1:72 / 1:76 Grass Base Suppliers?

[dr_gn]

Guys,

I'd like a grass base to display a 1:72 aircraft. I really like the look of the 'electrostatic grass' ones, but have no idea where to get one from.

Any recommendations?

Cheers.

[Niall]

Model hobbies have loose static grass -

http://www.modelhobbies.co.uk/shop/expo-green-flock-100g-static-grass-59134-p-26487.html

They have several grass mats but it is not clear if they are static grass or flock.

[Test Graham]

Pick up a model railway magazine and look for the ads in the back. British Railway Modeller did a piece on the static grass in a recent issue, but maybe not the one on the shelves at the moment. Check their website.

Edited November 27, 2013 by Graham Boak

[jaffa]

ive picked up some grass matting used on railway modelling to display a 1/72 spit which ill be doing this weekend..

[sean]

I usually get mine from ebay, just look under scenery in models. Should be loads to choose from

Sean

Of course I should have added you can search under wargaming and railways as well

Edited November 28, 2013 by sean

[dr_gn]

Thanks everyone for the advice.

[Rodders154]

Its funny but I bought some today the call it Hairy Grass (I kid you not) made by Jarvis of stockport there were 3 different shades in the container I bought the "spring mix"

came in a roll 1200mm x 600mm for £7.50 from somerton hobbies

Rodders

Edited November 30, 2013 by Rodders154

[dr_gn]

Its funny but I bought some today the call it Hairy Grass (I kid you not) made by Jarvis of stockport there were 3 different shades in the container I bought the "spring mix"

came in a roll 1200mm x 600mm for £7.50 frome somerton hobbies

Rodders

Ta.

Is this suitable for, say, a 1:72 scale airfield?

[Test Graham]

It's a pretty safe bet that if it is good enough for a 1/76 railway then it'll do for a 1/72 airfield. During WW2 the grass on the inside of an airfield was cut for hay, so if you are doing a model based on fixed runways then it is possible to have a range of possible grass heights, although presumably not the very tallest seen on old railway sites. A grass field runway would be cut shorter more often, particularly for operating small-wheeled types such as Tiger Moths. It would presumably be taller outside the actual landing area. Using the flock mats would work well enough for a flat field, I'd have thought, but there's really no alternative to going and looking at what's available for you. If you want to do the static grass you do need to spend rather more money on the device to create the charge.

[dr_gn]

It's a pretty safe bet that if it is good enough for a 1/76 railway then it'll do for a 1/72 airfield. During WW2 the grass on the inside of an airfield was cut for hay, so if you are doing a model based on fixed runways then it is possible to have a range of possible grass heights, although presumably not the very tallest seen on old railway sites. A grass field runway would be cut shorter more often, particularly for operating small-wheeled types such as Tiger Moths. It would presumably be taller outside the actual landing area. Using the flock mats would work well enough for a flat field, I'd have thought, but there's really no alternative to going and looking at what's available for you. If you want to do the static grass you do need to spend rather more money on the device to create the charge.

Ta,

It's just for a small base/diorama of a Spitrire and a Defiant (not together). One of them will have an Airfix ground vehicle and some trestle tables etc, so I don't want the wheels to get lost in the grass. I really like the look of the "electrostatic" grass, but wonder if it will be too long. 1.5mm might be OK.

Any advice on colours and what the grass should be applied to (dark green card or something)?

Thanks.

[Rodders154]

Works fine in 1/72

This is a 1/72 Revell seaking.

For those interested I bought a few cheap photo frames from the local charity shop threw away the picture and the glass. Cut the grass mat to size and there you have it a cheap display base.

Rodders

[pte1643]

I generally use Noch Static grass.

It's great stuff, available in various different colours and sizes, and won't break the bank either.

Just one supplier, here... http://www.newmodellersshop.co.uk/static-grass.htm

But there are many more places to buy from.

Edited November 30, 2013 by pte1643

[rich2010]

How does one 'use' the loose grass? I would assume it gets shaken onto an adhesive of some sort, then the excess is removed by gravity (shaken off?!). Most grass sticks up, so how is this overcome?

[sean]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Arcane-Scenery-LIGHT-GREEN-SCATTER-Modelling-Flock-/380745908519?pt=UK_Toys_Wargames_RL&hash=item58a6398127

This is where I originally purchased my selection of grasses. He actually stocks various types with the advantage of mixing

and matching. Also you would be able to set your depth of grass to suit yourself. I also have the grass mat above, and while it is

suitable for displaying aircraft, I personally feel it lacks something to it.

Anytime I make a base I use some old revell paints, green or brown, as an adhesive. Pat the grass down with your fingers,

turn the base on it's edge and give a hard tap. The excess will fall off and can be repeated until the required effect is achieved.

This will allow bare patches if required

It's a good idea to use a piece of paper to catch the excess grass.

This is just a simple display base from the shop my daughter works in, with static grass applied. Invariably, you could use

just about anything as a base, from picture frames to scrap bits of plywood.

HTH,

Sean

[pte1643]

How does one 'use' the loose grass? I would assume it gets shaken onto an adhesive of some sort, then the excess is removed by gravity (shaken off?!).

Yep.

Most grass sticks up, so how is this overcome?

Hence the name "Static" grass... Basically you shake it onto the adhesive and apply Static to make it stand up.

There are various ways of doing this (the Proper tool... A Homemade tool) but the easiest, and cheapest, is to use a balloon.

You know, the old rub it up and down your jumper and make your hair stand up when you were a kid... Well, basically this, but when you've generated the static in the balloon, hold it over the grass.

[thomastmcc]

hi mate you could do this with grass tufts .. i also did my remagen bridge grass using teddy bear fur then shaved down ..

thomas

http://mutineer-miniatures.org.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=24

[rich2010]

Ok, but if one were to lather down a layer of PVA then shake the loose stuff over, the biggest balloon in the world with all the static of fifteen lightning bolts won't make it stand up.

I tried. *

What's the trick?

* I didn't use the world's biggest balloon. Or any lightning.

[dr_gn]

Ok, but if one were to lather down a layer of PVA then shake the loose stuff over, the biggest balloon in the world with all the static of fifteen lightning bolts won't make it stand up.

I tried. *

What's the trick?

* I didn't use the world's biggest balloon. Or any lightning.

I think the fibres have to be charged before the hit the glue, then they repel each other, and their easiest 'choice' is to stand up vertically.

[Niall]

I've never had a problem with scattering static grass on PVA glue and have never done anything beyond scattering it.

I do thin the glue down by over 50% before painting and I don't press it down.

The photo below is a 1/300th scale AN/TPQ37 artillery radar(I think the static grass is by Verlinden) -

[Test Graham]

The railway magazines show the board attached to the device so that it is charged before the grass is deposited on it.

[dr_gn]

The railway magazines show the board attached to the device so that it is charged before the grass is deposited on it.

And the device (usually a sieve like thing) is also charged so that the grass becomes charged before it hits the board/glue.

[rich2010]

Just spent a half hour looking at YouTube vids of these tea strainer things - absolutely fascinating. I shall have to get myself a kit. They do actually look quite realistic as well.

[dr_gn]

Just spent a half hour looking at YouTube vids of these tea strainer things - absolutely fascinating. I shall have to get myself a kit. They do actually look quite realistic as well.

I'm making one - getting an electric fly swatter at lunchtime for £4.99 and a tea strainer from Morrissons. There's no more to it than that as far as I can see.

[colin]

^^ Correct

Fly swatter ebay, £2.99 delivered tea strainer £1.00

[Riggers]

Colin.....EXACTLY the same as mine!!! Cheap as old chips & works like a dream!

Shame I didn't beat MiniRiggers with it though!! Lol

ATB