The big project for next year for me is get a good sized 15mm Normandy game up and running - as in 16 x 6 . I am doing the US forces who fought in bocage country so I am going to need a lot of hedges. I made 12 feet a few month back for a game with the guys , but decided this has to be an occasional task to make sure we have enough - and you must know the mantra - you always need more hedges!
I set about making another 12 feet - its on bases 20mm wide and range of lengths such as 12 inch , 9 inch , 6 inch and 3 inch to give to flexibility.
I thought I would take the opportunity to show how I do it.
 |
| finished article |
 |
| raw material - industrial sheet of rubberised horsehair - currently £35 on eBay for 6 foot x 3 and inch thick -I bought this one a few years ago for £25 from an upholstery company (its used to fill furniture) - still got plenty left! |
Small sizes are of course available from a range of suppliers ..just expect to pay a premium for it
 |
| cut a strip to height or width you want |
 |
| cut bases - these are made from 1.5mm ply |
 |
| hot glue the hedge hair to the base |
 |
| add weight to help secure until glue is set |
 |
| trim and shape the regular strip with pair of scissors to produce a bit more irregular shapes - and then add some base material I use PVA to stick on sand - and let dry |
 |
| spray a dark colour - in this dark dark green |
 |
| colour the base material an earth colour |
 |
| highlight the base earth |
 |
| liberally apply neat PVA across the hedge area - working it into the weave |
 |
| prepare your scatter mix - this is by Javis available at various model and railway modelling suppliers - its a mix of shades of summer/spring green |
 |
| I had sourced some 15mm MDF gates and fences from Blotz - these were added as part of the sticking on to the bases - I just forgot to photograph them. |
 |
| all covered in scatter - allow to dry before shaking off any final excess |
 |
| spray with cheap extra firm hold hair spray - it will stop the scatter shedding - and you can always redo this at any time too |
 |
| I also found some trees on e-bay a while ago and they were based singly - I cut those off and I have added them in to some sections by just hot glueing them in place |
 |
| the hedge stash - only another 36 feet to go! |
 |
| Now whats that hiding behind the hedgerow? |
Altogether took a couple of hours - spread over 3 days - most processes don't take that long - you just need things to fully dry between some of them
Nice tutorial, I always have trouble when I use PVA with the base warping, but I've not used Ply before so I might give that a whirl.
ReplyDeleteCheers
Never had a particular problem with it. It doesn’t absorb moisture as much as other material . The 1.5mm is also thin enough to be able to just bend it back if it does . Or wet the back of it and leave under weight to sort . But I have not had to do anything to sort it out ..
DeleteThanks for the tutorial Dave.
ReplyDeleteGreat work mate - simple but very effective!
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing
Oldie but goodie
DeleteThey look superb mate! Great tutorial too. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteCheers matey
DeleteExcellent tutorial. I need to make some Boccage so this is good timing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee
DeleteLooking good, excellent tutorial I might need some more hedges 🙂
ReplyDeleteYou always need more hedges.. it’s the rules
DeleteThey really look the biz Dave. Nice one!
ReplyDeleteCheers
Deleteneat trick with the hairspray, Im going to try that on my trees (they some shedding...) Cheers Rupe
ReplyDeleteYep that will work
Delete