Chatham NB RCAF Diorama

1
March 12, 2017
The finished diorama in its case in Miramichi New Brunswick. The Fleet Finch model above it was built by my father Clarke.
2
March 12, 2017
Starting the project in the workshop. It was laid out to match an original wartime photograph that was supplied to me.
3
March 12, 2017
The hangar facade under construction. Artists foam board was used.
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March 12, 2017
Detail of the hangar doors being cut out.
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March 12, 2017
Building the walk in doors and applying the shingles. The windows were all cut out and framed with strip material from Evergreen Plastics.
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March 12, 2017
The hangar is starting to look like something now! I took the dimensions from a real wartime hangar that is still in use (as a factory) in Scoudouc, New Brunswick.
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March 12, 2017
The roof material is 400 grit sandpaper. Dark foam board was used for the paved area of the tarmac.
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March 12, 2017
Adding a little turf at the entrance to the office.
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March 12, 2017
Two Ocidental Harvards, two Classic Airframes Ansons and a Hasegawa Hurricane Mark 2b were used for the aircraft. I had to print some of the decals myself.
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March 12, 2017
Starting to get the base trimmed up. I found a picture of Hurricane "Q" during a stop at Chatham in 1944.
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March 12, 2017
The view from the hangar roof. Notice the air sock.
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March 12, 2017
Close up of the Hurricane. Revell aircrew figures and ladder, Tamiya jerry cans and an Ultracast Canadian prop kit finish it off.
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March 12, 2017
Overhead view of the fighter and ground crew.
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March 12, 2017
Tamiya drums and "Rusty Stumps" pallet kits, with a Hasegawa jeep done in RCAF colours.
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March 12, 2017
I even filled the oil can with clear yellow paint! The work ladder came with the figures.
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March 12, 2017
The Harvards were both based in Summerside, PEI and would have been at Chatham frequently during "cross country" training flights.
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March 12, 2017
Nearly finished in the workshop.
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March 12, 2017
Anson Mark 1 which was based at Chatham during the war.
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March 12, 2017
Trying to figure out the best position for the staff car.
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March 12, 2017
The camo/yellow Harvard was an early one delivered from the USA. Yellow patches were added after arrival in Canada.
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March 12, 2017
"Hangar Flying" after a flight! Two students on a solo cross country would always do some of this!
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March 12, 2017
The RCAF staff car with driver. It was a Tamiya US Army kit. I fixed that up soon enough!
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March 12, 2017
The finished product before installation.

Comments

3 12 March 2017, 18:27

gorby
Nice diorama!

13 March 2017, 15:02

Album info

This diorama was my first ever attempt at one. The base measures 4 feet by 4 feet and was built to display in a case at the Golden Hawks Recreation Centre in Miramichi New Brunswick. I scratchbuilt the hangar façade and tarmac using foamboard and some CelluClay mix for the terrain. It depicts one of the actual maintenance buildings from the wartime training base at Chatham.

RCAF Training Station Diorama

23 images

1:48

Completed

1:48 Avro Anson Mk.I Late Version Export Markings (Classic Airframes 4119)

1:48 Hurricane Mk.I `Squadron Leader´ (Hasegawa 09470)

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