WWI Combi Shadowbox /trench dio (pic heavy and a bit long - winded...) Now with replacement pics

[JR]

Steven.
Board placement looks better. So much to take in on a dio like this, what I enjoy is finding those hidden details, little gems of thought and modelling .Looking fwd to your next update .
John.

[Steven]

what I enjoy is finding those hidden details, little gems of thought and modelling .Looking fwd to your next update .
John.

Thanks john I will continue to add those :smiling:

[Steven]

The great "rat go/no go" - dilemma.....:thinking:

...speaking of details, here 's another Stay/go question you can help me with
I got this little guy from plusmodels, basically sitting on his butt grasping a can
Not completely done - can needs a label and the rat a few touches - tail btw is flexible wire and be positioned to fit the ground.

Pro's:
Rats were a prominent feature on the Western Front, feeding on - well let's not g too much into that...
Adding him would bring the total number of rats up to three - but they are spread all over the dio with different poses so the use is not repetitive
They are a great gimmick
kind of cute and endearing

Cons:
kind of cute and endearing - this is the Western Front - dammit
Maybe I am relying too much on gimmicks....
He is kind of a leftover item from another dio -maybe I am just wanting to add him because he is pretty much ready to go - one has to appreciate convenience. in this game..






There really is only one place where I feel he could go - having a rummage through the grabage:


Spot the rat ....


What do you say?

[Steven]

The two sections are glued together and I am in the prcess of sandbagging the topside entrance to the dug - out most of the top section of sandbags will be covered with terrain.
the wire coming out of the foot of the dug out entrance is telephone cables they will be hung on the side of the trench

[JR]

Steven.
Great progress :thumb2:
I can see your point about the rats being a gimmick
My thought are that the rats more likely out numbered the men ! where there's any rubbish like a battle field rats would be in large numbers, but .....

the question is do they detract from the overall scene,...... no .
They all add to the interesting story.
Keep it coming .
John .

[Steven]

John , agreed, thy did indeed outnumber the men. I might use a different rat form the plusmodel set, less cute and, well, disney - esque, On all four , rather than sitting adorably on its bum. - only thing, I have used it before in the "Deserter To the Rear" - dio:

[JR]

Steven .
What I do like is the variation you have acheived in the soil colour. From the dark wet soil on the top of the trench to the soil in the last photo . Can were some from the top shots please ?m.
John.

[Steven]

Hi John
Last pic is form this dio http://www.scale-models.co.uk/thread...nt-1918.30334/ - there are some top shots there :smiling3:

[JR]

Top rate Steven, and thank you for re-posting that.:thumb2:
Now sitting waiting for the next posting.:nerd:
John

[Steven]

There are two field telephones in the dug - out ' figured they needed cables :thinking: - not permanently attached at this point still trying to get the right draping :smiling:
Also, note the difference between the weathered and newly painted sandbags - same colours

[Steven]

Time for some more work on the combo dio, and returning fresh and WWI inspired from a trip to Flanders’ fields and the Ypres Salient area (will post some pics later), I start work on making a gas curtain/blanket for the entrance.
I have been scouring the net for info and Photos but they are scarce. They seem to come in a variety of shapes and designs – few examples below.




I will be making a rolled up version.

During the excavation of the British Brigade HQ at the “Vampire Dugout” in the Ypres Salient, parts of which is dealt with in a Time Team special (2007), Military Historian Peter Barton goes into details about the gas attack precautions:
According to him, these would be treated with gas repelling chemicals rolled up top and bottom of every dug out entrance. At a pull at a string, they would fall down and create an air pocket, in case of a gas attack. The slight slope of the frame would help sealing.

I do have my doubts as to the effectiveness of this. Peter Barton claims that the air pocket creates a "sanctuary" from the different gas agents and accompanying footage
( modern dramatization) shows troops without masks.
I think not, troops would have donned masks at the sound of the gas alert, the curtain might give a longer time window to do so.

I digress, The Time Team special is very interesting if you are into building miniature WWI dugouts (aren’t we all?), or general archeology/history. It can be found here:

The gas curtain is dealt with at around 39:40.

[Peter Gillson]

Steven

I share your doubts about the curtains porducing an air pocket which could be a sactuary. Even with the sllope and the heavy wooden battones on the curtains they do not look as though an airtight seal would be produced, and since mustard gas was heavier than air then surely any dugout below ground would fill up with mustard gas. As you say, the curtain would but time and it would be better in one than outside.



Peter

[Jim R]

Hi Steven
This is a real stunner. So much work and it is all paying off. Points of interest everywhere. As for the rat - it does add interest and they were there for sure.
jim

[Steven]

Thanks Jim - rat is still on the fence...:smiling2:

[Steven]

Indeed, Peter - I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they had minimal effect - save perhaps psychological - but hay, you are below ground in claustrophobic conditions and gas is called - you need all the help to steady your nerves :smiling4: