Glue the models onto the unpainted base. When I first started basing my Modern stuff, I based every model parallel to the base edges. After a while this gets really boring, but did seem to suit my Russians at the time! Put the tanks at different angles and point the turrets in different directions (see photo below). Then flock around it, using a wood glue. Paint the glue on thickly and then immerse the base in a container of flock. For armoured vehicles I paint some dark earth tracks behind to simulate torn up earth where the track has been. This provides a simple base, that looks fine on the table top. However, you didn’t come here just to see this sort of thing. So how do we improve on the basic element to make something that looks really good.
Here the bases are a close enough match for the base cloth – also note the different facings of the Chieftains
The first way is really simple. When you do the base flock colour, only paint glue on half of the base, the edge of the glue should be straight. When its dry, choose a different coloured flock, and glue this to the other half. I choose a wheat field colour to get a good variation. So now for the second trick. Using a Medium green course flock (well, that’s what it says on the packet!) create a line between the 2 colours. This can simulate a line of weeds, or a very low hedge between fields. Of course you don’t have to have a line, you can just glue clumps onto a base to simulate scrub as well.
Here a German Leopard 1 advances along a road boarded by 2 low hedges – note the tank’s position adds to the visual effect
The next step is to make some bigger hedges I guess, I use Woodlands Scenics medium green foliage clusters. This stuff comes in clumps, and is great for making cheap trees, etc (and if its cheap here in New Zealand, then it must be extra-dirt cheap in the rest of the world)! You can tear this stuff into clumps any size, so its really flexible. I just love it! Anyway, make the hedgerows about as high as the engine deck of the tank. I seem to have my tanks either travelling along the length of the hedge, or charging right through it. You can also use this for small trees that are glued directly to the base. Tear a clump out that looks tree shaped and then just glue it into position. You can even have the tank hidden mostly behind it.
Here we can see all the ideas from above applied to different bases – from low hedges to a higher hedge, then a tank behind a tree, and finally a wall.
Contributor: © 2002 Rhys Batchelor.