To save a lot of confusion I think that I had better open up a part 2 of this diorama thread.

New/Old project (the Albatros)
I have about 1 to 2 weeks left to finish the Jenny so I plan to set it aside for awhile and re-visit the Albatros diorama for awhile.
The Albatros was my first aircraft diorama and I have learned a lot since then about doing the exterior and landscaping.My plan is to put it on a piece of 3/4 plywood and go from there.I will also be building another Albatros aircraft (basketcase )and place it outside the hangar being robbed for parts. Should be fun!

The floorplan size has now been increased to 48"X60" to give me more room on the hangar's left hand side for the new Albatros.

Remember that the complete instruction booklet for this kit is available for free on the Model Expo website.
As you can see from the plans in the initial stages of the build the fuselage is upside down in the jig.If I remember correctly(it was over 7 years ago since I built the first one) there are some minor adjustments to be made to the jig to get the proper flow of the stringers from bulkhead to bulkhead.Not to worry they can easily be adjusted later even after the jig is built.

This is the L/H side of the hangar as it is today.On the top R/H corner of this side panel you can see a plexiglass viewing hole.The round unfinished piece of dowel is for the woodstove's chimney.

Front or ramp side view.

Amazing , just simply amazing John

John,

Just amazing, kinda speechless. Outstanding.

Dwayne

I am having the same problem that I had with the Jenny,basically "what to leave in and what to leave out". I would sure appreciate any ideas that you guys may have .
While I kind of like the simplicity shown here ,I also have lots of space to add to the exterior of the piece.I even have enough room to add a complete new airplane with wings attached.While I have pretty much lost my fear of landscaping the exterior it is now a question of improving the storyline.This piece was my first airplane diorama and has the weakest storyline of any of the pieces that I have done till now.Two guys looking at the airplane while a mechanic wipes oil off of the engine just doesn't cut it for me anymore.If I add a completely built new airplane outdoors that will look nice but really do nothing to dramatically improve the story.I was thinking about maybe an accident victim being stripped for parts but then again that is just repeating what I did with the Jenny build. Any ideas?

Old cars and figures!
In my stash of 1/16th old cars I have a 1911 Model T ,a Mercer Runabout and a Rolls Silver Ghost.
The Model T frame could be used to make a wagon of some kind,the Rolls a staff car commandeered by the German Air Service and the Mercer I know not what.
I figure that the possibility of a Rolls in France at the start of the war could be a good one and of course Model T's were everywhere.Besides what German officer could resist driving a Rolls given the opportunity.(My motto if it could have happened and it fits the storyline ,use it!)
There is quite a variety of 1/16th figures available today for modification so I don't anticipate a problem there.

Greetings John!
I have an image of Goering's "Tuxedo" Alb. D.III , wingless and ready for salvage. Part of the engine cowling and nose was blasted away by anti-aircraft shells. If you go with just the empty fuselage shell it will only serve as a lean-to for birds. But to keep it interesting and in keeping with the idea that this is a "factory" setting? It can either be a new fuselage like the one in the hangar? Or a derelict as you mentioned. As a derelict you will see;

1. Empty sockets for instrument gauges
2. Disconnected plumbing and wiring (There is a thread here about the plumbing colour coding b y Dan San
3. The stripped engine with the broken cylinders exposed where it was hit by Flak?
4. Wooden wheels where the others were removed or scavenged.
5. Wood skinning over 95% of the fuselage.
6. Limp rudder & elevators?
7. Spandau guns scavanged? Laying on a nearby bench.
8. Personal & unit markings are a must as it was a frontline machine.

Or you could go with a derelict trainer?
1. No unit or personal markings on student aircraft.
2. No guns?
3. Lower horse powered motor represented.
4. Damage due to nose over?
5. Wooden wheels where the others were removed or scavenged.
6. Wood skinning over 95% of the fuselage.
7. Some German instructors had enlarged serials or personal markings.

Here is a trainer I modeled. It actually happened.


Alb. D.V 2042/17 was a assigned to training duties at Lübeck-Travemunde and is known to have been destroyed in a landing in July 1918. Its pilot Ltn. Wegener is listed as KIC. This diorama took a first place at the IPMS USA Nationals in 2003.

Wow Stephen! Great idea or should I say ideas.That would really be a lot of fun to do,It would really add to the storyline as well as fit right in with the storyline so far.Those pics are a wonderful source of info.If you have any others along the same line they would be appreciated.You have really made my day! The airplane being broken at the pilot's seat says so much to me.Thank you so much.Cheers! John.

Looking at the whole thing a little closer there is also a nice sub-theme of destruction and renewal.
The destroyed airplane outside and the rebuilt on the inside.

I think that I will do this as a derelict that has been towed as is (broken in two & upside down but minus its wings)to a spot just beside the L/H side of the hangar.I haven't made a decision on the wings yet,whether to show them being rebuilt or in the same derelict state as the fuselage although the latter would better fit into the overall theme of the old and the new.