Modelling Thatch from DAS Modelling Clay - Miniature Wargames issue 522

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 522 from October 2026) features another article written by me and showing how I built a small 28mm scale A Frame Hovel for use on the wargame table. However the real reason for the article was to show in greater detail how I use DAS modelling clay to portray thatch. For more information you can pick up the magazine from your local newsagent or gaming store.

I believe that DAS can produce thatch with both 'body' and texture as can be seen in these images and although there are simpler techniques for example scouring pads or teddy bear fur I prefer DAS to any other material as it allow you to build such a wide variety of different style of thatch.

I would be interested to hear how you produce your own modelled thatch.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #3

Firstly, thank you to everyone who commented and offered advice about my issues with Blogger (this blog post has now been deleted). Today's post show some of the early detailed modelling like the added battens and door detail which has been modelled with balsawood and used fruit packing crate wood. The door furniture has been constructed from plastic card and plastic rod glued in place with a mixture of poly cement and superglue.

In addition I have added some metal cross bracing and supports to the main pit head. These have been modelled with plastic rod and more balsawood. They were inspired by the pit head and mine seen at Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

The new snap-off bladed case (yellow plastic under the main frame) is included because I have realised that the wooden pit supports will need to be raised by about 11mm - 12mm. My plan is to build a short stone base from some scrap foam to support the frame.

The final image shows the mine from the other side. Note that there is battening to the inside as well as a foamboard corner angle to keep everything 'square'.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update #2

The main building has been built over a foamboard core (a used advertising sign) with balsawood cladding glued in place with a mixture of superglue and PVA. I have started adding the wooden battens to the front these were cut from thin wood salvaged from a fruit packing crate cut into thin strips.

The small window on the lean-to was cut from a cheap plastic toy and glued in place with superglue. Once again, I have included this 1:27.7 scale figure to give an idea of the size of this model.

Tony

Christmas 2025 Project - update

The main gantry or pithead was built from a single piece of 11mm thick soft wood that I had in my scrap wood store. I cut the main posts slightly oversize with a snap-off bladed knife and then sanded the pieces to the exact profile before first cutting them to length and finally gluing them together with superglue. The red pulley came from a plastic construction toy and most of the reinforcing metal strapping and bolt heads were modelled from plastic card. The pulley is glued in place on a metal rod and does not turn.

I have included a 1:27.7 scale or 65mm tall figure to give an idea of the size. 

The design is a mix of the Gold Tooth Mine (see earlier post) and a similar mine that I photographed at Disneyland Paris earlier this year.

Tony

Christmas 2025 reborn

With the Cold Comfort Lane 1:35th scale, narrow gauge railway layout complete I was left looking around for my next modelling project and rather than start a completely new one I went back to my Christmas 2025 stalled project. The Christmas 2025 Pizza layout.

The layout was moving along at quite a pace but a virus over the Christmas period left me a little deflated and I have to admit that I had lost all interest in modelling in a cold shed. Details of the progress up to this time can be found by searching the Christmas 2025 link to the right or 'clicking' on this link.

Moving forward the first piece of work was installing a transformer/controller. I had wanted to use a unit that I had bought off the internet but with this not working properly, I went back to this tried-and-tested Hornby controller that I had in my stash. The simple single knob unit is not glued in place but the black plastic facia panel and four screws are enough to hold it securely in place. I can confirm that it works perfectly.

I had planned that there would be an in-and-out industrial unit for this layout and I had built a number of mock-ups but I have to admit that none of them really appealed to me. Then I saw a YouTube video from ThunderMessa Trains (see this link) and the decision was made. I would build a similar structure to 11mm = 1 foot and situate it in the middle of the Pizza layout.

The first stage was to draw up a sketch plan.

I think that this plan shows how I work better than words.....

It's a mess with amendments and re-drawn details across the whole page. But is was enough for me to start cutting strip wood and I can honestly say that my modelling MOJO is well and truly back.

Expect further updates later this week, but for now, welcome to my version of Gold Tooth Mine.

Tony

5 4 3 2 1 FAB Exhibition at Worcester Museum 2026

These are just some of the exhibits at the 54321 FAB exhibition at Worcester Museum this month. The displays show a huge variety of different toys, books and illustrations from the life of Gerry Anderson and his creations. For more information, see this link.

Tony

Make & Craft Embellishments from The Works

Last week I picked up this bag of what looked like ground foam from The Works. At just £3.00 I thought it was a great bargain and one that I was sure I could use for adding ground cover to my wargame models and model railway layouts.

For £3.00 you get quite a lot of material as it is really stuffed into the bag. On opening the bag I found that rather than being lots of fine foam it was in fact a mix of foam and threads more suitable for modelling bushes and trees. 

There really is much too much for anything other than a large layout and all being one colour it could look a little off. I therefore decided to experiment and see if I could make different colours.

The image below show the first tests. From left to right they are; basic colour, added Ochre, Linen and Ochre, red brown and dark green with a touch of black. As you can see there is quite a variety and I have not yet used 1/5th of the bag.

The new colours were mixed from acrylic paints with just a touch of water - remember to wear gloves as it is very messy. If you 'click' on the images you can get a better idea of the texture - a bit like natural wool with fine foam added.

Trust me this is well worth the outlay and should give you enough model greenery to last a very long time plus it is so much cheaper than model shop bought ground cover.

Tony