1/72 Battle of Britain RAF Airfield Diorama

[tonyb]

I have begun to build a 1/72 scale diorama depicting an RAF airfield from the Battle of Britain.
This is for a Group Build on another forum.I won't say which one but the predominant kit manufacturer in the first photo may give you a clue..
My dio will feature Spitfire Mk1's of 234 Squadron and a Blenheim MkIV of 236 Squadron which were both based at Middle Wallop and St.Eval during the battle.I'm not going to even pretend to be replicating either airfield with any great accuracy but I did at least want one with the correct squadrons together.

Firstly here is what I am using in my diorama -

RAF Airfield set,2x Spitfire Mk1 sets and a Blenheim MkIV

Extras including camo-netting,oil drums,squadron markings and vacuform canopies (I want open canopies)

Been working most the day on the blast-pen from the airfield set -

Also added a service area for the Blenheim using balsa wood -

Dio is 1200mm by 450mm.The 'concrete' is stone effects paint in 'riverrock grey'.
The base coat for the grass is this stuff -

I plan to have 1 Spit in the pen and 2 more on the grass at bottom right of the dio.
There will be a gravel road from the pen to the top right of the dio and the top right area will have a pilots hut and oil drum storage (covered by camo-netting)
The Matador will be fueling the Blenheim.
I'm having a rest now,been a busy day.
Cheers,
Tony.

 

[Wildcat]

Great stuff mate! Really looking forward to seeing your progress on this one.

 

[Airframes]

Me too! I've been wanting to do a large diorama in 1/72nd scale for many years, even built and converted the Airfix control tower - about 20 years ago - which is sitting on a shelf. I haven't got the room at my place, but one of these days...!
Does the airfield kit come with the blast pen parts, and the hut? I believe one of the Airfix kits, I think the USAAF airfield accessories, has a Nissen hut, which could be useful.
I made ground-crew huts from scratch, and from model railway kits, ready for my bomber airfield, and had it all planned - but that was when I had a wife, a house and a lot of room !!

 

[Vic Balshaw]

Tony me old mate, this is going to be worth watching, a top project.

 

[Wurger]

With all here.

 

[Wayne Little]

Great project Tony, damn fine start!

 

[B-17engineer]

Nice Tony!

 

[tonyb]

Thanks guys ,

First layer of grass is down -

The pilots hut will be scratchbuilt from match sticks and balsa wood.
Cheers,
Tony.

 

[Njaco]

Cool! can't wait to see how this works out! Started one for the Luftwaffe years ago and never finished. Love to see this one.

Don't know if this pic will help ya any.

 

[vikingBerserker]

This is going to be a very cool build!

 

[Lucky13]

Great stuff mate! Really looking forward to this!

 

[Wayne Little]

 

[B-17engineer]

Great Tony!

 

[dirkpitt289]

I look forward to seeing the rest

 

[tonyb]

Cheers guys,
I started work on the Blenheim today.Not one of the best kits especially the cockpit detail (or lack of..) so I have been adding bits myself using styrene sheet.An improvement I hope! -

Fuselage assembly done which wasn't the best fit so may require some minor surgery (filler)

Also did the gravel track on the dio base -

Cheers,
Tony.

 

[vikingBerserker]

Off to a great start!

 

[Tony Hill]

Nice going!

 

[hawkeye2an]

Dio looks great so far, looking forward to following this one. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Wayne Little]

Doin' great tony, keep up the good work mate!

 

[ian lanc]

I love the way you have layed down the fake grass which i must say is a much better
effort than my previous grass dio's must learn better by following any tips you would
be willing to share in making grass look like grass and not just a sheet of green stuff.

ian.