Hi All,
for my ITLSU 1917 project I need to create a simple and flexible trench system.
I use a base cloth over foam and/or cork hills to represent the desert terrain so the system will need to sit on the top of the terrain rather than be a more accurate system dug into terrain boards.
At the moment my thoughts are to use felt with caulking compound edges to give some 3D effect. They would look similar to the wadi in this game. :-\
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/ITLSU%20ANZAC%202015/IMG_7997_zps83go0ig3.jpg)
Given the need to put 25x25 and 30x30 bases in the trenches I don't think I can represent the zig zags of actual trenches. I will need some T intersections to allow for communications trenches.
I need to create enough trenches for the Battle of Sheik Sa'ad by the end of January :!!
Any other ideas or suggestions are welcome.
Timecast river sections, painted brown? Or Battlefront type front edge trenches (I made some for nam with skirting board beading, covered in filler, sanded, etc)
Of course, now I want to reference it I can't find the picture but there was a 6mm Western Front terrain board I saw which was composed of 300mm square terrain tiles.
The trench system was sunk into the tile (or more likely bits of thinner tile added on top) to around a depth of 6mm or 1/4" and was about 25mm or 1" front to back.
The zig-zag of the trenches had been painted on to the base of the "trench" and created quite a realistic look to empty trench sections. I think he'd just taken aerial pictures of trench systems, pasted them in and over-painted them.
Some tiles had communications trenches, cut-outs for machine gun nests or gun pits for artillery.
Not suggesting you go for terrain tiles but you could filch the idea of the painted base to improve the look of caulk trenches.
If you want to pend some cash, ironclad miniatures do some nice trench sections, for 15 mm but work nicely for based 10 mm.
They make zigzag sections too!
Here are mine!
http://www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,10821.0.html
Off course, depends on how many you need , because lots of them might get expensive!
Another thing you could do, is get small balsa wood triangles like these:
(http://g01.s.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1V0omIXXXXXaAXpXXq6xXFXXXd/triangle-balsa-wood-for-sale.jpg)
Just cut your felt wider than usual and glue one side to the balsa and let it 'flow'over, creating a raised edge. Look at my proffesional made drawing to see what i mean :D
Hardest part is finding the best size of balsa
Thanks all for the suggestions
I'm looking at enough trenches for 2-3 lines plus communications trenches to cover half of an 8'x4' table so commercial products are probably price prohibitive :(
Peter, the balsa idea is interesting but I want the trenches to be able to 'flow' up and down hills. Putting the caulking compound under the felt might be an option :-\
Ithoriel, that is a really interesting idea. I might be able to do away with the caulking compound and just use the felt with trench lines painted on :-\
That would speed up the process and reduce cost. It would also increase flexibility as you wouldn't need specific specific T intersections etc.
I would be keen to see some pictures if you can find them. The key would be picking what scale to paint the trenches at :-\
Figure scale 1:150 ... Ground scale 1:2,250
I think I need to do some experimenting, I might start with Wendy trenches 1:300 :)
Can't find the set-up I was talking about - when will I learn to bookmark things when I see them instead of thinking I must go back and bookmark it "when I have time" ... OK probably never! :)
Did find these on RPGNow while looking for something else. Resize, print out on paper, glue to felt, drape?
http://www.rpgnow.com/product/103693/Ground-Set-%2314---Trenches&affiliate_rem=362786
I've done a quick experiment triggered by Ithoriel's comment about "the zig-zag of the trenches had been painted on to the base of the "trench" and created quite a realistic look to empty trench sections".
I've roughly painted the edge of the trench in a couple of different colours and tried three different colours to add shadows to try and give a 3D effect.
I'm interested in some honest feedback on how these look and hopefully some suggestions to how to improve them.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Sinai%201917%20project/IMG_0987_zpscjdrngqa.jpg)
The final version, if I go this route, will be on felt which should lie better than the paper used for the experiment.
Howdy Paul,
To be honest I think it looks more like a board game with counters on it. :-\ I can understand it if you want something to play fast and easy and depending on the ratio of men to figures you'll have to scale down things of course. Even so; it I don't think it does the figures justice. If I were you I'd go with the caulking to get a 3d effect and maybe just use some zigzag on the front edge to make the trenches maybe look a bit more authentic but I feel it would give the whole game/table much more appeal.
But hey, whatever makes YOU happy (and ready in time!) ;)
Cheers,
Rob
What's your infantry base width, Paul?
Quote from: Ace of Spades on 16 December 2015, 08:01:40 AM
... depending on the ratio of men to figures you'll have to scale down things of course...go with the caulking to get a 3d effect and maybe just use some zigzag on the front edge to make the trenches maybe look a bit more authentic...
Thanks for the feedback Rob, figure : men is about 1: 20 and ground scale is 1:2,250
I want to avoid straight line trenches so they "look a bit more authentic", zigzagging the front is an interesting thought
Another thought that has just occurred to me is to use caulking but to make the trenches about the size shown in the picture and have the figures sit on top of the trench area :-\
Michael, infantry bases are 25x25mm, dismounted cavalry are 30x30mm
I think 'deep' trenches with the figures sitting on top wil give a much better look indeed than this 'flat' system!
When I did my figures I did them on 1cm deep strips on purpose so I can make trenches that look convincing. Then again; we play a 1:1 ratio rule system so it is easier. (You just have to paint a lot of figures :()
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks again for the feedback Rob.
I have been considering the two 3D options over the last few days :-\
- wide trenches that figures fit in
- narrower more accurate trenches that the figures sit on
I discussed it with our regular gaming group tonight and Roy, our host, hit the nail on the head. "Your regular punter will understand stands in a trench"
So I will be going with wide trenches that will look similar to the wadi above, about 12-15 feet to do by the end of January :!! :!!
I was going to say looks ok but unfinished and a bit "counter-like" but that's been covered and they're prototypes on paper instead of felt anyway! I was also going to suggest using coloured or paintable caulk for the edgin but quicker minds than mine have already done so :D
Good idea!
Quote from: paulr on 19 December 2015, 09:13:58 AM
I have been considering the two 3D options over the last few days :-\
- wide trenches that figures fit in
- narrower more accurate trenches that the figures sit on
I've been busy with work but I've found time to try out a design as an option for you to consider. I'll post photos soon.
Michael
Quote from: WeeWars on 19 December 2015, 01:14:58 PM
I've been busy with work but I've found time to try out a design as an option for you to consider. I'll post photos soon.
Michael
Now I'm intrigued :-\ :-SS
Hi Paul,
I think if you would make the trench in 'blocks' with one length of 25mm (inside) protruding 12mm in front of the next and so on you will probably get a convincing zig zag look and it wouldn't even look extremely wide. (Sketched some in excel but can't seem to transfer the drawing :( ) but you'll probaly understand what I mean.
Cheers,
Rob
Rob, where you thinking something like this? You could make the forward sections long enough for 2 or 3 stands :-\
That's exactly what I was thinking! :D
You could make the forward sections longer indeed; hadn't thought about that!
I guess for the overall look two lengths would look best? More sections on the same frontage might make the trench look wider maybe?
Cheers,
Rob
Something like this?
(http://www.michaelscott.name/sl-designs/ww1/10mm-Trenches-02.jpg)
My figs are on 3mm bases. The MG is on a 25mm round base, the infantry a 20mm wide base.
Wee Wars. That looks very interesting. Not my sort of stuff, but has real potential as trench width can be modified for base width. MDF planking could also be rescaled for whatever is in demand. Duckboard flooring sections and damage could be added at will. Keep it up...could be a winner! :)
Very very nice, some filler to give a gentle slope and it would look brilliant :)
Probably a bit out of my price range for the amount I will need :(
Interesting that you and Ace of Spades came up with a similar idea for the zig zag :-\
I think I will have a look at my felt and caulking idea, with the zig zag idea. I need to get these done for end of January :!!
Using two seperate strips might be a good idea, allows for different base depths and at a pinch you can use it on the front only to double the amount of trenches
Well I did a trial run of my felt and caulking idea. I now remember how fiddly it was to do >:( ~X(
And trying to do 'zig zag' trenches is even worse >:( ~X( >:( ~X(
Fortunately Michael has come up with a marvolous design, as usual, and has made me a offer I can't refuse :D
As I said Michael made me an offer I couldn't refuse... not the Mafia kind ;)
After exchanging a few emails he sent me a picture of samples of the seven different trench modules he had designed. I will use these as markers to show where the trenches are and the troops will sit behind them.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Sinai%201917%20project/trenches_zps1ffoqzux.jpg)
From left to right
- Observation post, the trench is only 10mm wide so it is mainly to add variation and break up the trench line a bit, one stand will still fit behind it
- outward wedge, allows bends in the trench with room for one stand
- 50mm position, for artillery or HQ stands
- inwards wedge, allows bends in the trench
- normal section, room for 3-4 infantry or 3 dismounted cavalry stands
- end section, as the name suggests to mark the end of a trench
After a very rapid cutting session over 80 trench sections are heading my way :) :D
I'm going to be very busy with filler and paint as soon as they arrive :-w :!! :!!
I'm really please with the flexibility of the system Michael has come up with in response to my vague suggestions :)
I'm very grateful to him for rushing the order out just before Christmas so that it will get to NZ in time for our demo game on 31 January :-SS
That really looks the Biz ! 8)
Cheers - Phil
Excellent stuff!
I almost regret basing my figures in 'threes' on 3cm wide bases... :( Then again; that's our rule system so shouldn't complain really.
But this really looks like the deal; especially like the details such as the in- and outward wedges; makes it look very natural; my compliments!
Cheers,
Rob
My dismounted cavalry are on 3cm bases, we thought about making the gaps big enough for them but decided there would be too much space for the infantry that are on 2.5cm bases. I will just put the dismounted cavalry along the back
If you speak nicely to Michael he may be able to adjust the dimensions ;)
Marvellous Michael magics miracles!
Great work fellas!
25mm lengths means you can then use a "double width" pair of sections to pop in front of a BKC width base as well ;)
I take it this magician of pre-cut material that goes by the name of Michael is the same as 'WeeWars'?
If he would be so kind as to give me a slight hint on prices...? :D
Cheers,
Rob
It is indeed WeeWars and I found the prices very reasonable :)
I'll leave the rest to him ;)
Quote from: paulr on 24 December 2015, 02:06:11 AM
As I said Michael made me an offer I couldn't refuse... not the Mafia kind ;)
After exchanging a few emails he sent me a picture of samples of the seven different trench modules he had designed. I will use these as markers to show where the trenches are and the troops will sit behind them.
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Sinai%201917%20project/trenches_zps1ffoqzux.jpg)
From left to right
- Observation post, the trench is only 10mm wide so it is mainly to add variation and break up the trench line a bit, one stand will still fit behind it
- outward wedge, allows bends in the trench with room for one stand
- 50mm position, for artillery or HQ stands
- inwards wedge, allows bends in the trench
- normal section, room for 3-4 infantry or 3 dismounted cavalry stands
- end section, as the name suggests to mark the end of a trench
After a very rapid cutting session over 80 trench sections are heading my way :) :D
I'm going to be very busy with filler and paint as soon as they arrive :-w :!! :!!
I'm really please with the flexibility of the system Michael has come up with in response to my vague suggestions :)
I'm very grateful to him for rushing the order out just before Christmas so that it will get to NZ in time for our demo game on 31 January :-SS
I really like this could you do various sizes like 80mm and 120mm for full regiments and what price would the be.
Take care
Andy
Just ordered some from Michael today; looking forward to playing with them :D
Cheers,
Rob
I'll be interested to see them when assembled :)
I'm still waiting patiently patiently for mine to arrive from the other side of the world :-w :-w :!!
My guess is they will get here some time next week :-SS
Next year you mean?
Quote from: mad lemmey on 29 December 2015, 07:09:19 PM
Next year you mean?
That sounds worse than it is of course, but still... :-\
Cheers,
Rob ;)
;D :P
Just make sure you've got a big pot of ready-mix Polyfilla all ready for filling up the embankments. :)
I've already checked out the price of the 1kg pot, $23.90 (GBP10) :o
I might go for the less well known brand, $17.90 ;)
The Postie has been...
It was only a couple of Christmas cards from my brother, one for us the other for my daughter :-w
Patience Paul, patience...
You won't even need these trenches 'till next year!
Cheers,
Rob ;)
;D ;D ;D
Just remember next year is a day closer here
I did wonder if you would get it!!
Paulr - I assume you will favor us with photos of the finished set-up next month (or next year)?
Incidentally the evolving discussions in this thread have been among the best I've found so far in my beginning
explorations of the forum.
Paul usually keeps us updated with remarks on which layer of paint is going, how many different types of flock he will use, what the set up is going to be like and then... and then.... we we've almost given up, he comes up with the pictures!
And everytime they proved to absolutely worth the waiting and anticipating! ;)
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks Rob, I think :-\ ;)
The Postie called today, unfortunately only with a letter about an insurance claim :( My wife backed out our driveway into a car parked across the road :-/ No one hurt #:-S
I did go on a little shopping trip...
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Sinai%201917%20project/IMG_1000_zpsixm2xv2p.jpg)
Tamiya spray paint from the local Stationery/Model shop, this was what I sprayed the desert base clothes with to provide some texture a long time ago
A 250ml test pot of paint that should match the desert base cloth, rough sand paper and 1 litre of not so well known brand 'pollyfilla' from the local hardware 'mega' store
I'm planning to rough up the walls of the trenches and paint as wood; fresh browns or weathered greys, or ... suggestions welcome
Hi Paul :D
Perhaps better hand over the polyfiller and the spraypaint to the owner of the other car? Might be cheaper...?
Anyway; good luck with your project! Do you think it will be possible to slightly sand the fiberboard to get a woodgrain? I never tried but if it works it sounds like a good idea!
Personally I would go with some weathered greyish colours; I think it looks better and blends in better with the surroundings. Also I think fresh cut wood will age quickly under the hot sun...
Looking forward to see the pictures of the finished project! ;)
Cheers,
Rob
It's a bit like Wargaming "Ready Steady Cook".
I give you some filler, spray paint and rough sand paper ... what can you do with these ingredients?
Next week a herbivorous dinosaur, some lichen and some putty ...
(http://mirageswar.com/uploads/posts/2013-02/1360841420_osprey-campaign-202_01.jpg)
It's a bit of a posh trench, this one. But I like the idea of troops taking sheets of corrugated iron from old trench to new trench across the desert. The lines here are vertical so you'd have to decide whether horizontal corrugated iron sheet is acceptable in your 10mm desert world.
Rob, Using a file to rough up the uprights is definitely a possibility. To add 'grain'/texture to the flat areas I prefer small amounts of non-textured acrylic paste applied with a cocktail stick. Unless you are looking for a wispy texture that sanding the flat of the fibreboard would create.
www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost215.htm (http://www.michaelscott.name/1809/blog2015/1809blogpost215.htm)
Cheers, Michael
Quote from: Ace of Spades on 30 December 2015, 09:03:14 PM
Paul usually keeps us updated with remarks on which layer of paint...
That's what I'm talking about! I love that kind of detail - I live in wargaming vacuum - no live human contact - this is excellent stuff!
Quote from: fsn on 31 December 2015, 09:43:28 AM
Next week a herbivorous dinosaur, some lichen and some putty ...
Well my entry would be a weaponized wooly mammoth, orange I think!
Paulr - really enjoy reading about your progress!
I was also thinking about some currogated sheet iron to do some parts of the trenches but I beter stay cool and wait untill I have them in my hands and tested some options before getting carried away! :D
Cheers,
Rob
Thanks for the feedback guys
Ace & WeeWars - Greys it is then, can claim it is weathered wood or corrugated iron ;)
Ace - fortunately the excess we have to pay is only $300, about GBP150
WeeWars - I read that post on texturing with interest, not sure how well it will work on the small strips on the trenches, will see when I get them. The file for the verticals is a very good idea. Weathered wooden verticals and horizontal corrugated iron might be the way to go :-\
FSN - we don't have that programme here and I try and avoid cooking shows anyway ;) ;D
d_Guy - glad you are enjoying it, I find documenting my progress motivating and there seem to be a few views of my threads so either I'm doing something right or frustrating a lot of people ;) ;D There are some very nice blue mammoths in a thread on here somewhere, can't remember which one
I made a start on texturing. I found it a good idea to start with some polystyrene packaging to fill some of the space before plastering on the filler. The important thing with the embankment is that it forms a flat surface between the crenelations as this is the ground level of the trenches. Otherwise, they'd be rising embankments. I've undercoated with a dark brown ready for a sandy colour. Round the other side, I've used paste to add texture to the trench wall.
(http://www.michaelscott.name/ww1/images/T25-10mm-01-Crenelated-640.jpg)
Looking good :)
I will probably be limiting the contrast with mine to help it blend in with my desert base cloth, which is under the results of my shopping trip above.
I'd be interested in seeing how the paste has worked on the other side
Quote from: WeeWars on 31 December 2015, 07:43:22 PM
I found it a good idea to start with some polystyrene packaging to fill some of the space before plastering on the filler.
Brilliant, now why didn't I think of that while pondering what to use to reduce the amount of filler.
I was thinking, perhaps you could place them at the back of a 15cm or deeper base and build up to the height to mitigate the standing above the table effect
Cheers
Ian
Quote from: Sandinista on 31 December 2015, 11:52:59 PM
I was thinking, perhaps you could place them at the back of a 15cm or deeper base and build up to the height to mitigate the standing above the table effect
An interesting thought, it would certainly reduce the slope and help mitigate the standing above the table effect.
It might reduce the flexibility, particularly if you want two trench lines fairly close together :-\
Quote from: paulr on 01 January 2016, 12:21:18 AM
It might reduce the flexibility, particularly if you want two trench lines fairly close together :-\
What is half range of rifles in your rules? Make the distance in front that so if two are adjacent then are still in range
Cheers
Ian
I will probably use these as they are with the front filled in but without any extra embankment/slope to mitigate the effect. I need some flexible trenches that we can use for our 1914 games where trenches are not fixed in posisions for months or years but are dug where needed and hardly ever were in use for more than a few days. The fact that all the earth that comes out gets thrown up in front and rear and doesn't have time to be compacted by time and weather or 'spread' under the influence of shells means that the relative steep slope/high banks are throughout acceptable for me (true, the first trenches were hardly reinforced with wood).
Looking forward to get my hands on them!
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: Sandinista on 01 January 2016, 12:34:08 AM
What is half range of rifles in your rules? Make the distance in front that so if two are adjacent then are still in range
Cheers
Ian
Rifle short range is 9" and effective is 18" :-\
Finished painting trench section. Added some Pendraken loveliness. The figures are on 3mm thick bases, the barbed wire on 2mm thick hexes.
(http://www.michaelscott.name/ww1/images/T25-10mm-01-Crenelated-02-1200.jpg)
Those are outstanding Michael! Top work. :)
Amazing work, Col. Scott! I Continue to enjoy this thread immensely. Your websites are also a joy to look through. If I may ask what is the web design tool behind them?
Quote from: d_Guy on 04 January 2016, 02:07:33 PM
Amazing work, Col. Scott! I Continue to enjoy this thread immensely. Your websites are also a joy to look through. If I may ask what is the web design tool behind them?
Thanks!
Currentlly, Xara Web Designer 11 Premium
Quote from: WeeWars on 04 January 2016, 02:28:14 PM
Xara Web Designer 11 Premium
Cool! I've been shopping around and will add to list, thanks.
Very nice indeed
Take care
Andy
That works extremely well, Michael. :)
Smashing job ! 8)
Cheers - Phil
Marvellous Michael
That has set the bar very high for me :-SS ;)
I think the slopes on mine will be a lot plainer, trying to blend with my desert base cloth :-\
The corrugated iron 'walls' will try and approach this level
They have come out rather well!!
I like the fact that they are so deep!
My figures are usually based on very thin plastic strips so that means I can add 'floors' and even firing steps...cool!!!
Cheers,
Rob
About quarter to 11 this morning I went to check the mail and found this package in our porch
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1204_zpspib8mv6a.jpg)
<:-P <:-P <:-P
The contents
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1207_zpszrnxjoxk.jpg)
A closer look at the main trench segments
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1209_zpshscywv6m.jpg)
Some assembly required so about 11 I gave Roy, our regular gaming host, a call and he kindly volunteered to help from about noon :)
I started with a dry run...
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1208_zpslmgmrcn2.jpg)
I was really impressed by how little wastage there was and how easily all the pieces came away, a lot literally fell out and almost all the rest came away with a gentle push
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1219_zpsjwds3goq.jpg)
These are the first laser cut fibreboard models I have bought and I am really impressed :D :D :D
:-bd
I made a start on sorting the various pieces; 15 for each trench segment. Roy took over sorting as I started step by step assembly.
Once all the parts were sorted Roy joined in assembly with us doing half each
Supports, all 48 normal sections :o :D
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1210_zpsc085axdi.jpg)
First two trench walls
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1212_zpskagclkc7.jpg)
Central trench wall
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1213_zpsa058s9xr.jpg)
Central returns, each done separately
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1215_zpslvebkgm5.jpg)
Outer returns, each done separately
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1217_zpsqgcfur8j.jpg)
By now it was about 4pm and we had been working pretty solidly with only a couple of breaks for lunch and a coffee
The weather had been really good, low 20s, which helped the PVA dry fairly quickly allowing us to keep moving on to the next step
That's a lot of trenches - and they look good too.
Roy had things he needed to do and so headed off, he has volunteered to return tomorrow morning to continue helping :D :D :D
I pressed on with one break, to varnish my 1917 Germans
Left hand end, I did both the wall and end support at the same time to ensure a good square corner
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1218_zpsgfn4aniz.jpg)
Right hand end
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1220_zpsyfgl4gzv.jpg)
So all 48 normal sections finished by 6:30pm <:-P <:-P <:-P
They will dry overnight :-w ;)
Tomorrow we will start filling them and assembling the other trench segments :!!
Quote from: fred. on 06 January 2016, 07:48:17 AM
That's a lot of trenches - and they look good too.
Each normal section is 4.5" long so 48 gives me 18 feet of trenches :o :D
But wait there's more ;D (I'll work out how much more once the rest are assembled)
I'm really pleased with how they fit together, really simple positive assembly and the etched walls look good even without any paint :D :D :D
Marvellous design Michael, thanks for getting them cut and sent out so quickly
Quote from: Ace of Spades on 04 January 2016, 07:42:32 PM
I like the fact that they are so deep!
My figures are usually based on very thin plastic strips so that means I can add 'floors' and even firing steps...cool!!!
Cheers,
Rob
The original design was 8mm deep but Michael wisely increased that to 12-13mm :) :D
My figures are on 2mm bases with magnetic vinyl underneath so the extra depth means they actually hide in the trench :)
Quote from: paulr on 06 January 2016, 08:07:42 AM
The original design was 8mm deep but Michael wisely increased that to 12-13mm :) :D
My figures are on 2mm bases with magnetic vinyl underneath so the extra depth means they actually hide in the trench :)
Looking good already and still 24 days till game day...
With up to 18 ft of trenches to take its quite an task for 28th Brigade, though of course not all of them will have Ottoman defenders along their entire length. No wonder Tigris Corps had a hard time getting near Kut with all those defences !
I'm sure we can find some other scenarios to make good use of those trench sections......got a few ideas already ;)
They look really good!
Excellent design, and no wasted space on those sprues, you've really packed 'em in :)
I'm impressed! Not only with the models but with the amount of work you've done too; my compliments!
Can't wait now 'till my order arrives :D
Looking forward to see them all finished Paul!
Cheers,
Rob
Impressive, can't wait to see the pics of them in play
Cheers
Ian
Quote from: pierre the shy on 06 January 2016, 09:05:13 AM
Looking good already and still 24 days till game day...
With up to 18 ft of trenches to take its quite an task for 28th Brigade, though of course not all of them will have Ottoman defenders along their entire length. No wonder Tigris Corps had a hard time getting near Kut with all those defences !
I'm sure we can find some other scenarios to make good use of those trench sections......got a few ideas already ;)
Plenty of time then ;) ;D
I'm back to work on Monday so progress will slow...
Plenty of trench scenarios in Sinai and Palestine, fortunately the troop density doesn't get as high as the Western front so still room for manoeuvre
they look brilliant
take care
andy
Michae;l has done a great job on that design!
No, I'm not doing WW1, well, maybe...
They really do look good.
Cheers - Phil
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 January 2016, 10:43:53 AM
Michae;l has done a great job on that design!
No, I'm not doing WW1, well, maybe...
;D ;D ;D
You could use them for other periods as well ;)
I'm going to assemble the trenches for HQs and artillery today, they have space for 50mm wide stands
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 January 2016, 10:43:53 AM
No, I'm not doing WW1, well, maybe...
So....YOU'RE the butterfly that's been causing all these sodding storms, Will !!! >:( >:( ;)
(And there I was, blaming Nobby.....Sorry.....Lord Oik of Runcorn !)
Cheers - Phil
Built up my sample trenches this evening very impressed. link (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=574933389339135&id=127960854036393) to Facebook page. done this on my phone so apologies if it doesn't work.
Take care
Andy
Wonders how cool Michael actually is! ;)
These look very nice. Good to see them all together to make a defends line. 😀
Quote from: mad lemmey on 06 January 2016, 07:39:44 PM
Wonders how cool Michael actually is! ;)
Cooler than ice cream and warmer than the sun :)
Definitely in my list of "top blokes."
Quote from: Ithoriel on 06 January 2016, 07:52:14 PM
Cooler than ice cream and warmer than the sun :)
Definitely in my list of "top blokes."
Seconded :D
Quote from: Womble67 on 06 January 2016, 07:34:14 PM
Built up my sample trenches this evening very impressed. link (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=574933389339135&id=127960854036393) to Facebook page. done this on my phone so apologies if it doesn't work.
Take care
Andy
Works for me Andy :)
I see you got Michael to do a slightly different trench layout, more linear. They look good for earlier trenches
Putting together a order for Michael now
Take care
Andy
Roy popped round at 8am today to give me even more help with the trenches :)
He was doubly welcome as he brought with him a 20kg bag of plaster :) :)
While I worked on assembling the remaining sections Roy work on the first fill of the trenches.
It was a good thing he brought the plaster, he would have used most if not all the 1 litre of filler I had bought. I will use it for the second coat which I will colour with paint
By about 11 I had finished assembling the remaining 36 sections :)
Roy finished filling the last section about noon :) :)
We had made very pleasing progress and had a well earned lunch :)
Assembled trench ends, outwards wedges and inwards wedges
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1222_zpshvvgvebo.jpg)
Assembled 50mm positions and observation posts
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1223_zps0npqwgbc.jpg)
Filled normal sections, slightly overfilled to allow for shrinkage
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1224_zpswxci0eez.jpg)
Some shrinkage as the plaster starts to dry
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1225_zpstrbzjkeg.jpg)
Filled ends and wedges
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1226_zps82opl1bj.jpg)
The whole lot
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1228_zpser9xeuom.jpg)
These will all have a second coat of coloured filler once they are fully dry (probably Sunday as we are hosting a BBQ on Saturday) :-w
Detailing and painting the walls will have to fit around work over the next three weeks :!!
Thanks again to Roy for his generous assistance and banter as we worked on these ;) :) :D
A total of 84 trench segments giving a total of 22' 10" (almost 7m) :o :o :o :D :D :D
Came by for my daily look at the trench system progress - amazing! This is like watching one of those time-lapse films of pumping out the Zuiderzee or something. I stand in awe of your energy and diligence. I myself have managed to get four sticks of figures primed since you started on this!! :D
I'm on vacation at the moment d_Guy so that has let me focus on these ;)
Having Roy's assistance has been invaluable :)
Needing them for a public demonstration game at the end of the month is also focusing my attention :!!
It's a huge commitment, but I applaud the work ethic. Fantastic job guys!
They are certainly taking shape, very nice
Take care
Andy
Ibbers crabsticks that's a lot of trenches! Although I suppose it's "only" four lines in depth across a six foot table-ish ;)
Quote from: toxicpixie on 07 January 2016, 09:41:16 AM
Ibbers crabsticks that's a lot of trenches! Although I suppose it's "only" four lines in depth across a six foot table-ish ;)
Some of the games will be played on eight by six foot tables, including the demo game at the end of the month.
About 4 feet of trenches is for HQs and artillery so will be behind the lines. I will also use some segments as communications trenches which can eat into the length available for lines surprisingly quickly
The filler continues to dry, I'm off to track down some storage for the trenches later today ;)
Yes, yes... this certainly is starting to look like something!
Awesome amount of stuff; that table will look excellent..
I was wondering; are you planning to use them back-to-back to get a real 'trench' or will you just put up the front sections?
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: Ace of Spades on 07 January 2016, 06:38:42 PM
I was wondering; are you planning to use them back-to-back to get a real 'trench' or will you just put up the front sections?
I suspect for most games I will just put up the front section.
With the ITLSU ground scale an actual trench is about the depth of a piece of string. It also makes it very clear which is the front and which is the 'back' of the trench.
If I used them back to back I might not have enough ;) ;D
Ah ha - I was wondering about communications trenches! Yeah, I guess on 8 foot width with two lines, comms trenches and some back area stuff even twenty odd foot might go quick!
Quote from: paulr on 07 January 2016, 06:44:12 PM
If I used them back to back I might not have enough ;) ;D
You could cut a piece of the table? ;)
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: Ace of Spades on 07 January 2016, 07:40:13 PM
You could cut a piece of the table? ;)
Cheers,
Rob
We will be using tables from the local club and the 25/8 mm DBMM stalwarts would probably get a bit miffed if we made a few alterations to
their larger sized tables ☺
Trench fill is drying nicely and will probably be ready for a second coat tomorrow :)
We are hosting a BBQ tomorrow so second coat will have to wait until Sunday, meaning the first fill will be really dry ;)
Trenches will have to be packed away so we can use our dining table, I've not been chased about this yet :D
Trench filler is really dry & dining table reclaimed ;) :)
I've spent a couple of hours tidying up all the segments; removing filler from where it shouldn't be and checking that it is firmly in place
Thanks to Roy's plastering skill very little filler in the 'wrong' place :) and what little there was cleaned up quickly and easily :)
A few sections of filler were loose, probably due to shrinkage as it dried. These were carefully removed and liberal amounts of PVA were applied to the mdf and the fill replaced :)
Next step is to mix up some coloured filler and apply the second, skim, coat
Try mixing the plaster with pva for the final coat
Cheers
Ian
That is indeed the plan :)
The plan appears to be working :o
Skim coat (paint, filler, PVA,water mix) is going on well and giving the texture I want :) :)
One very useful tip I picked up from Roy is using a damp sponge to wipe off 'excess' filler, it also helps shape the filler and when dabbed gives a good texture :) :) :)
One bonus is that the edge of the sponge fits almost perfectly between the posts of the trench segments :D
It is time consuming, 2 hours so far and 20 segments done. Only 64 left to do :!!
Lunch break then back to it :!! :!!
:-bd :-bd :-bd
Another couple of hours skimming and 'only' 30 segments left to do ;)
I'll have a short break then crack on again :!!
Almost two more hours skimming, when this batch of the 'mix' ran out I had 11 segments left to do :)
One more session after dinner should see them all skimmed #:-S
An hour after dinner and all skimmed =D>
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1240_zpsmlcvhao6.jpg)
Coloured with an off white, "Spanish White", to match the desert base cloth I use and textured
Once touched up and painted with "Spanish White" they will be sprayed from a distance with Tamyia Dark Yellow to match the mottled effect on the base cloth :!!
Then onto the trench walls... :-w
Back to work tomorrow after 3 weeks off so progress will slow :(
Great job though
They're going to look the business, when they're done !
Cheers - Phil
Lovely stuff - they're already looking good! Bad timing on going back to work. Can you twist your ankle ;)
Hate to upset the applecart, but have you seen Michael's latest?
https://www.facebook.com/1427541787548130/photos/a.1509864919315816.1073741836.1427541787548130/1511613909140917/?type=3
That starts to look excellent!
Got mine in on Friday morning just before left for a wargaming weekend with the same friends that are starting 10mm WW-1 now too. So I quickly put some together and took them along and they were all very impressed! Guess I'll be needing some more soon too... ;)
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: mad lemmey on 10 January 2016, 03:02:12 PM
Hate to upset the applecart, but have you seen Michael's latest?
https://www.facebook.com/1427541787548130/photos/a.1509864919315816.1073741836.1427541787548130/1511613909140917/?type=3
He has already added about 4 new segments since I placed my order just before Christmas ;)
I might have to do another order, once I recover from this one ;D
And doubled the range by doing them all for 20mm based figures as well as the 25mm I needed :o
Looking great
Take care
Andy
Another two and a half hours last night, touched up the skim
Checked them out before work this morning and they won't need any more touch up :)
Started cleaning them up where fill has gone 'further than intended', a quick scrap seems to sort out the few that need attention
Busy tonight but hope to paint those areas that need it sand colour tomorrow night :!!
Finally ordered mine this evening
Take care
Andy
I look forward to seeing how they turn out :)
Quote from: paulr on 12 January 2016, 03:50:10 AM
I look forward to seeing how they turn out :)
Yeah I've got a couple of ideas so looking forward to doing these.
Take care
Andy
I managed to get more done last night than expected :)
I finished cleaning up the fill while waiting for my wife to get ready for a belated anniversary dinner
This morning before work I made a good start on painting the sand colour where required, mainly on the segment ends and some edges where there is no filler. I will finish this tonight and hopefully do any second coats, if required, over the darker laser cut areas.
It was interesting how much of a difference painting the dark edges, see above, makes to the look :) :)
I will take a picture tonight, cut it fine catching my bus this morning #:-S
Before painting the dark edges
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1240_zpsmlcvhao6.jpg)
After
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1243_zpswfouoogl.jpg)
I finished painting the remaining segments and have done the second coat on those I did this morning, the above has had its second coat :)
Now waiting for the paint to dry on the rest so I can do their second coat :-w
Love the progress! Can't wait to see them deployed in context of a wargame. Seen in batches on what looks like a cookie sheet they appear edible :D
They will be used in anger for the first time on 31 January, hence the focused progress :!!
There will definitely be some pictures of that demonstration game :)
Only scrap A4 paper not cookie sheets d_Guy
I finished the second coat last night :)
And have sprayed them this morning while still calm, hopefully they will look more sandy and less edible ;D
A few sparse clumps of grass should make them a bit less appetising! :D
Mollinary
Looking very good indeed
Take care
Andy
Quote from: mollinary on 13 January 2016, 07:06:54 PM
A few sparse clumps of grass should make them a bit less appetising! :D
Mollinary
I've been thinking about that :-\
My base cloth is pretty bare and a lot of the areas they will be used in are pretty bare as well; Sinai, Mesopotamia, some parts of Palestine
I'm not sure if I want to leave them plain to blend with the cloth or add dry grass or maybe a wash :-\
Will work on the walls next then can come back to the faces
I'll post some pictures on my base cloth later today
I thought about it as well then added a few clumps.
The Tigris as it is today. But what's it like in January?
(http://f.tqn.com/y/ancienthistory/1/W/n/r/2/Tigris.jpg)
So long as you're near a water source of some kind, some clumps will never be inappropriate. And the tendency is to fight over a source of water.
This is what the Tigris was like in July 1915, round the bend of the river, over Kut:
(https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/89/65/65/8965658889e489930425328678acc433.jpg)
Rain in January so probably green as well as muddy
I'll have to find some suitable clumps then ;)
And work out how to make it look like Mesopotamia AND Sinai :-\
May also make up a few as table scatter, if I have time :!!
Have to make sure the trenches are in good condition for the new owners...but it will be a hostile takeover ;)
Some quick pics to show the trenches against the base cloth and some troops (Note the joins are better on a flat table)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1246_zpshstfukah.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1248_zpsgwz0ic6z.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1249_zpsr2yel5eh.jpg)
I'm pleased with the match with the base cloth :)
But I do need some 'clumps', one thought that has occurred to me was to use clumps of rocks as I have on the figure bases :-\
I could use a mix of small and large rocks
I have textured the trench walls and will base coat them tomorrow night
Really liking this project , looking forward to seeing them painted.
kev
Those look great.
This is the sort of look I'm going for, pretty barren
(http://www.nam.ac.uk/online-collection/images/960/94000-94999/94411.jpg)
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c1/British_Troops_on_the_march_in_the_desert_c1916_%28National_Army_Museum%29.jpg)
(http://www.king-emperor.com/Captured%20Turkish%20Trenches%201916%201wm.jpg)
Still not sure about the clumps :-\
Started work on the walls in the mean time :!!
Base coated half the walls a mid-dark grey last night, interesting how each step seems to take a little longer with each step
Did a test of my corrugated iron effect this morning, painted a light grey line along the top half of each horizontal 'board'
Not as hard as it sounds as the laser 'engraved' line gives a good guide, but will take a while
Combined with a vertical dry brush of Stone Grey on the posts this seems to give a good impression :)
Almost finished base coating the rest of the walls :!!
Very nice, Paul.
Clumps ? :-\
Some very small ones might work.....It's getting the 'balance right' that might be the tricky bit.
Have you got anything that would look like small 'flatish' rocks in your basing material(s).....A few of those might work., perhaps ?
Cheers - Phil
My order came today
Take care
Andy
Quote from: Techno on 15 January 2016, 10:30:15 PM
Very nice, Paul.
Clumps ? :-\
Some very small ones might work.....It's getting the 'balance right' that might be the tricky bit.
Have you got anything that would look like small 'flatish' rocks in your basing material(s).....A few of those might work., perhaps ?
Cheers - Phil
The balance is indeed the challenge, I will keep pondering while I work on the walls :-\
Quote from: Womble67 on 16 January 2016, 12:14:10 AM
My order came today
Take care
Andy
I hope you enjoy your order as much as I am enjoying mine :)
I have just finished base coating the last of the trench walls :) and am having a quick break before I start detailing :!!
I took a quick picture of the sample I did earlier this morning
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1252_zps8pgpzu0b.jpg)
Two weeks till game day :o :!! :!!
Looking really good, Paul.
Cheers - Phil
Superb
Really like the view from inside the trench, shaping-up nicely, Paul!
Looking good. Really like how the planking looks what colours did you use
Take care
Andy
Thanks Guys, I'm please with the look :)
One option for clumps for the front of the trenches that came up last night after our game was to stipple some areas of dark yellow (probably 882 Middlestone) :-\
Andy, the darker grey is a 'cheap' artist's acrylic due to the area to be covered, Reeves grey
It is similar to Vallejo Model Colour 70.869 Basalt Grey
The lighter grey is a really old Vallejo Model Colour, so old in fact that the name has faded off the label :(
It is slightly lighter than 70.991 Dark Sea Grey and slightly darker than 70.989 Sky Grey
Half way through adding the horizontal lines to the trench walls #:-S
As I said above each step seems to be taking longer :!! :!!
But I'm looking reasonably on track :-SS
Saw these "in the flesh" last night, looking very good - the walls look even better than the photo shows.
With a stipple of dark yellow added they will be complete.
The great thing about the desert is that everything gets covered in sand. So a dry brush of sand is always a possibility if time gets tight.
You could always scatter real sand all over the table too to add a bit of texture
cheers
Ian
Not sure how real sound would go down with the owners of the hall, apparently it has a very flash sports surface
I managed to do another quarter of the horizontal lines last night :)
A final push should see them finished today :!!
Then onto dry brushing the posts, there are much fewer of these so this will be quicker #:-S
Finished the horizontal lines <:-P <:-P <:-P
Made a good start on dry brushing the posts, about half way through :)
I've also done a test of the dark yellow stipple and it does the job nicely and quickly ;)
So finish the posts, dark yellow stipple and sandy dry brush of the walls and the trenches are done :!! :!!
Need to decide what colour to use for the sand dry brush :-\
819 Iraqi Sand
847 Dark Sand
986 Deck Tan
Suggestions welcome ;)
I use Coat d'Arms light sand and dark sand as highlights, but your painting is waaaaaay better than mine!
Thanks Lemmy, or can I call you Mad ;)
I'm not sure about the painting assessment.
I've finished the posts, dark yellow stipple, weather too crap for pictures :(
I will look to do the dry brushing tomorrow or Thursday as I work on some of the other 'little' jobs for the demo games
Not surprised the weathers too crap for piccies at 4am Paul! Look forward to seeing them in day light though - they're rather tasty!
Quote from: toxicpixie on 19 January 2016, 06:10:32 AM
Not surprised the weathers too crap for piccies at 4am Paul! Look forward to seeing them in day light though - they're rather tasty!
Remember I'm in NZ, 13 hour difference with the UK at the moment ;)
On a 5am start I'm lucky to remember what time zone I'm in, let alone others :D Hope the weather clears up, and have a good evening :D
Quote from: toxicpixie on 19 January 2016, 06:53:05 AM
On a 5am start I'm lucky to remember what time zone I'm in, let alone others :D Hope the weather clears up, and have a good evening :D
;D ;D ;D
The other 'little' jobs for the demo games are proceeding nicely :)
I will do the dry brushing on the trenches and hopefully get some pictures tomorrow
Dry brushing of the trench walls completed :)
I think these are basically done :)
With a week to spare :o #:-S
Thanks again to Roy for his help with assembly and filling
I've taken some pictures but photobucket is playing silly buggers when I try and upload them >:(
Will post once successfully uploaded ~X(
Bloomin' photobucket !
They haven't changed improved it again, have they, Paul ?
Cheers - Phil
I don't think they have changed it again, just uploads failing for no obvious reasons
After several attempts I think I have got it to behave...
One of each of most of the segment types with some Ottomans for scale
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1253_zps12vhffot.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1254_zpsdltnje15.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1255_zpsfhkv5zhc.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1256_zpsljyt5cbb.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1257_zpsmsmqk7yc.jpg)
I'm fairly happy but open to suggested improvements
Those are brilliant
Great looking terrain
Cheers
Ian
Quote from: paulr on 21 January 2016, 07:06:44 AM
I'm fairly happy but open to suggested improvements
An after the battle PR shot of the British Commander "inspecting the recently captured Ottoman trench system" ? ;)
I think you are there with them Paul...with the extra stipple they blend in really well with the base cloth frontally and the trench walls look fantastic.
Those are fantastic =D>
Quote from: paulr on 21 January 2016, 07:06:44 AM
I'm fairly happy but open to suggested improvements
Just to make them look even more awesome I was wondering if there's a way to cunningly disguise the cracks between sections quickly :-\
Possibly paint the sides white to reflect the maximum amount of light back out?
Cheers!
Meirion
Looking *really* nice! You're going to have to do some single figure stands for those observation trenches :D
Those look belting, Paul ! 8)
Cheers - Phil
Maybe a bit of dried weed on the lower part of the trenches...Some pieces of wood, an abandoned shovel, a little bit of barbed wire ?
Nicely done and very evocative!
Quote from: toxicpixie on 21 January 2016, 09:21:21 AM
You're going to have to do some single figure stands for those observation trenches :D
It would be cool to have a fellow with a trench periscope supported by a rifleman.
And elaborating on other suggestions, perhaps pack animal(s) or vehicle with timbers to explain where they came from.
You're on a tight timeline and these would require a lot of "kit-bashing" plus I, at least, am way better at suggestions than execution :)
I personally think you are good to go!
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 21 January 2016, 09:15:46 AM
Just to make them look even more awesome I was wondering if there's a way to cunningly disguise the cracks between sections quickly :-\
Possibly paint the sides white to reflect the maximum amount of light back out?
I have been thinking about that :-\
The sides are Spanish White so already pretty light
This is one of the challenges of desert terrain the gaps would be much less noticeable with green terrain
Quote from: toxicpixie on 21 January 2016, 09:21:21 AM
Looking *really* nice! You're going to have to do some single figure stands for those observation trenches :D
I'll have to remember that for any spare figures at the end of the project
Quote from: d_Guy on 21 January 2016, 03:03:45 PM
It would be cool to have a fellow with a trench periscope supported by a rifleman.
I have a spare periscope waiting to be painted, was destined for a command base but might have just got diverted ;)
Quote from: barbarian on 21 January 2016, 12:50:26 PM
Maybe a bit of dried weed on the lower part of the trenches...Some pieces of wood, an abandoned shovel, a little bit of barbed wire ?
Wood etc are interesting ideas for future upgrades
Quote from: pierre the shy on 21 January 2016, 09:13:54 AM
An after the battle PR shot of the British Commander "inspecting the recently captured Ottoman trench system" ? ;)
Does this suggest your not planning to play the Ottomans ;D
Quote from: paulr on 21 January 2016, 06:56:28 PM
I have been thinking about that :-\
The sides are Spanish White so already pretty light
This is one of the challenges of desert terrain the gaps would be much less noticeable with green terrain
Would a general sprinkling of loose sand help disguise the edges more? Might be a bit of a mess to clean up but probably OK for a demo game.
As to adding stuff to the edges of the trench - on the western front this was very period dependant. In the early war the trenches were built by the book, and had very flat even tops. By the middle of the war it had been realised that having straight edges was bad, as anyone brief showing themselves would be immediately apparent. So the Brits started to copy the German style of having a very irregular parapet, with sand bags of different colours, and uneven height of banking and sandbags. Bits of fabric flapping in the wind. All sorts of stuff to make a disrupted scene, so that it was much harder to notice someone looking from the trench.
This is fairly early and in a subsidiary theatre - so it may be that trenches were still built very much by the book - so a very clean look would be spot on.
I think you have made a cracking job of these Paul
These look absolutely fantastic well done
Take care
Andy
Looking very good!
To disguise the gaps you could maybe use some fine, loose sand? It means you will have to brush the items afterward but it might just work...
I did something similar to disguise the joints and gaps on my Colenso game table. It's a bit more effort but worthwhile I think.
Cheers,
Rob
Quote from: O Dinas Powys on 21 January 2016, 09:15:46 AM
...
Just to make them look even more awesome I was wondering if there's a way to cunningly disguise the cracks between sections quickly :-\
Possibly paint the sides white to reflect the maximum amount of light back out?
...
Quote from: fred. on 21 January 2016, 08:31:13 PM
Would a general sprinkling of loose sand help disguise the edges more? Might be a bit of a mess to clean up but probably OK for a demo game.
As to adding stuff to the edges of the trench - on the western front this was very period dependant. In the early war the trenches were built by the book, and had very flat even tops. By the middle of the war it had been realised that having straight edges was bad, as anyone brief showing themselves would be immediately apparent. So the Brits started to copy the German style of having a very irregular parapet, with sand bags of different colours, and uneven height of banking and sandbags. Bits of fabric flapping in the wind. All sorts of stuff to make a disrupted scene, so that it was much harder to notice someone looking from the trench.
This is fairly early and in a subsidiary theatre - so it may be that trenches were still built very much by the book - so a very clean look would be spot on.
Pulling together some of the ideas mentioned above and by others I did a little test this morning on the end of aa couple of trench segments
I added a light Spanish White coloured filler skim coat at the top of the join
The ideas was to:
- reflect some more light
- make one of the edges of the join less straight, disrupting the join
- to make sure that contact was at the top of the joint not the bottom, some of the edges were not as 90 degrees as they should have been, I claim they moved while the glue was drying ;)
This seemed to work so I have added the skim to one end of all the trench segments
Now a before and after shot...
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1253_zps12vhffot.jpg)
(http://i160.photobucket.com/albums/t197/paulreynolds999/Trenches/IMG_1258_zpsk6pqtrct.jpg)
Looks good to me. 8)
Cheers - Phil
They're looking *really* good!
Yup, that works
That's worked well
Cheers
Ian
They look very good =D> =D>
The new treatment does remove the sharp demarcations between the segments and looks great, but I still really like the "before" also.
For me once the action starts the stagecraft disappears (of course I play solo and have not the pressure of doing an exhibition :))
Tested the storage/transport "system" for the trenches last night, seems to work :)
Several layers divided by cardboard in a cardboard file box, layers of bubble wrap to protect the segments
I was surprised that they almost all fit in one box :o
I will have to "jiggle" them a bit to see if I can get them all in one box, if not I'll spread them out a bit and use two boxes
I think I am now ready for the demo game on Sunday #:-S :)
Except for ironing the base clothes (sheets) which I will do on Saturday night
I will spend the next couple of days trying to think of anything I've forgotten :-\
Quote from: paulr on 27 January 2016, 07:02:04 PM
I will spend the next couple of days trying to think of anything I've forgotten :-\
Dice
Figures
Measuring sticks
Rules/playsheets
Info sheets for spectators
Sandwiches
Map to venue
Putting trenches in car boot
;) ;)
Cheers
Ian
Will be eager to see the pics from your demo. Break a leg :)
Quote from: paulr on 27 January 2016, 07:02:04 PM
I will spend the next couple of days trying to think of anything I've forgotten :-\
Camera?
For the pictures you are going to post here?
:)
Paul not taking pictures?...that would be a first ;)
;D :D ;D
Well done!