1:35 Modern NATO Bastion Cage Barrier Set Type.1

Modern NATO Bastion Cage Barrier Set Type.1 in 1:35 scale from E.T. Model

A photo-etched set for building modern fill barriers of the so-called Bastion type, of the kind used to fortify field bases, checkpoints and firing positions. The set is not a kit of a vehicle or a figure; it is an accessory for building a diorama in 1:35 scale. The designation Type.1 distinguishes this form from the other variants of the same range.

The real subject

Bastion barriers consist of collapsible wire cages reinforced with welded mesh and lined with geotextile. On site they are unfolded, joined into a continuous wall and filled with soil, sand or gravel. The resulting wall serves as a quickly erected fortification and as protection against shrapnel. They are transported flat, in the collapsed state, and assembled without tools, which is why they have become a typical item of modern field bases and are a rewarding motif for contemporary scenes.

Building and painting tips

Separate the photo-etched parts with a scalpel or photo-etch scissors on a hard surface, and make the folds in a bender or along a blade. Glue the structure with cyanoacrylate; on larger joints a thicker version with an accelerator helps. Degrease the metal before painting and spray a base coat, otherwise the finish will not hold on the smooth surface. Imitate the fill with modeling paste, sifted soil or fine sand; once it has dried, even the shade out and add dust pigments. A weathered look is helped along by light drybrushing of the edges and the frames.

Who the set is for

• Builders of dioramas with contemporary vehicles
• Modelers who want a faithful fortification instead of an improvised substitute
• More experienced builders used to working with photo-etched sheet
• Collectors who set a single model into a continuous scene

The set is an accessory for building dioramas. It is supplied unassembled and unpainted; a kit of a vehicle, glue, paints and the fill material are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.