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial010.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial013.jpg

When it is sanded very smooth with 600 paper,spray on some alcohol to raise the grain,again sand smooth ,keep do this until no more grain can be raised.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/Backyardflyer647.jpg
This bag is only partially inflated but I would have been much happier if I had carved it out of solid dowel and was able to carve in a more realistic surface.
I may still do it but it is not quite so important in this case where I am only representing the overall shape of the airplane.
Here again I made the mistake of assuming that this bag was made out of wood and not rubber material(maybe some air valves would have given me a clue .My thinking was that they made it out of collapsible material so they could remove it easily at this stage of the build.If I had thought about it a little more the question would have been ,How do you build a wooden cylinder that long inside the frame? Even if it were possible by building it in sections, I just never thought to ask.Duh!

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%204%20%20Jenny%20Canuck/Jennylastpics004-1.jpg

In my diorama now on display at the CASM,"Keepers Of The Flame,1918-1929" I present a list of services offered by our company .It is posted on the exterior wall of the dispatch office and was meant to honor Jenny's contribution to early aviation in Canada.In future postings I will follow up on this in greater detail and talk about not only Jenny but other aircraft involved in the development of aviation here in Canada and the US during this era.

[JohnReid]

In the pic above there is a sign listing Jenny's contribution to aviation here in Canada before 1934.(and in a more limited role after.)The list is also a list of roles that airplanes played in the US and the world in general by the "Keepers of the Flame".By the word "Keepers " I mean both both men and machines.The world of aviation owes a lot to the airplanes and men of this era.From Kitty Hawk to the moon in 60 odd years would not have been possible without their wonderful and often dangerous contribution.We often here of the myth of the cowboy but these guys actually lived it.Freedom,danger,sleeping in the open under the wing of their airplanes,they did it all and for not much pay or recognition from the public in general.Many WW1 airman accomplished their most thrilling and dangerous missions during this era after the war.Cheers to them all !

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20scarabee/Scar%20at%20CAHC/Bleriothangingwings007.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Sandingtutorial028.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial016.jpg
Continue the procedure using finer and finer grit sandpaper until you get an almost glassy finish.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/How%20to%20build%20and%20paint%20tutorials/Sanding%20Wood/Sandingtutorial021.jpg
Now spray or brush on two or three coats of lacquer.If you brush it on use a mix of 75% lacquer and 25% lacquer thinner.Again sand between coats.
Now you are ready to paint or finish it as you want.It seems a shame to cover such a beautiful surface,I only wish it was made of wood.
I used in this case burnt umber gesso with a few drops of flow medium to level the paint surface.Again lightly sand between coats.I chose to stop here with the gesso undercoats but you could continue on painting it with whatever medium you want oils, acrylics etc...:):

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama5Backyard Flyer/Backyard Flyer page 2/Sandingtutorial059.jpg

I have added a bunch of new pics to my photobucket of my last diorama,"The Road Taken" before shipping it out.Where you see obvious lines in the landscaping is where each module is joined to the other.This will be rectified upon completion.Please click on the thumbnail below for more pics.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20Backyard%20Flyer/Backyard%20Flyer%20page%202/th_Sandingtutorial059.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20Backyard%20Flyer/Backyard%20Flyer%20page%202/?action=view&current=Sandingtutorial059.jpg)

This diorama is 99% scratch built.

It depicts a very early EAA'er building in his backyard.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfuse001_3.jpg
The plans contain another blaring error! The rear undercarriage brace (the one at a 45deg angle) is positioned in the wrong place on the fuselage).It should be attached as shown here.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20Backyard%20Flyer/Backyard%20Flyer%20page%202/th_dio5015-1-1.jpg (http://s6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20Backyard%20Flyer/Backyard%20Flyer%20page%202/?action=view&current=dio5015-1-1.jpg)
Click on thumbnail for more pics

[JohnReid]

I have decided not to use the flotation bag at all.It looks too big and bulky and really takes away from the beauty off the lines of the airplane.The brass fittings will be painted over as well as I am mostly interested in the lines of the airplane and not its details.Too much brass would only be a distraction to a viewer.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/dio5109.jpg
Well I changed my mind and put it in after all.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon031-1.jpg
Workin' on the pit.:):

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon033.jpg

[JohnReid]

I have started working on the engine cylinders.The cooling fins are built up by alternating two basic pieces on a small jig.
I prepare the brass pieces by lightly sanding them to remove any crud and create a tooth on the surface so the finish will not easily rub off.The finish is created using Blackin It which creates a kind of hot cylinder look.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon037.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon041.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon043.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon044.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon045.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon046.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon050.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Bleriot%20Peregrine%20falcon/Bleriotfalcon054.jpg

[JohnReid]

I will be putting aside the Bleriot diorama for awhile now and will be going back to rework the diorama,The Backyard Flyer.The new title for this rework will be "The Homecoming". http://aeroscale.kitmaker.net/modules/SquawkBox/images/smilies/cowboy.gif

[JohnReid]

I have decided that the diorama now formally called "The Road Taken" really needs a rework,so now it is back to the drawing board once again.
After being away from it awhile I now realize that it could be far better with a little change in theme.I mainly do dioramas for kids and the young at heart, as it is now the story is just too subtle and a little depressing for the older folks and the kids may not even get it at all.
The revised diorama will now be called "The Homecoming" in honor of Normal Rockwell's great painting .This is where I first got the idea for the storyline for this diorama but instead of a returning youth my main character will be older .
The general composition will remain the same,the backyard flyer idea that I got from a old photograph.
The original plan was to have the main story evolving around the returning airman and his unfinished airplane(a very early EAA'r you might say)and I deliberately played down the rest thinking that anything more may detract the viewers attention away from what I was trying to get across.Well I now realize that this idea has left vast open spaces with really not much of anything in them.In other words it lacks interesting detail which was really was the strength of my previous dioramas.

Thanks Shep !

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3004.jpg
Day 1 of probably 6 months or more of adding more detail to this revised diorama.I decided to start with a 1912 Model T modification from one seat to two.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Sandingtutorial059-1-1.jpg
Where I am now!

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3007.jpg
New military car will be added here ,note new dog.

[JohnReid]

At the end of the driveway I plan on adding a model T truck of my own design carrying car parts.I will open the garage doors so that I can place it half in and half out.This area will now become a working business enterprise.Ford sold model T chassis only so you could build what you want on it.In the early years motor car clubs and flying clubs were often under the same roof of interest by their members.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/Inpursuitofhisdream.jpg
The original idea !

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/RowhouseRockwell.jpg
Homecoming GI . Original oil painting for post cover May26,1945.Collection Mrs. Ben Hibbs.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3023.jpg

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3066.jpg
Adding another "T" here.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3064.jpg
This area is to be completely re-designed a la Ken Hamilton. :-[ ]

[JohnReid]

Additions to the other backyard will be mostly signs of the domestic life of your average Victorian.Maybe a garden shed with tools,flower boxes etc as I want to keep the contrast between your average guy and a craftsman/artist who's priorities lie somewhere else.
Maybe the airplane yard is owned by a couple of brothers which is why it completely lacks the feminine touch.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Ken%20Hamilton/KenHamilton070.jpg
I will be stealing lots of ideas from here ! Thanks Ken. @:)

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3073.jpg
A garage in a cardboard box.This looks like simple,cheap and easy way to do it.

[JohnReid]

Ken's method is of course the proper way to go about it but I thought that I would like to try something different.I am not looking for perfection here as this structure will be built as a roughly constructed add on.Once the wood sheathing is on both inside and out none of the original cardboard will be visible anyway.I plan to use my standard gray barn siding look as a finish.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3069.jpg

[JohnReid]

What would an early EAA'er have in his backyard or garage/shop? This is a question that I ask myself just about every day.Mostly handtools of course and maybe a lot of junk (however one man's junk is another man's treasure, I guess).
I also wonder how many of these projects actually got finished ? Did any of them actually get off the ground ?.There were a lot of good woodworkers around in those days so that would not have been a problem. Good wood was also readily available but when it came to laying out some real money like for engines,undercarriages,tanks etc..(and having the skills to build them)I am sure many would have stalled at this point.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3082.jpg

[JohnReid]

I am planning a flat roof and a dirt floor.The walls will be insulated with newspaper and the windows will have shutters only.I will install a chimney on the roof with piping leading into the inner garage.
At this point I can cut the whole thing in half and finish the interior walls,later they can be re-joined using a gusset plate behind the beams.The doors and windows will give lots of opportunity for the viewer to look inside.
At this point the structure has been lacquered both inside and out and black gesso has been applied.The exterior will be a gray barn wood slats.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3086-1.jpg
In years gone by old newspaper was often used as an insulating material.I wanted to see what my version would look like on an interior wall.The process is easy but time consuming. C|:-)

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Model%20Sculpture/Modelsculpture067.jpg
While working on The Homecoming my mind is never away from the Bleriot/Falcon piece. In fact it is sitting right on my workbench patiently looking at me all day.

[JohnReid]

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y250/JohnReid/Diorama%20%205%20%20The%20Homecoming/The%20Homecoming%20page%203/Thehomecomingpage3090.jpg
When our hero left for war years ago he was also heavily involved with auto racing and repair.Things have fallen into a little disrepair since he left which will be reflected in this diorama. C|:-)