Jump to content

Grass airfield


lipkicker

Recommended Posts

Hi All

Looking for a bit of help from the diorama dudes out there. As most of the kits I build are of WW2 Aircraft I often like to present them on their own base depicting a stationary Aircraft parked as most were on Grass.

Currently I will use a Landscape mat then apply PVA and sprinkle on a static grass dusting to break it up ,it looks ok but is a bit of a pain to do and seems to shed bits as time goes on.

Surely there must be a better way , perhaps a mat all pre done that simulates a grass airstrip and not a snooker table , I found this online http://www.polakmodel.com/en/vyrobky/main/Meadows-type-A/and it looks perfect but they don' t ship to the UK.

Can anyone recommend a product or a better way of achieving this effect.

Thanks In advance

Link to comment
Share on other sites

If you could post a photo of your efforts, then we might be able to offer advice. Different scales mean different materials. There's some experts in here, so search dioramas and ask those members whose work you most admire?

I work in 1/35th. Here's a detail shot of part of my first diorama featuring grass, 'Lost in France'.

860567_10208404893425907_663841374793926

Ignoring the 'reeds' which are actually Astroturf, the rest is made entirely from real plant parts (seed heads and individual seeds) found in the hedgerows, dried out, then fixed to the ground using PVA and CA glues. I didn't want to fork out my hard-earned money on pre-made realistic 'grass cover' so had a go at my own. I had more fun doing this than I would have had gluing someone else's work to my diorama.

Otherwise, you might like to search 'static grass applicators' which are quick and produce very realistic effects.

Regards,

Badder.

Edited by Badder
Link to comment
Share on other sites

As Badder says, the scale is important.

If you're building mostly 1/72 aircraft, then static grass is really the only game in town. Anything else looks overscale.

For 1/48 & above, try using faux fur. It's readily available from craft shops or eBay.

This is my Eduard 109 on a faux fur 'airfield' ;)

IMG_0027.jpg

I trimmed the length of the fur down using electric clippers & then airbrushed it in shades of green.

Hope this helps

Patrick

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Ready made grass mat paper is notorious for shedding its grass.

When applying static grass, make sure your glue, PVA, is still wet and not starting to skin over. The glue needs to be fairly thick but still runny. If necessary apply the glue and grass in sections. Apply the static grass using an electric static applicator.

For variation in tone, mix three or four shades in each application, varying the amount of each each time.

After all is done, let it dry for 24 hours. Shake off any grass that hasn't stuck. Apply a second lot of grass if necessary on any bald patches or where you want it thicker.

After its all dry spray the lot with hairspray, non scented is good, as it takes an age for the smell of a scented one to go away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I used Micro Crystal Clear mixed with water using a small pump action spray bottle.

Sprayed it onto the wood, sprinkled the grass powder & let it settle for a couple of mins.

Then I sprayed the MCC/water solution on top of the grass powder & let it dry for 24 hours.

It worked a treat for me, the grass dried & nothing comes away.

Wayne.

Edited by Deadman Disciple
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 4 weeks later...

I use the grass that you can purchase in bags. I outline the grass area from the concrete, paint a base colour, which not only sealed the wood base but prevents the glue from soaking way to nothing, then selected your grass colour depending on season. I simply use a sieve to scatter the grass after i have apply PVA to the selected area. Grass doesn't have too be perfectly flat and grass does have such a variation in colour and texture. In 72nd you don't see a great amount of detail particularly when the camera is focused on the aircraft, in 48th it may be different as you get closer in focus ?.

I do have a Static grass applicator but as yet haven't used it.

Here are a couple of pics of 72nd stuff

25457828231_362ab09a16_z.jpg

25198895240_79bba01533_z.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

I'd say that in 1/72 you want fine turf rather than static grass, especially on something that would be kept close cropped like an airfield. I'd mix several different colours together in a tub and apply through a mesh of some sort, you could use a sieve for large areas, I use a small bakers sugar sifter, like a metal can with a mesh lid insert, cost me £8 I think. Shouldn't be too difficult to make your own either.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I like static grass for larger scales (1/48th and larger), but ground foam like the train guys use for smaller scales (1/72nd and smaller).

Paint a dirt colour (because it WILL show through), smear it with glue and sprinkle your ground cover.

Pat it down and shake off the excess onto a paper so you can reuse it. (I'm a cheapskate)

I will usually soak it with WoodlandScenics Scenic cement (Do they sell that over there?), which is a really runny white glue to fix the loose stuff.

A little airbrushed shading will add a bit of contrast to your grass.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 months later...

This is how I just did the base for my Wildcat. I mixed up some Durham's Rock Hard Water Putty and applied to the "corner" of my base. While wet I pressed n some foam foliage and poured on some ground ballast. After that had set up I applied a thick coat of watered down Micro Krystal Kleer and added static grass. I repeated that step one more time with a different shade.

Oh, the runway itself is primered sandpaper with weathering done by oils.

Plane positioned on base.

1198kdl.jpg

Durham's water putty and shrubs applied. The edge is masked off with thin Tamiya tape.

2zpij9l.jpg

RR ground ballast applied.

e67hi8.jpg

Once that had set I removed the tape.

15gv0j9.jpg

Green grass added.

23wr0bq.jpg

It's not thick grass as I wanted a more barren "tropical island" feel.

2hobn9i.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...