The Little World

An opportunity has arisen to make a summer/winter layout – a diorama of a little Soviet airfield in both seasons. It’s to be spread over two bases and is coming together rather nicely.

The bases are identical, but the portions of the field featured are different – and in both cases they are general enough that any sort of Soviet plane can be shown on them. But the idea required a little research…

Soviet airfields in WW2 were not the concreted complexes they became in the Cold War. No hexagonal plates – no cinder-block ready hangars, Just ramshackle buildings and grass fields in summer. In winter cold ramshackle buildings and snow fields. In between mud.

A lot like Alberta, really…

Well the log cabins found in the wargamers shop will be perfect for the structures. I may add a corrugated iron shelter shed for the GAZ AS starter truck for the winter scene – I do not fancy spoiling it with scattered artificial snow. If a well shows up in the 1:72 accessory racks I’ll add it – if not I’ll scratch one up. The Russian pattern is almost like a shadoof.

The trees for summer are easy – I have plenty of ex-layout HO trees. as well, there are bare armatures that can be twisted up for the winter scene. I

I’ll hide one in a stand of evergreens and snow them in. There are plenty of tutorials on YouTube about layout snow simulation. Apparently you can even make drifts with aerosol shaving foam and baking soda…just weird enough a technique to attract me.

And to bring the little scenes to life? Zvezda make a large number of little packets of 1:72 Soviet figures. Most are pretty active and armed with hand weapons – not really suitable for an airfield not under direct attack. I would prefer more camp scenes or at least a squad drawn up on parade on a square. At least I can make use of 5 little VVS chaps in work coveralls for the summer and 4 greatcoated officers for the winter. They have felt boots and fur hats and they can be out in the cold. Serve ’em right.