Hello guys was wondering any of you modellers out there who could give me some tips on how to make a model of a ww1 trench. My daughter is doing it for her school project which she is starting to learn about ww1 at the moment and she as been asked to do a model of a trench. So any tips and ideas would be welcome. Regards Michael.
This should do , step by step guide. WWI Trench Model trench system with firebays. AktoMan: Trench model continues also this. First World War terrain boards SECTION 3 (TRENCH) updated 23rd April - Page1
Deacs, If you are going through to Carlisle any time and can make a visit to the Border Regiment Museum inside Carlisle Castle they have a model on display. If your daughter were to make an appointment (perhaps through the school) and explained exactly what she was interested in they could make further helpful suggestions how to go about it. When the Museum moves to a different building (still inside Carlisle Castle) which is much bigger I think the intention is to have a lager model of a WW1 trench. You could also go to St Bees when the tide is on the way out, start digging in the sand and see how you get on (before the tide comes in!).
I had to help my 9yo daughter make a model of canyon last year. I took two 12in x 18in x 1in sheets of syrofoam and glued them together, so the model would be thick enough. If you can find foam already thick enough, that'll do. I then took a modeling knife and "sculpted" the "canyon" in the foam, including any side canyons and what not. When I was done with the cutting, my daughter covered the entire block of foam with a thin layer of brown modeling clay. She then covered areas to simulate woodlands using some green, moss looking stuff. She used dark and light blue clay to make the "river" down in the canyon. You could probably do the same thing for a trench complex, using twigs and the like for dead trees and popsicle sticks to make the roofs of the dugouts, which are then covered by clay. Maybe you can find small enough soldiers to use also. We found everything we needed at a modeling store and it was fairly inexpensive I've included some photos.
Owen and Slipdigit thanks very much for the tips have got a bit to go on now and see what we come up with. Ritsonvaljos are you trying to give me a heart attack go and dig up St.Bees beach but it would be a good example to show Natalie what it could have been like to build a proper trench like the poor guys had to in the war. I really need to get my arse into gear and get to Carlisle Castle to visit the museum one of these days. If it turns out any good i will post a picture of it (unfortunately i was never good at Blue Peter stuff) so i am not promising miracles. Thanks guys regards Michael.
oh, just a tought, i know this is gonna sound goofy, but you can use chopsticks to simulate the wood used to stabilize the trenches.
Get her to dig a real one in your back garden, then she can just sit down nearby and make a model of the real thing in slow time! :p
If you want to "personalise" the trench/foxhole have a look at this thread: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/veteran-accounts/13399-perfect-fox-hole.html I also did a lousy sketch of the beast here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/veteran-accounts/31948-question-wwii-veterans-wwii-rations-entrenching-tools.html Ron
hello Michael have a look at the link below BBC - History - World Wars: World War One Trench Virtual Tour
Here's some good info with some diagrams from a service manual . Trenches and Field Defences in 1914 Remember the front line trenches will need a fire step & will have fire-bays that give a joined-together-squared pattern. The communication trenches wont have a fire-step & will zig-zag. 10 October 1916 Aerial vertical view showing trench lines of Beaumont Hamel, British trenches, bottom left.
If she can't be bothered to make the trenches just make a heavily cratered landscape & say to her teacher that there's been a heavy bombardment over several weeks. Mouquet Farm, near Thiepval with trench systems surrounding it, prior to 1 July. Mouquet Farm, seen as a small outline in a sea of mud in the centre of the photograph, showing the effects of sustained artillery fire.
This will come in useful too. Products For Wargamers Barbed Wire - 2 Meters 2 Meter length of our barbed wire. £2.00 (Pack) Barbed Wire - 5 Meters 5 Meter length of our barbed wire. £4.00 (Pack)
I belong to a scale modelling forum. There are some really detailed examples on there. The below link relates to s WW1 diorama complete with photos. The chap even tells how he accomplished it. Beware - it looks like hours of work! FLERS-COURCELETTE SEPT. 1916. A 1/72 mini Diorama.... - Page 3 Keith
I belong to a scale modelling forum. There are some really detailed examples on there. The below link relates to s WW1 diorama complete with photos. The chap even tells how he accomplished it. Beware - it looks like hours of work! FLERS-COURCELETTE SEPT. 1916. A 1/72 mini Diorama.... - Page 3 Keith Can't see pictures as I'm not a member of that forum.
If you want to "personalise" the trench/foxhole have a look at this thread: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/veteran-accounts/13399-perfect-fox-hole.html I also did a lousy sketch of the beast here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/veteran-accounts/31948-question-wwii-veterans-wwii-rations-entrenching-tools.html Ron Thankyou Ron absoloutely brilliant really great to read Sappers and yourself and other vets first account of your fox holes thank you very much. Regards Michael.
Thank you everybody you have given me some great ideas am really looking forward to helping Natalie with this project. Thanks every one Regards Michael.
Michael, it would be grand if you kep tthis thread open and posted some progress photos, or at least of the outcome