Hello fellow modelers,
Adding a simple base to a build not only enhances the presentation, but it also adds realism. Like capturing a snapshot of a moment in time. It also provides you something to hold during examination when you don't necessarily want to touch your model. Knock off a radiator flap on that Hasegawa 109 much?? Been there done that.
Anyways, I get alot of questions and comments on my display bases so I figured I would finally do a tutorial on how I do them. Each build gets one and its fairly easy. On my last build, a P-51 B, I decided to document the process. Here's how I do it:
We start with a simple pine plaque that can be bought at a craft store. I get them at a place called Pat Catan's for like 2 bucks each. I pre-stain all of mine in this nice oak brown by Minwax, but any stain or paint will do. It's time for a border for the groundwork. I like a 1/4 inch space between the ground and the beveled edge. Lay down some cheap masking tape on a clean flat surface (I use this mirror) then use the edge of the plaque as a cutting template and work your way around (see picture...you'll get the idea)...
See......about a 1/4 inch...
Repeat and work your way around until you get here...
Now we have our barrier protecting the edges. Unless you like a messy bench, grab the box top to your now built model (or any flat box) and put the plaque in it. This is now your work area and will catch any terrain that doesn't stick (more on that soon)...
Now were getting to the fun part. Get some white glue (I use good old Elmer's) and with an old wide paint brush, lay it down covering the entire surface thusly.
Now for the secret...real dirt. I keep all different kinds in these little cups (like Tom Sizemore in Saving Private Ryan). I even have sand for African or tropical venues. Shake it on then turn the base on its side so the excess falls off. Leave those pebbles on there, it adds to the effect.
Heres why we need the box top. Be sure to dump the excess back into the cup for later use.
This is optional, but I like tire ruts in the ground, to simulate the plane landing and then coming to rest after a sortie. Afterall, I am trying to capture a moment in time. Use an old paintbrush handle and carve the tire marks into the wet glue/dirt (be sure they match your plane's wheelbase).
You can add more glue and dirt as needed, depending how pronounced you want the tracks. Here I added more glue and dirt which causes the tracks to swell a bit. I like the effect.
Time to break it up a little bit. Were gonna replicate some grass which was common on European airfields. In the desert or tropics, we may just have sand. Its up to you. Here we add more glue and dab it down thusly..
I use Woodland Scenics Railroad grass. I got mine at my local hobby store years ago and have several textures and shades. I think the "Fine Turf" is good for 1/48 scale. I use their "Burnt Grass" sometimes too, which has more brown in it. Sprinkle it on, shake excess off, pour back into container....
It should come out like this. Don't worry about glue showing through, when the glue dries you won't see it. Now run that brush handle through the grass too...
Now its time to make it more three dimesional. I use a "Course Turf" and add it sporadically on the grass, to simulate taller weeds or grass. I just press it into the still wet glue. Shake off excess....recycle.
Sometimes I like to fade out the grass by lightly airbrushing the grass with a little XF-59 Desert Yellow. It sort of blends everything in. Again, it depending on the look I'm going for.
Time to remove the tape, which is best done when the glue is still wet. A perfect edge....
Thats pretty much it. I can usually crank one of these out in under a hour (I pre-stain my plaques remember). Make sure you let the glue dry before you add the plane.
Now stick those tires at the end of the tire tracks......done!
You have a piece of aviation history captured in a moment of time. Now go to the backyard and collect some dirt!..
Joe