This should make for a nice group.

It looks like you posted the image of Miniart's MvR. Though they didn't get a good likeness.

The position of heads and hands will only be determined when I figure out how they will relate to one another.The uniforms still require some modification.

Here is a good reference on Fokker Dr.I types.

http://www.fokkerdr1.com/

This will be the next stage of construction working on the initial composition.It may change many times over the course of the build but you gotta start somewhere.
I am thinking of naming this piece " The Contenders 1917" referring not only to the battle for air superiority over the trenches but also over the future of aircraft design. I am now thinking of building two complete airplanes ,wings attached and all, arranged in such a way as to draw the viewer into the piece by careful aircraft placement. This time I will keep the hangar furnishings to a minimum and just let the aircraft take center stage.

Thanks Stephen.

My wife and I were discussing ideas for the Dr.I/Camel shadowbox diorama,when it hit me.Why not set this up like a boxing ring arrangement with both aircraft backed into their respective corners with the pilot figures in the background acting as seconds.The lighting could be set up to emphasize the aircraft and play down the pilots to a secondary role.

Both the DR1 and Camel will fit into the space available but only just and it probably would look too crowded anyway.I think that I will go back to the original idea of a German facility inspecting the Camel.With the wings off and the fuselage placed correctly there should be lots of room to tell the story.

Next up will be designing the interior hangar walls,studs and beams.Rather than using wood planking again maybe I will use plywood sheets with battens between the seams ,which would be something different for a change and a lot less labour intensive.

Speaking of Plywood... for the Ply surfaces of the Camel Wooden ship modelers use a VERY thin veneer which could sub for the large surfaces.

On the display I just realised that every german plane I have seen in contemporqry photos which was on display, had no wheels, wheels without tires, or wooden wheels. Minor trivia but for nitpickers a good detail.

I actually saw you diorama and it was/is impressive.

I like the subject of the Experten/pilots, being briefed.

Captn Tommy

Here is something I tried for the garage in "The Homecoming "diorama ,using old newspapers to insulate the walls which was common years ago.
For this dio I want something a little more finished as a wall covering, afterall the intelligence people wouldn't live in a shack.

Thanks Tommy ! I am glad that you liked my diorama in person.I don't often hear from people who have actually seen them because I do not sign them in any way.It is the image that I want to stick,no one really cares who made them anyway..(maybe my mom)

Here are some insulated wall battens for the interior walls that I am experimenting with.A couple of layers of felt, with some cloth over that, and a few nailed on boards ,then sprayed with a couple of coats of lacquer and it should ready for painting and weathering.

Asbestos blanket insulation with battens.Maybe the nails could use some rusty heads.

I thought that it may be less labor intensive to panel the walls with asbestos but now after having done only one panel I see that may not be true. I will have to hand fit each panel between the beams. I don't plan to add any doors and windows to this piece for a change.

My friend and mentor Kim Reynolds,without her my dioramas would still be in my basement gathering dust.

Any dioramas in the future will probably be shadowboxes as I really like the idea of setting the stage,doing the lighting etc.. Notice that the reveal can be quite large and close to the action and you can still get the illusion of great depth without building a reveal that is long and narrow.

Interior hangar wall battens.I found some 2" insulation tape and tried that instead of felt.

wrong pic