Creative presentation ideas wanted

[Nick_Karatzides]

Hello fellow scale modelers,

 

This is the model, on which I'm trying my latest WIP. A glider, built on my favorite 1/18 scale. The following pictures are taken few days before - I have already completed the building stage and dealing with paint job now. What I have not decided yet, it is the way of model's presentation. When I started this project, I had in mind to place the glider on a simple "grass airfield" dio base, but the idea of placing the model on a metal or plexiglass rod and stick it on a shiny laminated wooden base, started to sound also good. Keep in mind that the model (as seen in the pictures) is made as cutaway and now painted on wood-alike shades, representing as possible the real one which was entirely made of wooden frame and covered by plywood & fabric lining.

 

As you might already recognized it, yes it's a Instytucie Szybownictwa IS-A Salamandra glider, 1953 built version (with airbrakes installed), a true part of Polish aviation History. For this reason, I found good idea to ask this forum for a little help. I ask your opinions, your suggestions, your creative ideas, always with imagination and inspiration. If possible, send an example picture of something similar or just describe with your own words. So my friends, lets have a brainstorm!

 

How would you like such a model to be displayed?

 

 

 

Thanks in advance for all your creative ideas & suggestions,

Nick

[Wojciech Butrycz]

Gorgeous work Nick_Karatzides! If you plan to remain the model as cutaway subject the idea on putting it on "grass" base will not do. To my imagination, the more is seen, the better in this case, therefore suspended model in a way upper and lower parts are clearly visible to observer over the contrasting (but not annoying) base would be the best solution. Anyway, I wish I had such problems with my models! Keep up great work! If you need help on any Polish related flying subject, just drop me a line.

[Nick_Karatzides]

If you plan to remain the model as cutaway subject the idea on putting it on "grass" base will not do.

When I started this project, the first thought was to place it in such a way that it looks like an abandoned wreck, with all plywood & fabric lining removed, tilted sideways to rest on the short grass field, with one wingtip touching the grass and the other on air. The same scene, some torn fabric & parts of the plywood would be also laid nearby, some rusted & cut wires etc. In general, a picture of abandonment, with the glider as the main part of the picture. When I saw the first of the following pictures, I liked the idea of cutaway frame tilted sideways with one wingtip touching the ground and the other on air. The second B&W picture, inspired me mostly for the abandoned wreck scene idea. The third picture, shows same glider model (built by Mario Glozinic) placed on a grass airfireld, but in 1/72 scale. What really bothers me on this presentation option, is that the whole scene would take at least 60x40cm base - considering that glider measures approx 70cm wingspan in 1/18 scale - and that could be a problem.

 

 

 

On the other hand, a fellow scale modeler already proposed another idea, to also place a skeleton pilot next to the cutaway IS-A model. To be honest, I 've already had this idea before, inspired by the 1/16 scale Fokker Dr. I model, scratchbuilt by Ken Foran. The good part with this idea, is that I've already have a 4-inch tall skeleton figure to be the X-rayed pilot, but the problem is that yes, the "X-ray look" sounds good idea, but the presentation issue, still remains. Should it be placed on grass, on a laminated wood base, or else?

 

Finally, a third option I can recall, is to nail the glider on a metal (or plexiglass) rod, tilt sideways or straight level flight possition and present it as it might look during flight, with frame only but in flight attitude - feel free to check following picture as an example. The main problem on this option is the stability. Considering that the whole cutaway model's structure is too fragile, attempting to place the model on the supporting pole, will require precise work, with no error correction capability. Same time, I am a little worried about the fact that the whole construction will be based on a single point, which will sustain all weight & balance stress.

 

As you see, I 'm into a dilemma about the overall presentation style. Diorama-like, on-air style, or something else?

[Mikele]

If i may join the discussion, i would suggest to finish model as the glider is shown on the picture from the Museum above. You could show the frame you have already without trashing it, which i suppose you would have to do to show wrecked glider's model. A diorama of display in the museum as on the mentioned photo should be nice, i suppose.

[Nick_Karatzides]

I would suggest to finish model as the glider is shown on the picture from the Museum above. You could show the frame you have already without trashing it.

I see. So your vote is to place the model simply as is, on a laminated 60x40cm wood base. No grass, no ground, no pilot & no other stuff around. Right? Something like the following pictures.

 

[Mikele]

That's right. Perhaps you could even make it look exactly like on the photo - with bars with chain, flooring-like base and perhaps bulletin board in front of the model. That should do the job for the display.

[Nick_Karatzides]

The last few days, I tried to apply the first layers of wood-alike color shades, but I still need lot of work to do until final look. Since one of the final showing options was to place the model on a laminated wooden base, I did some tests today, on how the model would appear if placed onto a laminated wooden base. The visual result, clearly shows that the model gets nearly disappeared into the natural wooden base's background. Since the actual IS-A was entirely made of wooden frame, it seems that placing the model on a laminated wooden base, might not be so good idea.

 

Οn the other hand, placing the model on a completely different color surface, it looks clearly better because the glider's silhouette lines are highlighted and the viewer does focus on the model without being distracted by a general blur of natural wood color. After taking a picture with same camera, same settings, same lighting cinditions & same angle, the visual result looks much different, isn't it?

 

I have a strange feeling that in the end, the IS-A model will be placed onto a grass airfield, to make contrast with green. Nevertheless, because it seems that I still have lot of work to do on this project - meaning plenty of time till base construction - any available idea or opinion is welcome.