Trench Detailing

 Next installment from master-trench-scenery-maker-extraordinaire Dave Russell

Dave often makes small jigs to help with mass production, oh... and his children sometimes too :)

Adding minor details to the trench walls

As always figures used here and there to test scale

Liberal use of PVA glue, which works really well with the Crazy Clay

Two 30 man infantry platoons in roughly a 100 yard stretch of trench, CD does break down here a little at times as the maximum view along a trench is 2"or 100 yards, though sensible house rules usually negate this problem well enough

Nice little details like this give the trench system a bit more of a realistic appearance 

I think these doors may have been liberated from the Pegasus Russian Farm House set?

Coloured, textured and manned

Dave's trench setup is way more detailed than mine, and about twice the size. You can see a picture of my full layout here http://20thcenturywargames.blogspot.com.au/2009/10/demo-game-actual.html

Hope these couple of posts have inspired any WW1 wargamers to have a crack at some trenches of their own. They can be a little difficult to create but they really do change the level of detail and variety to can achieve with your games. If you look through the 'Games'label on this site you will find a few more examples of our games and the trenches we use

Trench Building 101

Now pay attention trench students, Professor Dave has prepared a lesson for you!

Routed MDF

Rolled Crazy-Clay for making sandbags

Checked for scale

Glued into place

Checked again. This is a 30 man platoon occupying a 50 yard stretch of trench

Individual sandbags have been cut to add an extra level of detail...

Which are then placed at random intervals to achieve the desired effect

Front and rear corner section

Machinegun platoon in a 'T'section of trench

Joined

Raised an extra level in places, again for effect

Checked for height scale

Ready for detailing

Copious amounts of sawdust (Dave's other job is at a mill)

After drying

Ground detailing begins

Cheap water colour paints are used 

Bourbon and Cola cans for scale purposes 

The paint is literally slapped on, as this adds to the eventual effect

Dry-brushed finish

Stay tuned for his next lesson, after which there will be a test :)