Planning for the wrecking yard started a year before it was
completed. A few of us had the feeling of the need for something
different . We wished to turn heads to give people something to remember
and make them come back next year to see what we’ve done this time. We
created it to promote our hobby and maybe attract a few more people into
it.
The basic structure was made from scrap timber and plywood. The
weight was kept to a minimum with a view that the display may do more
than one show. The base was approx 2.4 m long and 1m wide split into two
pieces. The base for the ground was made from Styrofoam carved to a
basic ground contour. This was then coated with cornice plaster for
final contours of the ground. This was allowed to cure then sprayed with
black paint to lessen the impact of the white plaster. Scenery was made
with the use of real dirt and rocks from the garden. Nothing looks more
like rocks and dirt than real rocks and dirt! Paint and woodlands
scenery grasses of different colours and types were used to add small
but significant detail to the diorama.
The workshop was constructed from plywood and the parts counter/lunch
shed was made from balsa wood. These two buildings were then filled on
the inside with plenty of parts from “the parts box “. Cars came
from various sources, with ones in the front lines being specially built
by several members of the club. Even Mr. Bean made an appearence,
looking at a stack of wrecked Minis. The main shed also had a workman
welding a bonnet ( a weld flash generator was used to give the effect of
an arc welder) ,while outside a police car had working lights and siren.
We were able to make this display interactive by wiring in a set of
buttons, placed in front of the display, for patrons to press to operate
the siren and lights on the police car, as well as lights in the shed.
Overall the members enjoyed building it, and a few social nights
building items for the project were the result. The finished product was
well worth the effort. Best of all was the response of smiles and
laughter, from kids and adults alike. May our next project be even
better.
