Tuesday, 25 August 2015

1980's British Scenic Bases

For the Cold War Commanders megagame at Broughton next month, we prepare scenic bases for medical aid stations, repair workshops and ammunition dumps, as these have a role to play in the game.

Here are my efforts for 4th British Armoured Division for 1985.

First up, the field hospital.  Heroics and Ros Landrover ambulances, along with 20ft and 40ft containers and piles of boxes from the Baggage Train and large tents from Leven Minatures.  Sorry about the shine on the tents from the camera flash in the first picture.



The maintenance and repair facility.  Heroics and Ros vehicles, a Chieftain ARV tows in a broken down Challenger 1.  Bedford truck with office body representing a mobile workshop with a CET 180 parked up.  20ft containers and stacks of boxes from the Baggage Train.  Camo nets are net curtain material cut to shape and Superglued in place, with a criss-cross of PVA glue painted on to stick down green flock.



The ammunition dump with three Heroics and Ros Foden gun limbers, two with the pallets off-loaded and covered with camo netting and 20ft containers, from the Baggage Train along with the piles of boxes, in their place



Finally, a Harrier hide.  Made from 40ft containers from the Baggage Train mounted on a plastic putty raised base, with a Heroics and Ros Harrier emerging from the hide.  Camo netting as above.  I'm going to have to invest in a bulk refueller to give the stand a bit more of a cluttered look.

 
 
I'm now working on the Corps Heavy Artillery M107s and M110s, plus some more Rapiers (both tracked and towed), three Stalwarts, another Chieftain Regt and an FV432 infantry battalion.
 
As ever, thanks for looking.

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11 comments:

  1. Just Jack26 August 2015 at 03:50

    Wow, those look great Andy!

    Very inspiring; I'm always too lazy to do stuff like that, but these make me at least think about doing it ;)

    V/R,
    Jack

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    Replies
    1. Andy Canham26 August 2015 at 08:22

      Thanks Jack,

      I like doing them as you can add the more unusual vehicles that don't usually make it onto the gaming table.

      Cheers, Andy

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  2. Prufrock26 August 2015 at 07:33

    Really good. Love the Harrier hide, and that medical station has put the M*A*S*H theme into my head...

    On a technical note, who makes that flock/static grass you use? All I find over here is of the coloured sawdust variety.

    Cheers,
    Aaron

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    Replies
    1. Andy Canham26 August 2015 at 08:25

      Thanks Aaron.

      The flock on the camo netting is model railway flock (the sawdust variety; from Javis or similar - Spring Meadow). The static grass that I use on the bases is from Kallistra - it matches the flock they use on their hexon terrain, which I use as a background for the photos. It's available mail order, but I pick up a big bag at shows for c. £5 here in the UK. It's lasted me over 2 years so far, although I'll need to restock soon.

      Cheers, Andy

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    2. Prufrock26 August 2015 at 10:20

      Thanks Andy, might have to put in an order for some.

      Delete
  3. Jonathan Smith26 August 2015 at 17:36

    When is the game on I may pop over? Just a minor point the ammo boxes on the Foden should be a brown colour.
    Jon

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    1. Andy Canham26 August 2015 at 19:17

      Thanks Jon.

      The game is set for the last weekend in September - I think the plan is to start on Friday afternoon (25th) through to c. 3pm on Sunday afternoon (27th). Always room for another player!

      Thanks for the info on the Foden. I searched Google images, but all seemed to show green canvas covered payloads, except one which looks a brownish green, but is difficult to make out clearly.

      Cheers, Andy

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  4. Pete.27 August 2015 at 01:57

    Great work.

    I've got some similar bases to do myself so these are great inspiration.

    Cheers,

    Pete.

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  5. Andy Canham27 August 2015 at 08:35

    Thanks Pete, that's made my day!

    Cheers, Andy

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  6. Tales from Shed HQ30 August 2015 at 19:14

    Hi Andy,
    They look brilliant, look forward to seeing them in real life in September.
    Cheers
    Richard P

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    Replies
    1. Andy Canham31 August 2015 at 07:48

      Thanks Richard, just 4 weeks to go, can't wait.

      Cheers, Andy

      Delete