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.
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.
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.
Airfield at Smeatharpe
- DavidWomby
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Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
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
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
- iggie
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Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
I reckon the scale is about 1/4200 (ish)
And I also reckon that's a really effective model of such a vast area!
And I also reckon that's a really effective model of such a vast area!
Best wishes
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
Jim
If you can walk away from a landing, it's a good landing. If you use the airplane the next day, it's an outstanding landing
"Never put off till tomorrow, what you can do the day after tomorrow"
- DavidWomby
- Modelling Gent and Scholar
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- Joined: May 1st, 2011, 8:09 pm
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Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
Yep, I took the runway as being 30" which Vacant said was the size of the board!!!! Good job I'm not an accountant.iggie wrote:I reckon the scale is about 1/4200 (ish)
David
Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
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!
- JohnRatzenberger
- Why is he so confused ?
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Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
Good work. Needs tow-ropes coiled neatly between the tug and glider One of the great scenes in The Longest Day ....
John Ratzenberger
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
It's my model and I'll do what I want with it.
Re: Airfield at Smeatharpe
I hope that finds its way to a museum, or some form of public display, it's an amazing build, .
Cheers, ,
G
Cheers, ,
G