For aerial wargaming I have been using 1/600 scale models. For putting them on the table, I had used some homemade stands. Consisting of a hexagon shape base plate, with small vertical rod. On top of the rod was a colored bead, with a magnet glued on. On the base was a rectangle for a 7mm D6 dice. (see image below) I have used these for several games, and they work fine. But have the downside, that everything needed to be noted with dice. The speed, height and often an ID marker, to check which unit it was. (with flights of multiple identical planes). So a better way to do this had to be found.
The old stand on the right and middle, the new stand on the left
After ordering the new planes, it was time to order some new magnets to base the planes. When looking on the magnet seller site, I noted some long thin magnets. And a new idea sprang into my head. I have seen people using Lego bricks to denote the different height levels. But it might be also possible to do this with magnets. And you can see the results below.
The bare bases, 25mm hexagon (I think from pendraken/minibits)I spray painted them in three different colors, from a rattle can. Blue, Red and grey. Two opposing side, and a neutral color for civilian or ordnance etc. Or when needed extension on one of the two sides. I have 10 of each, so 30 in total.
Because the color bases would be much to visible, I opted to use some aerial photography to cover the face. In google earth I searched from some nice pieces of lands. Most have been of dutch Landscapes. Some fields, polders, coast line, city and rivers. All the bases were glued to the back.After drying the bases were carefully cut out.All 30 bases cut out, with one blank on on top.Then it was time to add a small magnet to the middle. This could have also been a small metal bead or ring. And I am thinking to do drill next time a hole, and glue it in the MDF. Then covering it with the printed textures, so they are not visible anymore.The Fokker G-1s show the concept and the final product. Height can now be noted with the amount of cubes. So you can directly see which plane is higher. Also you can see some different textures.
I am very happy with how the finished result looks like. I am still thinking to add a dice frame, for the speed. But will probably play a game first. I hope this helps others too. Now I can proceed on basing the planes, and painting more.
3 Replies to “New flight stands”
Just come across this👍🏻, it has given me some inspiration for doing a South African Border War game. Just out of curiosity, what was the height/ elevation on Google Earth??
The eyelevel/ height was just done on what looked right. Mostly between 5 and 10 km eyelevel. Saved as image in highest resolution possible, and printed on A4.
The different images have different eyelevels. Depending on what looked the best. For example the harbor/city is quite high, because I wanted to include buildings. Fiels are at a lower lever to have more detail.
Just come across this👍🏻, it has given me some inspiration for doing a South African Border War game. Just out of curiosity, what was the height/ elevation on Google Earth??
The eyelevel/ height was just done on what looked right. Mostly between 5 and 10 km eyelevel. Saved as image in highest resolution possible, and printed on A4.
The different images have different eyelevels. Depending on what looked the best. For example the harbor/city is quite high, because I wanted to include buildings. Fiels are at a lower lever to have more detail.
Thanks for that, given some great inspiration for a South African Bush War bases.
Cheers
Jeff