The base was 50mm building insulation foam. This is solid, close grained and easily cut. And, crucially, as this was to be a model of the iconic crevasse photo, when fractures, it looks just like ice. The models was placed and the crevasse was drawn to match the real photos. It was then cut with a long blade and parts snapped off until the shape resembled the real thing. Additional blocks were cyano glued back on for the overhangs.
The model's track sponson trenches were cut out, and the model eventually assumed the correct position, slightly leaned over, with the front right sponson almost vertical against the opposite wall of the crevasse, where it was as the snow bridge collapsed beneath it opening up a 100 ft deep chasm!
The snow was then applied using AK Models 'Snow Effects' acrylic paste. This can be thinned with water to make it flow, or left to create snow blocks. Remember, the Antarctic is basically desert conditions, there is no liquid water, so little ice would form unless heated up at least some 140c above the ambient temperatures. This means that the snow would behave like sand. Blown off the vehicle but getting packed into all the cracks.
The model was partially pained with the snow on the track sponsons, then placed. Snow was then 'painted' and sculpted to make it look sunk in. The distinctive Adele penguin tracks were also made! Finally, microballoons were dusted over the tracks and brushed into the cracks as per the real photos.
Thanks!
Gordon
