Bocage

Started these just before Xmas but only just got round to finishing them off.

First eleven pieces of Bocage for 28mm games (not sure how I ended up making eleven, slightly odd number!).

I'd been considering on how to make Bocage for a while and a search on the web will come up with several different variations made by others. The general description of bocage is of a bank covered in undergrowth and trees.  As represented here...

I therefore decided I would opt for an angled bank with foliage stuck to the top. Using materials I already had would decide on their construction. The bases are MDF 2mm bases 120mmx40mm from warbases. To this I then cut lengths of cork tile and built it up in steps. The first was 30mm wide, then 25mm, 20mm 15mm and finally 10mm wide. Each tile is approximately 3mm deep. Once the wood glue had dried I spread ready mixed filler (Polyfilla) along each edge to give a smooth(ish) bank, and on each end to hide the different layers of cork. On some I stuck small stones into the filler before it dried. Once that was dried, I sanded each end to smooth it out and then painted PVA glue on to each bank (not the ends) and sprinkled sand on to them. Once that had dried painted each piece and then used a hot glue gun to stick the clump foliage to the top and some to the sides of each bank. Finally added grass, then sprayed it with glue (Woodland scenics sprayer) and lastly GW Purity Seal to seal the whole thing.

The hot glue gun was a new acquisition which I purchased after constantly reading other modellers articles which refered to just how useful a hot glue gun is. I must fully agree, though it took a little while to get use to it. I found it was best to apply a little bit of glue, a few centimetres at a time, and then stick foliage on otherwise the glue would dry out. Also the glue is hot so watch your fingers.

The following show one of the banks with a fallshirmjager stood behind it.

And now the same piece photographed from directly to the front (honest).  

So it gives an idea of the height compared to a 28mm figure which cannot be seen. I'm aware descriptions describe the real bocage as being as high or higher than a tank, but I'm happy with the result. 

Cut out a few more pieces of cork tile to make some more, might try some variations in height and add more stones to them once I get started.