SCATTER TERRAIN: CLOTHES LINES and HAY STACKS.

In this post I have included a step by step tutorial for making clothes lines and hay stacks. 

I made these clothes lines back in 2019 for the Chain of Command event at Cancon 2020, a 3 day event focusing on  Early War encounters, unfortunately I forgot to include them in the terrain for the event.
 As scatter terrain adds a bit of interest on the gaming table I thought why not make some common domestic items such as  clothes lines. 

BEF troops rushing thru a French yard with the forgotten washing still on the line.

Here is how I made them, first step is to use 3mm MDF for the base.

Cut out 3 bases  9cm long and 2 cm wide. 

Chamfer the edges with a wood file.

Prepared 6 matches 5cm long for the posts.

Scribed the matches to create wood grains with the edge of a hobby knife.

Drilled 2 holes matching the diameter of the matches.

Superglued them into position.

I raided my wife's sewing box for some thick thread and used the BEF trooper to gauge the correct height for the clothes line. .

Tied both ends.

I applied superglue to the knots and the on the matches to strengthen them.

I wanted to create a bit of realism to the line as if a strong wind was blowing against the soon to be added clothes and that the clothes line appeared to bow. This was achieved by adding super glue along the thread and either leaning a instrument on top of the thread or fixing a temp line to hold it in place while the super glue cured.

Next step, raid my wife's sewing box again for a suitable thread and needle and scavenge some bits of cloth.

I used scissors to cut out  shapes of towels and clothing. 

I used the needle with the thread to sew the cloth onto the line.

Close up image

Used scissors to cut the red thread but not too close to allow for a bit of thread to stick up as this will mimic the pegs. 

Drop some superglue to secure it in place and continue with the rest of the pegs this will help them stand straight up.

Last of all place super glue on the clothing and before it starts to set use a pair of tweezers to create folds in the clothing as if blown by the wind - this step maybe a bit messy and you will get super glue on your finger tips.

Completed clothes line, leave to dry and then proceed to undercoat them and stat the painting process.

I forgot to include images of the clothing baskets I made from Milliput each clothes line has its own distinct basket.

Side view showing how the clothes are responding to the wind.

This must be a strong gust of wind as its also toppled over the clothes basket.

I used Vallejo Model colour paints.

HAY STACKS

I made 6 Hay stacks from Rubberized Horse hair.

BEF troops making there way to the edge of the wheat field.

First step is get hold of some Rubberized Horse hair and cut 6 cubes.

Tease out the fibers with a pair of scissors.

Image showing the teasing out of the fibers.

View of the base trimmed to create a circular base.

Carefully remove fibers from the top portion of the stack to create a tapper. 

Use scissors to help with this process.

It should look something like this.

This is a optional step I carefully opened the stack towards the base and inserted a lead sinker from my fishing gear and resealed it together with hot glue gun. 
I did this to give the hay stack some stability. 

Hay stack ready for the next step.

Prep some toothpicks by creating texture in the top portion of the toothpick.

Paint them.

Insert the toothpick and secure in place with some glue from a hot glue gun.

BEF trooper next to the Hay stack.

A gaming table with 3 Hay stacks located in the recently harvested wheat fields. 

Cheers John 

JAPANESE TYPE 62 MMG, TYPE 93 FLAMETHROWER and TYPE 97 ANTI- TANK RIFLE PART 1

Continuing with my Scratch built Support for my Japanese Platoon. This time I build a Type 62 MMG, Type 93 Flamethrower and a Type 97 Anti-tank rifle. 

I am also putting together the finishing touches to a Japanese Infantry gun and some knee mortars, will post them soon.

Business end of  the Type 62 Machine gun.

Start of the scratch build

I used the LMG in the Infantry box as a basis to build the gun. Lots of sprue bits where used to create the mounting ,the tripod mount was made from spare Lung mine poles 

I  cut down and modify the arms, legs, hands and feet to accommodate a firing position pose. 

The rest of the crew, a bit of modification was carried out on the Loader by raising the front portion of his body and modifying his arm that is reaching out for the ammo.

The loader and crew member spotting for the gun, he is holding binoculars but he is not a Leader.

TYPE 93 FLAMETHROWER

This is a standard kneeling position that comes in the box, I used the arm that is holding the Lung mine from the box , cut away one of the arms and shorten the length of rod to the desired length.
Next step was to angle the right arm by cutting out and reshaping the elbow area and securing it in place. Instruction for making the flame are at: Flame Thrower Tutorial

A paper clip was used to connect the tanks to the weapon.

The tanks are made from plastic sprues rounded off on both side with some sandpaper and green stuff was used for minor additions.

TYPE 97 ANTI-TANK RIFLE 

The Japanese Anti tank gun has a very large crew of 5.

Now this was put together very late in the evening and you can tell its a bit of rush job but I think it serves its purpose imitating a Japanese anti-tank rifle.

A 8th army Perry's plastic anti tank rifle was used as the basis for the gun and bits of green stuff and Milliput was used to give it its rough shape.

The loaders body was modified as per the MMG loader.

For a bit of fun I gave on of the crew a Trumpet.

CHEERS JOHN