WW1 2mm Terrain Pieces (6)

To give you an idea of the finished items, I've set up the play area with two defence lines - incorporating wire and bunkers - and added a couple of shots of a tank supported allied attack going in.

I'm very pleased with these - all I need now is to try them out.

I'll post a battle report when I've had time to do this.

WW1 2mm Terrain Pieces (5)

Well I've finally finished the 2mm stuff ready to try them out.

They fit perfectly into a Really Useful tray which can be stored in the same box as my 2mm Napoleonics.

I found the rules could be fitted onto a single side of A4 which makes them even handier.

I've still got to finish my 60x60mm terrain pieces - rivers and desolated land - but will give what I've finished an outing first.

WW1 2mm Terrain Pieces (4)

The final mandatory piece of terrain that you need - are bunkers.

I considered making these from Green Stuff but whilst messing around with the scraps of self-adhesive foam left from trench production, I had an idea!

I cut a diamond shape and stuck it to a 40x15mm base.

Then I cut the "blockhouse" (a 6x4mm piece of foam) and stuck that in the middle if the diamond.

Then I cut an access trench to the rear of the blockhouse.

Finally I textured the base with Vallejo course grey pumice.

All that remained was to finish them off as described for the barbed wire.

I'm pleased with the finished result.

I've started work on some additional terrain pieces on 60x60mm mdf squares......more on that next time.

WW1 2mm Terrain Pieces (3)

Here's a couple more shots of the mass production of trench sections.

You'll see that in some sections I've cut an access trench. This can be used to link first and second lines with straight trench sections (as communication trenches) or to allow a Sap to run out onto no-mans land. They also allow bunkers to be joined to trench systems.

In all you're recommended to have 36 sections for the basic game, 18/side so I'd better get a move on.

WW1 2mm Terrain Pieces (2)

How to simulate the bands of wire to the front of the trench lines was a bit of a poser.

I decided to use 40x20mm mdf bases because (1) I'd got enough spare! (2) the aerial pics I've seen of the Western Front tend not to show endless bands but localised sections of wire with gaps covered by MGs allowing access for trench raids etc.

I first considered using wargames barbed wire (like the GW product) but felt this unnecessarily expensive and it would be difficult to get the wire to lie flat.

I finally settled on lengths of florists wire. This material is dirt cheap, easy to cut and bend, and lies flat until the PVA sets.

First step was to texture the mdf bases with PVA and birdcage sand.

Then I cut and bent lengths of wire to a 'W' shape and stuck them down.

Lastly the finished bases were painted etc.

I firstly spray undercoat, followed by a coat of 'Anita's' coffee acrylic. Then I add depth with a wash of Johnsons Klear + brown ink and then when dry, a dry brush of sand. The wire was picked out in grey, followed by flesh wash to simulate rust followed by a dry brush of silver.

When all was dry I spray everything with GW Purity seal and then add a little flock.

Job done!

At this scale it's all about the "impression" of what your looking at. I think these bases give the impression of a single band of coiled barbed wire zig-zagging across the fronts of the trenches - just what I was looking for.

The finished shot gives you a view of a trench line with a bunker protected by wire. See what you think?

WW1 2mm - Terrain Pieces (1)

Some basic terrain pieces are required for The Pz8 rules;-

Trenches
Barbed wire
Bunkers

These can be downloaded and printed off onto card, from their website, if you wish. I, however, fancied having a go at building some that would be more visually appealing.

To start with I tackled the trenches.

I chose to use 60x20mm mdf per-cut bases. This is the correct width for the grid squares and narrow enough to allow a bunker as well as wire to also fit in the same square if needed.

To simulate the trench lines I had a bit of a brainwave! Visiting Hobbycraft with my wife I found some self-adhesive foam sheet for 79p.

I first cut this into pieces 60x10mm.

Then I cut this through the middle (lengthways) with a pair of my wife's special "crafting" scissors that cut a slightly curved edge Zig-Zag line - see pics.

Next I stuck the two foam strips 2mm apart to create an impression of a trench line.

The base was textured with a mixture of sand and PVA and Vallejo Pumice.

Finally painted and weathered in acrylics and with flock added I'm really pleased with the end result.

Next I need to think how to simulate wire at this scale ......

2mm WW1

As an aside to my 10mm WW1 project I've been working on some old 2mm Irregular Miniatures WW1 models I've had hidden away for years.

They were bought as a set along with their Franco-Prussian to WW1 Rulebox some years ago.

Anyhow, I've decided to base these up to play the Pz8's WW1 rules - which I've become rather interested in.

The game takes place on a 6 x 8 square grid and playing piece bases are 1/3 the size of your squares. So if your grid is made up of 60x60mm squares (like mine) your bases are 20x20mm.

I made up the playing board from an old piece of mdf I had lying around - varnished it and added a piece of ready flocked paper (from an old GW Playsheet) stuck on with PVA and with grid lines drawn on in permanent pen.

I plan to add a couple of wipe off panels with a printed grid so you can cross off APs (artillery points) as you use them up.