The hangar

[rickoshea52]

Whilst looking for some inspiration for other modelling ideas I stumbled across this fantastic photo of a Lightning maintenance hangar. The aircraft subject is not the inspiration, but it is certainly tempting, I'm more interested in the interior of the hangar. I've seen plenty of different makers of diorama backgrounds but none that suit my needs so the answer is to do it yourself.


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I've read somewhere of an old drawer being used for a diorama display so when I saw these wooden boxes being sold off for £1 each I bought a few with the idea of having a play around and see what I can create.


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I started by carefully removing one of the long sides and filling in any holes with filler and then painting with some spare white satin paint. Using embossed brick sheet, Evergreen plastic girders and trusses I will construct a back wall along the remaining long side of the box. Later a concrete floor will be added and scratch built hangar doors for the short ends. With some painting and carefully chosen and scratch built clutter a reasonably convincing setting can be created for my future 1/72 scale aircraft of a similar size to a Lightning.


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[eddiesolo]

Great start Rick, like what you're planning.


Si

[Wendall]

Like the idea Rick. I'll pull up a chair if you don't mind.

[PaulTRose]

so what aircraft will be in the dio?

[rickoshea52]

so what aircraft will be in the dio?

Anything that fits. I suppose it will be more of a display setting rather than a specific diorama. It will also serve as a trial build of a larger sized idea that I have, just to see if it works - but I'll keep that to myself for now.

[Guest]

Popcorn at the ready, looking forward to seeing more

[Guest]

Wow! This will be a very interesting project!!!


I like the idea

[yak face]

Great idea Rick , cant wait to see the hangar take shape , cheers tony

[Ian M]

You got my attention as well....


Ian M

[papa 695]

Great idea and a great start Rick I'm in watching this one

[Guest]

Looks good so far

[monica]

good idea and a nice start as well

[takeslousyphotos]

I'm in for watching this Rick ......... Great idea.

[flyjoe180]

Fantastic idea Rick. Look forward to seeing the hangar develop

[rickoshea52]

After two coats of paint to the outside of the diorama case the inside can start. I was thinking of using Will's building sheets for the concrete floor but the sheets have a rough finish. While this is acceptable for an external aircraft parking stand I don't think it will look right for a hangar floor as they are usually smooth. The black paint was applied to the wooden base where the sheets joined but this is no longer important.


So a smooth floor surface is required, time to rummage in my box of plasticard.


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