Printable Concrete Base 1/48 scale
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009 - 04:43 PM UTC
Inspired by the "Printable modern aircraft carrier deck" on the ARC Diorama Forum.
I'm working on a concrete version (tarmac). Each square tile is 4.625" which I think scales out to around 20 ft @ 1/48 scale. Any suggestions on: airfield markings (with a diagram and/or ref photos), manhole covers, drains, etc.. is much appreciated.
I'm building the PhotoShop file in layers, so that I can go from a clean concrete base to a dirty (abandoned) field—and anywhere in between. I'll post a few progress pics. This printable base is designed to be modular, so that you can cut the tiles apart as needed to fit your layout (and put in grass sections, etc).
Right now the PhotoShop file is being built (16 squares) to measure 18.5" x 18.5" @ 250 dpi.
Thanks for looking,
Mike
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Merlin
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#017
United Kingdom
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Monday, March 30, 2009 - 12:53 AM UTC
Hi Mike
That's a very neat idea indeed! I'm looking forward to seeing how it turns out.
All the best
Rowan
BEWARE OF THE FEW...
As I grow older, I regret to say that a detestable habit of thinking seems to be getting a hold of me. - H. Rider Haggard
European Union
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
AeroScale: 1,587 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 05:06 AM UTC
This is one very very very very very very good idea.
The only remark that I have is that all the concrete slabs that I have seen on airfields (at least when I was paying attention) were 6 meters by 3 meters.
Otherwise, i think that 300dpi is somewhat standard these days (or have i lost touch with printing reality?)
The mission: Beat the stash.
Almost conquered: MIG-29, Blackhawk, Skyray, Skyraider, fouga
Main battle:Demon, Skyhawk, F-14, CH-53
Stash reserve:Blackhawk, CH-46, 47 en 53; SU-7, Eurofighter, mohawk, hellcat, F-16D, 6x Fouga Magister, Voodoo
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009 - 10:43 AM UTC
Thanks for the feedback. I'll do a version that's 6 meters x 3 meters as well. I like the look of the square tiles though (as seen in Verlinden books).
And yes, 300 dpi is standard for printing. I'll res up the final jpeg version to 300 dpi. The files get to be very large (very quickly) when doing high res layers in PhotoShop, so every little bit I can save up front really helps.
Mike
European Union
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
AeroScale: 1,587 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 01:12 AM UTC
What about publishing the individual layers in seperate files in photoshop format (the extension escapes me)
Someone with some photoshop knowledge could then combine whatever. This way the difference between a square and a 3*6 dimension would come down to activating another layer
Maybe you could publish the final result as a feature? Forum posts tend to get lost in the mass of posts created.
I think that i have some pictures and other data of typical airfield markings. I'll search these and send them to you if this can help?
Again, this is a really splendid idea. I could kick myself for not having thought about this myself
The mission: Beat the stash.
Almost conquered: MIG-29, Blackhawk, Skyray, Skyraider, fouga
Main battle:Demon, Skyhawk, F-14, CH-53
Stash reserve:Blackhawk, CH-46, 47 en 53; SU-7, Eurofighter, mohawk, hellcat, F-16D, 6x Fouga Magister, Voodoo
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 11:47 AM UTC
Great. I'd really appreciate the pics of airfield markings. The 3m x 6m version is coming along.
Mike
England - West Midlands, United Kingdom
Joined: August 15, 2008
KitMaker: 337 posts
AeroScale: 309 posts
Posted: Thursday, April 02, 2009 - 09:25 PM UTC
This looks like a great idea. I've had a look at any concrete pics I can find and they all seem to be about 3m square.
Completely unscientific ,but if the aircraft below is 35' long (give or take a few inches) then the slabs are about 10' square!
BTW I haven't got a single picture with any markings visible - sorry.
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Cheers
Steve
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Friday, April 03, 2009 - 04:23 AM UTC
Thanks Steve. I'll modify the squares version to 10' (instead of 20'). All the help is appreciated.
Mike
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#042
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: November 18, 2006
KitMaker: 2,828 posts
AeroScale: 1,720 posts
Posted: Friday, April 03, 2009 - 07:51 AM UTC
All I can say is WOW.
I wish I could be as talented in photoshop as you as these would be great for some of my bases.
I agree with the idea of making a feature of how to do it.
Modellers Creed: This is my toolbox. There are many like it, but this one is mine. My toolbox is my best friend. It is my life. I must master it as I must master my life. My toolbox, without me, is useless. Without my toolbox, I am useless.
Removed by original poster on 04/27/09 - 17:34:59 (GMT).
European Union
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
AeroScale: 1,587 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 07, 2009 - 09:22 PM UTC
Do you have this already?
"ETL 04-2 Standard Airfield Pavement Marking Schemes , with Change 1"
Just copy and paste the above line in google. It leads to the NATO airfield markings standard. I do however not have the impression that this standard is very closely followed.
I see on many airfields that the yellow (or white) line is painted in the middle of a (3 times larger) black line which makes the yellow stand out more.
The mission: Beat the stash.
Almost conquered: MIG-29, Blackhawk, Skyray, Skyraider, fouga
Main battle:Demon, Skyhawk, F-14, CH-53
Stash reserve:Blackhawk, CH-46, 47 en 53; SU-7, Eurofighter, mohawk, hellcat, F-16D, 6x Fouga Magister, Voodoo
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009 - 06:38 AM UTC
I've posted the high res files here:
http://www.4shared.com/dir/14896314/608bc0dd/Tarmac.htmlEach opened jpg file is about 29 MB, 11"x17" @ 300dpi in CMYK.
Enjoy,
Mike
Tarmac1_48.jpg
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Tarmac2_48.jpg
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Tarmac3_48.jpg
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Tarmac4_48.jpg
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Tarmac5_48.jpg
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Tarmac6_48.jpg
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Tarmac7_48.jpg
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Helipad.jpg
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Helipad2.jpg
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Colorado, United States
Joined: December 25, 2004
KitMaker: 3,770 posts
AeroScale: 201 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009 - 07:27 AM UTC
Michael,
NICE! Thank you.
Mike
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#243
England - North East, United Kingdom
Joined: March 21, 2008
KitMaker: 996 posts
AeroScale: 915 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009 - 10:40 AM UTC
Neat idea!
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I fly from RAF Topcliffe every week but never looked at the concrete. As you can see from the above the slabs are about 10ft x 20ft (Topcliffe was paved in 1942 or 43). The taxiway marking are yellow and I have not seen black edges on a RAF field. Parking locations are marked in white lettering (you can just see a "R" under the Vigi. Taxiways are paved in tarmac with yellow centrelines and dashed yellow lines down the sides. Taxiways are terminated at runways by double yellow lines.
Andrew
Pfalz DIIIa, Eduard 1/48 Uffz Max Hitschler Jasta 18 Late 1917
Victoria, Australia
Joined: August 23, 2007
KitMaker: 629 posts
AeroScale: 539 posts
Posted: Monday, April 27, 2009 - 11:23 AM UTC
These are great! Will look great mounted to bases for taking pics.
Thanks Michael
Andrew
Current Projects:
Eduard 1/48 F6F-3 Hellcat
Hasegawa 1/350 Yukikaze
1/6 JJ Models Sarah "Gothic"
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Tuesday, April 28, 2009 - 07:09 AM UTC
I'm working on the 1/32 version now. I'll have to make A and B sides, so you can tile the sections to print out on 11"x17". Or you can use them individually.
Mike
European Union
Joined: September 28, 2004
KitMaker: 2,186 posts
AeroScale: 1,587 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 12:39 AM UTC
The mission: Beat the stash.
Almost conquered: MIG-29, Blackhawk, Skyray, Skyraider, fouga
Main battle:Demon, Skyhawk, F-14, CH-53
Stash reserve:Blackhawk, CH-46, 47 en 53; SU-7, Eurofighter, mohawk, hellcat, F-16D, 6x Fouga Magister, Voodoo
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Wednesday, April 29, 2009 - 03:04 PM UTC
Thank you. Here are a few more:
http://www.4shared.com/dir/14896314/608bc0dd/Tarmac.htmlHoldLine_48.jpg
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HoldLine2_48.jpg
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Helipad3_48.jpg
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Helipad4_48.jpg
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Tarmac8_48.jpg
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#041
Kobenhavn, Denmark
Joined: July 20, 2006
KitMaker: 10,069 posts
AeroScale: 3,788 posts
Posted: Friday, May 01, 2009 - 01:00 AM UTC
Looks great, Michael.
Thanks a lot for sharing your great work.
Campaign'oholic - 252+ campaigns completed
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 01:34 PM UTC
Two last files at 1/48 scale.
http://www.4shared.com/dir/14896314/608bc0dd/Tarmac.htmlCarrierDeck_48.jpg
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CarrierDeck2_48.jpg
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Merlin
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#017
United Kingdom
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Sunday, May 03, 2009 - 06:57 PM UTC
Hi Michael
Fantastic stuff! I'll echo what the others have said - thank you for sharing all your hard work!
All the best
Rowan
BEWARE OF THE FEW...
As I grow older, I regret to say that a detestable habit of thinking seems to be getting a hold of me. - H. Rider Haggard
Ontario, Canada
Joined: October 14, 2007
KitMaker: 122 posts
AeroScale: 119 posts
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2009 - 05:30 AM UTC
Yes indeed, very much appreciated!
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Monday, May 04, 2009 - 04:09 PM UTC
Thank you. I'm working on a 1/32 tarmac now. I also owe another ARC buddy some Soviet Slabs @ 1/48. According to Marcus on ARC if you scale these files to 66% you should have them in 1/72.
Send me an email if you need anything specific, or if my markings (or scale) are off.
Thanks,
Mike
Merlin
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#017
United Kingdom
Joined: June 11, 2003
KitMaker: 17,582 posts
AeroScale: 12,795 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 03:33 AM UTC
Hi Michael
I was going to suggest some Soviet-style hexagonal slabs too, but I didn't want to distract you from your primary focus. I'll defintely be keen to the result when you have them ready.
All the best
Rowan
BEWARE OF THE FEW...
As I grow older, I regret to say that a detestable habit of thinking seems to be getting a hold of me. - H. Rider Haggard
California, United States
Joined: August 08, 2008
KitMaker: 34 posts
AeroScale: 31 posts
Posted: Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 06:15 AM UTC
Hi Rowan,
Can you send me some reference for the hexagonal Soviet slabs?
The only measurements I have are for rectangular shaped sections.
Thanks,
Mike