Hi folks,

Inspired by the Great War campaign, I've decided to have a go at build a trench dio. I attemptewd to build one of these many, many years ago using fairly badly converetd Tamiya German Infantry. It has long been consigned to the bin but WW1 is also and sujject area that interests me, perhaps because it was maily an infantrymans war fought on courage and fear in the most appauling circumstances.

Anyway as the campaign is due to finish on the 11/11/1212 I thought I'd have a go at doing a slightly better job this time.

One main peoblem with WW1 is the almost complete lack of 1/35 scale figure subjects, especially British/Commonwealth troops. I had thought about switching scale for this one but that would bring it's own problems and I doubt I could manage anything much smaller.


Anyway, this is plan A

An OP on a slightly raised piece of ground, switching to some 'caves' the soldiers have dug out moving to a Sap for an MG or Lewis Gun position. Some basic trenching with a fire step leading to more caves and an Officers dugout. Just behind the line and leading off a small communications trench I though I'd set up an aid post of some sort.

From the pictures I've studies some parts of the trench system were quite well developed whilst other parts were little more than scrap holes. Bits would be destroyed and generally the place was pretty much a mess.

Anyway I got the play dough out this morning to get some idea of layout/ size etc, etc.

The OP would be top left on riased ground: Next to it some caves and a Sap.

The basic layout:





I have one figure built already, this one is an old Warriors figure I got through Squadron.



plus two others of unknown origin I did for the Over the Top Campaign who might work.



Cheers

Al

Off to a good Start Alan

Looking good Alan!

That wee figgie in shirt sleeves... You have no idea where you got it? I could do with a couple of these.

http://www.milminwh.com/masterclub_ww1_p1.htm
WWI 1/35th scale figures galore. These guys are very good to deal with and some good prices. I will look around as there is another site that has some of the best 1/35 WWI figs around. I bought a bunch several years ago and they are excellent. Can't recall the name but will seach my stash for details.

Alan, can't locate that site yet on the cool figs but will check again. Found this great site:
http://wwimodeller.co.nz/survival-of-the-fittest-54mm-vignette/comment-page-1/#comment-30
Click on left icons for some terrific photos.
Ironmike
I might have to get some of these figures myself.

Alan: off to a great start. I look forward to seeing how this develops. Good luck on finding figs.

Happy Modelling, -zon

Alan,
ICM came out with two nice WWI figures sets, and they aren't too bad actually.
ICM35291
ICM35301
http://figure.scale-model-kits.com/products/British-infantry--1917-1918-ICM35301.html
Ironmike

Hi Pat

Thanks, this should be fun.

Hi Murdo

On the two figs sorry I got them from a £1.00 box at a show on Milton Keynes a few years back. There was no indication of who made them just two figs in a plastic bag. There was a 1/2 part fig with them in mechanics overalls.

This was the cover art





I'm converting a Great North Roads figure at the moment Murdo. It's a fairly simple conversion, I'll post a pic and he might work for you.


Hi Mike,

Master Club have Germans, Russian, Austro Hungarians, France but not a Brit in sight in 1/35 scale I could find!

Thanks anyway.

Modell Cellar have 4 British/Commonwealth Troops that look pretty good but they are currently OOP.

The ICM figs don't fit with what i have in mind. I could probably use the officer.

I've seen a couple of Lewis Gunners but they seem a bit static.

Hi Zon,

Thanks


Cheers guys.

Al

Hi Murdo,

This is the great North Road figure I started to convert last night. I believe he is also available through Sovereign.

Not to difficult a conversion, removed the map and front pockets, filed down the lower trouser legs and added long putties made from tissue paper. He's a bit iof a string bean so I added some bulk to his thights and backside and a Hornet head.


He's designed to be leaning on a spade having a chat and a smoke. I have similar plans for the Resicast Mechanic.





Alternatively I was chatting with Ian from Friendship Model.
He has 4 x British WW1 Tank Crewmen. I have asked him for some pics of the other crew but here's a sample he sent me. Made in white metal this one depicts a standing tanker drinking from a wine bottle with his left leg resting on something.



These chaps might suit you perfectly as he's wearning the canvas/chainmail face mask on his chest. Don't kow the poses of the other 3 yet.

Cheers

Al

Icm do some but I was always unsure of whether they were hard plastic or not. If you are looking for any info on ww1 mining operations for the sap I may be able to help. My father and I have been doing a lot of research on this at the Royal Engineers library amongst other places.


Paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks. Feel free to add in anything you thik might be useful. I'm basing the dio on a number of pictures I've referenced from IWM. The battle of the Somme lasted from July to November, really a series of Battles. Many of the trenches were no more than a 2ft wide hole dug into the ground to varying depths, whilst others were wider and better developed although all provided pretty appauling living conditions. I hope to capture a number of these elements in the one scene. The destruction varies from picture to picture depending on the time frame.


Soldiers were constantly digging whether to improve the trenches or dig new ones or block off captured trenches so a couple of chaps in shirt sleeve order with spades wouldn't seem amiss.

Food/drink was also high on the agenda and they would have taken any opportunity to eat and have a drink of some sort.

I'be been reading an excellent book by the late EPF Lynch (Somme Mud)which is an excellent insight into daily trench life and the things they got up to.

Thanks all help will be appreciated.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

This is the Great North Roads figure with some paint on.









Al

Alan it is really nice to see a WW1 diorama being constructed. It is looking very promising right now and I wish you the best of luck with it!

Thanks Karl,

It will be an interesting one to try and do.

Al

Excellent work Alan.

Garth

Great start Alan. I have one of the Model Cellar sets in my stash (I had both but sold one off), that I wasnt planning to get rid of, but I my stash is larger than I will ever be able to finish and I just picked up eight new figures this weekend at a show that ended yesterday, PM if interested I am sure we can work something out.

Hi Garth,

Thanks.

Matthew,

PM on route.

Cheers

Al

Eneing folks,

This is another figure I'm working on a young British Officer. The body is an old Tamiya German soldier with the boots removed and replaced. Added some shirt and collar detail, a strap for the Sam Brown, belt buckle and some long putties. Bulked out his lower jacket pockets.

Ways to go yet.

Al

Looking good Alan.

paul

Just as a breif note.. my great grandfather was a tunneller and a sapper in the RE dcuring WW1 hence the family intrest, from what he had told my father it seems he was involved in the mining work that flattened the Messine ridge.

paul

Hi Paul,

Thanks. Got a good bit done this evening and hope to finish him off tomorrow.

Cheers

Al

Hi folks,

A bit more porgress on the officer. Added an ammo pouch, head, lanyard for the pistol, made a respirator to fit over his head and a cane for him to carry.









Al

Here he is with his cane and gas mask.









Al

A very good source of figures and accessories for WW1 dioramas... http://www.scalelink.co.uk/acatalog/World_War_One_1_32_scale___Grande_Guerre.html

Hi James,

Interesting link. A great range of 1/32 scale stuff.

Al

Hi Murdo,

Check your PMs.

Al