Another project on which I am working at is the recreation of one of the Casemates of the Gun Battery at Longues-sur-Mer, defined by the Germans as Wiederstandsnest (Defense position) 48 or simply WN48.
Here are actual pictures of the Bunker I have taken as a blueprint for my own recreation.
As you could see I referred to pictures of the front, the rear and top of that bunker (I believe it to be the 3rd of the four existing there).
Now, seeking a fine reproduction of the same. I only found two in 1/35 scale on the market and both were just prototypes of the actual ones at Longues.
The only one worth considering was the one from Masterpiece Models, which also sold the Naval 150mm Gun turret and Gun.
To my utter disappointment they were both wrong for my purpose but I bought them anyway.
Here are the depictions of the Boxes and actual built models by other modelers. You will immediately notice the huge differences between the boxed model and the actual one.
As you could see the roof is completely wrong and there is no rear wall protections to its entrance. The only correct part is the front of it.
My immediate impression of the model itself was that the interior was completely wrong and that the parts made out of resin foam (light weight) were completely misaligned and flimsy.
I therefore decided that I could easily do without the interior since all I needed was a very clear view of the exterior structure and the Gun itself.
To make it solid and more sturdy I filled all the interiors with plaster and did the same to the outer walls except for the rooftop that had to be completely redesigned.
I also had to reinforce the walls with plaster cloth and that then covered with a resin modeling paste mixed with plaster powder.
Here are just a few pictures of the beginning of my ordeal.
The Gun and Gun turret you have seen in the previous pictures were not from Masterpiece Models, since those were all of the wrong shape and the length of the Gun was also wrong.
I therefore had to dish up more money to buy the correct one from a French Store called PN Sud modellisme which sold the correct reproduction of the turret and gun, including open shutters for the gunners to have a clear vision outside.
This is the said model:
I then proceeded to sawing away the wrong contour of the roof and flattened it by sanding it completely flat. Furthermore I proceeded to apply the necessary parapets in front and on the rear of the rooftop.
The front was modeled with air drying clay modeled by hand and the rear with hard foam dipped into plaster and modeling paste.
The same was performed to scratch build the massive protective rear entrance wall with a reinforcement with plaster cloth.
The side stone relief reproduction was made by pressing a rectangular piece of wood into the foam and then covering it all with plaster.
Here are the pictures of that work:
Now on my painting bench on my terrace it is awaiting a preliminary painting job..
Its cousin in 1/72 scale is also waiting, also acquired from PN Sud Modellisme, for a nice hand of filler and an appropriate painting. This one though did not require any further work and came in all the correct detailing parts.
I also scratch built an iron door for the rear entrance to the Bunker. Remains to apply the square niches on the front face of the roof, air vents to the rear, and hooks and rings planted into the frontal and rear parapets.
The roof will be filled with terrain and vegetation.
), there’s no doubt that I will have to mess the bunker up after having paint it throughly and correctly. So, yes, I will not only weathering it, but prior to that give it various washes of Black, Brown, Earth and even Olive Green to simulate various natural effects on it, like sooth, dirt, dust, mold and grime. I will also add some rust stains to the following applications of the hooks and rings holding the frontal camouflage net.
Stikpusher,… in my living room, of course, and wait until you will get to see my next project. The second landing on Omaha Beach between Fox Green and Easy Red. That one will indeed be an ordeal and a half. 