Roads and Highways (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I saw some amateur (taken by soldiers) colour movies and was surprised to see a greater variety of streets and roads than I expected. The European city roads of grey cobblestone or grey stone slabs were common, but I also saw some that were red brick and some that were tar. One highway in Germany was a light grey concrete.

For urban (European city and village streets) what do people typically use in dios as a road material. And also for paved country roads and highways?

Terry

 

[theBaron]

Your observation reminded me of my mother, who asked, when I was a senior in college in 1986 and my German girlfriend stayed with us at Christmas, "Oh, do you have refrigerators in Germany?"

Seriously, it's a good observation. I think modelers sometimes forget that Europe, the UK and the US are all part of the same cultural unit, including having access to the technology. The Autobahns weren't paved with cobblestones, for example.

For a city-combat dio, of course, old streets left over from medieval times and never upgraded look dramatic, but it makes me wonder if it's come to be expected by most modelers. Just as so many aircraft builders spend so much time shading their panel lines, in a way that contest judges expect, but that you'd never have seen on a 1:1 aircraft in the field.

Prost!
Brad

 

[Wraith]

Terry,

For large areas, I've started using hardboard (is this something you get across the pond?). Its approx 3mm thick sheets (anything up to 8' x 4' sheets) with a smooth side and a rough side.

I paint and drybrush the rough side with various shades of gray. Because of the rough patterned texture, the drybrushing works well.

For a more realistic product, I've used Kancali latex mats, which are very easy to use.

Simon