Mark58

Display bases in 1/72 and 1/32 scale are available as well even if there is less choice than 1/48 scale at the moment. But Marc Toillié is currently working on the case, so more and more references will be available in the smaller and bigger scales in the near future.

Various patterns

Depending on the geographical location and the historical period, the type of airfield ground covering can be extremely different from one to another: concrete, wood logs, steel planking, bricks etc... everything was used during aviation history to give to an aircraft a sufficiently hard base so that it could be used operationally under the most difficult weather conditions. The Mark58 display bases reproduce almost every type of ground coverings that were used in aviation history. Below are some examples:

- Wood bases: these are available in all scales, all sizes and all patterns from Mark58. They have been widely used by the Luftwaffe during WWII but also by many other Air Forces in Europe such as Russia or Finland. The Germans even designed huge vertical structures for bigger aircraft such as the He 177 or the Fw 200. They are available in 1/48 scale from Mark58 as well although they are not listed on the website at the moment. If you are searching for something in particular, you can ask Marc Toillié ([email protected]) directely. He speaks fluent French, German and English.

- PSP (Perforated Steel Planking): this is the well known metal ground covering used during WWII (and behond) by the Americans and the Allies . Also called Marsden Matting, it consists of punched through steel strips clipped together to form a runway or and aircraft dispersal. They are available from Mark58 in all scales and sizes. You can even purchase several modules and put them together to build up an entire airfield if you want to! The PSP display bases are perfect for U.S. and Allied aircraft based in Europe and the Pacific. They were widely used well after WWII, during the Korean war for exemple. A modified version (for jets) was used during the Vietnam war. It is to note that the Japanese experienced a similar revetment at Rabaul during WWII. Both the U.S. Vietnam and Japanese steel mat bases are available from Mark58 in 1/48 scale.

- Concrete: this is probably the most common airfield ground covering. It does exist in many different patterns (squares, rectangles, hexagonals) and many different sizes. Everything you can imagine is available from Mark58: from 5X5 meters square patterns to the typical hexagonal Russian pattern. Marc Toillié even designed egg shaped display bases specifically made for modern jets or helicopters.

- Bricks: although not common, this kind of revetment was sometimes used, especially in Holland during WWII. Bricks display bases are only available in 1/48 scale at the moment.

Diorama kits

If you have a more ambitious project, you can also buy a Diorama Kit from Mark58. These kits are composed of a base and several vertical pieces. So far only two Luftwaffe Fighter Splinterbox and one RAF Dispersal Set are available but others will follow. Of course the price of such a kit is cheaper as when you buy all the items separately. Again, if you have something special in mind, send an e-mail to Marc Toillié. There are many vertical structures available and not all are currently listed on the website.

Mark58 is also currently working on a range of products for 1/48 scale Armor. He already has North African buildings in his catalogue and other stuff will follow soon.

The alchemy of Mark58 products

All the products manufactured by Marc Toillié are made of a composite material resulting from the mixture of a coloured acrylic resin with mineral powder. It is not Polyurethane resin but it allows the same precision of moulding without the dangerosity of it. In fact, it looks more like ceramic or plaster. Sometimes sand is added in the mixture (to reproduce concrete for example) and in most cases it is not necessary to brush paint the bases. In fact one can achieve a very realistic finish with a simple wash. However, for those how don't want to bother with the painting of the bases, Mark58 also sells painted bases.

Conclusion

If you want to present your aircraft model on a nice display base or if you have an ambitious diorama project in mind, make sure to visit Marc Toillie's website. There, you will find plenty of interesting stuff for any aircraft type, for any nationality and for any period. Mark58 can send bases worldwide (payment via PayPal) and all his products are well protected within a self designed packaging. If you don't find what you are searching for, send him an e-mail and he will probably make your dream come true.