1:72 British walkboard

1:72 British walkboard: a Brengun photo-etched accessory

Photo-etched walkboards in 1:72 scale from the Czech maker Brengun. It is a standalone accessory, not a kit: it can be used on a model of a British aircraft you have already built or have under construction, or as an element of an airfield diorama. The boards were laid on the wing so that technicians would not damage the thin skin while servicing the machine, refueling it or working on the engine.

What the accessory is for

On a model a walkboard plays two roles. For one thing it is a detail that immediately suggests the aircraft is in service and someone is moving around it, as a display model with no ground equipment at all looks static. For another it fills the empty area of the wing, which in a small scale is otherwise uniform. It combines with other airfield equipment such as wheel chocks, ladders and carts.

Usage tips

Before gluing, try laying the walkboard on dry and check how it sits on the wing profile; etched sheet can be shaped by pressing it carefully over a soft surface. It is bonded with super glue in a minimal amount, applied on the tip of a pin. After the paint it looks truer if you weather it lightly: a darker wash into the grooves and fine rubbing on the edges suggest that someone walked on it. A slightly matte paint also suits it, as walkboards were not glossy.

Who the accessory is for

• Builders of British aircraft in 1:72 scale
• Modelers building an airfield diorama or scene
• Those who want to raise the level of detail on a finished model with little effort
• More experienced modelers working with photo-etched parts

This is an accessory, not a kit. The model, glue and paints are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.