Back of Beyond - terrain pieces

 A couple of new pieces this week which will be needed for an upcoming game . 

First up a scratch build of a coal bunker . I cut down a piece of A5 2mm MDF for the base . The basic frame is made from balsa sheets cut and glued together . This is sprayed a dark grey and drybrushed . To fill the space I used some kitchen towel soaked in PVA with some black paint added . Once dried I added some scale coal available from Jarvis stuck on with the blackened PVA solution. 

 

Next is a trench strongpoint . This is from the Ironclad 28mm resin terrain which is now back in full availability and production at Pendraken . https://www.pendraken.co.uk/ironclad-miniatures

  

A pretty simple job . Sprayed dark brown overall then using Tan earth for a heavy drybrush and a white mix highlight. The wood in the trench is done a dark grey and highlighted . The sandbags were done a beige brown and highlighted . A bit of static grass added . 

That’s all for now 

Terrain - Stream for the winter table

 One of my requirements for the winter table is a stream. With table top plonk on pieces it’s always a compromise between look and practicality. I have a few different stream / rivers purchased from manufacturers ready done . none of which I am really happy with , or would fit with the winter table  , so I decided to make one myself . 

I wanted a deep dark colour , and with possibly some frozen pieces - though flowing water doesn’t freeze easily . 

Pendraken are releasing some new MDF pieces as basic starters for  rivers and also roads and Leon kindly let me have some advance pieces. They are in a range of lengths and widths and shapes with a straight flat end  . So just the job to start with for a prototype. The items could easily just be base coloured and away you go for a quick solution. But me being me I wanted something more realistic .

First up a few pictures of the end result

 

So here is the making it steps .

The basic pieces 35-30 mm wide and with various shapes up to 300mm long 

The items being used - all of which were in hobby stash anyway

First job was to chamfer the edge with a craft knife and a file .
Do this in a well ventilated space  

 

Milliput added to make up some bank sides.
This is also very rigid so less potential to warp.

  

All sprayed up in the Raven black - which is charcoal colour
Both sides are sprayed to seal the MDF.

 

Painted dark black /green stream base  and then it had a black wash too.
Also painted the banks a flat brown . I did consider adding some small rocks at this stage , maybe I might do in the next few sections .

I used masking tape to cover end joining pieces.
Then added the Yacht Varnish with a big brush .This is slow drying 

After the varnish has been drying for a few hours I stippled the surface with a brush.
In another project I found a hair dryer also produced various effects too.

I allowed everything to dry for 48 hours .

Next was a fine overspray of Matt varnish and the grey to break up the gloss slightly . This was done from about 18 inches away with just a quick movement. Next was a white grey drybrush of the banks and apply the snow paste.

I did a little drag of the snow paste across the water area in some place to indicate a bit of movement .

  

I added some snow tufts onto the middle island piece that had been made from milliput 

It took me a couple of sessions overall so about 8-10 hours - the longest bit being the milliput. I am sure some form of caulk in a gun would do a similar job . Some processes need overnight drying time too. 

Job done for now . I have about 8 feet done and will add another 4 - 6 to give me more variations at some point . Very pleased with the end result. It has made me think about downing something fir the summer tables 

Ardennes ‘44 - Kilroy’s supply depot and other terrain additions

 Latest Ardennes addition is a fuel and ammo supply depot . This should make a really good game objective or two . 

The jerry can stacks and ammo dump are resin pieces from Baueda - I have some other nice scatter bits still do a well  . The tent is a Battlefront artillery set repurposed with an added standing figure and some extra barrels and box bits .  This guy needs a form 1898-D before you can draw anything from depot . He is a stickler for the rules  .. although maybe an 88mm pointed at him will have authority enough, or lots of dollars for  some under the table VAT69 

Hey Sarg I can see a tank!

The various dump pieces by Baueda , available  in the UK from Model Army 

A couple of ruined buildings completed . With a nice wrecked vehicle piece added which is by Baueda 

A resin piece by Baueda 

I picked up the ruined building pieces from e bay by Battlescale 

Also some crop and marsh/bushes  areas added to break up the playing area a little 

Next job is finish the stream 

Ardennes 44 - US Anti Tank Guns , and Terrain bits

 The latest bits for  the Ardennes are off the production line. First up 4 57mm ATGs . It’s taken a bit of trial and error to get a colour I am happy with for the US greatcoat . I ended up with German medium camo brown with a sepia wash and highlight . Very happy with that .

Better get that first shot off guys 

I picked up some 3d resin printed power poles and they have been completed (5 for  winter ,6 for summer)

In my stash I found a pile of oil drums so they have been done as part of the fuel dump . I have an order in for Jerry Can piles to make the rest if it .

I had the good guys at Pendraken make me up some bespoke designed pieces to make 6 inch sections of wire fences. They use a base with various uprights that can then have thread added to make the wire effect . Very pleased with these . 

Prototype 

12 feet later

Happy with the sizes 

The first test piece was complete - love it 

Another decent week