The Airfield: Hanger 2

What does it take to create a detailed set that spans 12ft x 9ft? Read On!

As I began to consider bringing Operation Rapier from the page to the screen, my largest obstacle was in the creation of the many sets that would be required to make it true to my original intentions. The script can be a masterpiece, but if the sets fall short then the entire thing would be for naught. Out of all the sets that were built, the Airfield would truly prove to be the most challenging. What follows, is a description of the materials and techniques that I used to bring Hangar 2 of my imagination, and onto your computer screen.

I suppose the best way to understand the undertaking of a set this large is to look at it in sections or modules. It would have been possible and maybe a little cheaper to build it using one large base (That would probably weigh 40lbs. and need to stay in one place until the day I dismantled it), but the idea that I could separate each individual piece and obtain any angle shot I wanted made my mind up very quickly.

Here you see one of six base panels. Lifted off the floor by a $10 keyboard stand, (Available at any Music Instrument Retailer). The base and walls were made from real wood (Pine). In retrospect I could have used a press wood to save money and make it lighter but I was learning in real-time, as I built the set. Each Base panel measured 6ft x 3ft and each wallboard 6ft x 1.5ft.

Holding each base panel to wall panel together were two 4 inch 90 degree steel elbows. This would not have been possible without an electric drill. The door was made using a jigsaw and then sanded down for smooth edges.

I KNOW WHAT YOU’RE THINKING! Man this seems hard. But it’s really not. Believe me when I tell you that I am no carpenter. I have never used a jigsaw in my life, before that day. I borrowed it from a neighbor and returned it the same day. Each idea incorporated here, came to me literally while I was walking through Home Depot. Don’t let lack of High School shop class scare you away from an easy project like this.

Obtaining the Steel reinforced concrete effect took some research as most typical (Home Depot) type stores are staffed with one guy that knows everything and a bunch of kids that haven’t got a clue. So after a couple of let downs I finally found myself an old school hole in the wall hardware store and the guy behind the counter answered my question in seconds.

“How can I make wood look like Steel?”

“Radiator paint!”

After two coats of primer the, Water like, (apply with a roller) aluminum paint went on in one coat and looked fabulas. The other supplies like the pipe elbow (Home Depot) and 1:18 scale props (Build-A-Rama) were easily obtained and integrated into the set.

Here we see the set coming together. All six base panels have been laid down. The Runway was simple. A mat-black (oil based) paint mixed with a little sand until you see the “Tarmac” consistency that you’re look for. Applied with a roller to avoid brush marks. Once that was completely dry I used painters tape and a ruler to measure out the white strips on the runway. (Very much like the same process as silk-screening.) Once the strips were mapped out a white primer was used to paint them. Why white primer? Because primer is used to cover up old darker paints, wood and oil paints (Like our black paint). That’s three for three and so primer it is. The primer should be good in one or maybe two coats.

The finer details really make a set like this shine. The only suggestion I can really make is to keep your eyes open wherever you go. Most of the props in this Diorama came from Build-A-Rama. The items shown in this shot are from World Peace Keepers. Some Dio-authors use items from “Play mobile” or “Ever sparkle”. Even the figures you use add to the overall effect. These pilots are receiving a briefing. All throughout the set Techno-vipers are working on various aircraft or going over projects and potential problems. Use your imagination and have fun.

Here you see the completed Airfield. The end walls where a door would be for aircraft leaving and entering is simply another piece of Pine done in the same style as the other walls, however in this case the board is not attached so that it can be moved for multiple angle shots. The thought occurred to me to create an actual wall and a door, but it would have made photographing within the airfield much harder. Funny that I built this set just for Rapier and now that it’s done I still keep the set together as it makes a great display for my Cobra Aircraft. Paint touchups will need to be done in the near future but only because of the amount of wear that I caused while filming Rapier. Another big plus to using oil base paint is that the wood is sealed by it allowing me to simply take a moist towel to clean all the surfaces whenever dust builds up.

I would recommend building a set like this to anyone, even if you don’t make Dio-stories. If you have the room for such a thing you’ll be overjoyed when you can display your vehicles in such a way. I wont pretend this wasn’t time consuming work but I will tell you that it was worth every second of it.

Click to view this Diorama in Chapter 11: Silent Entry