Race/Rally track diorama project idea
Discussion
I have this idea in mind to build a diorama to display my models, I'd like to build some sort of race track environment. Not sure if I want to make it "realistic" or something with a bit more artistic licence added, as I don't have that many vehicles which would have been together at the same track at any point in history!
I have a few various race and rally cars, and some road cars too (not all of them built yet). I'd love to build a couple of race trucks too.
I've done a bit of research and I think most of what I need should be easy to find, I'm not seeing many kits for service vehicles you'd find at a track though, like recovery trucks (7.5t flatbed), UK ambulance, etc. I can't seem to find modern vans anywhere, understandably I can imagine they wouldn't sell many! Everything would need to be 1:24 scale.
Not afraid of scratchbuilding an ambulance box to put on the back of a van cab, but that alone would be a stretch so scratchbuilding a van is not on the cards!
Given my current skills this is likely to take a few years to complete, but it's an idea I've had for a little while...
I have a few various race and rally cars, and some road cars too (not all of them built yet). I'd love to build a couple of race trucks too.
I've done a bit of research and I think most of what I need should be easy to find, I'm not seeing many kits for service vehicles you'd find at a track though, like recovery trucks (7.5t flatbed), UK ambulance, etc. I can't seem to find modern vans anywhere, understandably I can imagine they wouldn't sell many! Everything would need to be 1:24 scale.
Not afraid of scratchbuilding an ambulance box to put on the back of a van cab, but that alone would be a stretch so scratchbuilding a van is not on the cards!
Given my current skills this is likely to take a few years to complete, but it's an idea I've had for a little while...
generationx said:
How about a service park or race paddock type environment as seen in an historic event? Then cars from all ages could legitimately be parked together?
That's a good idea, some sort of Goodwood-type event, with a bit of test track and cars from all ages could be good to bring everything together. 
I want to build something quite big so I can display a bunch of cars together, I can't get my head around where to start though! I'm thinking it will need to be in several small sections, I'll also have to try and draw something to look like what I want to achieve, so I have something to aim for!
Ebbro do a Renault 4 van and a Citroen H van, not cheap though.
Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
lufbramatt said:
Ebbro do a Renault 4 van and a Citroen H van, not cheap though.
Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
Thanks, the Italeri Land Rover could certainly do the trick. I'm not keen on anything too old, ideally I'd find Sprinters, modern transits, etc. There is this that could be used as a base (thanks DrGN for the hint!), resin kits are not cheap either though:Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
https://an-modeltrucks.com/shop/5-5-ton-m-s-truck-...
I'm very much open to suggestions with all this though
If this is going to be a big job that you'll spend a lot of time getting right, how about a race track that you model the evolution off. So, with the oldest car, the oldest design of track for that period, gradually with each newer car showing how the track and the safety features (Armco, apex "sausages", tyre barriers etc) have evolved too?
If you get what I mean....
If you get what I mean....
AshVX220 said:
If this is going to be a big job that you'll spend a lot of time getting right, how about a race track that you model the evolution off. So, with the oldest car, the oldest design of track for that period, gradually with each newer car showing how the track and the safety features (Armco, apex "sausages", tyre barriers etc) have evolved too?
If you get what I mean....
That could be quite cool... Not sure if have enough era variations though, I just like some random cars like Group C, GT1s, LMPs, rally cars from group B to current, then road cars... I really want to build a truck or 2 as well If you get what I mean....
Alex@POD said:
lufbramatt said:
Ebbro do a Renault 4 van and a Citroen H van, not cheap though.
Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
Thanks, the Italeri Land Rover could certainly do the trick. I'm not keen on anything too old, ideally I'd find Sprinters, modern transits, etc. There is this that could be used as a base (thanks DrGN for the hint!), resin kits are not cheap either though:Revell do a VW T3 that could be converted to a van, along with a Landrover (110?) and a Unimog, although that might be a bit big for what you want. Italeri do a Landrover fire engine too that would work well in a racetrack environment.
https://an-modeltrucks.com/shop/5-5-ton-m-s-truck-...
I'm very much open to suggestions with all this though
If you look at Caterhamnut's threads you can see the results. I'm waiting for the Mars Pro printer to be released, then it'll be time to find a Monogram 1:8 E-Type...
dr_gn said:
With a resin 3D printer for £230, some free CAD software plus some plastic card/brass tube etc, you could do pretty much anything you want - conversion parts, entire vehicles, diorama parts, the lot.
If you look at Caterhamnut's threads you can see the results. I'm waiting for the Mars Pro printer to be released, then it'll be time to find a Monogram 1:8 E-Type...
I didn't realise 3D printers had got this cheap, that completely changes it. Will definitely look into that. If you look at Caterhamnut's threads you can see the results. I'm waiting for the Mars Pro printer to be released, then it'll be time to find a Monogram 1:8 E-Type...
I pay close attention to Caterhamnut's threads (and yours), as that kind of standard is something I can only aspire to!
Alex@POD said:
dr_gn said:
With a resin 3D printer for £230, some free CAD software plus some plastic card/brass tube etc, you could do pretty much anything you want - conversion parts, entire vehicles, diorama parts, the lot.
If you look at Caterhamnut's threads you can see the results. I'm waiting for the Mars Pro printer to be released, then it'll be time to find a Monogram 1:8 E-Type...
I didn't realise 3D printers had got this cheap, that completely changes it. Will definitely look into that. If you look at Caterhamnut's threads you can see the results. I'm waiting for the Mars Pro printer to be released, then it'll be time to find a Monogram 1:8 E-Type...
I pay close attention to Caterhamnut's threads (and yours), as that kind of standard is something I can only aspire to!
dr_gn said:
Look on Amazon for “Elegoo Mars”. If your on FB there’s a user group where you can see examples of stuff people are doing - it’s amazing.
I was not prepared for that! I've spent quite a bit of time reading about curing time, washing, build plate levels... Sounds like there's going to be quite a bit of learning to do! If you can live with the small difference between 1/24 and 1/25 have a look at this resin ambulance box from Star Resin.
I've had few kits from Steve and the quality is very good. Sometimes I've been hit with customs charges sometimes not.
I've had few kits from Steve and the quality is very good. Sometimes I've been hit with customs charges sometimes not.
Alex@POD said:
dr_gn said:
Look on Amazon for “Elegoo Mars”. If your on FB there’s a user group where you can see examples of stuff people are doing - it’s amazing.
I was not prepared for that! I've spent quite a bit of time reading about curing time, washing, build plate levels... Sounds like there's going to be quite a bit of learning to do! lufbramatt said:
Another thought- Revell did a 1:24 "Neoplan Cityliner" coach kit, which by painting over the windows and scratchbuilding a ramp in the back could be converted to a pretty convincing race car transporter.
That's a good shout. I was thinking of getting a normal truck kit, extending the chassis and grafting a race trailer on it (or building a box). Gassing Station | Scale Models | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff