m.webb63 Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 Tunnel and mine warfare was a brutal and indiscriminate method of weakening entrenched enemy positions, practised by both the German and Allied forces. The British Forces however had a significant advantage from the use of a technique called clay kicking. Initially used to excavate tunnels beneath Manchester, this method was transferred to Flanders by Major John Norton-Griffiths and the Manchester Moles. Not only was clay kicking near silent, it offered increased productivity deep beneath the battlefields through the clay. Additional background information can be found here: https://www.miningmagazine.com/mining-the-past/opinion/1263557/tunnelling-deep For my first groupbuild and diorama, I'm planning to represent the below scene. Progress has started today on creating the backdrop. Advice always appreciated and looking forward to seeing everyone else's efforts. 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ozzy Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 What a fantastic idea for a build, definitely looking forward to seeing this one come together. What scale are you planning to build in? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Stuart Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 That is a good idea, showing an important aspect of the war - a good choice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted July 21, 2018 Author Share Posted July 21, 2018 4 hours ago, Ozzy said: What a fantastic idea for a build, definitely looking forward to seeing this one come together. What scale are you planning to build in? Cheers Ozzy, it'll be in 1/35, figures from Tamiya. 2 hours ago, Robert Stuart said: That is a good idea, showing an important aspect of the war - a good choice! Thanks Robert, fascinating and frightening at the same time. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted July 21, 2018 Share Posted July 21, 2018 I read about this in Sebastian Faulks book Birdsong, utterly chilling for a claustrophobe like me, I had to put it down & go for a walk occasionally, so strongly did it affect me but also beautifully written & hugely interesting. A lot of Kiwi miners were involved in the front line tunnelling too. I'll be interested to see thus come together. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevej60 Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Great subject for a diorama,My Great Grandfather was an ore miner,joined the Canadian Engineer's and served with the 2nd Tunnelling Coy digging mines around Messines late 1917,will be following this with extra interest. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Basilisk Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Great subject Looking forward to see how you tackle it. Cheers, Peter 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 Thanks gents, hopefully I will do it justice. Made the backdrop and started on the props to support the tunnel, some further work will need to be done, but its started. In reality the props would be 9 inches approximately and the tunnel around 5 feet. This is not built to any exact known measurements but what feels about right. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redstaff Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 What a great subject, following this with interest 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CliffB Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 A tremendous addition to the Group Build 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 What a great idea, looking forward to seeing your figure conversions. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rumblestripe Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Fascinating choice, the very thought of being in that tunnel scares the living willies out of me. Will follow with interest. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandy Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 What a novel idea, and thanks for the link to the article! Ian 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted September 1, 2018 Author Share Posted September 1, 2018 Progress has been very slow, mainly getting the parts together and life getting in the way. But finally have two figures put together, my first time trying something like this. Hopefully will get a little paint on them today or tomorrow. DSC_1998 by Matt Webb, on Flickr 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted September 12, 2018 Author Share Posted September 12, 2018 Paint starting to go on, little bit of tidying round the shoulders still needed. Feedback appreciated. DSC_2023 by Matt Webb, on Flickr 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin W Posted September 12, 2018 Share Posted September 12, 2018 These look very good already. Colin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted September 19, 2018 Author Share Posted September 19, 2018 I'd say figures are about 90% there now, just a few wee touch ups and adding some mud. Next stage will be to sort out the little bits and pieces to bring the scene together. DSC_2025 by Matt Webb, on Flickr DSC_2027 by Matt Webb, on Flickr DSC_2026 by Matt Webb, on Flickr 9 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andwil Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 This is looking really good, the claustrophobic nature of the work is well represented. 2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted September 19, 2018 Share Posted September 19, 2018 (edited) If I were to be picky, though it could simply be camera foreshortening, to my eye the timber roof supports look over scale but other than that, I think this is an excellent build! One of the most interesting books I have read was War Underground (possibly by Alexander Barry), which I thoroughly recommend! Edited September 19, 2018 by Tony C 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stevehnz Posted September 20, 2018 Share Posted September 20, 2018 10 hours ago, Andwil said: claustrophobic nature of the work is well represented. Almost too well for this self confessed claustrophobe! In every other aspect, the makings of a great dio. Steve. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Thanks for the positive feedback gents. Tony, yes I think you're right, they're a little bit wider but should be approximately 9" when scaled up. I have started adding finishing touches to the model, which I should get round to completing next week all being well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m.webb63 Posted October 4, 2018 Author Share Posted October 4, 2018 Think I'm ready to call this one complete. _DSF0015-1 by Matt Webb, on Flickr _DSF0016-1 by Matt Webb, on Flickr _DSF0018-1 by Matt Webb, on Flickr _DSF0018-1-2 by Matt Webb, on Flickr Thanks for following 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony C Posted October 4, 2018 Share Posted October 4, 2018 Particularly like the B&W picture, maybe adding couple of LED's to represent candles could be an option! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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