Hi Al,
You probably have plenty of weapons already, but if you need more SMLE rifles, Stokes mortars, Vickers guns, ammo boxes, and picks and shovels, the Airfix WWII British Infantry Support Group has a lot of such things. They are little different from those used in WWI except for a few details. You can save the soldiers, the Sten guns, and radios for other purposes.
The scale is 1:32, but the difference is barely noticeable, the kits are cheap, and the detail isn't bad.
The main explosive used in the tunnels was Ammonal, but I haven't found any pictures of how it was packaged. Perhaps the Imperial War Museum can help. Ammonal was hygroscopic and always packed in tins or rubberized containers, and I've seen references to 50 pound boxes.
With a lot of wood crates on hand, you might expect to see small fires and improvised stoves made from tins for brewing tea and heating rations.
Somewhere I recall seeing an idealized diagram of a trench layout which had a large notch cut into the lip on one side which held an enormous ball of barbed wire called a stopper. It was intended to be pulled down to block the trench in the event of an enemy raid, giving the defenders time to respond.
I'm anxiously awaiting the end result.
Cheers,
Dick

Hi Dick,

Thanks for the thoughts. I'm OK for weapons, boxes etc although most I have need rope handles added. I need to check at what point the Lewis Gun came into issue but given the mix of gas masks I have had to use and the working nature of the trench, plus the trench mortar, this one might be better renamed 'All Quiet On the Western Front'.

I have a picture of troops around a brazier similar to the type I've got, but just need to add a couple of handles. Hopefully the empty crates will make up for the lack of mortar bombs.

It occurred to me that getting the bombs to the mortar must have been a job and a half as everything needed to be man handled for the last part of the journey to the front line.

I do like the idea of some walking wounded so I'm leaning towards a Regimental Aid Post for the bunkers purpose.

Cheers

Al

Yo Alan,

Nice update mate....i love to see howe you puts things togheter in this diorama..

Keep up!

Greetz Nico

Can't believe I've missed this thread! amazing work so far! what sandbags did you use for the trench walls? they look familiar

Keep up the good work!

Ric

Where are you hiding Alan?

Hi folks,

Apologies for the late reply I've been working on some other campaign projects.

Nico, Thanks for looking in.

Ric, the sandbag sections came from Model Cellar.

Murdo, as above I've been working on a couple of vehicles for the 'Get Em Done' Campaign and very busy at work at the moment so not as much modelling time. Clocks ticking though!

Cheers guys.

Al

Alan: as always, very nice work! This dio continues to get better and better and will likely be worthy of display in a museum of WWI, particularly with the different aspects of trench life being shown. That being said, I still fear for the safety of the sentry. I'd hate for some Jerry sharpshooter to pick him off! Keep up the great work and I look forward to seeing the next installment.

Happy Modeling, -zon

Hi Zon,

Many thanks. I had hoped to have it finished for 11.11.12 but not sure I'll make that date. A lot on at work at present, so progress is at a stand still.

I take your point about the sentry, but in some respects I'm not too concerned as his stance is the iconic one often used in War Memorials and I'd like to capture that. His location is at a gas OP, which might have a roof and bell or just a bell on a post. When I get the WOT3 built it will clear a little more work space as it's too crowed at the moment with half finished projects.

Cheers

Al

Alan, Impressive amount of eqpt to say the least! Keep it coming, Thanks Dave

Alan: I agree on the Sentry's pose. I'm just thinking a couple more sandbags! However, I also understand your time constraints and pressures. Model on!!

Happy Modeling, -zon

Hi Dave,

Thanks for looking in, yes lots of kit and debris to add yet.

Hi Zon,

I did dig a small pit into the hill so he will stand a little lower when it's finally done.

Cheers folks.

Al

Hi folks,

Been a while since I got a chance to do much on this one. Started doing a bit more wiring, added some posts for more height got some ladders and started on the corrugated iron sheeting I want to add to a small section of the trench. Also started on the Gas bell.









Only a few pics as I lost the light.

Cheers

Al

That is looking superb Alan,
J

Always superb work Alan!
Phil.

Fantastic work Alan. It just gets better and better.

Hi Jerry, Phil and Darren,

Thanks for dropping in and the comments. Just working on a skeleton at the moment for atop the mine. It's the Verlinden one with the partially clothed body.

Cheers

Al

Still following yours, and still impressed too! Very inspiring for me as I try to complete my first campaign. Dave

Alan: impressive as always. I love the sign post! I don't think you can have a proper war time base without one. Keep up the great work.

Happy Modeling, -zon

Hi Alan,

Very good groundwork!
Good idea also to "not" raise the side of the borders to the level of the top ground and "boxing" in your trenches.

Greets

Claude

Hi Dave, Zon and Claude,

Thanks for looking in and the comments, appreciated.

Some small progress: Added the skeleton,bit more wor here, some grenade boxes and stores. Working on some stuff for the bunker.








Cheers

Al

Every update brings more cool details. Wouldn't the corpse be a stinker though? Right next to the trench and all?
J

Hi Jerry,

Thanks, the rats have already stripped it to the bone!

Cheers

Al

Hey Alan, this has been fun watching you put this one together. Speaking of rats, if you need some, I have some from plus models I can give you just to add some more daily horror to your dio. Just P/M me with an add. and I can ship them out to you on Monday. bob d.

Hi Bob,

Very kind of you. PM on route.

Cheers

Al

Ah yes!! Reminds me of a similar scene I witnessed in Iraq after the Desert Storm was over,only dogs were involved.
J