I am scratchbuilding a cobblestone street scene, and I have a question for the experts-
should there be "manhole covers" present in the street? If so, what do they look like in Europe? Are there any photo referneces or links available?
All help is greatly appreciated!

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Robert

Hi,

Coblestone streets have manholes covers on the sewer systems. They are normally round ones and I've seen some on AM companies. I will try to find them and will post there links to you.


HTH

boosahmr, what are you using to make the cobblestone?

There's no such thing as a standard European manhole. They are different in every country, if not in every city. They often carry the city name on them. The color is always the same : a dark brownish metal. Some are round, others are round lids in a square setting. I've no idea what they looked like in 1940, though I'd not be surprised if they are the same that are still in the streets.
They are generally under the sidewalks, not under the street.

In smaller streets, you may also find a square "grating / grid" made of welded metal rods. Is saw quite a few of these in france and holland.

I am using lentils for the cobblestones....I started with several rows of two-sided carpet tape, very sticky stuff....next, placed the lentils (one by one, VERY tedious). When that was done, I got some spackle, ready-mixed, with very little moisture, so the lentils would not absorb water. I pressed the spackle into place around the lentils, like mortar, and cleaned off as much as I wanted to before it dried. I sprayed a coat of acrylic primer, and I am now beginning painting...several shades of grays, browns, black and white. I am just experimenting until I think it looks right. I will try to put up a photo of the street when I am done. Thanks for the help- I have found a few neat websites with examples of manhole coves and sewer gratings. I am scratchbuilding those as well.

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Robert

I'm very interested in seeing the results Mind sharing the links you found for the street refs?

Here is a link that will show you all about making cobblestone streets form lentils
http://fp.docdio.f9.co.uk/page/cobblestones.htm