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Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 6:20 pm
by vacant
This is supposed to be the airfield at Smeatharpe on top of the Blackdown Hills in Devon. It was built during WW2 and operated for only a few years. It was the airfield from which the 101st Screaming Eaghles took off for the D-Day landings.

The base measures 30 inches long and 18 inches wide. That give it a scale of - the main runway is 1.8 km long, so work it out for yourself. I used an image from Google Earth as a plan. Smeatharpe is the small village on the top right of the first photo. Think of it as illustrative rather than as a scale replica.

The first photo gives an overall view.

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Unfortunately, it looked bare. So I made some aircraft to go on it. There are about 8 C47s and 10 Horsa gliders now in the scene. Each one is less than my thumbnail in length. Most are on the ground, but a few are 'flying', held up by wire.

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Views that are any closer reveal the relatively crude nature of my work. There was only so much time I was prepared to spend in making it. There is a lot more than could be done to it, but the moment has passed.

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 6:30 pm
by DavidWomby
Oh that is cute.

Seriously, I really like the idea of replicating a complete airfield and surroundings in what? About 1/2000 maybe or am I way off? The aircraft must be tiny any way. Well done.

How long did it take to do?

David

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 6:43 pm
by iggie
I reckon the scale is about 1/4200 (ish) :-D

And I also reckon that's a really effective model of such a vast area!

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 6:54 pm
by TobyC
That is excellent

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 7:43 pm
by DavidWomby
iggie wrote:I reckon the scale is about 1/4200 (ish) :-D
Yep, I took the runway as being 30" which Vacant said was the size of the board!!!! Good job I'm not an accountant.

David

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 15th, 2016, 7:51 pm
by vacant
Iggie has it about right - I calculate it at 1:4400ish. This probably means that my buildings, hedgerows and trees are about 200 metres high. One can't have everything!

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 16th, 2016, 1:28 am
by JohnRatzenberger
Good work. Needs tow-ropes coiled neatly between the tug and glider :grin: One of the great scenes in The Longest Day ....

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: April 2nd, 2016, 1:02 am
by AndrewR
Fantastic.

Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe

Posted: March 12th, 2022, 12:52 pm
by G-Man69
I hope that finds its way to a museum, or some form of public display, it's an amazing build, :).

Cheers, :beer:,

G