1/35th scale Narrow Gauge Layout - part four

Progress has been slow with other modelling projects taking priority and the change in the weather meaning that I have not been able to work on the layout - however, I have made some progress.

The track bed is 5mm thick under laminate insulation - I am hoping that this will cut down on the amount of track noise. It is stuck down with PVA glue. Most of the groundwork is cardboard covered with strips of torn newspaper reinforced with glue and then DAS Terracotta air drying clay over the top.

The tunnel mouth and over bridge have proven to be the hardest part to model as I wanted a sweeping curve and needed enough room for the existing fireless engine and wagons to fit under.

More DAS, this time DAS White applied over dilute PVA glue to build up the embankment on the left hand edge of the layout.

I would expect to get at least one more modelling update before it becomes too cold to work outdoors but hopefully you can see how this small layout is progressing.

Tony

Scratch Built Airships - Miniature Wargames issue 487

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 487, November 2023) has an article written by me showing how I built a couple of airships inspired by the Amazon Prime TV series Carnival Row. The blimps were cut from insulation foam with plastic card gondolas and painted with a range of acrylic paints before being based.

The models are built to a nominal scale of 1/600th and mounted on to 60mm round bases.

For more information, pick up a copy of Miniature Wargames, or check out this link.

The final image shows the second airship alongside a bottle of paint to give an idea of the scale and size of these models.

Tony

Some long lost bits of clutter

Regular readers of this Blog will know that I have in the past produced a number of masters to be produced in resin. One of my favourite parts of finishing these masters is to add odd bits of 'clutter' to the bases - barrels, sacks and wheels are the most common.

Yesterday I was presented with a couple of bags of bits - the masters from nearly ten years ago. I thought about having them once again cast in resin, but I already have a pile of such bits and I think I will use them on future terrain builds.

The fist image shows a range of mushrooms and fungi which I modelled for the fantasy game Panzerfauste from Steve Blease. I have already used some of the resin models on pieces of Burrows & Badgers terrain.

The second image shows a whole range of different barrels which I have sculpted and once again I will be using them on new wargame terrain builds.

The final image is a photograph of more bits - jugs and urns. 

Thank you Rob. They will be well used.

Tony

The New 1/35th scale Narrow Gauge Layout - part three

The progress has been slow, but here are some work-in-progress shots of the baseboard.

The first images shows the wallpaper plan positioned on the two IKEA table tops. The second image has a layer of polystyrene foam glued on top to define some of the ground contours. I used PVA glue to glue everything together and the various weights were added to make sure it was a firm bond.

Image three - I have used DAS terracotta clay to start refining the small dry-bed river.

Image four - I have strengthened the underside with some wooden strips that I picked up at my local DIY store for free. They should also allow me to add wiring to the bottom of the layout without the wires being damaged when placed on a table top.

I'll post more when I have something to show. I'm not expecting regular updates as I have other projects on the go and they are taking priority.

Tony