Hi guys ! I build large scale shadowboxes and storyboard dioramas.I am now in the early stages of putting my latest one together.I am almost 73 now,a retired aviator and professional artist building dioramas for permanent display at the Canada Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa.
I am presently working on a shadowbox diorama to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of WW1.The title of this piece is "The Contenders" a story about the fight for air superiority over the trenches.It will feature two of these very famous fighters,the British Camel and the Fokker Triplane.
The basic story to date is fictional but it could have happened.I don't build for historical accuracy and use lots of "Artistic License" when telling my stories.I donate all of my artwork for educational purposes but especially for the younger viewers to the museum.
Cheers! John.

I really enjoy your work. I'll keep watching.

Thanks Russ ! Glad to have you on board.Cheers! John.

This is approximately where I am in this build right now,most of the research has been done, the hangar floor and R/H hangar wall are almost finished.I have a few unpainted figures together that I will use for checking the scale of things as I go along and I have just begun the Camel vignette.

For those who may be interested there is more on this build over on the Early Aviation section of the Aeroscale forum on this website.Cheers! John.

I will be building the Camel model using this car chassis structure as a basic jig for the airplane build .It will ultimately become a airplane/trailer combo for inclusion in the diorama.The idea here is that the trailer was dispatched to a crash site and has just returned to the hangar where it will be used to gather intelligence about any Camel modifications.

Outstanding build

Thanks Bill Cheers! John.

Another option would be to have the tail up in flying position or with the wings and gear removed and lashed to the side of the trailer.The aircraft could be shown with one set of wings removed thereby cutting the span in half.The other set of wings could be shown being dismantled.I will have to put the hangar walls together before making a final decision.

This single wing option would cut the wingspan almost in half.I could use this if I decide there is enough room in the diorama.

I will start this Camel build by securing one wheel of the gear to the flatbed of the trailer that I am working on now.

The whole area where the writing is will be filled with roof beams and trestles.

This is a change in plans from my original idea of having the view from the back. I made the decision because of the slope of the roof
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Fantastic work! Cannot wait to see further progress!

p.s. Will the outside of the hanger be finished as well or will this perhaps be set into an opening in an exhibit wall?

Yes it could be set in a wall otherwise this will be strictly be a shadowbox but I will be finishing everything in-the-round for picture taking purposes.If I put a viewing hole in a side or rear wall it would spoil the illusion the the shadowbox viewers angle of view.
Thank you for your kind words. Cheers! John.

This is the soon to be released Fokker Dr.1 by Model Airways which will make up the other half of the diorama.