Global Scale Modeller

My entry into this GB will be a 1/72 US airbase modelled on the various airbases used during the Pacific War. The main airbase I have used for inspiration is Kunming Airfield from WW 2.
The airbase will have significant land based elements as well, which would be either used to service the base, defend the base or being readied for deployment

The goal is to create a Diorama to use as a display base i.e. as a shelf. This will then be used to display my future 1/72 US aircraft on.

With this in mind, I do not plan to make many aircraft, but rather all the appropriate buildings, personnel, and ground vehicles to make it a great display base for future aircraft builds.

I have calculated that I would be able to place a maximum of 8 mid sized aircraft on it

The models to be built are of only those aircraft and vehicles used during the Pacific War.

This is my vision of the airbase:



Most of the kits being used haven't arrived yet, so I have images of their box art here:















This kit will be partially used to create the allied jeep,some ammo boxes, drums and jerry cans



I have commenced work on the base and the allied jeep, will post pictures soon.

Cool idea and lots of stuff going on. What are the dimensions of the mdf base so I can mentally picture it. I'm currently doing a diorama of a Bell P-39 in 32nd scale and that base is already 50 x 60 cm..

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul

This is exciting as it's a great idea that i would like to do oneday when the space permits. that sheet of Mdf looks huge im guessing 1mtr by 2mtrs

Vleugelmoer wrote:Cool idea and lots of stuff going on. What are the dimensions of the mdf base so I can mentally picture it. I'm currently doing a diorama of a Bell P-39 in 32nd scale and that base is already 50 x 60 cm..

As always happy modeling and keep sticking styrene.

Paul

Always48 wrote:This is exciting as it's a great idea that i would like to do oneday when the space permits. that sheet of Mdf looks huge im guessing 1mtr by 2mtrs

Thanks!

The size of the orginal wooden board was 90cm X 60 cm I think, I have though cut it down as you will see below to about 90cm in length and being 38cm at its widest point.

Here is the update on the diorama base:

The board had to be cut so it could fit onto my shelf.



I then use photos of 1/72 tarmac bases, you can get these easily off the internet and then just print them off in photo format from a photo store or Officeworks / BIG W / Target if you live in Australia.



These are cut in different shapes, in some cases individual squares, so I can put some grass in between.

I use 800 grit sand paper to create the road.



Before I lay on some grass, I need to put some dirt on, to give the grass a realistic look. I put some PVA glue in some water and paint it on using a thick brush. I then put some dirt on to the base where I want grass.



I then put on some Woodland scenics grass, followed by hairspray and some static brown grass is sprinkled on, and finally some static light green grass is sprinkled on to give it the multicoloured look you see below.

I have also painted white stripes on each side of the road. I plan to place a zebra crossing on the road.

The base has also been matte coated using a commercial matte coat called helmar matte coat

Looks interesting. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Really nicely done.

Sincerely,

Richard

That looks great so far , it looks like it will be a busy dirama ,
good luck with it .

Hi brilliant start, nice idea with the tarmac base's I'll be keeping a eye out for up date's,

Nice one, you are going to have fun with that.

I am always up for a diorama project, especially someone else's
Gonna sit and watch

Twokidsnosleep wrote:I am always up for a diorama project, especially someone else's
Gonna sit and watch

Richp1969 wrote:Looks interesting. Thank you so much for the detailed explanation. Really nicely done.

Sincerely,

Richard

privatepete wrote:Hi brilliant start, nice idea with the tarmac base's I'll be keeping a eye out for up date's,

pourquoi61 wrote:Nice one, you are going to have fun with that.

Thanks all. Lots of models to build and heres the first.

The Academy 1/72 Allied Jeep. It is part of the Academy 1/72 ground vehicles set 1.





This is the sprue that I will build the jeep from









Underside complete











Put the major parts together







The dashboard was given a wash with vallejo model wash black. Then I used Tamiya weathering master silver to give the dials a silver outline.









Will wait for the paint to fully dry before doing some weathering and decals. Once thats done will attach the small fidley parts at the end.

Might work on a different model in the mean time.

Good looking jeep. Great work.

I can't wait to see this all come together.


Sincerely,

Richard

Richp1969 wrote:Good looking jeep. Great work.

I can't wait to see this all come together.


Sincerely,

Richard

Thanks Richard!

Lots of work done on the weekend

I have weathered the jeep and added decals. I have not put on the steering wheel yet, as I am waiting for some figures to arrive so that I can put one on the seat.

The tyres were weathered using Tamiya Weathering Master - Sand, as well as some of the side and interior.











The bottom was weathered using tamiya weathering master- rust, burnt blue and yellow







Some silvering on the decals is present, will wait to see if it goes away before matte coating.

I have started work on the Cargo truck and will have those pictures up soon.

Here is the next kit:

Academy 1/72 WWII 2.5 Ton Cargo Truck. This kit has many names, but mainly it is a 2.5 Cargo Truck in 1/72 scale.

Kit Details:

Kit Name: 1/72 WWII Ground Vehicles Set 2 US 2.5 Ton Cargo Truck & Accessories
Kit No: 13402
Scalemates link: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/146992- ... ccessories
Kit History: Released in 2004 as a new tool.

Box Art:



Inside the box:



Kit started:
















Weathered slightly





















I have not fully attached the top of the hub yet as I am waiting for some figures to arrive so I can place a driver in the cab, then I will seal it shut.



The trolly started



Finished and weathered using vallejo black wash











Decals applied





Will leave this to dry for a bit.
I will wait for the figures to arrive and then place a driver in the cab, seal it shut and complete the model.

Here is how the diorama is looking at the moment






This is a test set with other models that I have built, just to get a feel for what the finished diorama might look like. I have added a 1/72 corsair, a 1/72 Hawker Typhoon, and a diecast 1/76 wwii style car.



Will work on building a 1/72 towing tractor next, whilst I wait for the figures to arrive.

Cool stuff, I like your little test set
You could do a backdrop in behind as well...photo printed off the computer and hang it on the wall or clip it to the shelf
Would add a ton of realism when you take photos

Building a entire airfield is amazing!
Love what you did so far, really great job an the small scale modelling!

Twokidsnosleep wrote:Cool stuff, I like your little test set
You could do a backdrop in behind as well...photo printed off the computer and hang it on the wall or clip it to the shelf
Would add a ton of realism when you take photos

Thanks twokids mate! I will look into that, might have to print it off on an A5 paper.

fly1ngdutchm4n wrote:Building a entire airfield is amazing!
Love what you did so far, really great job an the small scale modelling!

Its tedious at times, but love the small scale as it fits almost anywhere

More work done, I did up some figures using the Airfix 1/72 USAAF Personnel set.

I had to cut the figures arms and legs and mix and mash with some other figures to make a seated driver for both the Allied Jeep and the Towing Tractor.
The jeep has been finished, here are the final pics. I decided to do the jeep without windows... that might change in the future.

Here are some final build and pics of the Academy 1/72 Ground Vehicle Set 1 - Allied Jeep:

Cutting up figures to make a driver















The Jeep was weathered using Tamiya Weathering Master sets







The Corsair in the background is not part of this build but is just there for show at the moment.

I have also done up the Academy 1/72 Towing Tractor

Here are the build pictures





Underside was painted using various metallic colours as I didnt like the plain olive drab underside shown in the instructions



The engine was also painted differently to the instructios to give it a more realistic look










Sligthly weathered using Tamiya Weathering Master - Light Sand



The front panel was painted using toothpicks. Its very detailed for such a small kit, and relatively cheap kit.



I didnt fill in the ejector pin marks.




















Did up a driver figure, once again I had to cut up different figures to make one of a sitting driver.











I have done up some more figures and some artillery .. I havnt uploaded some of those photos yet.

But here is a look at the diorama as it stands.







Still have to complete the Cargo Truck and then start work on the Shermans and the Airfix Willys Jeep

Oh, really fantastic!!! love the tow tractors
I can see a cool rolling green field with blue sky background maybe glued to cardboard so it will stand up
I did that with a Star Wars scene of the Dagobah swamp, it just gives the dio some depth and looks great in photography
Keep on going, really looking the part

Wow! This is going to be a big project when you are finished. Keep up the great work on this.

Les wrote:Wow! This is going to be a big project when you are finished. Keep up the great work on this.

Thanks Les

Twokidsnosleep wrote:Oh, really fantastic!!! love the tow tractors
I can see a cool rolling green field with blue sky background maybe glued to cardboard so it will stand up
I did that with a Star Wars scene of the Dagobah swamp, it just gives the dio some depth and looks great in photography
Keep on going, really looking the part

Thanks twokids, cant really find the perfect background yet.

In any case

I have done a lot more work on this since my last post.

The truck is complete and I have also started a new build on an aircraft. I made the accessories that can with the kit. I painted the boxes with Tamiya Deck Tan first then with Tamiya Clear orange, matte coated them and game them a wash with Vallejo Black wash to create the wood look. It doesnt look perfect but I like it.

First off here are the final build pictures of the Academy 1/72 US 2.5 Ton Truck

I then started a new kit

The Academy 1/72 F4F-4 Wildcat. This kit did not have a cockpit panel, so I made my own, simple enough to be seen through the cockpit. I used moldable plastic beads, which are very similar to form card.

Kit details: U.S. Navy Fighter F4F-4
Kit Number: 12451
Kit History: Was released in 2008 as a rebox of Academy Minicraft kit 1650 released in 1987. So its quite an old kit

Kit has only one marking option.
Scalemates link: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/211079- ... 2451-f4f-4

Box Art:



Kit contents:





I like deep panel lines, they make washes so much easier:



Decals:



Instructions:



The build begins:







Here are the moldable plastic beads I have used to create a cockpit panel



You place them in boiling water for a minute and mold them in the cup with some tweezers:



Then take them out and have about 2-4 minutes to mold them into whatever shape you want. I used a cut off toothpick to make panel indents on a small piece to create the look of the cockpit panels



I then painted the whole thing black and the panels white and some yellow



It might not look like much, but its better than nothing, and through the cockpit it was hard to see, but you could see there were some panels





I used Tamiya Surface primer to fill up small gaps



Painting began









Washed using Vallejo Model Wash Black





















Model was then gloss coated on the top using Future Floor Polish





















Here is the build video:

[youtube]F5CIxMPJSWU[/youtube]

Also here is the build video for the Academy 1/72 US 2.5 Ton Truck

[youtube]XNY4AayyPLc[/youtube]


I am now working on the Airfix 1/72 P40 B Warhawk, will have build pics for that up soon.

Excellent project, and Wow great detail My favorite has to be the 2.5 ton truck!

OliveDrab wrote:Excellent project, and Wow great detail My favorite has to be the 2.5 ton truck!

Thanks Olivedrab,

I have now completed the Diorama base. Here are the latest Updates.

I had to put a Hut on the side of the diorama base.

I purchased 1/76 Airfield Huts from Model Railway Scenery- online. You get a PDF file which you can print off and create a card model kit. This particular purchase lets you build 4 buildings - two large huts, a medium hut and small hut.
Once you buy it, you can print it as many times as you like. Very convenient and I think it looks the part too.

Here is the link to the kit

http://www.modelrailwayscenery.com/2014 ... -oo4mm176/

I printed the various pieces on paper and then went on to cut, glue and build the vaious pieces. I still have enough to build a medium Hut a small Hut and another large Hut





This was printed on 300 gsm card paper. I then glued it to another 300 gsm card paper to increase the thickness.

Once this was done, cutting out the various portions began.



Here is the walls and the roof before attaching the inside windows and doors





Windows and doors then glued to the inside - using a glue stick (UHU)



Walls put together using PVA Glue









Roof glued on using PVA Glue





I then began making some trees to place on the side of the Hut. I used fine branches which I bought online. These were sprayed with hairspray and then sprinkled with Woodland Scenics Fine Turf. Also more grass was laid down and some Joefix static grass was used - brown - to represent dead grass.

This was sprinkled on after the base was sprayed with Spray Adhesive- so all products used were:

The fine branches:



The turf, static grass, and spray adhesive:



The above picture is from another Sig but I used the same products on this base as well.

I also laid down a zebra crossing on the road.



The hut was glued on to the base, and the trees were put in after drilling holes and using superglue.

Here is the final completed Diorama base









Next up is the final build which is an Airfix 1/72 P47 Curtis Hawk. I have started this and will post pics soon.

Here is the final build of this project.

The Airfix 1/72 Curtis Hawk 81-A-2 AKA the P-47B

Kit Details:

Kit Name: Airfix 1/72 Curtiss Hawk 81-A-2
Product Number: A01003
Kit History: Released in 2011 as a new tool. One of the new Airfix Toolings.
Kit Marking options: One option for aircraft of the American Volunteer Group.
Scalemates link: https://www.scalemates.com/kits/131395- ... awk-81-a-2

Box Art:



Kit Contents:



Kit Instructions:



Build begins

Interiors painted with some side panels hand painted



Cockpit assembled and painted:





Propellar attached and fuselage glued, rear wings also attached.





Bottom painted first Tamiya deck tan:



Chamo scheme painted with Tamiya Flat earth and Dark green



I did a wash using Vallejo Model Wash Black







Underside light panel wash using Vallejo Model wash - Grey



Decals were applied then









The canopy and clear parts were then done



I lost the decal for one of the eyes, so I had to make one myself from a spare white decal. I had to cut it exactly to shape of the other eye ... which took lots of time. I used red marker to paint the pupil.

I marked panel lines over the decals with a lead pencil.

All put together then and here she is:









Here are some pics of the Aircraft on the Diorama:













The Build Video is here:

[youtube]nzxtCCQIBkM[/youtube]


I wanted to keep this model as clean as possible, whilst still looking realistic - hence the panel line wash. Its sitting on an airbase, it will be cleaned up regularly and painted on occasion too.

Now before the final reveal here are some pictures of the figures I have done up.



Ammo boxes left over from the truck build



Jerry cans and fuel drums




Heres a few pics of the final Diorama.








More pics in the Final Reveal here:
http://www.intscalemodeller.com/viewtop ... 92&t=18979