Making Minefields

Making Minefields Step by Step By Dale Pepperell Overview With the release of D-Day and Bloody Omaha a few of the missions and scenarios require minefields, so I thought I’d go through the simple steps required to make them.

If you refer to the main rule book (page 217) fortification missions require the defender to field up to 60 fortification points, of which half can be spent on one type of obstacle. The minefields cost 5 points each, so you could get up to six in an average sized game. Including defending with engineers and/or a larger table and I think about 8-10 minefields should be plenty to cover all your needs. The base size of a minefield (page 209) is 20cm by 5cm.

Step 1 (basic base)

Mark out the bases on your hardboard or MDF, leave space between each marked out base for when you cut it out, about 1-2mm between each one should do. When cut out, use a sharp knife to bevel the side’s of the bases (Remember to always cut away from yourself). Then sand them smooth, rounding the corners as you go. Drill holes for the posts around the edge of the base and in the centre for the signpost.

Step 2 (basic detail)

With the basic base done its time to detail the minefield. Roll some modelling putty into small balls, about 2-3mm in diameter and flatten onto base with the moistened side of a knife (this helps stop the putty sticking to the knife). Then flatten an even smaller putty ball on top of the first. This makes an uncovered land mine. Two to six of them on a base works well. For covered mines apply some putty lumps to the base and with a wet finger, smooth and round them into a slight rise about 1-2mm high and 8-10mm in diameter. Evenly distribute them on the base to bring the total number of landmines to around eight (including the uncovered ones). Then glue some cut down the tooth picks into the drilled holes. They need to be 5-8mm tall. You could also make some craters from putty or add some victims of the mines (see our special order range for suitable prone casualties) for effect.

Step 3 (texture and paint)

Keep in mind the colour of your terrain and army bases when picking the scheme for your minefields. Making it the same colour as your gaming table and miniatures bases ties them all together. Painting the base your base colour and while still wet sprinkle fine sand lightly over the base and dab more base colour over the sand to seal it. When dry clean the toothpicks and scrap of sand to revealed landmines. Then dry brush the base with a lighter shade of your base colour and paint the posts and landmines. Don’t forget to paint or write (with a fine pen) ACHTUNG MINEN! (if a German minefield) or DANGER MINEFIELD! (for the Allies) on the sign.

Step 4 (finishing detail)

When the base is dry, apply P.V.A (wood) glue to the base. Leave small gaps all over it and avoid all the exposed landmines. Then lightly sprinkle the static grass over base until covered, then shake and blow excess off. Repeat if required. Now apply some super glue to the outside of the posts and tie the cotton thread to a post and wind it onto the next post keeping the thread tight, then repeat until back to the first post and tie off. Paint when the glue is dry. One strand of wire is plenty, but you could tie two wires and attach the landmine sign to them.

Materials Hardboard (3mm) Thin card Sand Cotton thread Toothpicks (2x10mm) Paint Paint brushes Knife (sharp) Static grass Sand paper (fine) Pen and ruler Drill (2mm bit) Toothpicks (2mm diameter) Greenstuff putty (or similar) P.V.A. glue (wood glue) Good luck valiant defenders, hope these obstacles serve you well. Cheers Dale Pepperell