Modelling the Antenna Array: Part One

Modelling the Antenna Array: Part One BP 44 Armoured Train Infantry Car with Blake Coster The new German BP44 armoured train is an exciting, new model that can be fielded in Flames Of War by using Grey Wolf: Axis Forces on the Eastern Front, January 1944 – February 1945. The Armoured Infantry Car is a vital part of the armoured train; either as protection for the infantry platoon carried within or as the Staff car for the artillery that arms the train.  One of the most important (and coolest) features on the Infantry Car model is its antenna array.  In this article, I will show you a number different ways to model the antenna array on the infantry car. Learn more about the BP44 Armoured Train Infantry Car here...

Grey Wolf Grey Wolf represents the Axis forces (Germans, Hungarians and Finns) serving on the Eastern Front between January 1944 and February 1945.  Learn more about Grey Wolf here...

Battlefront TV Grey Wolf The Germans Wayne takes a quick look at what you can expect from the German lists covered by the Late War compilation Grey Wolf. Visit the Battlefront TV channel on YouTube here...

Antenna or No Antenna? When modelling the armoured infantry car, one of the things you must decide is whether you want to model the antenna array in the first place. Factors to take into account when making this decision include your modelling skills; do you feel comfortable in your abilities to complete the task to a standard you’ll be happy with? Practicality; the antenna array can be quite fragile so if you transporting your train to a gaming destination you don’t want to be spending more time repairing your train than gaming with it. Lastly, is the coolness factor; the infantry car looks a lot cooler with the antenna array than without it. Right: The Armoured Infantry car with its antenna array.

Option One: No Antenna Difficulty Level: Easy The first and simplest option (shown for completeness) is not to have the antenna array at all. After assembling the infantry car you can begin the painting progress or if you are slightly pickier regarding the holes on top of the model, simply fill them in. Learn how to assemble the BP44 Armoured Infantry Car here… Left: The fully assembled infantry car minus the antenna.

Filling in Antenna Array Holes To fill in the holes, you can use either GF9s Green Stuff or Grey Stuff. Check out GF9 Green Stuff in the online store here... Check out GF9 Grey Stuff in the online store here... Far left: GF9s Green Stuff. Left: GF9s Grey Stuff.

Step One. Begin by mixing equal parts of your chosen filling medium (in this example, GF9 Green Stuff), then place a small amount in the hole to be filled.	Step Two. Next, with a hobby knife squash the Green Stuff down forcing it down into the hole.	Step Three. Use the hobby knife to scape off the excess Green Stuff.Any excess Green Stuff can be gently removed with the tip of a hobby knife.	Step Four. With one hole filled, its time to move on to the thirteen others. After sufficient curing time, the Infantry is ready for painting.

Option Two: Wire Antenna Difficulty Level: Medium The second option is to use the antenna poles that Evan has created in conjunction with either some fine gauge wire (which will be used in this example) or something similar, for example, fine black cotton thread etc.  Right: The infantry car assembled with the antenna poles attached.

Attaching the Antenna Poles Attaching the antenna poles requires each of the poles to be the height. This can take a little time to do but with a little patience it can be achieved. Begin by dry-fitting all of the antenna poles and make sure you use the shortest one as the reference guide for the height for the other antenna poles. Use a hobby file to remove the excess height a little at a time till you’ve achieved the correct height.

Tip: Use a straight edge such as a small metal rule when dry-fitting the antenna poles to ensure they are level with each other. Right: Using a small metal rule to ensure the antenna poles are level.

Creating the Antenna Wire

Step One. Begin by choosing a material to use for the antenna wire.	Step Two. Cut a length of wire longer than which you need. Place a small dot of hobby glue to each antenna pole and string the wire across the antenna poles. Hold the wire in place at each end till the hobby glue cures.

Step Three. Repeat on the other side of the infantry car.	Step Four. Next, are the short ends of the infantry car.

Step Five. Repeat the process at both ends of the infantry car.	Step Six. With all of the antenna wire in place, add another small dot of hobby glue to the top of the antenna poles to reinforce the joint of the antenna wire to the antenna poles.

Step Seven. Once the hobby glue has cured, use a pair of hobby cutters to trim of the excess wire as close to the antenna poles as possible.	Step Eight. With the wire antenna in place, the infantry car in now ready to paint.

Learn how to model the wire frame antenna array here... ~ Blake.