Inspiring desert terrain.

[skypig53]

I'm building my first terrain using GHQ's Terrain Maker system. I'm planning on making a desert/urban scenario. Does anyone have any tips, pics or any other inspiration?

[tstockton]

skypig53,

Can't argue with thomas.tmcc's note about "golf course bunker" sand, as I'm not a golfer and have never "experienced" that sand. But I can offer another suggestion...

A well-supplied craft store (Michaels and Hobby Lobby come to mind) should have bags of sand used for "sand art". You can get them in different colors as well, although I would imagine that only two or three of them would be of good wargaming use -- white and tan/beige, maybe a yellow or darker brown??



Here's a picture from my website, in a page I put together called

Ground Cover Comparison

This is a color called "Sable", which I purchased at my local Hobby Lobby. I did not add any vegetation, etc. -- this was only part of my "comparison" I put together.

Other than that, I've not done any desert terrain... yet... still having "too much fun" with my spring/summer terrain!!

Hope this helps!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

[pmskaar]

I have some pictures of my desert terrain posted on Thunder's website. These can be accessed by going to microarmor.com and going to Pete's Game and on pages 14 -16 are some pictures of my terrain maker with some Leva buildings in the background and some various German vehicles.
My friend Tom Herrschaft took some pictures of our game back in August/September 2005 called the Debut of the Honey with pictures and AAR. We used Micro Armor the Game rules and there are several pictures of my desert terrain layout using terrain maker. I'm not sure if those are still accessable or not.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[sfsppe]

I'm an avid model railroader in addition to being an Advanced Squad Leader player. I would highly, (really highly) recommend you try using products from "Arizona Rock and Mineral" It looks like sand, but is actually very finely crushed rock. I model in N scale 1:160, and the ARM products for N scale would look great with 1:285. Traditional sand tends to look like boulders amonst 1:285 soldiers. Anyway, the product comes in a variety of colors. I use "Cajon Sandstone" to do most of my California desert model RR scenes. Get more than one color though, so you can mix and match. There is a train store in Anaheim called Milepost 38, that is welled stocked with this product.

[tstockton]

sfsppe,

As I am a wee bit of a "scenery nut" (also a model railroader, only without a layout at the moment ), I did a quick search on your suggestion -- and found their website:

www.rrscenery.com

Hmmm, some interesting items... might just have to give a few a try!

Thanks for passing this along!!

Regards,
Tom Stockton

[Mk 1]

I have some pictures of my desert terrain posted on Thunder's website.

For anyone who doesn't know, that's www.microarmor.com

Also on that site, if you look in the "Recon" section you'll find pics of a game I played with CG Erickson on some of his outstanding terrain boards. Look under "Modern Iraq Desert Battle".


Two Abrams tanks running past a wadi where earlier an Iraqi HQ unit had been caught by a Bradley.


Iraqis in BMP find a nasty surprise in the night as they recon a river crossing.


Bradley in an olive grove by a village eats an ATGM.

CG was trained in architectural modelling. He makes some absolutly incredible terrain. His desert boards are on 2x4ft panels. I think he has 6 or 8 in total, giving some variety in possible set-ups, but not the level of flexibility of Terrain Maker. Still, it was a great pleasure to game on those boards!

[Thunder]

Here are some links to Pete's stuff:

http://microarmor.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1072

http://microarmor.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=1087

[skypig53]

Thanks all for the great tips and pics. The next obstacle is finding more middle eastern buildings. I have multiple pieces of GHQ's buildings but I'm looking for some variety. CinC's are not much different. Any real eye candy out there that won't break the bank? Are the Jr Miniature buildings anygood?

[pmskaar]

Hey Skypig

I would generally stay away from the company you mentioned. I personally don't care for the quality of their work. If you would like a recommended list of other manufacurers you can send me a personal e-mail and I will answer. That way I don't mention other manufacturers on this forum. Thanks.

Pete - Binpicker, Out!

[skypig53]

sounds good, I guess its bad form to talk about other manufacturers on GHQ's forum. My apologies.

[Hetzen]

Timecast do some nice 6mm North African buildings. They're solid made of some plastic plaster mix. I've got quite a lot of their Southern European buildings..