Displaying your models by Pat Camp

One of the obvious joys of going to a model show in a different country is to see some new and original ideas for displaying your models. I noticed quite a few at the St Victoret show in Provence and I’ll try to describe some to you….

The first two displays involve a seascape. The first is of a B-25 Mitchell strafing an “Emily” flying boat and the splashes from the guns looked most effective. The Mitchell is set up high and to the rear of the display: this meant it did not stand out to well in the photo because of other models on the display table.

I preferred the second one: this is of an unfortunate US Destroyer torpedoed by an equally unfortunate “Betty” – this is depicted crashing into the sea at the rear of the display with one wing angled upwards in dramatic style. Both of these dioramas were created by the same modeller and were most imaginative: the seascape of the second being particularly well done I think.

These next four were created by a father and son team and looked really good placed side by side on the display table. First is of a Swordfish flying over the Bismarck. Notice the use of different scales to give perspective and having the models placed at an angle to each other and to the base itself to give a dramatic effect. Having the aircraft in front of the ship also gives it a sense of forward motion. The seascape itself is a little overdone – taking into account the scale of the ship- but this may be the modeller’s style, rather than a mistake. The second one showing Desert Air Force fighters flying over Africa Corps vehicles also uses the effects of differing scales and angles to give a dramatic perspective to the display. The Meteor in hot pursuit of the Doodlebug really shows the chase and sets the location of the event as being the English coast. I like the footpath marked on the ground as well.

The B-17 diorama is more along traditional lines, but it gives a nice representation of a special event, such as the completion of 100 missions or something like that. The photographer at the bottom right of the scene photographing the crew in front of their bomber, the sort of picture you may come across from time to time, but now you see it in its entirety.

Note also the vehicle in the background. Particularly note that it is an ambulance. It adds a poignant touch to the scene and makes you wonder if the crew have suffered a casualty, reminding you that what you may see in a picture may not reflect the awful reality of war.

These next three use a black background. The two spacecraft are by Bruno Berger – the modeller I mentioned last month. The display is two pieces of sheet material finished in black and with some super artwork showing other spacecraft. I think these come from published illustrations rather than being Bruno’s original artwork. The models are supported on metal pins (finished in black of course) and look really good in their settings.

The third one is very simple in principle. The background is curved around the base and has a slot cut in it to support the model. I like the brightly coloured tracer and the aircraft on fire is very well done.