WWI Combi Shadowbox /trench dio (pic heavy and a bit long - winded...) Now with replacement pics

Steven

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Time for some more work on the combo dio, and returning fresh and WWI inspired from a trip to Flanders’ fields and the Ypres Salient area (will post some pics later), I start work on making a gas curtain/blanket for the entrance.
I have been scouring the net for info and Photos but they are scarce. They seem to come in a variety of shapes and designs – few examples below.

ItqRB02.jpg

mfkxZyo.jpg


I will be making a rolled up version.

During the excavation of the British Brigade HQ at the “Vampire Dugout” in the Ypres Salient, parts of which is dealt with in a Time Team special (2007), Military Historian Peter Barton goes into details about the gas attack precautions:
According to him, these would be treated with gas repelling chemicals rolled up top and bottom of every dug out entrance. At a pull at a string, they would fall down and create an air pocket, in case of a gas attack. The slight slope of the frame would help sealing.

I do have my doubts as to the effectiveness of this. Peter Barton claims that the air pocket creates a "sanctuary" from the different gas agents and accompanying footage
( modern dramatization) shows troops without masks.
I think not, troops would have donned masks at the sound of the gas alert, the curtain might give a longer time window to do so.

I digress, The Time Team special is very interesting if you are into building miniature WWI dugouts (aren’t we all?), or general archeology/history. It can be found here:

The gas curtain is dealt with at around 39:40.
 

Peter Gillson

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Steven

I share your doubts about the curtains porducing an air pocket which could be a sactuary. Even with the sllope and the heavy wooden battones on the curtains they do not look as though an airtight seal would be produced, and since mustard gas was heavier than air then surely any dugout below ground would fill up with mustard gas. As you say, the curtain would but time and it would be better in one than outside.



Peter
 

Jim R

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Hi Steven
This is a real stunner. So much work and it is all paying off. Points of interest everywhere. As for the rat - it does add interest and they were there for sure.
jim
 

Steven

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Indeed, Peter - I vaguely remember reading somewhere that they had minimal effect - save perhaps psychological - but hay, you are below ground in claustrophobic conditions and gas is called - you need all the help to steady your nerves :smiling4:
 

JR

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Steven .
I would agree with you and Peter.
Esp as the gas was heavier than air, the curtain must have been of limited use. Probably felt batter having then .
Andy Belsey made a stunning dugout sheet from some foil , really looked the part .
Good luck, but I'm sure it will look good .
John .
 

Steven

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thanks John
As I am struggling with materials made of metal in the dio ( the barbed wire and silent posts are cobber wire) and I just cannot find a primer that will work well with out being too heavily pigmented and ruin details so i am forever applying varnish to parts rubbed off and re - applying paint, so it is milliput rolled very thinly for me
 

JR

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Steven .
Have your tried MR Hobby metal primer ?

www.mr-hobby.com › itemDetail
Mr.HOBBY.com/MR.METAL PRIMER R
I use it and have never had a problem since !
Hope this helps .
John .
 
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Steven .
I would agree with you and Peter.
Esp as the gas was heavier than air, the curtain must have been of limited use. Probably felt batter having then .
Andy Belsey made a stunning dugout sheet from some foil , really looked the part .
Good luck, but I'm sure it will look good .
John .
Hi, If you look at my website, I have a tutorial on working with pie tin foil. This is based on the article written for MilMod magazine.
Andy
 

Steven

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Thanks John and Andy
@ John - yes I have used it and i liket it but it still struggles to grip the surface of the cobber thread - I use transformer/fuse wire and it is laquered - that migt be the source of the trouble henceforth I will prob give it a once over with some sanding paper but that's impossible with the barb wire as it stands right now. right now the wire is just loosely threaded through the silent pickets and is very "lively" I plan to Ca glue it down which should make getting to the shiny spots easier.

The milliput gascurtain - came out pretty well - will add some wooden frame parts poking out like in the one of the pics above
cJokLDc.jpg


PMGOnjN.jpg
 

JR

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Steven.Hi
Refering to the copper wire and the coating, yes that does seem to be the reason. As you say when it's firmly fixed you will be able to cover the " shinny ". Spots .
Nothing amiss with the curtain, has the look of rolled up canvas.
John.
 

Steven

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Hi all
Progress is measured in inches rather than feet as a heatwave hits Denmark. Did manage to add some tools to the pile of screw pickets - one shovel is apparently defying gravity - need to fix that - and a pickaxe.
Also, I need help choosing a title, you can help here
DMqEgfs.jpg


Added a gascurtain
KRzbTuP.jpg


Added the wounded Hun and escort
yJRMdEq.jpg

I have had some stickers with some of scenes that are the subject of the dio printed to go on the sides of the dio base. . They serve dual purposes, to give context and cover some parts of the base I am less than happy with.....

toQMYoV.jpg


bjMcz75.jpg
 

Robert1968

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Just caught up on this and all I can say is Awesome truly awesome. The detail is beyond imagination and yet so tastefully and yet professionally done it really puts you in the scenes. Fantastic depth of detail

Kind regards

Robert
 
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Steven

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Just caught up on this and all I can say is Awesome truly awesome. The detail is beyond imagination and yet so tastefully and yet professionally done it really puts you in the scenes. Fantastic depth of detail

Kind regards

Robert

Thanks Robert I am glad you like it - any more details and I will develop AMS :smiling:
 

JR

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Steven.
For a title ........ Fields of Hell .
Its looking good, I like those photos showing life above and below ground. Nice touch .
John.
 

Steven

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love the sound of that - Andy suggested "The Great War Above and Below" , which I find really concise and catchy
Btw, speaking of concise captions - I LOVE your signature - it captures what we all feel :thumb2:
 

JR

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Steven .

Thanks, I do think Andy's title is spot on .
John .
 
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