SEARCH FINESCALE.COM

Enter keywords or a search phrase below:

Sandbags and bunkers

3138 views
12 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    April 2004
Sandbags and bunkers
Posted by BigDuke634 on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 10:12 AM
You all might have covered this subject before, but what is an inexpensive way to make sandbags? Also how about an inexpensive way to make a heavy machine gun bunker? I saw a good one on the Michigan Toy Soldiers website{Formtech FT9099} and would like to try and make something of that line. Any suggestions?
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:11 AM
For sandbags I use modeling clay. Just roll the clay out into long ropes of an appropriate thinkness for the scale of figures/models you're building, then cut the rope into 'sandbag' lengths. While the clay is still soft start stacking them up into whatever design you want, then sit back and let it dry. Once it's dry I usually seal the whole thing with a light coat of white glue, then paint the whole thing a dark brown. From there start adding lighter colour layers until you're happy with the end result.

For concrete bunkers I use foamcore. Build the basic design of the bunker our of pieces of foamcore, then apply a very light layer of poly filler (or something like that) to simulate the rough texture of concrete and smooth out the joints between pieces a little. Once everything is dry base coat it with a dark grey colour and start dry brushing on lighter colours until you're happy with the appearence.
  • Member since
    January 2003
Posted by shermanfreak on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 2:16 PM
I use much the same procedure as described above, but use 2 part epoxy putty to make the sandbags.
Happy Modelling and God Bless Robert
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 2:46 PM
HI,

I've got some bunker's pictures (taken in France) if you need....
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by philp on Tuesday, April 13, 2004 11:31 PM
Pierre,
Are they from Normandy. Would love to see them.
Always wanted to do a series of Atlantic Wall dios.
Phil Peterson IPMS #8739 Join the Map http://www.frappr.com/finescalemodeler
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Wednesday, April 14, 2004 2:01 AM
Hi,

Not from Normandy but Bretagne. But you know it's the same one ! They are also bunkers from Atlantic Wall !
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by philp on Saturday, April 17, 2004 2:21 AM
Pierre,
Thanks for the pics, I will post here when they are online.
Phil Peterson IPMS #8739 Join the Map http://www.frappr.com/finescalemodeler
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Green Lantern Corps HQ on Oa
Posted by LemonJello on Saturday, April 17, 2004 7:02 AM
You could do what I did, and make actual mini-sandbags with model railroad ballast and tissue paper. I only made a couple dozen, and it sounds like you'd need a LOT more than that for your project, but I thought I'd give you another option besides the clay and/or epoxy putty. Once you dip the sandbags in a white glue/paint mixture and let them dry in place, they harden up just fine.
A day in the Corps is like a day on the farm; every meal is a banquet, every paycheck a fortune, every formation a parade... The Marine Corps is a department of the Navy? Yeah...The Men's Department.
  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: USA
Posted by philp on Thursday, April 22, 2004 4:25 PM
Pierre,
The pics are now posted in our Gallery. You can check them out at
http://www.ipmsslc.com/photo/index.php?cat=17
Phil Peterson IPMS #8739 Join the Map http://www.frappr.com/finescalemodeler
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Monday, April 26, 2004 2:11 PM
OK Philip,

I'll send you the others as soon as I can !Tongue [:P]
  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 2:12 PM
If you would like to do a sandbag bunker, I find that Balsa or Spruce pieces make great timber for support beams. Corrugated tin roofing can be made from putty rolled thin and then shaped with your favorite putty shaping device. It turns out pretty nice if you take yor time.
  • Member since
    February 2004
  • From: Connecticut, East of the River
Posted by tlivancso on Tuesday, April 27, 2004 7:20 PM
To make sandbags I like to use the modeling clay method, but I use a piece of cloth with a tight mesh to lightly press down on the clay while it is still soft to give it that burlap texture. Then I take a razor saw and go around the perimeter of the bag pressing lightly to create the seam of the bag. Let dry, seal and paint and weather..


Cheers
Thom

IPMS Member #42958 /  AMPS Member #2091

IPMS Central Connecticut (President)

IPMS Northeast Military Modelers Association (Web Master)

Like Alice "I try to believe in three impossible things before breakfast"

  • Member since
    November 2005
Posted by Anonymous on Thursday, April 29, 2004 2:12 PM
I recently picked up a referance that has plans for several types of German bunkers and will soon be starting on doing these in CAD format. Might be of use to someone other than me.
Will post as I complete them.
JOIN OUR COMMUNITY!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

SEARCH FORUMS
FREE NEWSLETTER
By signing up you may also receive reader surveys and occasional special offers. We do not sell, rent or trade our email lists. View our Privacy Policy.