The Little World

And I write because I am just that when the need arises.

These days I build mostly model aircraft in one scale. I like to photograph them in my studio and need structures and accessories to go with the kit-built planes. The trade is pretty lax about making things for model aircraft…very much so in comparison with the whole world that is available for the doll house or model train enthusiast.

They can virtually assemble their entire little world from kits and ready-made items. Some enthusiasts in Germany do exactly that, and their train layouts are marvels of engineering. Marvels of cost, as well.

Here my needs go unfulfilled until I build skill with foam board, MDF, strip wood and plastic, and start to convert plans to structures. We are not kitted at all, in some cases.

It is surprising, however, how little structures lend themselves to scratch-building. Most buildings are a series of flat planes and angles, and if you can break a scale plan down into subassemblies, it is surprising how easy it is to start getting results. Windows are tricky, as they need to be detailed and precise, but resin castings can be made to duplicate the frames and even a complex structure can be laid out.

You just need to do one elevation at a time over several days. And choose a basic structure – like pasteboard – that can be readily cut.

Expect to lose a few patches of skin…