Gern's D-day

[papa 695]

I'll have to have another look then Ron. As I said, the only ones I've found so far don't show enough detail.I've checked out the figures here:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=937

There are some rather good looking set pieces here. Hope I can do them justice.

I've got some budgie grit which I've used on dios, but the particles are much too big to represent sand in 1/72 scale. Could I use something like baking powder as an additive to emulsion paint to get a sandy texture? (I know you can buy textured paint but pennies are very tight so I'd like to find a cheaper alternative).

Gern

Dave for the sand just use any emulsion paint and some flour. Just paint the base with the emulsion then while still wet sieve some flour over the top then when dry just paint it the sand colour you want.

[eddiesolo]

Yes, I saw some of those in some of the images I found. Why were they pointing inland instead of seawards?Gern

As Joe has said designed to cause problems, especially high-tide, to tanks, landing craft, to slow down vehicles or get them hung up so that two things happen: chaos from having vehicles and support fire trapped and struggling, landing craft with damaged drop-doors etc, also it means that a slow vehicle or stuck vehicle is an easier kill than one that can strole right up to your front door lol.

Si

[Gern]

The idea is that a tank or some other vehicle rolls up onto the obstacle and gets stuck there. If it pointed towards the sea it would not work. They are called Czech Hedgehogs.

Thanks Joe. That makes sense. I found this picture which may also be useful for a D-day build.

Gern

[eddiesolo]

Nice picture, notice the mine on top to blow the bottom out of landing craft.

Si

[Gern]

Thanks for the flour tip Ian. Col (CDW) has also offered to send some of his reptile sand for me to try so I got no excuses for getting it wrong now.

Gern

[Ian M]

I would of thought that in 1/72 the sand would be best with just paint. If its a stony beach coarse sand would be good pebbles.

The A frames would also tip a landing craft if they ran up them. I read that some pointed out to sea, the idea being that the boat would slam into the end and get ripped open.

Ian M

[Gern]

You could be right about just using paint Ian. I'll have a play around with all the options and pick the one I like best.

[flyjoe180]

[Gern]

I'm not planning anything that ambitious Joe! Just the figures plus two or three beach defences.

Gern

[eddiesolo]

I'm not planning anything that ambitious Joe! Just the figures plus two or three beach defences.Gern

Spoil-sport Dave...thought you might have done at least a full room full with bunkers, landing craft, DD tanks, the whole lot, plus smoke and sound effects.

Si

[flyjoe180]

Yeah, I was looking forward to several hundred Czech Hedgehogs :P

[Alan 45]

Yep, hedgehog barriers, also slightly off shore Belgium gates-tetrahedron concrete structures topped with mines. On the beach don't forget to add shell holes from the rockets that landed to clear the obstacles, most fell short and many soldiers walked into them while getting off the landing craft and drowned. You also could add a few wooden posts, sticking at an angle pointing towards the land-like an angled letter A.Si

Spoil-sport Dave...thought you might have done at least a full room full with bunkers, landing craft, DD tanks, the whole lot, plus smoke and sound effects. Si

don't forget the hawker typhoons giving air support and a battleship fireing on the coastal bunkers

[Guest]

The finer particles in the reptile sand are like dust, for 72nd scale you just need to put it through a flour sieve... You want just a small amount sending through so you can compare it to your other options before going ahead?

[Gern]

The finer particles in the reptile sand are like dust, for 72nd scale you just need to put it through a flour sieve... You want just a small amount sending through so you can compare it to your other options before going ahead?

It's not supposed to start 'til January! I suppose it'll be OK to practise techniques on some scrap though to see how things go. Give me a day or so Col and I'll get back to you.

Gern

[Gern]

Come on folks! Gimme a break. Just 'cos I got a bit carried away with my Bug build!

Gern

PS Anyone know where I can get a 1/72 battleship - real cheap?