Mock up of airfield

Another version with a revetment for a fighter plane for a different configuration.

Hanger mock up

airfield mock up

Tower mock up

Always use the figure to check visual scale and size during mock up and building stages

Hanger mock up

Checking that the 2 K&C fighters would fit

First mockup on my library floor

I did the first mock up on my library floor using foam planes the same scale as the ones in the diorama.

Laying out the airfield base

I glue 3/4″ foam insulation onto a hardboard backing for strength and stability because of the weight on the finished diorama.

Airfield mock up

Airfield mock up

airfield mock up

another version

Airfield mockup

Mocking up airfield

Probably tried a dozen different versions until I found the one I landed on…so to speak 🙂

Mock up of hanger

Using pink 1/4″ foam to build large hanger

Full mock up for scale

As this diorama was 25 square feet, I built a to scale mock up in my workshop to see how everything would fit together. The wingspan on each plane was 3 feet, so had to do a lot of moving things around to fit everything I wanted on the diorama, including a large diorama, 2 quonset huts, the control tower and 2 very large planes

Control tower mock up

When constructing something only from my imagination, I use cardboard to build a 3-D version first to rough out the idea

Constructing the radio room

Radio room under construction. I always keep a figure nearby to ensure visual scale and perspective

Window detail

eBay has dozens of different vendors that sell doll house or model train windows you can use in your buildings

More detail

More examples of the images I used for this diorama

Details make the scene come alive

You can find any image on the net for basically anything. Got maps, documents, plane ID posters and a host of other interesting stuff to add detail to your scenes.

Making Radio mast

Used plastic sprue, wood, wire and foam board to build radio transmission mast for the tower

building the interior

Doll house windows bought on eBay and modified to fit the tower and foam board walls

detailing the interior

Used downloaded maps and aerial photos to detail flight operations walls. Let your imagination roam……

Building the tower

I always dry fit pieces together for fit but still have those “Oh crap” moments when something doesn’t work.

Building the tower

Used wooden pieces on the leading edges of each platform to keep them from getting bent when hit. Used sane camouflage techniques as did to paint the hanger.

Building the tower

I started with the top radio floor, then used it as guide to build the next floor down and then that to build the ground floor, making sure each fit to the next

Making railings for tower platforms

I built a template to hold the wire while I soldered the railings for the tower. First time I soldered, and with a little practice it worked out fine

Making the control tower

I made the tower in 3 sections using foam board. Each roof lifts off so I could place the detailed interior into each section.

Making fuel storage tanks

I bought several train tanker cars on eBay and painted them green for the fuel storage tanks-easy peasey !!

Building the hanger walls

I used 1/4″ pink insulation foam to build the hager walls. Wood cross pieces were added for stability and to build the platform. I made the railing out of soldered wire.

Hanger doors

Making the hanger doors

Use corrugated paper glued to foam board to make the doors. Small beads glued to the wooden cross beams make great rivets

Tools to make brickwork.

I use Depron foam board to make all things brick, from cobblestone streets to brick walls. Using a T-square and pointed wooden ice cream sticks,, carefully score the bricks into the depron. You can then go over lightly with a wire brush to give more texture,and lightly dust with plaster and then wipe off the excess to show the mortar. Using the blunt end of the stick to crush down certain bricks to show damage,

Paper masks used to pant the Hanger

Using paper masks, adding camouflage to the Hangar exterior walls using black and green spray paint

Making the hanger roof

I used corrugated paper from a local craft store, cut to size and pasted on the foam board to make the roof. The sky lights are large doll house windows found on eBay from China.

Painting the hanger

I lightly sprayed the hanger with black auto primer, then used cut out paper camouflage templates and tape to then overpaint with green hobby spray paint. Be careful to spray lightly as the foam board tends to warp when wet

Hanger

I made the hanger out of foam board after careful planning to hold 2 fighter aircraft. Ihe doors are made with foam board and corrugated paper from a local craft shop. The door rivets are beads from the same store attached with superglue

Mocking up the control tower

I used pink foam board to mock up a model of the control tower to determine dimensions. After satisfied, I built the tower out of 1/8″ foam board you can buy in any craft shop

Control tower detail

Adding detail to the interior makes the control tower come alive. Old Marx furniture and downloaded maps and papers add a wealth of detail

Control tower detail and furniture

Used old Marx plastic furniture sold by Hobby Bunker and downloaded mas and papers from the internet to detail the interior of the control tower

Flight operations map

Using a period map downloaded from the internet and some stick pins, made this briefing map for the flight operations center in the control tower

The briefing room

Using maps downloaded from the net and marx furniture and scratch built benches, detailed the inside of the flight operations room in the control tower

Detailing the control tower

Because the tower contained so many windows, I detailed the inside with Mark plastic and painted furniture, and Maps and papers downloaded from the internet-The trash can even has real looking documents

making a building out of foam board

Making a building out of foam board takes a bit of planning and practice. First draw the building on foam board using a T-square. Then, using a hobby knife,cut out an 1/8″ piece at each corner to make a 90 degree bend. You can reinforce the corner by gluing in a small 1/8″ square piece of wood with superglue

Basic tools and supplies

Everything I use to build my dioramas are easily accessible from local craft shops like Michaels or Hobby Lobby. The foam board is Dupron

Hanger detail-the Night before D-day

Hobby Bunker hobby store in MA has a great number of old Marx plastic furniture sets which I painted and weathered. Verlinden also has a range of aircraft parts and tools to add detail to the scenes, which make it come alive.

airfield mock up