Beacon Models Battle of Britain RAF Dispersal set (1/144 scale diorama)

Building and painting the tiny 3D printed 1/144 scale RAF dispersal set from Beacon Models. Pilots wait for the 'scramble' call during the Battle of Britain. These were acquired along with their Spitfire and Bf-109 that I built in a recent video ( • The Battle of Britain ... ). Included are several RAF pilot figures in sitting and standing poses, a wooden hut, a couple of chairs, and a sports car. An Austin Tilly was also available to Kickstarter supporters. You can find the models in this video on the Beacon Models website: beacon-models....
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Music credits: Wikimedia / Creative Commons

[@Adam.builds.models]

I think it’s absolutely wonderful. They really come alive.

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@stuartmiller8053]

Bit harsh on yourself. I think it turned out splendidly.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Stuart

[@mikemodels928]

Really nicely done. I have no patience for such a tiny scale.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks! It did test mine too!

[@bricktop2938]

I have no eyesight, never mind patience.

[@armydude131]

Great work! I couldn’t image working with a scale this small.

[@ModelNerd]

It's funny - I found myself looking at the figures on my camera sometimes, since the macro lens picks up more detail than my eyes, apparently!

[@foreverplastickits138]

*Such a nice scenery, the detais level is very high for such a "small" scale, good job MN!*

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@johntreloar8203]

Wow, they are tiny, still a good dio, I think the smaller, the harder to make look right.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks John. Yes, it is definitely a different skill set.

[@glencwilson]

That really looks good. Well done on the detail painting and whole diorama. I used mine to create a meeting of a fictional Spitfire and 109 owners club. As you say, when you zoom in there is an incredible amount of detail despite the scale. Really hard to scratch build anything at that scale to add more detail like tables. I have really enjoyed building the Beacon kits.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yes, scratch building is really tough as this size - not least because most materials would be automatically out of scale

[@maxstonecro1]

Nice little bug big build!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks!

[@merrymaker1031]

There is WWII footage which includes the Tilly being used to deliver radio units to aircraft prior to an operation

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, that's great to know. I wish I could find more WW2 footage to include in my videos.

[@عالم_المجسمات_المصغرة]

Very nice, I like the idea

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks mate

[@MikeUSA67]

Hi MN, I think this turned out to be quite good - especially considering the scale 👏👏👏 At the reveal, the first thing I thought of was "where is the scrambling bell?" - but you beat me to it 😁

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. Yeah, it's somewhere in my carpet! :D

[@MikeUSA67]

@@ModelNerd 😄

[@der_fuxs]

This small scene is so cute! I was already impressed by the detail when you showed the kit a couple of months back. It is so lovely to see you building these little ones! Some thoughts on improving the scene: the grass, which itself looks really nice for this scale, could get some darker spots here and there to give it a little more life. This could also give a little more interest to the open field next to the figurines. Also in front of the chair you could add a little campfire or a little table for playing cards or alike. At the barrack you could add a chimney, a small stack of wood for a fireplace and a propaganda poster. To the roof you could add one or two small patches where it has been fixed some time ago. These patches could look more fresh and modern than the rest. Maybe you like one or another of my thoughts. I can imagine some small additional details could give this already lovely scene even more life. Have fun modeling!

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks, they are really good suggestions. I think with hindsight the base is a bit big and the front portion with the empty could have been removed. I really like card table idea too!

[@beacon_models]

The log pile and poster are great suggestions! the new version of this hut has a stove pipe on the roof so that would work very well. Also a chalk board with rosters (albeit virtually invisible writing!)

[@marcosaugustosoares]

Very nice!

[@ModelNerd]

Thank you!

[@frankiehobby]

The 1/144 diorama is funny and space saving, isn’t it?

[@beacon_models]

We definitely think it's a very charming scale for little dioramas!

[@ljscalemodels526]

Hey there - detail is a amazing, wow great job, cheers Liam

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Liam

[@ljscalemodels526]

@@ModelNerd pleasure - are you going to Telford later this year?

[@ModelNerd]

I'm not sure yet. I'd like to, but it's a fair drive for me (2.5 hours) and I'd have to be back at work for Monday morning. So I might go up on the Friday night, visit only on the Saturday then head back.

[@ljscalemodels526]

@@ModelNerd cool - I was thinking of the 2 days, or is one day enough, I’ve never been before

[@maxstonecro1]

@@ljscalemodels526 what there?

[@beacon_models]

What a lovely build! The timing is perfect as all these products went on sale in 1/144 and 1/72 as 3D printed resin accessories today :D. I had no idea you were doing a build with them haha!

[@beacon_models]

Oh and about the Tilly controversy - it mainly concerns the Austin model. The Hillman model (as depicted here) was widely used in RAF service along with the Standard model, and there are many photos to be found in the Tilly register. But so far the evidence for use of the Austin model is scarce to non existent, which is why we chose the Hillman.

[@ModelNerd]

Ah, thank you - I've learnt something there. Much appreciated. Given the amount of effort you guys put into researching all the other details of the aircraft, I should have realised you wouldn't let that one pass by you :) Really looking forward to your future releases.

[@ModelNerd]

Perfect timing! I've added a link to your webpage in the description

[@beacon_models]

@@ModelNerd thanks so much! By the way if you are looking for ways to add to it as you mentioned, I found when building the RAF Kenley diorama that it really came to life when I sprinkled a little darker green course turf in patches to represent weeds, as well as little dashes of white and yellow scatter to represent small lawn flowers like daisies and dandelions. I also faded the turf edges of the dirt paths with tan paint in the airbrush to make it look like the grass was a bit more abused in those areas either side of where it had been worn away completely, which softened the effect nicely.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks. I planned to add some white and yellow bits but totally forgot until I was already exporting the video! Good to know they work well though.

[@VictorGomez-qs7ki]

These figs would make a great for a turn a gundam diorama

[@ModelNerd]

Maybe!

[@The_Male_Modeller]

Love it! 😃

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@steve1315]

Interesting 👀👀

[@ModelNerd]

Cheers Steve

[@wildpilot75]

Nice build. I think a little bit panel wash on MG will make it look better i.e. wire spoke imitation on wheels and some details on hood otherwise it looks a bit monotonous.

[@beacon_models]

I agree with the wash, the car is actually an SS Jaguar 100 :D! Very similar to the MG in many respects.

[@ModelNerd]

I gave it a little bit of a wash but probably a bit too thin as it hasn't really taken

[@calumclark1719]

I think its quality and if it helps that looks not far off then Nissan huts left by the RAF on my Granny's farm.

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks Calum

[@igorsevcov4081]

👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@stuleonard6547]

How did you work out the building scale? I'm honestly struggling, like you I use photos for reference, to scale down buildings to what should be 1/35. Any tips from anyone would be helpful.

[@ModelNerd]

Usually I try to find a reference that will tell me the actual size of the real building or vehicle (blueprints are sometimes available) and then just divide by 144 or 35, or whatever my scale is. Or did I misunderstand your question?

[@the-creech4790]

👍👍👍

[@ModelNerd]

Thanks

[@enzothetraveler]

Hey do you know if there a 1/48 RAF dispersal set? Cause I’ve been looking for one and can’t find one

[@ModelNerd]

I'm not sure to be honest. Beacon only make them in 1:144 and 1:72. There might be an old Airfix or Revell set in1:48 though. Scalemates would be a good place to look.

[@FredWilbury]

Nice , I think you should come and finish my layout for me 😊 regards Fred

[@ModelNerd]

Haha, I'd love to but these tiny figures have left my eyes blurry! :)

[@9501599]

Good looking model, is there a German equivalent??

[@beacon_models]

there is a resin Luftwaffe pilot figure and Kubelwagen in 1/144 and 1/72, and we're planning to add more Luftwaffe airfield accessories to the range in future.

[@ModelNerd]

Looking forward to them!