A Quiet Evening in Lincolnshire: Lancaster Diorama Part 5

Time for a quick update on the WW2 RAF bomber base diorama. The Lancaster is now practically finished, with a just a handful of aerials and navigation lights to fit, so I thought I would take advantage of a break in the rain to take it outside and get some photos. You can see some white blobs in the cockpit, which are caused by the PVA glue I used to attach the glazing. It will be clear and invisible when it’s dry.

 

The ‘Lanc’ was painted with Humbrol paints. First I airbrushed the whole plane with no.30 enamel for the green, then hand-painted no.29 brown enamel to make the camouflage pattern. The upper surfaces were then masked off and the extensive black underside was sprayed with Humbrol gloss black acrylic paint from an aerosol can. 

The whole model was then sprayed with Humbrol gloss acrylic aerosol paint to provide a good smooth base for the decals (transfers). When the decals had been applied and allowed to dry, the aircraft was sprayed with Humbrol matt acrylic. The main reason for this part of the process is to prevent silvering of the decals, which often happens if they applied onto a matt surface – air remains trapped beneath the decals and the rough matt surface, and gives a silvered or frosted look to the markings. Trapping the decals between a gloss undercoat and a matt overcoat not only minimises silvering, but also helps to blend the decals in so they appear to be painted on. Actually it didn’t work 100% on this model, though I was able to resolve the silvering using a technique I found online, and which I will go into another time. Some subtle weathering was applied using dilute black oil paint, especially on the wing surfaces behind the exhausts so represent exhaust staining. Detail parts such as the turrets, cockpit glazing, under carriage and propellers were fitted after painting was completed.

Now the Lancaster is ready to be placed in the diorama, and the vehicles and figures placed around it to create the scene. Most of the work is now done, and the diorama should be finished very soon.