Tail skid and bottom fin assembly.
Except for the bottom of the tail skid and the fitting ,most of this area will be covered over with plywood.I decided to build the detail anyway in case I change my mind and leave it partially open.The tail skid itself would be made from hickory as it is a very strong yet highly bendable wood that retains its shape.(mine is made from cherry wood)

Another pic

Another pic .

I am planning a little more fire damage to the tail area than just a simple flash over type fire.There is a lot of wood and fabric that comes together at the tail assembly ,therefore the likelihood of a more intense fire.I think that it will make this area more interesting as well as open up the fuselage a bit to reflect that it is actually a monocoque type structure.

Building this wrecked Albatros has been a really fun experience,probably the best that I have ever had modeling.I really enjoy the balance between scratchbuilding ,kit building and creativity.The dog -pilot storyline takes a rather weak original storyline ,contained within the hangar walls ,and gives the whole thing new life.
Having a digital camera has allowed me for the first time to document this part (vignette)of the whole process from original idea to finished product.
It could have been a stand alone vignette but combined with the rest of the diorama it helps to raise the whole thing to a different level.I am really looking forward to seeing the reaction of my viewer to the dog.One of the greatest thrills I get as an artist is to see the emotion that I can raise in an audience using wood,plastic etc...just by arranging it all in a certain way,just like a writer would do with words.
I remember when I used to carve decorative birds,I once did a predator-prey piece of a Goshawk holding a songbird in its claws.People would tell me they hated what they thought was a taxidermy mount and when I would explain that it was only wood and paint, they still hated it.That always gave me great satisfaction as an artist.

Another pic'

Another pic.

Another pic.

I don't plan to do a lot more of this burnt fabric stuff on the wings,just enough to get the flash over scenario across to the viewer. I don't want it to look overdone.
Speaking about overdone,I am again facing the old problem of when to stop.
Besides finishing up the landscaping and maybe putting a little junk out the back of the hangar, maybe I should stop here.There are no ground vehicles or figures outside the hangar, as I have done with the Jenny, but somehow I feel the the dog and airplane are enough.The R/H side of the hangar is plexiglass and the front is to be left open for an unobstructed view into the hangar ,so there really is no room now for any other large items.The fact that it is a military scene would also cut down on the "junk lying around" factor.
On the other hand maybe a small wheelbarrow leaning up against one of the hangar doors.......

Another pic'

Another pic.

Another pic.

Another pic

I love playing around with the lighting to get different effects.Boxed dioramas are best for this and with todays digital cameras you can get instant feedback on the results and play with it until you are satisfied.I often will just point the camera and shoot with very little setup,sometimes the results can be quite surprising. It is really easy on the pocketbook to take multiple shots and then erase the ones you don't like.
I find that I often like the pictures more than the diorama itself.