Show pageOld revisionsBacklinksBack to top This page is read only. You can view the source, but not change it. Ask your administrator if you think this is wrong. ====== WWII Luftwaffe Secret Base (late war/what-if?) ====== The idea behind this diorama was to build a hidden/subterranean base as a store for some of the experimental and prototype fighters of the late war - some of the "what if?" designs which never made it to production. After having gained the experience of working on the [[blog:models:french_armour_display|WW2 French countryside ambush]] and [[blog:models:luftwaffe_display|WW2 German Airfield display]], the idea of a larger, multi-level diorama hosting several of the advanced jets and rocket the German airforce was working on really appealed to me. ===== Key Design Features ===== * Two level - upper 'ground' level and a lower maintenance/storage area. * The upper level will be both 'open', with a runway/taxi-way section, and the 'hidden' entrance to the base in a hill or cliff face. Space for at least one model on the taxi way, and one more in or entering/exiting the base entrance. * The upper level should be removable so that the upper and lower levels can be assembled seperately * The upper level should have a removeable cover over the entrance, so that models can be placed and then the hill/cliff/earth cover added * The lower level will have space for 3 or so fighters * The lower level will have a suspended walkway leading to a control booth overlooking the maintenance bay * The lower level will have a narrow gauge rail link, to transport in parts/fuel/ammo * The lower level will have a crane to offload cargo from the rail cars * Some working industrial lights (probably LEDs) hanging from the ceiling of the lower level and as wall lights in the entrance of the upper level - to work off the existing LED strip illuminating the cabinet A very early sketch of the multi-level layout: {{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250531203216.jpg?600|}} ==== Design - Upper Tiles ==== The upper tiles have the following features: * Left tile is a runway, edged by grass and a small number of trees - it needs to be wide enough to place the widest model which I will use; Revel 1:72 Arado AR 555 (wingspan 29cm, length 22cm). * Right tile has a short length of runway connecting to the main runway and the entrance to the base. The width of the widest fighter which will enter/exit the base is the 1:72 Revell Ho 229 (wingspan 23cm, length 10cm). This means that the entrance 'door' needs to be almost full width - therefore there won't be a support on the front (nearest) edge. * Right tile is topped with a (removable) grass/earth roof to show that the entrance is recessed into a hill or cliff. * Entrance door will be made in two versions - completely closed and partially opened; it will be designed to slide in from the side or to be removed completely * Small section of raised walkway inside the entrance * Several LED lights inside the entrance * Another (non-moving) door recessed into the far right wall of the entrance, to indicate a lift down to the lower level More detailed plans of the upper levels: <imgcaption upper_left_plan|Upper level, left tile, plan view.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250601154634_crop.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption upper_right_plan|Upper level, right tile, plan view.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250601154551.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption upper_right_side|Upper level, right tile, side view.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250601154618.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> ==== Design - Lower Tiles ==== The lower tiles have the following features: * 'Concrete' floor throughout * Left tile features section of rail (using OO gauge) for delivery of parts and spares - this is lower than the floor level * Right tile has a recessed door, to the same dimensions of the door above it on the upper tile - 'off screen' there is a motorised gantry raising aircraft to ground level. * Lighting suspended from i-beams/girders that 'support' the roof (in reality all weight is transferred down through the 6.5mm Plywood sides and back panel). * Suspended walkways on the left and rear walls * Personnel doorways on the rear wall in line with one on the upper tile - 'off screen' there are stairs behind the rear wall to go between floors. This excellent diorama from [[https://www.uschivdr.com/shopping-categories/shop-display-diorama/|uschivdr.com]] also gives an indication of what the lower level is based on: <imgcaption example_lower|Example maintenance bay from uschivdr.com.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:1.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption lower_left_plan|Lower level, left tile, plan view.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250601173232_crop.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption lower_right_plan|Lower level, right tile, plan view.>{{:blog:models:displays:luftwaffe_base:img20250601173215_crop.jpg?600|}}</imgcaption> ===== Parts and Materials ===== ^ Part ^ Quantity ^ Cost ^ Status ^ Notes ^ Link ^ | Plywood (6.5mm) | 7x 420mm x 297mm | £29.84 | Ordered | Tile bases and walls | | | Plywood (3mm) | 4x 600mm x 400mm | £14.00 | Ordered | Removable panels for lower tiles and 'roof' of entrance on right upper tile | | | Pine strips (12x34mm | 2x 1000mm | £12.00 | Ordered | Brace to support two upper tiles | | | Pine Strips (10x20mm) | 10x 295mm | £9.75 | Ordered | Support for walls to glue/screw to | | | XPS Foam (10mm) | | | Spares | Wall covering, structures | | | XPS Foam (3mm) | 3x 600mm x 200mm | £12.49 | Ordered | Floor covering, wall covering | | | Polyfilla | | | Spares | Concrete floor | | | Railings OO gauge (FA180403) | | £8.75 | | As hand rail for suspended walkway | [[https://www.modelscenerysupplies.co.uk/iron-railing-fence-oo-faller-180403|https://www.modelscenerysupplies.co.uk]] | | Electrical Conduits | | £7.99 | Ordered | | [[https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/lx430-oo-electrical-equipment-fuse-boards--sockets-detailing-pack---oo4mm176-10763-p.asp|https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk]] | | I-Beam / Girders | 5x 275mm x 10mm | £8.98 | Ordered | Fitted to 'roof' of lower tiles to simulate roof supports | [[https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=I+Beam+girder+kit+model+scenery|https://www.ebay.co.uk]] | | OO Gauge Diesel Shunter (Dapol C060) | 1 | £15.00 | | To be painted up similar to WR200 Wehrmacht (red / black) | | | OO Gauge Flat Bed Wagon | 1 | £5.00 | | | [[https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=oo+gauge+flat+wagon|https://www.ebay.co.uk]] | | OO Gauge Rail (340mm) | | £4.98 | Ordered | Hornby R601 double straight section; 335mm | [[https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_nkw=hornby+r601+straight|https://www.ebay.co.uk]] | | OO Gauge Buffers | | | | End of rail section | | | Rail Ballast | | | Spares | | | | Pine Tree Armatures | | | | Around edge of runway tile | | | LED Lighting | | £6.60 | Ordered | | | | Static Grass | | | Spares | Cover 'roof' of entrace and around runway | | | Plasticard (0.5mm) | 1x A4 | £4.86 | Ordered | Constructing doors, tunnel edges etc | | | PVA Glue | | | Spares | | | | Tile Grout (white) | 2kg | £12.78 | Ordered | Apply cement-like texture to XPS Foam walls | | | Superglue | | | Spares | | | | Screws | | | Spares | | | | Normal Size Doors | | | Scratch Build | Build from plasticard | | | Aircraft Hangar Doors | | | Scratch Build | Build from plasticard | | | Ladders | | £8.99 | Ordered | Laser cut kits. Multiple sets of ladders for raised walkway sections | [[https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/lx024-oo-industrial-ladders-oo4mm176-630-p.asp|https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk]] | | Grills / Vents | | £5.99 | Ordered | Use wire mesh with plywood edges | [[https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk/lx286-oo-assorted-grilles---oo4mm176-8692-p.asp|https://www.scalemodelscenery.co.uk]] | | Pipework | | | | | | | Aircraft maintenance platforms | | | | Photoetch kits. To be arranged around aircraft | | | Storage crates (large) | 2x 3 crates | £6 | | Anyscale 20mm packing crates (long) | | | Storage crates (small) | 2x 5 crates | £6 | | Anyscale 20mm packing crates (square) | | ---- [[:blog:models:military:index|Back to Military model index]] [[:blog:dioramas|Back to Diorama index]] blog/models/luftwaffe_latewar_display.txt Last modified: 2025/06/03 22:07by john