Well guys, here’s a winter dio I did.
Set-up: Flak crew just finished sprucing up the gun with some white wash. In a moment of mischevious fun they look to their mascot for help and try to coax him in to helping, or do they want to camoflage him?[}:)][;)]
The ground is the celluclay/palster mix. This was textrued with sand and small rocks then things like vehicle ruts, foot prints, and other features were impressed, into the soft surface before it set-up along with some debris that would be covered by some mud. The puddles are a two part resin. Grass is frayed cisal rope and the trees and logs are tree roots. Once dry it was painted with acrylics and then covered with a gloss to give it that wet feel. The wall embankment was built up using mdf and then covered with boards ripped down from alder (a good scale wood effect). Figures and gun are Tamiya 1/35. Straps for the machine gun and rifles as well as for the gas masks were made from painted paper and shaped to look like they were drooping etc. Boxes were scratchbuilt from wood. Snow was added and is baking soda.
The platform itself is MDF, which machines nicely and is stable as well as resistant to movement after finished. It can be faux painted to look like anything from wood to marble. And because its heavier than wood it makes a nice base for just about anything.
Thats an awesome dio, mike. I really like the idea for the dio too. Where did you find the dog figure??
And also, how much does the MDF cost you generally?
Thanks Oracle,
The dog came with the Tamiya figure set “German Field Briefing” As I have two shepards of my own, I can sympathize with these guys.
MDF runs about $10 a 4’x8’ sheet of 3/4". It is commonly available in 1/4", 1/2", 5/8" and 3/4". I’m sure it comes in other thicknesses but those seem to be the most popular at the Depot or Lowes.
Great looking dio Mike … love the dirty knees. Winter unifrom camo can be one of the hardest to reproduce and I think you did a great job. The stove is a great addition to this scene.
MDF - Medium Density Fiberboard. Its a very dense celluloid fibre board usually used in cabinet building and some furniture and building applications. It machines rather well, is heavier than comparable plywood, stable because it has no grain and is inexepensive. It can be found in most home improvement centers and or lumber yards. Comes in varying thicknesses as well. For bases it works really nice because it will not warp or crack over time, takes a nice decorative edge from a router, is heavy so it provides a stable platform, and is smooth so it makes a nice finish. With faux painting it can be made to look like any type of material from wood to metal.
I painte a mixture of white glue and water onto the areas I wanted the snow. Then I sprinkled the baking soda onto those area. After it was dry I took my airbrush and blew off the excess.
There have been a few that have had some problems with the baking soda discoloring or absorbing humidity and reacting. I have not had this problem (and I live close to the ocean and on an island between two saltwater lagoons so I can attest to the problems of humidity) and will definately keep an eye on this. Just as a precaution though I think I will switch over to talcum powder or very fine gypsum.
It may be a case of other environmental factors that caused their problem but if it saves me some heartache later it would be worth the switch.
