This is my finished diorama.
First up are the pictures with a backdrop.
Next come the pictures without a backdrop.
Loads of fun making it and lots of room for improvement.
I have been playing Bolt Action for some time now and it was
about time I sorted some half decent terrain out.
The aim was produce six terrain boards and ensure everything was
easy to set up and put away with the minimum of fuss. The ability
to stack everything away in a small space was also a high priority.
The boards were extremely simple (2 x 2 feet) and made from a wooden
frame with an mdf base. A styrene block was inserted into the recess and
sealed with masonry paint. I even managed to recycle some old Flames Of
War boards into the process. Each board was given a basic flock coating
and a road textured with sand was added.
I then created a typical Normandy walled farm complex that can be easily
removed and put away in a box. The superb buildings are from Ham and Jam
and come pre painted at a crazy low price. The price is even lower if
you buy in bulk at a wargaming show.
All the building have been modified slightly by me, so foliage added, weathering,
metal building braces, interior painting, interior scatter, interior flooring,
interior ladders and external telegraph points.
I have also created a few items to add to the Normandy theme. So we have green
house, cider press, milk churns, a rusting bike, hay bales, telegraph poles and wires,
road signs and adverts, flower planters and water troughs, a well, a cart and anything
else you can spot. I also created plenty of trees, bushes, hedges, walls and a road block
if needed.
I needed some more scenery for my Bolt Action boards and
noticed there is a lot of farm equipment made by Britains that
would nicely do the job on fleabay. Its 1:32 scale according to
the official guide but I think a lot of the Britains stuff fits in
quiet nicely if your not to particular.
You get a white plastic kit in sections for £10 and not much else.I
managed to get a grass roller thrown in as well(it all helps).
I assembled the greenhouse and added some wooden boards for
plants made from balsa wood and added a stone paving effect
path inside.
I then based the greenhouse on plasticard and added various bits
inside giving the look of a discarded neglect. The rusty roller went inside
along with some Noch plant pots and various odds and ends. I also
added an out of control creeper escaping through the roof.
The glass is clear plasticard with a green wash to represent mould and
decay.
And goodnight from the greenhouse.
Built from scratch and meant to fit into a Normandy WWII
terrain landscape..
I went for the disused ,overgrown and neglected look in
the end. I like the idea of it sitting in one corner of the farm
slowly rotting like the apples, awaiting better days.
Perhaps a pile of rotting apples next to it might be the next
bit of scratch built terrain ?
I am in the process of building 3 armies for Bolt Action and
I `m slowly making head way. I am painting British ,American and
German.
First up is a British Army Command Group.
Second, British Forward Observer Team.
Third US Army Command Group.
And finally US 50 Cal HMG Team.
I am working on a PAK40 and Nebelwerfer for the
Germans which are nearly finished.
“Don’t hide your miniatures and models away in boxes ,showcase them.”
This was the quote on ebay that sold me. £11.99 and £2.82 postage gets you a
customisable display board for your miniatures. Its made of laser cut MDF and
comes with a display piece ,a rear piece and frame.It holds up to 18 figures for
25mm and 32mm bases depending on your choice.
All you have to is decorate it to your choice. I decided on a grassy background to
blend in with my British Bolt Action Troops ,but its totally up to you what
you cover it in.
Basically ideal for displaying figures ,transporting figures, photographing figures
and selling them(I saw two people at the Newbury Colours show using these bases
to display merchandise).
Well its a SS Panzer Abt 101 Tiger in Normandy but as
to who is commanding it is anybody`s guess?
Final thoughts on this model was that it came out really
well especially as its a different scale for me from the
normal.
As to the model quality itself I was a little disappointed,
with certain parts just not lining up correctly.
Next up I am painting a JTFM Stug which is apparently 1/56
scale at its best ? We will see.
Just an update of what’s on painting board at the moment.
A change of scale for me, 1/56 scale to be exact. This is
the Warlord Games Wittman Tiger which is suitable for playing
Bolt Action. For those of you unfamiliar with Bolt Action
its scale fits in with 28mm figures and the battles are basically
skirmish games starting at platoon level.
So far all I have done is the base coat and added some highlights.
Early days yet, but a some serious camo coming shortly.
Blog about Bretonnia
About fine scenery for modeling
Escaping back to fantasy
A Miniature Painting Blog
musings of a fat old bloke on tanks and wargames
Miniatures & Terrains
A Miniature Wargaming Blog
The Devenish brothers wargaming blog
WW2 Modelling in 1/72 Scale
Queegs home for modelling and painting projects, wargaming and whimsy
Strategy, wargaming and militaria. Mostly.
Wargaming
Battles of WW2 in 15mm & Beyond
A Finnish miniature & modelling blog
Collecting Yu Jing for Infinity.
A miniature hobby blog focusing on WHFB and WH40K
Miniature painting, wargaming terrain tutorials, reviews, interviews and painting guides