Diorama Bases

Yes I wanted to know where could I find the bases that some of yall put yall models on. I seen many that are round and has the gress on top. Im kinda in the market for one like that for my DVII and Camel in 1/72. Are they homemade? Where could I locate some for a decent price?

[PeterL]

I use embroidery rings. They come in various sizes and different textures. I add a circle of thick card detailed with scenic materials.

There are some 3-inch squares in Home Depot, just need a little sanding and sealer, then put the ground cover on. The wooden pieces are in the Deck Materials section at our store, and are made as caps for deck railings. They are drilled in the middle to accept the decorative cap but the hole can be filled easily as you are putting the ground cover on. If you need a source for the ground cover, look at your model railroad hobby shop - woodland scenics and several other brands give you the earth, grass and everything. I have been using clean cat litter as rocks on my 28mm WW2 gaming miniatures bases, and you might consider having a few pieces around, but certainly not where they could be run over by the aircraft tires, just off the beaten track. The wooden pieces ran $1.99 each a few weeks ago when I picked some up, and the scenics stuff may run you up to $10 for a batch that will last you quite a while. Hope this helps.

Tom Oxley

[StephenLawson]

The bases you describe can be found at crafts shops. Here in the USA we have Hobby Lobby and Michael's for instance. They are originally made for decopage' and etc. My dispalys are all placed in acrylic boxes I purchase from Bill's Boxes...advertized in Finescale Modeler. Mine are usually 6" X 8" X 3.5" on the inside. the five sided case / cover sits on the dado edge a thick plate of more acrylic that I add my blended turf tea for ground cover simulation. I have them made for me as my modeling time is at a premium.

[buzz1941]

I rather like those clear acrylic box picture frames — they're pretty inert, won't crack or split due to weather changes. I paint them with that spray-on "granite" stuff from the local hardware store.

[StephenLawson]

Originally Posted by buzz1941

I rather like those clear acrylic box picture frames — they're pretty inert, won't crack or split due to weather changes. I paint them with that spray-on "granite" stuff from the local hardware store.

If you attach the cover to the base even with just one or two small drops of cyanoacrylate and the box ever gets dropped... you know where all the parts are!

Wow that is some really cool stuff. I will check into the embroidary rings and wood blocks. My local shop has a huge Train section with bottle of different dirt and sand and types of fake grass and all sorts of stuff. Thanks for all the help guys. My DVII will finally come alive

[buzz1941]

The magic words are "static grass." After it's in place, it can be subtly colored with colored markers blown on by an air supply, like from one of those keyboard cleaner cans.

Originally Posted by buzz1941

The magic words are "static grass." After it's in place, it can be subtly colored with colored markers blown on by an air supply, like from one of those keyboard cleaner cans.

Nifty lil trick there......Now all I need to learn is wing streaking and weathering

[buzz1941]

Wing-streaking is reserved for the gods, and their chosen ones, like Stephen.