Chatham NB RCAF Diorama
![Album image #1 Album image #1](/albums/img/8/6/1/327861-30596-19-720.jpg)
The finished diorama in its case in Miramichi New Brunswick. The Fleet Finch model above it was built by my father Clarke.
![Album image #2 Album image #2](/albums/img/8/6/2/327862-30596-39-720.jpg)
Starting the project in the workshop. It was laid out to match an original wartime photograph that was supplied to me.
![Album image #3 Album image #3](/albums/img/8/6/3/327863-30596-52-720.jpg)
The hangar facade under construction. Artists foam board was used.
![Album image #4 Album image #4](/albums/img/8/6/4/327864-30596-58-720.jpg)
Detail of the hangar doors being cut out.
![Album image #5 Album image #5](/albums/img/8/6/5/327865-30596-47-720.jpg)
Building the walk in doors and applying the shingles. The windows were all cut out and framed with strip material from Evergreen Plastics.
![Album image #6 Album image #6](/albums/img/8/6/6/327866-30596-54-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #7 Album image #7](/albums/img/8/6/7/327867-30596-75-720.jpg)
The roof material is 400 grit sandpaper. Dark foam board was used for the paved area of the tarmac.
![Album image #8 Album image #8](/albums/img/8/6/8/327868-30596-77-720.jpg)
Adding a little turf at the entrance to the office.
![Album image #9 Album image #9](/albums/img/8/6/9/327869-30596-62-720.jpg)
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.
![Album image #10 Album image #10](/albums/img/8/7/0/327870-30596-61-720.jpg)
Starting to get the base trimmed up. I found a picture of Hurricane "Q" during a stop at Chatham in 1944.
![Album image #11 Album image #11](/albums/img/8/7/1/327871-30596-55-720.jpg)
The view from the hangar roof. Notice the air sock.
![Album image #12 Album image #12](/albums/img/8/7/2/327872-30596-93-720.jpg)
Close up of the Hurricane. Revell aircrew figures and ladder, Tamiya jerry cans and an Ultracast Canadian prop kit finish it off.
![Album image #13 Album image #13](/albums/img/8/7/3/327873-30596-82-720.jpg)
Overhead view of the fighter and ground crew.
![Album image #14 Album image #14](/albums/img/8/7/4/327874-30596-37-720.jpg)
Tamiya drums and "Rusty Stumps" pallet kits, with a Hasegawa jeep done in RCAF colours.
![Album image #15 Album image #15](/albums/img/8/7/5/327875-30596-15-720.jpg)
I even filled the oil can with clear yellow paint! The work ladder came with the figures.
![Album image #16 Album image #16](/albums/img/8/7/6/327876-30596-72-720.jpg)
The Harvards were both based in Summerside, PEI and would have been at Chatham frequently during "cross country" training flights.
![Album image #17 Album image #17](/albums/img/8/7/7/327877-30596-85-720.jpg)
Nearly finished in the workshop.
![Album image #18 Album image #18](/albums/img/8/7/8/327878-30596-84-720.jpg)
Anson Mark 1 which was based at Chatham during the war.
![Album image #19 Album image #19](/albums/img/8/7/9/327879-30596-69-720.jpg)
Trying to figure out the best position for the staff car.
![Album image #20 Album image #20](/albums/img/8/8/0/327880-30596-39-720.jpg)
The camo/yellow Harvard was an early one delivered from the USA. Yellow patches were added after arrival in Canada.
![Album image #21 Album image #21](/albums/img/8/8/1/327881-30596-56-720.jpg)
"Hangar Flying" after a flight! Two students on a solo cross country would always do some of this!
![Album image #22 Album image #22](/albums/img/8/8/8/327888-30596-75-720.jpg)
The RCAF staff car with driver. It was a Tamiya US Army kit. I fixed that up soon enough!
![Album image #23 Album image #23](/albums/img/8/8/9/327889-30596-20-720.jpg)
The finished product before installation.
Comments
3 12 March 2017, 18:27
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.