This model is more
about the idea of creating the impression of an aircraft
cast into sea on the deep end of the reef than about actually making a
model from the ICM Yak kit. I originally purchased this kit for my son
several years ago, but there was no canopy in the box, so the kit was pushed to
the back of the shelf. Neglected. So it seemed fitting to use this model as the
basis for the diorama. Also, I was not too impressed with the detail of the kit
so the thought of intentionally decreasing the detail by simulate years of
corrosion or damage did not bother me. I could have used my Accurate Miniatures
Avenger as the subject but that just seemed to be very wrong!
There are no
aftermarket items or decals used. The fuselage was made and then, I went about
adding holes here and there to simulate degradation from the sea. The control
panel was made from scratch and several dials were popped out to mimic prior
scavaging/decay. I made the inner frame for the wings and then covered these
with aluminum foil trying to create a sag to the foil to mimic aging. The
inner structure of the control surfaces were made from styrene stock and sheet
brass. The canopy frame was made from lead foil. Everything is painted with
Tamiya acrylics and then numerous washes of oils used to try to add depth and
shadows. I tried to limit the colors used on the AC to those that would be
visual with ambient light at a depth of 30-35 feet.
Click on
images below to see larger images
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The groundworks is fine sand
mixed with white glue. The coral outcroppings are rocks collected from around
my property. I used various lichens found around the yard and local woods to
create the anemones, soft corals, sponges, and hard corals. The grass is
actually blades of a small plant that I found growing along the edge of a
local stream. I slowly dried the plant to preserve the colors of the
leaves. I originally planned on placing only a few blades of
grass around the coral but it just seemed to need more and more for visual
balance. Unfortunately, during the "planting", I ran out of the
leaves and could not remember exactly were I found the original plant. I
wondered around the original woods but couldn't find another plant. Fortunately,
I found one lonely plant in a stream near my house. I ran home and proudly
showed my quarry to my wife. Funny, but she just did not seem to be that
impressed with my prize. Strange, but some people just don't seem to
get it...
The diorama was photographed by my brother Don with his
Canon digital camera on a sunny afternoon. If I had the option, I would prefer
to take the images on an overcast day to heighten the illusion of muted colors
and shadows, but a begger can't be a chooser and I really appreciate my brother
for taking the time to take the pictures. You can appreciate the need for a
digit camera for just such a reason, but, again, why wife is not impressed with
this logic for some reason. Go figure...
I hope you all enjoy the images.
Tim
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