Basing Your Spearhead Models

So, Now you've got a stack of painted models and you want to base then to play with. here's a quick-ish run through of the techniques I use to make mine, with a few examples thrown in for good measure.

The first thing to do is cut out a stack of the bases ( mine are just from 2 mm card) and paint them a light olive to grass green. I use Humbrol matt 159( no idea what the name is). Select a colour that is a bit darker than the flock you will use on the bases. This brings us to another important point. Choose a colour of flock that is close to the colour of the base cloth that you use. If your group uses terrain squares this bit will be really easy, as you can paint your bases the same colour and flock them using the flock that was originally used. This part is quite important for overall visual appeal.

Here the bases are a close enough match for the base cloth. also note the different facings of the Chieftains

Glue the models onto the unpainted base. When I first started basing my Modern stuff, I based every model parallel to the base edges. After a while this gets really boring, but did seem to suit my Russians at the time! Put the tanks at different angles and point the turrets in different directions ( see photo above). Then flock around it, using a wood glue. Paint the glue on thickly and then immerse the base in a container of flock. For armored vehicles I paint some dark earth tracks behind to simulate torn up earth where the track has been. This provides a simple base, that looks fine on the table top.

However, you didn't come here just to see this sort of thing. So how do we improve on the basic element to make something that looks really good.

The first way is really simple. When you do the base flock colour, only paint glue on ¹ /₂ the base the edge of the glue should be straight. When its dry, choose a different coloured flock, and glue this to the other ¹/₂ . I choose a wheat field colour to get a good variation. So much for the second trick.

Using a Medium green course flock( well, that's what it says on the packet!), create a line between the 2 colours. This can simulate a line of weeds, or a very low hedge between fields. Of course you don't have to have a line, you can just glue clumps onto a base to simulate scrub as well.

Here a german Leopard 1 advances along a road boarded by 2 low hedges. note the tank position adds to the visual effect.

The next step is to make some bigger hedges I guess. I use Woodlands scenics medium green foliage clusters. this stuff comes in clumps, and is great for making cheap trees etc ( and if its cheap here in New Zealand, then it must be dirt cheap in the rest of the world!). You can tear this stuff into clumps any size, so its really flexible. I just love it! Anyway, to make the hedgerows about as high as the engine deck of the tank. I seem to have my tanks either traveling along the length of the hedge, or charging right through it. You can also use this for small trees that are glued directly to the base. Tear a clump out that looks tree shaped and then just glue it into position. have the tank hidden mostly behind it.

Here we can see all the ideas from above applied to different bases. from low hedges to a higher hedge, then a tank behind a tree, and finally a wall. Where did I get this from? For that you'll have to read part 2... return to index