Scott, Thanks so much for the words and the link to another build.

I am only using the Tamiya sandbags to build up a bottom layer. I did purchase 30 sandbags from Thachweave that will look very cool as they come empty and you fill them up. I am also going to use that sand bought in most toy stores that is malleable. This way I will be able to replicate rotten sand bags spilling their guts.

I also finally found three sets of IJN infantry. I don't plan on using the figures (if anyone wants to buy a squad, I've got one! )... but I using the arms and helmets as parts of the findings of the "dig". There is at least one machine gun, a katana and a pistol or two that will be part of the dio...

Thanks again for the build log...

Russ, I think I need to add some rough sand to the bottom of the shore before the next pours... I am also going to try my hand at making a starfish or two (since I have the resin... I figure a blob in the middle with five arms wont be that hard... I am going to do them on wax paper sprayed with vegetable oil). I would love to find some crushed sea shells. I searched quite a bit online yesterday for 1/35 scale but fish are sadly lacking.

As far as the trees, I sized the ones on the dunes next to the tank and realized they are way too short... and probably too skinny. I need to visit the local Chinese restaurant to get some cheap chopsticks. Soaking them in water for a day or so and then using the dish dryer to bend them seems to work well. I am using the palm tree tutorial from this forum. I am kind of interested in the rest of the tree but we will see... there are premades but I kind of like the challenge...

Going to add some elements... I built a table today out of toothpicks and finally found the armament I was hoping to use have scattered about the site. The table will have a sifting tray and some artifacts on the table. I am going to think about the barrels around the tree as well...

Thanks for your encouragement... this is fun...

Very cool - didn't know you could buy a product like that! Maybe that will put paid to the time I spent a few years ago painstakingly making my own fillable sandbags out of tissue paper, superglue, and sand - not recommended for those who value productivity relative to time spent at the bench!

Scott

I feel your pain, Scott. I posted here with about techniques to do same and someone hooked me up with Thachweave. The bags are great and will look superb. Check them out. They have lots of cool stuff... and prompt delivery!

Palms trees in the making...





And the water is getting deeper... maybe one more 1/4" pour... maybe...

Looking real good, made a lot of progress. Al

The palm trees are coming along nicely and the water is looking very tropical.

Robert

Very cool lookin palms Patrick this just keeps gettin better .

Lots of good progress here. I love the trees.
J

Coming from you, that's high praise! I've been looking at some of your work here...

Also, my thanks to all who are leaving comments! They keep me moving on...

i really like everything, except the black "stripes" on the palm tree,i think a dark brown would be better

Patrick,
This is really looking good. Just one comment about the wax paper and cardboard dam-- I should have told you this earlier, but you should re-apply the non-stick spray (decanted, with a brush) before every pour. If the wax paper does stick to the Enviro-tex, don't worry, just use an iron or a small propane torch on low setting to apply a little heat to the wax paper and it should peel right off, then you can use a little alcohol on a rag to get any residue off. Make sure your "water" is fully cured before you do this. Hopefully, you won't have any sticking paper, but it does happen occasionally. Also, if there was any "leaking" around the edges, you can use sandpaper to sand it off. If you happen to scratch the Enviro-tex, just polish it out with successive grits and you can re-apply a thin layer of Enviro-tex with a brush to blend it. I'm awaiting the finished project-- it looks great so far!
VR, Russ

Thanks... a dry brushing of brown might be a good idea to tone down the black. I'll give it a look!

I appreciate the suggestion!

Somehow by sister captured the exact look I hope to replicate...

Trying to get some progress... the figure is just for perspective and maybe an idea. I have a dozen figures... need to see if they can be modified into archaeologists... or historians. What does an historian look like? LOL!

Any idea who might make a generic 80's era photographer and crowd 1/35th figures?

This is looking really good every time I see it. As for Archaeologists or bystanders, might I suggest the Dragon 8th Army artillery crew, or the newer Dragon German Afrika Corps tank crew (though most of the tank crew are sitting) These figures are mostly shirtless, and would make good workers in a tropical environment. Nice photo by your sister-- it reminds me of a very similar stretch of beach outside the Hotel Honiara on Guadalcanal that looks almost like her photo. I still have a nice piece of coral that washed up on the beach on the second morning I was on Guadalcanal. By the way, I wouldn't leave too much, if any paint on the vehicle-- it would be mostly rust by the 1980s. In 1989, when I was on Guadalcanal, we came across several vehicles (mostly US) abandoned either in the jungle or on the beach. There really wasn't much paint left after exposure to the elements 40+ years later. We tried to pry the fender off an AMTRAC near Hell's Point (old Ammo Dump), but left when the salt water crocodiles started to stir! VR, Russ

Thanks for the input,Russ. I will probably be stripping a lot of that paint off with a variety of methods. Since it is a junker, I didn't figure getting the paint exact would matter...

I really like how the Dragon kits rely on good fit and pressure especially on the wheels. Just one little mistake but it will be hidden so no big deal...

I do a lot of test fitting as I go just to think so little by little... the green ground cover is actually very fine cilantro!

Thanks for all your good advice and comments.

Patrick.

I think the idea of any shirtless figure,specially wearing short pants,is a sound one. Miniart have several as does Tamiya I think? Also,have you given any thought to using a dremel to cut off about a quarter from the bottom of the vehicles' hull? This will make it sit down in the sand a nice way right from the start? I think after 40 plus years it would have settled quite a bit?

J

As most archaeologists are not the physical type, I am not sure about going with the shirtless man or the scantily clad woman either (I just threw that in...)

Hmmm... never thought of the "settled in look" but that would imply sandy soil all the way back... I might cut off a couple of bogies on the off side from the broken track to tilt it... that would be cool... may be halfway up the bogies... I like the idea because angles indicate motion which creates interest... good idea!

First thing is to get through NASCAR weekend in two weeks, then Dremel tool is very high on list of must haves... I had one at one time years ago but lost it in the big move to CA.

I love these ideas... keep them coming! I will give credit where it is due!

Patrick-- you must be going for the coke-bottle eyes kinda Archaeologist! I have a cousin who's an Archaeologist in Greece right now, he's six-one and 195lbs! You might look at the British 8th Army or Africa Corps figures wearing shorts with tunics then. The sun is very hot in the tropics, and sunburned skin is no fun. We never wore shorts on duty, but I sure would have liked to do so on a number of occasions! VR, Russ

Great progress so far! I think Russ's idea of using some DAK figures has a lot of merit, particularly from a clothing perspective. When watching some of those NatGeo or Discovery type shows with desert or beach locales, the people are often wearing shirts and/or pants that could have come from an Army surplus store. Plus, you'd have options as to colors. As to camera/s you may have to scratch something, but even there, you could just have one or two people using their cellphones.

I was thinking of putting a path up the hill where a photographer would standing...

Patrick, a photographer would be great visual interest-- but I had a crazy idea-- how about one of your archaeologists dressed in a leather jacket, tan-grey fedora pulled down over his eyes, with a bullwhip attached to the belt on one hip and a leather revolver holster on the other. Maybe studying an ancient parchment map? Just a thought-- It would be a great conversation piece with a little comic twist! VR, Russ