Choose a scale and theater
Pick the aircraft first, then build the scene around them. Common aircraft scales are 1/72, 1/48 and 1/32 (our airplane scale size chart compares them). Smaller scales fit more of an airfield in a small space, while larger scales show detail on a single hardstand or a corner of a field. Decide which theater and year you are representing, such as an English bomber base or a Pacific island strip, because the surfaces, buildings and vehicles differ: grass fields, steel mat, concrete, or packed dirt.
Research helps. Period photographs show how aircraft were parked, how crews and equipment were arranged and what the ground looked like in different seasons.
Plan the layout
Sketch the base on paper before cutting anything. Typical elements include a taxiway or hardstand, grass, a dispersal area, a hangar or hut, and ground equipment. Resist filling every inch; open space gives an airfield its character. Place the main aircraft off-center, angle it to the taxiway, and put smaller items in groups to lead the eye. Leave space around the aircraft so wings and propellers do not collide with other elements, including a display case.
Make the base
A simple and widely used approach is a foam board base. It is light, cheap and easy to cut. Cut the board to size, and if you wish to display it on a wooden plinth or in a picture frame, size it to fit. Seal or edge it with card or wood trim so the foam edge does not show. Thin wood or MDF also works if you want a firmer base for a heavy model.
Concrete and tarmac
Fine sandpaper makes a convincing concrete texture in 1/72 scale; medium grit suits larger scales. A typical process:
- Mark the shape of the hardstand or taxiway on the base.
- Cut the sandpaper into slabs, leaving small gaps between them to suggest expansion joints.
- Tear a few slabs before gluing to create random cracks, since irregular tears look more natural than straight cuts.
- Glue them down with PVA, flattening edges that curl as the glue sets.
- Paint with thin washes of gray, with slight color variation between slabs.
- Add oil stains near engines and fuel points with dark, thin paint, and tire marks in the landing zones.
Tarmac can be painted a dark gray over a smooth surface, with lighter patches and faded lines where appropriate.
Grass and ground
Paint the surrounding ground in an earth tone, then add grass using static grass, flock or coarse turf. Mix several shades and lengths. Grass near the edges of concrete tends to be worn, with dirt patches where vehicles drive. Blend the junction between concrete and grass with dirt, small stones and tufts. For more on ground cover, see the model railroad scenery guide, which uses the same materials. For a winter variation, try our snow diorama guide.
Structures and equipment
Add a hut, hangar corner, fuel drums, sandbags, boxes, tents, bomb trolleys or a fuel bowser. Many accessory sets exist in 1/72 and 1/48. Buildings can be kits, resin pieces or scratchbuilt from card or styrene, and our guide to building model buildings covers techniques that apply here. Keep proportions and period correct, and paint wooden items in weathered colors.
Aircraft placement and weathering
Weather the aircraft so it matches the setting: exhaust stains, paint wear and dirt on the lower surfaces. A pristine aircraft on a dirty airfield looks off, so match the weathering level between model and base. Position chocks, covers, ladders and tow bars as if crew are about to work. Open canopies and cowlings add interest, but be careful not to leave parts that will be hit in handling.
Figures
Figures give scale and a story: groundcrew refueling, pilots walking to the aircraft, armorers loading bombs. Use a small number and place them in natural poses and groupings. Paint uniform colors for the correct service and period, and keep detail restrained at small scales.
Finishing
Check the diorama from the angles viewers will see. Add a small title plate. Protect the finished scene with a case, because dust builds up quickly on grass and wing surfaces.
FAQ
What is the best scale for an airfield diorama? It depends on space. 1/72 allows more of an airfield in a small area, while 1/48 shows more detail.
What is a good base material? Foam board is common, because it is light and easy to cut, while wood suits heavier displays.
How do I make concrete? Sandpaper cut into slabs, glued down with small gaps, painted with gray washes, is a popular technique.
Can I use railroad scenery products? Yes. Static grass, flock and ground cover are shared between railroad and aircraft dioramas.