Stunning work, Michael.

I've been experimenting with that Raw Umber Oil Color with 90% Isopropyl Alcohol wash to weather wood, and initial tests are very promising. Much appreciated.

David, the wash is great for bringing out the wood grain and darkening the recesses. Hope it helps with your ORCA build.

Erik, the hobby to profession to hobby allows me to get better at both. As a hobby, I build for me and offer to others without the constraints of a commissioned build.

Great stuff. Model on!

David, Erik, Tom and Greg, thanks for the inspiring words. The mojo is slipping some as I work on the clear windows for the pick-up truck. I just can't get motivated due to shape issues of the kit. Luckily, I can bounce to other things like the buildings and come back later.

It is a looker I think - thanks for the words on the issues on this one - I was considering ordering some stuff from that company, and will just give it a second thought. Hope the mojo creeps back with some buildingbuilding 🙂

David, Thanks for the pep talk. I'm back from "holiday" as you guys like to call it. I had a vacation planned to Disney World Sept. 1-8 to visit my son who works there, haven't seen him in a year, and his birthday was on 9/5. Spent the week before fretting about Hurricane Dorian, looking over various weather websites and spaghetti models, forecasts and such.

Decided to go 24 hours before. Glad we went. Dorian turned and missed us, but so sorry for the Bahamas. Low crowds. Spent time with my son. Went to new Star Wars land, the detail is amazing. Every park is an inspiration to diorama creators, as they are full size dioramas. Found something in Animal Kingdom to remind me about the 1941 diorama and to get back on when I returned.

It has been a couple of months since I was able to do some work on the diorama. I have been trying to figure out the base layout and dimensions. The movie has this scene really spread out. To keep the base manageable, I had to shorten the distance between the P-40 and the buildings. The gas pumps should be in front of the yellow shack to the right, but I had to move it left to try to fill the negative space.

I cut 1/8" plywood 24" x 26" and made a frame underneath for rigidity, which was painted black. I found corrugated metal roofing that had better ridge spacing. I have a stand-in pilot figure that I will have to modify by fattening up, raise his right arm and remove his parachute.

I started a collaboration with a 3D printing company to expand my model making business, so I haven't had much time to work on the 1941 diorama. I did manage to put "rusted" metal corrugation on the roof of the porch. The window frames were painted brown. I laser cut the 2 clear acrylic sidewalk pieces, which are sitting on the brown chipboard. I discovered, I should have made the Ice Box shed wider.

I have also been learning Adobe Illustrator for the artwork for the signs needed for the scene.