1/72 scale concret slab sizes for aircraft tarmac

Modeling Subjects Dioramas
1

Hi,

I’m building a 1/72 scale Army H-34A Helicopter like the one I flew in during the 1950s out of Lawson Army Airfield, Fort Benning, GA. I want to pose it as though it was on the tarmac at Lawson Field. . Almost every large area flat concrete is poured in slabs with expansion joints between slabs. My problems is I don’t know how large the concrete slabs were.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to sizes? I’d appreciate any ideas.

Thanks,
John Wood

2

I know Verlinden make a printed sheet thats 1/72, I’ve used it a couple of times it really good with a good diorama setting.

Scott

3

Hi I posted this question on the aircraft form a while back If I rember I was told 2 1/2 or 3 in I tryed 3" and it did not look to bad with a RB 66 in 1/72 I think I will try 2 1/2 next time good luck J

4

Hi All,

Thanks for your suggestions. Veriden does indeed have tarmac sheets for both helipads (I guess on ships) and regular concrete tarmacs. I haven’t yet order one, but I may. Urich suggested that 2 1/2" is about right for the width, which would make the full scale dimension about 16 feet at 1/72 scale. That sounds about right. The length would be about twice that – 5", or 32 feet. I don’t think there is, or was any standard, I’ll probably go with 2 1/2 by 5 inch slabs.

I’m using 1/4" foan core with the cardboard removed, which seems to look ok. Now I have to figure out how to paint it so it will look like weathered concrete. Any suggestions? Pactra/Polyscale has a paint that they call “weather concrete.” Anyone have any experience with this paint.

In addition, does anyone have any idea what to use for the tar expansion spacers between slabs? I suppose some kind of putty that is painted black might work.

Thanks again to all who responed.

Choctaw