28MM COMMANDO KAYAK

So after putting together the 28mm Commando land force...and putting some pictures on here - I had some comments (from the blog readers) and I some more thoughts about my original inspiration - the old Airfix 1.72 guys .... who had boats and ladders! Now I have some 28mm ladders (but no boats) but I also assume commandos don't carry ladders on every operation especially on their kayak! So heres what I managed...and how I did it.

The end game...

Here is what I did...

So I got out the 3d printer and started experimenting with kayaks. I printed out a test piece and it looked ok. But I would also need crew for it.

So out came the bits box and I manged to find some spare heads and arms (some were from the Warlord US Marines).  I then rolled out some green stuff and began the process of making some crew.

They were a bit rough to start out... 

                             

But this was the result -at this stage.

With some causality markers...a boat anchor/tie up point was added to the front using wire and a small drill.

A thread was added to the it and passed to the front position.

I still need some paddles- or we will be up that creek without one!

So the next stage was to blend the kayaks into the battle mats. So I got out a hot glue gun.

What I did was run a thin glue line along the bottom of the boat. Pulling the glue upwards with a cocktail stick as it drys...but not too much or it dulls the glossy effect.  I have tried gloss varnish, mod podge etc. but I have found this to work best for me.

Then it was onto dark blue, light blue and white paint..in the sea bits of it.

So that at a distance it hopefully appears to moving or swishing in the the sea.

So now for those paddles...from reference photos they seem to have used various shapes. 

So out came the green stuff and I sourced some wire at the correct gauge - then I began cutting up the wire.

 

This was going to be tricky and time consuming. Small batches and small amounts is the key. Its tricky to shape. and green stuff drys out quickly. But I am hoping its stronger that the usual putty mix. The wire has a plastic coating which took paint easily.

I placed the paddles under the boat on the causality markers.

So that's a big chunk now done! 

The boat race can begin lol.

I think the beach is that way!

mmm... I might print out some "sunk/overturned" boats... watch this space.