blog:models:luftwaffe_display [Target-Earth]

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====== WWII - German airfield ======

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:german_airfield_bg_photo_added.png?1200|}}

This is a display being built to accommodate a small number of [[:blog:models:military:index|1/72 scale German fighter planes and ground staff]] at a small airfield.

The models includes:

   * [[:blog:military:models_bf_109g56|Messcherschmitt BF109 G-5]] fighter + Pilot
   * [[:blog:military:models_bf_109g56|Messcherschmitt BF109 G-6]] fighter + Pilot
   * [[:blog:military:models_fw_190_f8|Focke Wulf FW 190 F-8]] ground attack fighter
   * [[:blog:military:models_me_410|Messcherschmitt Me410 A1/U4]] heavy / ground attack fighter
   * [[:blog:military:models_fuel_truck|Fuel Truck]]
   * [[:blog:military:models_luftwaffe_ground_crew|Ground crew]]
   * [[:blog:military:models_german_infantry_42_44|German infantry]]
   * [[:blog:military:models_german_mortar_crew|German MG42 squad]]
   * [[:blog:military:models_battlefield_buildings|Guard tower and checkpoint]]
   * [[blog:military:models_flak_36_37|88mm FlaK 36/37 emplacement]]

===== Materials =====

   * 10mm extruded foam board
   * Evo-stick contact adhesive (**note:** //don't use this on XPS foam!!!//)
   * PVA glue
   * Toilet paper / tissue paper
   * Fine sand
   * Polyfilla / spackle

===== Building the boards =====


==== Basic Tile Construction ====

As usual, I cut two tiles to the right width of the Billy bookcase shelves; 76.5 x 26.5cm, sketched on the general layout of the display and then also used a few cutouts of the models to ensure that it would all fit.

In the image below there are two 1:72 BF109 templates and one of the Me410 - taken directly from the models I intend to use, so I know there will be //plenty// of space. The left tile will be the maintenance area with a short taxi section to the main runway on the right tile.

<imgcaption tiles_mockup|General layout of the display.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:airfield_mockup.png?900|}}</imgcaption>

The concrete/runway sections of the display are filled with a mixture of Polyfilla (spackle) and PVA glue for added strength. They'll be sanded flat and scored to represent typical, individually-poured, concrete slabs later.

<imgcaption tile_left_filler|Left tile cut and filled with Polyfilla.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250504150925.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_right_filler|Right tile cut and filled with Polyfilla.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250504150933.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Polyfilla (spackle) set:

<imgcaption tile_left_set|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505092224.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_right_set|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505092244.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Adding on tissue paper and watered-down PVA glue for texture and strength:

<imgcaption tile_left_pva|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505101435.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_right_pva|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505101442.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Sanding concrete sections flat:

<imgcaption tile_left_flat|Left tile sanded flat.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505164213.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_right_flat|Right tile sanded flat.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505164157.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Adding individually poured sections and damage:

<imgcaption tile_left_concrete_slabs1|Left tile cracking and weathering>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505165714.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_left_concrete_slabs2|Left tile cracking and weathering>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505165719.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

<imgcaption tile_right_concrete_slabs1|Right tile cracking and weathering.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505171712.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption tile_right_concrete_slabs2|Right tile cracking and weathering>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505171720.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Unfortunately, whilst drying, the right tile developed a __real__ crack part way through the runway section. This is likely down to the 3mm hardboard backing not being strong enough and slightly warping with the weight/moisture in the polyfilla and glue. I did my best to make this look like another section of weathered and broken concrete like some of the smaller sections, but this may still need a further repair (likely superglue) when the whole thing has dried out completely. Next time I do any 'concrete' displays I suspect I'll use a solid wood baseboard.

<imgcaption real_crack1|Real crack in the right tile.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505174511.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption real_crack2|Real crack modified a little to match the other weathering - got to make the best of it!>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250505174518.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Finally dry, and actually not looking too bad. The crack in the right tile didn't get any worse, so I set it with superglue and chased it out a bit to look as if it was intended. The left tile has warped quite a bit though, so I made the decision to add an additional base board, which I will glue and clamp these boards to (that's the next job, before starting any scenics):

<imgcaption left_tile_dry|Left tile has a very fine crack, but is badly warped on the extreme left hand edge.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250507210918.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_dry|Right tile has a bad crack, but has dried okay, with a little work the crack has been weathered to look as if intended.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250507210906.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Testing out some layouts on the runway tiles:

<imgcaption left_tile_layout|Left tile has the maintenance area, observation tower and flak emplacement.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250508135211.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_layout|Right tile has the airfield entrance and guard hut and the main runway.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250508135202.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Added 6mm plywood baseboard and screwed into the original hardboard base - both tiles now nice and flat:

<imgcaption left_tile_plywood|The really warped left tile now perfectly flat.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250509135831.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_plywood|Plywood backing added to right tile to keep it the same height.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250509135835.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Added a bit more filler to level out some of the areas where glued-on scenics will be placed, as well as squaring off several edges of the tiles to make for a neater finish:

<imgcaption left_tile_filler|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510085817.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_filler|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510085823.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Glued on the permanent scenic features (sandbag sections):

<imgcaption left_tile_sbags|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510093017.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_sbags|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510093022.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Now ready to move to painting!
==== Painting & Weathering ====

The entire tile got a thick base coat of light brown to hide all filler and bare foam.

<imgcaption primer|Light brown primer applied as a base layer to entire tile.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510111014.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

=== Sandbags ===

   * Grey primer 
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Desert Yellow (Base)
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Khaki (Drybrush)
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Bone White (Highlight)
   * Vallejo Xpress Colour - Bony Matter + Palid Bone (thinned to a wash)

<imgcaption sbags_colour|Sandbags painted.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510145705.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

<imgcaption sbags_left_wash1|Brown wash applied to left tile sandbags.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510161103.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption sbags_right_wash|Brown wash applied to right tile sandbags - this will be the airfield entrance.>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250510161059.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

<imgcaption sbags_left_wash2|Closer up of the maintenance area.>{{:blog:models:img20250510161109.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption sbags_left_wash3|Close up of the sandbag area around the base of the observation tower.>{{:blog:models:img20250510161115.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

=== Concrete ===

   * Grey primer
   * Vallejo Model Air - Nato Black (edges)
   * MIG Ammo - Light Grey (softening edges & highlights)
   * MIG Ammo - Satin White (highlights)
   * MIG Ammo - Medium Grey (final colour)
   * AK Interactive 3rd Gen - White (runway markings base colour)
   * AK Interactive 3rd Gen - Radiant Yellow (runway markings final colour)
   * AK Interactive Streaking Grime + Enamel thinner (diluted wash for cracks/edges of concrete)

Primed and pre-shading on edges of slabs/cracks:

<imgcaption left_tile_preshade|Preshading cracks and edges of concrete slabs - left tile.>{{:blog:models:img20250510172228.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_preshade|Preshading cracks and edges of concrete slabs - right tile.>{{:blog:models:img20250510172238.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Highlights and final colour:

<imgcaption left_tile_final_colour|Highlights and final colour - left tile.>{{:blog:models:img20250510182438.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_final_colour|Highlights and final colour - right tile.>{{:blog:models:img20250510182442.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Runway markings:

<imgcaption right_tile_markings|Yellow runway markings.>{{:blog:models:img20250510184521.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Sprayed all the concrete areas with polyurethane varnish and then mixed up a dirty wash with AK Interactive Streaking Grime and thinners:

<imgcaption left_tile_wash|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511101443.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption right_tile_wash|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511101452.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption> <imgcaption closeup_tile_wash|>{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511101507.jpg?500|}}</imgcaption>

Now moving on to earth, grass and other scenics.
==== Grass & Roads ====

Added WWS Dry Earth scatter to all non-grassed areas for a bare-earth effect:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511105322.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511105326.jpg?500|}}

First layer of static grass was then added over the top of the bare-earth edges; WWS Northern Europe, 2mm:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511113601.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511113607.jpg?500|}}

Additional Dry Earth scatter added at taxi-way crossing area to show this is where vehicles cross the concrete area:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511115344.jpg?500|}}

Second (4mm Spring) and third layers (4mm Patchy/6mm Dead) of static grass:

{{:blog:models:displays:img20250511123110.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:img20250511123115.jpg?500|}}

Adding little bits of grass (2mm North Europe) to the larger cracks/edges of concrete slabs:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511125654.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511125659.jpg?500|}}

Adding a few smaller clumps of grass to break up the flat areas:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511130536.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511130532.jpg?500|}}
==== Trees, Shrubs & Hedges ====

Beyond the static grass and small grass tufts, I don't plan on adding any trees or bushes to the display due to the subject - you don't tend to get trees at the edges of runways!
==== Static Models ====

   * [[blog:military:models_battlefield_buildings|Guard Hut & Barrier]]
   * [[blog:military:models_battlefield_buildings|Observation Tower]]
   * [[blog:military:models_flak_36_37|88mm FlaK 36/37 emplacement]]
   * Chain-link security fencing to rear and left

=== Guard Hut & Barrier ===

The observation tower is a straight build of the parts included in the [[blog:military:models_battlefield_buildings|kit]].

The barrier was masked to allow the alternating red/white sections to be painted. Paints used:

   * Vallejo Xpress Colour - Wasteland Brown (hut)
   * Vallejo Xpress Colour - Lizard Green (hut)
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Beasty Brown (barrier supports)
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Gunmetal (barrier supports details)
   * AK Interactive 3rd Gen - White (barrier)
   * AK Interactive 3rd Gen - Dirty Red (barrier)

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511142300.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511192855.jpg?500|}}

----

=== Observation Tower ===

The observation tower is a straight build of the parts included in the [[blog:military:models_battlefield_buildings|kit]].

Paints used:

   * Vallejo Xpress Colour - Wasteland Brown
   * Vallejo Xpress Colour - Lizard Green

The contrast paints work well to give a more natural, uneven finish to the wood.

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250511192910.jpg?400|}}

----

=== FlaK Emplacement ===

The anti-aircraft gun was built straight from the [[blog:military:models_flak_36_37|kit]].

Paints used:

   * Vallejo Surface Primer - Grey

----

=== Security Fence ===

The security fence / chain-link fence / barbed wire fence is a small kit from [[https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/commodorestudiomodelrailway|Commodore Studio]] a seller on Ebay who specialises in model railway scenics:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:fence_kit.jpg?200|}}

It includes:

   * Laser cut plywood posts and gates
   * Wire mesh for the chain-link fence
   * Spool of wire for the barbed-wire 

Paints used:

   * Vallejo Surface Primer - Grey (posts)
   * Vallejo Game Colour - Tinny Tin (drybrush on chainlink fence)

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250513205042.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250514202755.jpg?500|}} 

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250514202803.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250514202822.jpg?500|}}

**[May 24th 2025]** - Finished security fence:

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250524113828.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250524113839.jpg?500|}} 

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250524113851.jpg?500|}}

Now that is complete, it's time to move on to figures, loose bits of scenery, storage, and other parts that make it look like a working airfield.
===== Added Background Artwork =====

Background artwork is a royalty free landscape image I found via Google and then cropped to the right ratio. I knew for this display I wanted something that was //mostly// sky, but still had a horizon that was just about the ground level of the scenery tiles to give an impression of distance.

I had it printed by https://www.scribescolourprint.co.uk/, along with [[blog:dioramas|few more for other dioramas]]. Price was reasonable, the turn around was quick, and the quality is more than good enough to be used as a background image for the diorama.

Master image was 3200x760 pixels, which matches the aspect ratio of the Ikea Billy shelves (approx 76cm x 16cm) that this display is on.

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250514090632.jpg?500|}} {{:blog:models:displays:airfield:img20250514090640.jpg?500|}}

{{:blog:models:displays:airfield:german_airfield_bg_photo_added.png?1200|}}

===== Finished Display =====

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[[:blog:dioramas|Back to Displays and Dioramas]]