kkarlsen

Great story!

And some close-up photo's of the build... The three planes are the ones of Squadron Commander Keith 'Grid' Caldwell NZ, (D6864), James Ira 'Taffy' Jones C1117 'T' GB and of Frederick Stanley 'Freddie' Gordon NZ, D3438 'Z' - The last one without the wings, is done as C6459 'C'. It could have been the one flown by Sydney 'Timbertoes' Carlin, but I have not been able to confirm this. Thats it, I hope you like it... Regards: Kent Karlsen

This diorama has been in the making (in the back of my mind) for a long, long time and I almost cannot believe that it is finally done. So here are some photo's of the finished diorama...

Finally my diorama build has now come to an end. It has been an adventurous journey into 'The Great War' almost 100 years ago. It's a depiction of a day in the No. 74 Squadron based at Clairmarais, France 1918. The pilots of No 74 Squadron have just returned from a successful patrol. On 30. July 1918, 'taffy' Jones brought down three German planes, a Rumpler C and a LVG C around noon and a Fokker D VII at 17:50 in the evening. The Squadron Commander Keith Caldwell, also brought down a Fokker D VII on this day... Its first operational fighters were S.E.5as in March 1918. The squadron served in France from April until February 1919, when it returned to Britain where it was disbanded on 3 July 1919. During its wartime service, it was credited with 140 enemy planes destroyed and 85 driven down out of control, for 225 victories. Seventeen aces had served in the squadron, including Victoria Cross winner Major Edward Mannock, Ira "Taffy" Jones, Benjamin Roxburgh-Smith, future Air Commodore Keith Caldwell, Andrew Kiddie, Frederick Stanley Gordon, Sydney Carlin, Frederick Hunt, Clive Glynn, George Hicks, Wilfred Ernest Young, Henry Dolan, Harris Clements, George Gauld, and Frederick Luff. (Wikipedia)

Almost there...

I've ordered some books for this subject, great info and photo material regarding The Royal Flying Corps and the S.e.5a... Also managed to get some wheel choks done...

Thanks, maybe it's because they have just returned from a successful patrol? On 30. July 1918, 'taffy' Jones brought down three German planes, a Rumpler C and a LVG C around noon and a Fokker D VII at 17:50 in the evening. The Squadron Commander Keith Caldwell, also brought down a Fokker D VII on this day...

Thanks, yes I'm using oils on a base of different shades of acrylics, tan, desert yellow etc... just like when I'm painting wood, but without the woodgrain ;-)

Wow, that's very nice indeed! Kent

So finally finished the figures, here's a little preview of how they turned out... Figures are Kellerkind Miniatures and Model Cellar, with some minor conversions and 'maps' added... The Sidcot guy needs some matte varnish, but otherwise I'm happy with the result. Now I just need to finish some detailing of the three S.e.5a's...

So, just a little update on the build, this week I have managed to get the Lewis guns on the top wings and the propellers done. Work is now continuing with the figures for the diorama... And the diorama base is coming along nicely... Thanks for looking in...

Ahh, I think I'l pass the Gotha. A Vickers Vimy would on the other hand get my mouth water drooling...

Woohooo!!! Rigging done! A quick snapshot to celebrate...

I do understand you. The rigging amount is absolutely terrifying and it takes a while to get the hang of the techniques required. I really do look forward to finish the rigging and get back to some 'modelling' Regards: Kent

The diorama base, with basic colors... Rigging chaos using a mix of elastic thread and monofilament... About halfway with the rigging...