Hi all,
For a Vietnam Basecamp diorama project, I needed 4 cots and decided to make them on my own. First, I learned dimensions of the original product and converted to 1/35 scale.


I used 1x1 mm square polystrene strips, a cutter to have sharp edges but modelling knife can do the same and CA glue. I cut 4 types of strips ;
(A)54 mm in length - 2 pieces for long sides
(B)18 mm in length - 5 pieces for short sides (Head&Foot) and long legs
(C)8 mm in length - 3 pieces for folding upper short legs
(D)7 mm in length - 3 pieces for folding lower short legs


1.I started by making the side with long legs. I assembled 3(B) pieces to (A).


2.I made the side with upper short legs. Legs of both parts have to meet each other correctly. Instead of taking milimetric measurements, I used the method on the photo. Put the side with long legs on a base, and glue short legs at the same level.


3.I added head side to long legs.I glued legs diagonally approximately in 45 degrees to the head side. To avoid big mistakes, you may control the height of the cot from the base should be about 13 or 15mm.


4.Side with upper short legs added. I glued them diagonally approximately in 40 degrees to long legs. No need for serious measurements, find the center of the long leg and glue short leg a little lower. This step needs some extra care as short legs have to meet long ones. Don’t try to glue all at once, first glue it to head side and one of the long legs, then glue the other two legs one by one.


5.I added the foot side.


6.Adding lower short legs also needs some extra care. Lower short legs do NOT meet upper legs at the same plane due to folding function. Glue them carefully a little upper as in sketch. Note that ends of the short legs should be at the same level with long legs. Don’t worry for minor level problems. They can be solved when you sand ends of legs to give them a round shape.


Now the frame is ready. I plan to add some details like metal hinges and bolts at this stage.


Meanwhile, I made a 1/35 scale template for canvas/nylon bed. I am trying to find the correct material. Cotton fabric medical tape, thin copper foil or manifold paper softened in PVA glue.


Waiting for your critics and suggestions.
best regards
Engin

Very cool! Looking forward to seeing more.

—mike

Amazing! Looking forward to the future updates, Happy Holidays!

Great start. Looking forward to the hinge details.

As for the canvas part, I would go with thin copper or lead foil. The canvas on the real cot looks very tight, so these materials could be just what you're looking for.

Mario

PS I'm interested in your cutter. Can you tell me where you found it and can it cut in different angles?

Bro... it can cut in different angles, here is the catalogue. Mine is the one at the top. I found it in a hobby shop here by chance years ago. Price label tells 22.99 USD and now it is 34.95, really long years. See dealers at homepage.
keep safe

Thanks. I've been thinking of getting one of these Choppers for a long time. Perhaps I need to take the plunge, this thing seems to be perfect for scratchbuilding.

Mario

I really like what you are doing with this cot. I've been wanting to do some basecamp scenes, but did not have the cots to make them a reality. Thanks for figuring it out. I am going to have to try this out.

Excellent job so far. I am very interested in seeing the final result.

Cheers!
James

This is cool! Thank you for sharing. I will be following. Question on the covering... is the silkspan and dope an option? Seems like with the right dope, it will not warp and will be thin and tight. Reference video here talks about the options and tools...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=3nC-LEeBE-w

Thanks all for the comments. Silkspan seems a good option too,it worths to try.
best regards
Engin

Hi Engin,

Thanks for the useful data how to make these bad beds.
Still remembering the awfull nights on these beds! For some reason, they were just too small for a 1,98 m soldier!

Cool project,nicely done!!
J

It might be too thick for beds but I often use dried out wet wipes for fabric as it has a good scale texture. Great work on the cots so far.

Thanks all for your comments.
I made a few trials for the material to cover the frame and decided masking tape will be a good choice. Easy to cut, foldable, self-adhesive and can be painted in acrylics.
Your opinions will be appreciated. TIA.
Engin

Clever. Those look great!

Nice scratchbuild! Any progress pics of your base camp.

Wow! Looks great! Good job

Thanks for your comments.
Some progress... I rounded leg ends, added hinges and bolt heads. frame is ready for painting.

It's always great to see some scratchbuilding. I look forward to seeing this dio develop.