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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: dominic on December 31, 2007, 10:25:47 AM

Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on December 31, 2007, 10:25:47 AM
Hi guys, here's what I've been doing the past couple of days.

I received the Miniature Building Authority Cafe last Friday.  It's a good copy of the "Cafe de Normandie" which appears in the Band of Brothers' Carentan scenario:

(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/mba_cafenormandie.jpg)

Using this as a starting point, (and with a BIG dose of inspiration from Sgt Perry's French Village WIP, and Matakishi's Blog - thanks guys!) I decided to scratch-build one by one all the buildings surrounding Cafe de Normandie.  Here's what I've done so far:

(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/carentan_overview.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/carentan03.jpg)

My next project for today is to do the Restaurant "Desire Ingouf":

(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/desire_ingouf.jpg)

Wish me luck!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Driscoles on December 31, 2007, 10:29:18 AM
very nice Dom. Sure I wish you luck  :)
Cheers
Björn
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: mendoza on December 31, 2007, 10:32:17 AM
very nice!!!!!!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on December 31, 2007, 02:02:46 PM
Here are some step-by-step pics for building Desire Ingouf.
The measurements are all guesswork.  There are pics of the 2 front sides.  But the configuration for the 2 rear sides is also guess work!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf01.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf02.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf03.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf04.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf05.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf06.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf07.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: janner on December 31, 2007, 03:01:28 PM
Great walk through talk through - please keep it going
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 01, 2008, 08:15:55 AM
@Janner - thanks for your comments!
I'm stuck at this stage as I've run out of roof tile sheets. The project is on hold until I can get to an architectural supply shop tomorrow!

Meanwhile, I've started on the house behind Desire Ingouf, and if there's time between celebrations today, will also try to do the Cafe that's across the road (in the foreground of the WW2 pic - partial shot only)

Cheers!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Grimm on January 01, 2008, 01:05:14 PM
:o  :love:  :o  :o  :o  cool !!!!

will you be ready in two weeks ?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 01, 2008, 02:18:48 PM
Very very nice! I'm looking forward to seeing more!

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: assi on January 01, 2008, 06:42:02 PM
Nice Work, whats the Roof made of?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 01, 2008, 10:01:23 PM
Hi Grimm, I think all the houses will all be built in 2 weeks, but not yet painted :(

@Assi - the roof tiles are by Auhagen, a German railroad model company.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: twrchtrwyth on January 01, 2008, 10:11:04 PM
I like your step by step pics to, keep them coming.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 02, 2008, 09:09:07 AM
The name Désiré Ignouf is the one of the owner (on the front there's DESIRE IGNOUF RESTAURATEUR) with "Restaurateur" as Restaurant's owner.

I found an intersting thread on a french speaking forum. It's a bit long (37 pages) but there are some interesting pictures :

http://www.colleurs-de-plastique.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15812

See pages 1,5,6,7,9,10,12,15,16,18,20,21,22,25,33


http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/7367/imgff5.jpg
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 02, 2008, 09:29:48 AM
Sgt Perry, that's a super thread on how to build the restaurant!  I only hope that my model will be half as good!  (I don't even plan to make any doors or windows!!)  Well, let's see!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 02, 2008, 09:33:42 AM
Quote from: "dominic"
Sgt Perry, that's a super thread on how to build the restaurant!  I only hope that my model will be half as good!  (I don't even plan to make any doors or windows!!)  Well, let's see!


It's mainly for model makers but there are some good tips. But covering the whole building roof with single tiles is a bit silly for a wargamer!  :o

I think that with some nice details your buildings will be fantastic.

Good luck,

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 02, 2008, 09:42:51 AM
Sgt Perry - I found a good website here (in French) with some nice pictures of Carentan - then and now.  If I have time and energy, I may try to build more houses along Rue Holgate!

http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/grandschangements.htm

For example, this is a pic of Rue Holgate, at the end of it, you can make out the Restaurant Desire Ingouf:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/p000716s.jpg)

And here is another pic of the Restaurant Desire Ingouf from a different angle (along D913 in direction Cherbourg).  Yesterday, I built the house behind the Kubelwagen.

(http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/image/p000796.jpg)

Do you know any wargamers who are living near Carentan?  It would be interesting to get some photos of more buildings!!

Best regards,
Dominic
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 02, 2008, 11:31:31 AM
Check these threads, Dominic!

http://dday-overlord.forumactif.com/l-histoire-de-la-easy-company-f45/prise-de-carentan-t3198.htm?highlight=carentan

http://dday-overlord.forumactif.com/l-histoire-de-la-easy-company-f45/carentan-t987.htm?highlight=carentan
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 02, 2008, 02:23:13 PM
Thanks for those 2 excellent threads!

Help!! Can you help me to translate this?  I think it is important!!

Comme promis voici donc le fameux carrefour par où la Easy company a attaqué Carentan.

voici la photo en 1944 :

La easy serait arrivée de la gauche d'après la légende de la photo du Livre BOB

voici la photo prise du même endroit aujourd'hui : (désoler pour le contre jour)

l'endroit aujourd'hui a beaucoup changé comme vous pouvez le constater. La rue de gauche, mène aujourd'hui dans une résidence pavillonnaire, mais à l'époque celle ci donnait dans les champs.

Voici donc la photo prise depuis la rue où la easy est arrivée :


une légère pente douce, avec en face des vieux batiments, qui, d'après les anciens de Carentan étaient déja là à l'époque. On peut supposer que c'est ici que la MG42 était installé et c'est pourquoi la easy a effectué une attaque frontale.

un peu sur la gauche nous pouvons retrouver un mur sur lequel des impactes de balles sont visibles, seule trace qui témoigne des combats dans cette zone.


Voici enfin la photo d'une maison qui était à l'époque l'infirmerie du bataillon où 10 des hommes de la easy se sont fait soigner y compris le soldat Albert Blithe et le Major Winters lui même ( merci à Lipton pour les infos )



je remerçie Lipton pour les infos et photos qu'il a pu me fournir pour retrouver ces lieux, et [Jo pour les photos d'époques qu'il à mit en ligne et qui m'on aidé à localiser les lieux.

Enfin, je remerçie vivement l'association des [amis de la 101eme airborne ( http://amisdela101airborne.free.fr) que j'ai rencontré sur place et qui sont vraiment très sympa. Je vous conseille d'aller voir leur site. Le forum de ce site vient juste d'ouvrir et si vous avez des questions sur Carentan n'hésitez pas à prendre contact avec eux.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 02, 2008, 03:07:33 PM
Quote from: "dominic"
Thanks for those 2 excellent threads!

Help!! Can you help me to translate this?  I think it is important!!



Comme promis voici donc le fameux carrefour par où la Easy company a attaqué Carentan.

voici la photo en 1944 :


As promise here' s the famous crossroad from which Easy company/506th PIR attacked Carentan.

Here's the picture in 1944

(http://i10.servimg.com/u/f10/10/07/05/09/entree11.jpg)



La easy serait arrivée de la gauche d'après la légende de la photo du Livre BOB


According to the picture in Ambrose's book, BoB, Easy Company came from the left side.


voici la photo prise du même endroit aujourd'hui : (désoler pour le contre jour)

l'endroit aujourd'hui a beaucoup changé comme vous pouvez le constater. La rue de gauche, mène aujourd'hui dans une résidence pavillonnaire, mais à l'époque celle ci donnait dans les champs.


Here's the picture taken from the same place nowadays (sorry for the backlighting).

The same place really changed a lot. The road on the left drives you to a private housing estate but there were only fields during the wartime.

http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=10&u=10070509



Voici donc la photo prise depuis la rue où la easy est arrivée :

une légère pente douce, avec en face des vieux batiments, qui, d'après les anciens de Carentan étaient déja là à l'époque. On peut supposer que c'est ici que la MG42 était installé et c'est pourquoi la easy a effectué une attaque frontale.

un peu sur la gauche nous pouvons retrouver un mur sur lequel des impactes de balles sont visibles, seule trace qui témoigne des combats dans cette zone.


Here's the picture taken from the road from which Easy Company arrived.

It's a gentle slope, with in the front, old buildings, which, from what I learned from the older inhabitants of Carentan existed in 1944. We can supposed that the MG42 was in position in this building.

http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=11&u=10070509

On the left side, there's a wall with visible bullets marks. That's the only hint of fight in the area.

http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=12&u=10070509


Voici enfin la photo d'une maison qui était à l'époque l'infirmerie du bataillon où 10 des hommes de la easy se sont fait soigner y compris le soldat Albert Blithe et le Major Winters lui même ( merci à Lipton pour les infos )


Finally here's the picture of the house in which was set up the US medical post after the battle.

http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=13&u=10070509
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 02, 2008, 03:44:22 PM
Thanks Olivier for the translation.

Now I understand better the path of Easy Company through Carentan.
So there was no Cafe de Normandie... and they did not pass Chez Desire Ingouf...:cry:

If you follow this map (not very detailed), Easy Company (part of 2/506) arrived in Carentan to the Southwest (left of this photo):

(http://i10.servimg.com/u/f10/10/07/05/09/entree11.jpg)

Attacked across Rue Holgate south of the rail track towards this group of houses:

(http://i10.servimg.com/u/10/07/05/09/dsc01411.jpg)

Then turned northeast to enter Carentan about 200m east of chez Desire Ingouf, near the train station:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/25/Gare_de_carentan.jpg)

Across the road from the train station is today's Town Hall, I think in 1944, this was a school:

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1e/Carentan_Mairie.jpg/800px-Carentan_Mairie.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 02, 2008, 11:00:26 PM
A bit slow, but managed to get the roof up tonight!  More tomorrow!

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf08.jpg)

(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/desire_ingouf.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 03, 2008, 07:31:48 AM
Frankly, it's a really great building!

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 03, 2008, 09:48:12 PM
A little bit more...

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf10.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on January 04, 2008, 08:25:18 AM
Its looking goo dDominic, I can't wait to see the finished building and the whole town :) Awesome stuff :D
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 05, 2008, 09:27:45 AM
Started doing the detailing yesterday night.  Started with some textured tile sheets and cut them into strips for the window outlines:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf11.JPG)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf12.JPG)

Then drew in the curved outlines at the top of each window using a masking tape roll as a template:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf13.JPG)

To make the tile strips conform to the curved window tops, I did a half cut along each tile so the strip could curve a little (sorry for the bad pic).  The keystones are just card cut into appropriate shapes to fit gap (see last pic)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf14.JPG)

Next, using a textured brick sheet, cut into appropriate sized strips to line the base of the building:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf15.JPG)

And the result so far:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf16.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/desire_ingouf.jpg)

BTW - Sgt Perry - can you make out the words in the sign on the side of the building before the words "... Desire Ingouf Restaurateur"?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Grimm on January 05, 2008, 10:13:57 AM
dominic that is Amazing !!!!! cant wait to see it in real  :wink:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: white knight on January 05, 2008, 10:19:32 AM
It's very recognisableas the same building. Good job. 8)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on January 05, 2008, 11:00:23 AM
Great work dominic, very impressive indeed.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 05, 2008, 11:18:51 AM
Thanks guys, here's a little bit more before I go accompany the little lady shopping:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf17.JPG)

Next step will be to mask off all the details in preparation for spraying.  I'm thinking of using a granite textured spray paint to texture the walls.

@Matakishi - I might have made a mistake.  I used cork tiles which are waxed on one side, and inadvertantly put all the waxed sides facing out.  Will I have a problem painting it up?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on January 05, 2008, 11:29:09 AM
Quote from: "dominic"
@Matakishi - I might have made a mistake.  I used cork tiles which are waxed on one side, and inadvertantly put all the waxed sides facing out.  Will I have a problem painting it up?


Errr.... I'm afraid so. I recently had someone write to me because he couldn't even get treated cork to glue to itself  :(
It won't be an insurmountable problem though, I would think that a spray undercoat should anchor the next layers of paint ok, at least for a scenery piece.
You might need to add a thin coating of plaster or filler before painting
When I first saw the model I assumed you'd tried the treated cork before so I didn't say anything. I was more worried about the pen lines bleeding through  :lol:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 05, 2008, 11:32:52 AM
@Matakishi - I've not had any problems glueing, so hopefully that is a good sign.  I'll test the treated cork with a layer of Vallejo paint before going out.  If Vallejo sticks, it should be alright.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on January 05, 2008, 12:04:44 PM
Quote from: "dominic"
@Matakishi - I've not had any problems glueing, so hopefully that is a good sign.  I'll test the treated cork with a layer of Vallejo paint before going out.  If Vallejo sticks, it should be alright.


I am keeping my fingers crossed for you. Its such a great looking model it would be such a shame if you had problems now. :|
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Lt. Hazel on January 05, 2008, 03:33:56 PM
:o  :o  Stunning work Dom! The house is very good so far, can´t wait to the it finished! Thumbs up  :mrgreen:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 05, 2008, 05:29:09 PM
Happy to report that Vallejo paint stuck well on the waxed surface!!
The paint also did not flake when I flexed the cork until it broke! :)

Time to start masking the model in preparation for spraying - more tomorrow!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on January 05, 2008, 06:31:38 PM
That's a relief  :)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 06, 2008, 07:02:54 PM
Here's the model after applying the granite-texture spray paint:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/ingouf18.JPG)
(http://www.napnuts.com/ww2/desire_ingouf.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: cheminsdefeu on January 06, 2008, 07:31:49 PM
Hello Dom,

Very impressive your project. Your first houses are really first class. It's so motivating to do this kind of project, to see it coming to life... so much so that buying ready made one ;-)
Eager to see the rest of it coming...
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 08, 2008, 01:27:51 PM
After searching for the real name of the building of Mr Ignouf, here's a picture with the road that took Easy Compagny / 506th PIR during the attack of Carentan. The 506th PIR was at the hamlet of La Billonerie on the roads to Periers.

(http://pix.nofrag.com/3/8/d/7fd5553f356f462ddbc7a7ba6093f.jpg)

On the google map part you can see nowadays buildings which were on pictures on page 2.

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 08, 2008, 01:35:32 PM
Thanks Olivier for all your help!

After some discussion off forum and some Googling, Sgt Perry and I managed to discover what was written on the long sign at the side of the building:

"Hotel du Soleil Levant & Desire Ingouf Restaurateur"

Literally - "Hotel of the Rising Sun and Desire Ingouf Restaurant owner"

I'm sure the GIs had some fun in there after they liberated Carentan!! :wink:
"...There is a house in New Orleans, they call the ..."
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 08, 2008, 01:55:49 PM
Now, the question is :

Where were the Fallschirmjägers and where did they opened fire?


C. Carwood Lipton
E Company, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment

Quote
(...)As we reached the outskirts of Carentan we started getting German rifle and machine gun fire. The houses in this area were somewhat like row houses except that there were enclosed stairways leading up to the second floors from the outside. I thought that we were getting sniper fire from one of the upstairs windows. Buck Taylor and I were working as a team at this point, checking and clearing the buildings and area as went, so I told him that I would go up the stairway to that room and that after he had given me enough time to get to the top he should throw a grenade through the upstairs window. I would then jump into the room and finish off whoever was there.

I ran up the steps and stopped outside the door. I heard the grenade thump into the room through the window and its explosion. I threw open the door and leaped into the room, my rifle thrust forward ready to fire. I couldn't see a thing! The room was filled with dust and smoke from the explosion. If there had been a sniper there and he had been able to shield himself from the grenade he would have had me silhouetted in the door, but the room was empty.

We continued to check buildings and work our way toward the town center. The rifle and machine gun fire against us seemed to decrease somewhat as we moved farther in , but mortar and artillery fire increased. Men were getting hit.

Someone yelled that Tipper was hit across the street from me. I ran over. He was lying there conscious but hurt seriously. A medic was bandaging his face and his eye was obviously gone. He had major wounds in on arm and one leg. I told him he would be well taken care of and moved on.

I came to a major road intersection, nearer the town center. There was small arms and machine gun fire coming down the street from the right, across my front. Across on the other side of that street, on the continuation of the street I was standing on, were several E Company men. There were explosions up on the walls of the buildings on the left side of the street that they were on, and they looked to me like German 5cm mortar shells fired at a low trajectory so that they were coming in somewhat horizontally rather than dropping in vertically. I was on the right side of the street I was on, against a building on my right, and I did not think that the fire could get to me, but I started yelling to the men on the other side to move farther along. I thought that in the noise and confusion they might not realize that mortar fire was being directed at them.(...)


After reading this, I think that the US Paras were attacked when they reached the first crossroad and that there was a house to house fight along the road up to the crossroads with the RN13 and that Lipton was wounded here (near the Desire INGOUF restaurant).

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 09, 2008, 08:36:47 AM
Hi Olivier, I must admit I am still quite confused about the exact route taken by Easy company from La Billonerie into Carentan.

If you follow this map, it suggests 2/506 (incl Easy) attacked La Billonerie and then moved up the Periers road into Carentan (passing the rail junction and the restaurant Desire Ingouf).

(http://i10.servimg.com/u/10/07/05/09/carte_10.jpg)

On the other hand, if you follow this map, then E/2/506 may have attacked La Billonerie from the west, then continued in a NE direction into Carentan, that means passing the train station and the Mairie/Ecole.

(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bc/Battle_for_Carentan_-_Map.jpg)

I need to do more reading to see if the confusion can be cleared up.

Regarding Lipton's account which you posted above.  That is quite interesting.  Do you have some pictures of these houses that he describes - with the outside staircase leading to the 2nd floor?  (In Band of Brothers, this becomes the big factory which has a sniper on the staircase, and Lipton runs in to clear the factory, after that he is wounded outside the factory.  But in this respect, I think BoB is not accurate.)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 09, 2008, 11:06:21 AM
Quote from: "dominic"
(...)

Regarding Lipton's account which you posted above.  That is quite interesting.  Do you have some pictures of these houses that he describes - with the outside staircase leading to the 2nd floor?  (In Band of Brothers, this becomes the big factory which has a sniper on the staircase, and Lipton runs in to clear the factory, after that he is wounded outside the factory.  But in this respect, I think BoB is not accurate.)


It was quite usual in french villages,. Most of the time, it's a metallic staircase. I suppose the wooden ones have been replaced in the late 19th / Early 20th. Nowadays, they often disappeared.

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 09, 2008, 11:15:28 AM
Is this staircase in the front or on the side of the houses?
If I can make a row of these houses, it would be more accurate (and easier!) than building a big factory!!

Anyway, the only factory I can find in Carentan at that time was the Gloria milk factory which is in the NE of Carentan, near the river port, which is totally opposite to the direction that Easy Company arrived in Carentan.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 09, 2008, 11:59:56 AM
It really depends Dominic. Sides, Front, Rear  are valid spots for such staircases.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 09, 2008, 02:39:04 PM
This is an excerpt on Carentan from the US Army official history "From Utah Beach to Cherbourg"

"The 2d Battalion (506th), meanwhile, had moved out astride the main road leading into Carentan from the southwest. It received harassing machine-gun fire and interdictory artillery fire from the south most of the way into town. As the battalion entered, it met the 1st Battalion, 401st Glider Infantry, which had already come in from the northeast. This unit had pushed a patrol to the edge of the town before dawn, but it still faced the enemy rear guard and was temporarily stopped. At 0600 it attacked out of the wood at Bassin a Flot and drove rapidly into the center of Carentan. The meeting with the 2d Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry, occurred about 0730 after a short fight with enemy stragglers around the railroad station."

Based on this short excerpt, and the recent discovery that this house (located just south of the level crossing opposite the restaurant Desire Ingouf) might be the location of the aid station that treated Blithe and Winters
(http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/image/p000719.jpg)

I think it is correct that Easy Company moved up the Periers road and past the restaurant Desire Ingouf.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 09, 2008, 02:49:15 PM
Quote
It really depends Dominic. Sides, Front, Rear are valid spots for such staircases.


@Sgt Perry - I have spent the last 2 hours looking for appropriate photos, without success.  If you have any pictures of such houses, it would really help me to scratchbuild some.

BTW, I have found a very useful website with many postcard views of old Carentan:

http://cartes-postales.delcampe.fr/page/list/cat,4451,language,F,page,1,rs_count,388.html

Also, if anyone is interested, it is possible to read the whole US Army official history - "From Utah Beach to Cherbourg" - online:

http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/utah/utah.htm
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 09, 2008, 03:39:44 PM
Metal

(http://annuaire.maisondhotes.net/image/thumbs/thumb_1675la%20garenne%20014%20affichage%20web%20moyen.jpg)

Stone

(http://www.bretagne-demeures.com/image/galerie/24056/24056_09.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Zafarelli on January 09, 2008, 05:20:07 PM
Now this is something to look at. Will it be anywhere where I get a chance of having a look?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 09, 2008, 08:31:17 PM
I noticed this picture that should be the Auvers/Periers crossroads, with Carentan in the background

(http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/image/p000718.jpg)

And according to M. Bando, it's the entrance of Carentan from the Periers road

(http://perronny.free.fr/ww2/Carentan/MB_Carentan1.jpg)

(http://perronny.free.fr/ww2/Carentan/MB_Carentan2.jpg)

(http://perronny.free.fr/ww2/Carentan/MB_Carentan3.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 09, 2008, 09:57:09 PM
I just got the information from a member of association in Carentan

That's exactly the road from Periers, on the 3 photos, the third one is the crossroad.

On the right side of the road behind the belgian gate is the "Cafe du Stade" where was lacated the MG42 and near the Para on the left, the cd903 (from Auvers) .


(http://i30.servimg.com/u/f30/11/50/83/47/th/carent10.jpg)
http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=35&u=11508347
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 10, 2008, 07:22:43 AM
Wow!  Great info!  Which one is the Cafe du Stade?  The bombed out house or the one with the sign painted on the side?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 10, 2008, 08:09:33 AM
(http://pix.nofrag.com/0/9/2/dc543be5ea99b8a9c0d8cb17fe6e1.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 10, 2008, 08:31:33 AM
Thanks for the clarification.
The Cafe de Normandie in the TV series looks nothing like the real Cafe du Stade!

The map is a little confusing.  The red marked route suggests that Easy company did not move north into Carentan, instead moving south towards Periers.
The position of the first aid station is also different.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 10, 2008, 09:11:09 AM
The red lines are the 2/506th route to Carentan (from Hill 30).
 
The first aid station is not the building near the railroads.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 10, 2008, 10:29:07 PM
Hi guys, I've finally finished the restaurant!! *phew*
The pics are in a new thread:

http://forum.backofbeyond.de/viewtopic.php?t=3881&highlight=

Hope you like it!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 13, 2008, 11:30:20 AM
@Olivier - can you tell me what the lettering says on the side of the house in this photo?

(http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/image/p000718.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: white knight on January 13, 2008, 12:15:54 PM
Looks like "TAILLES", meaning "measures", but that doesn't make much sense...
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 13, 2008, 01:02:01 PM
@White Knight - yeah, that's what I thought at first, and it didn't seem to make sense to me as well.  
Then I thought it might be a brand of something.  So I tried to Google "Thilles" and "Thillfs", but turned up nothing.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 13, 2008, 01:03:18 PM
Found this pic of the Notre Dame Church in Carentan after the battle.  I think a Gothic ruin set would pass quite well.  Does anyone know of a suitable set?

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/M1.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 14, 2008, 10:59:52 AM
Mystery french sign solved:

(http://jeantosti.com/musee/pubs/trilles.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 14, 2008, 12:02:55 PM
Frankly Dominic, I never heard about this thing before.

It looks like this "apéritif" was produced near Perpignan, at Banyuls, no far from the Cataluña border.

I found a nice site http://www.vintage-poster-market.com/
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 14, 2008, 10:09:48 PM
Carentan house number 2 completed!  In Band of Brothers, this is the partly ruined house opposite Cafe de Normandie.  There should be some posters on the right wall, and a big wall advertisement in the red-painted area.  I will put these in later.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/yellow_house02.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/yellow_house03.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Westfalia Chris on January 14, 2008, 10:13:57 PM
If possible, it looks even nicer than the cafe - the proportions are spot on, and the colours are just plain lovely.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 15, 2008, 08:07:16 AM
I second Chris, really impressive!

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: fatgoblin on January 15, 2008, 09:55:43 AM
nice!  if you are willing to spend the time, some supporting wooden beams under the blown up roof will add to the effect.  Of course, it looks mighty fine just the way it is
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 15, 2008, 10:22:22 AM
Thanks guys!  This house was really easy to build, and a joy to paint!  
Basically it took one evening to build, (24hours waiting for the textured paint to set), and two evenings to paint up.  Really fast!

Unfortunately, the coming houses will be done up in very dull and sombre colours...

@FG - Thanks for the suggestion.  I considered putting beams under the roof but didn't get round to it.  Let me try and see how it works out!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on January 15, 2008, 04:20:29 PM
That's nice, you're going to have a spectacular town when everything's done.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Phil Robinson on January 15, 2008, 04:29:45 PM
Very nice, this is inspiring me to get my finger out and get on with some buildings for my WWI project.

Thanks for sharing
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 15, 2008, 06:20:52 PM
Thanks guys!  

Here's house number 3.  This is supposed to represent the first house on the right, just before Easy Company reaches the Desire Ingouf restaurant.  In Band of Brothers, you only get to see very fleeting glimpses of this house, so I decided to build a historical house (see house marked in photo):

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/desire_ingouf_sidehouse.JPG)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/white_house02.jpg)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/white_house01.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 24, 2008, 12:14:43 PM
After 3 weeks'work, here's a status update on Carentan:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/overview_s.jpg)

As you can see, the approach to Carentan is almost complete.  There should be one more house to the right of Cafe Normandie, and another ruined shop/house next to the existing ruined house.  These will be my next builds.  After that, I will have to start thinking about the factory.

Here are more shots of the town from different angles.  I figured Cafe Normandie should get a backyard since there is one in the DVD.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/close_cafe_s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/yellow_house_s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/backyards_s.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on January 24, 2008, 01:02:42 PM
This is shaping up to be a really nice town. I am in awe.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Driscoles on January 24, 2008, 01:57:16 PM
Dominic !

This is really awesome work in such a short time.
Great job !

Björn
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: PeteMurray on January 24, 2008, 02:09:52 PM
I think the craftsmanship coupled with the historical accuracy is what makes this project a cut above normal construction.

Well done, sir!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on January 24, 2008, 07:53:11 PM
Fantastic!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on January 25, 2008, 08:25:14 AM
WOW Dominic, this is superb, some of the best I have seen in a long time. More photos as it progresses please :D  :o  :love:  :)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on January 25, 2008, 09:24:20 AM
Thanks guys!  Your positive comments really help to keep me going!
I've started a new "how to" thread for the next house I'm building.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: fatgoblin on January 25, 2008, 09:52:23 PM
just for fun you might try putting pipes on them!  use a brass rod and stick it on.  use strips of paper to secure.

it sure is coming along nicely.  very useful for other things as well.  nice stuff
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on February 17, 2008, 10:47:19 AM
Finally!  Completed the factory!  Still need to paint the walls and sidewalks though.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/factory1s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/factory3s.jpg)

For comparison, here's a screen shot from Band of Brothers showing the factory in the background:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan01.jpg)

BTW, the factory administration building resembles the 25th Artillery barracks in Carentan:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_artillery_barracks.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on February 17, 2008, 11:33:59 AM
Still going strong! Great stuff, keep it coming  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Lt. Hazel on February 17, 2008, 12:59:33 PM
O la la monsieur...That´s great Dom  :love:  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on February 18, 2008, 08:43:39 AM
Stunning :D
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: z1pp132002 on February 29, 2008, 06:49:56 AM
Hi Dominic

How about a pic of the whole town in all its glory?

Cheers
GReg
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on February 29, 2008, 08:46:57 AM
Hi Greg, will try to do it this weekend.  Cheers!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on March 02, 2008, 09:05:52 AM
Here's what Carentan looks like so far.  I've made a 4'x4' (120x120cm) board out of MDF.  I'm not sure I like the look of it as the grey is just a bit too overwhelming.  

I think it might be better to use a grass board with cobblestone streets placed on top.  What do you guys think?

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_01s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_02s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_06s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_03s.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on March 02, 2008, 09:30:55 AM
Looking good Dominic  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on March 02, 2008, 09:55:45 AM
Woah!  :o

Fantastic!  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Strand on March 02, 2008, 10:00:06 AM
This looks like the start to an excellent, Tactica-worthy presentation.  8)
You are right about the grey though. I would go for more earthy tones as well.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: twrchtrwyth on March 02, 2008, 07:28:16 PM
Once you have all the buildings on there'll be a lot less grey, it'll probably look fine. Try cutting the building shapes out of paper or something and put them on the board to see how much grey is left.

Looks great so far. 8)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: revford on March 02, 2008, 07:39:41 PM
This is looking really, really good now.

Another way to break up all the grey could be to do back gardens, based to fit behind the houses.  A patch of dirt or grass surrounded by a fence or wall.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: muppetman on March 02, 2008, 09:37:03 PM
I want to play, i want to play, i want to play :love:  :love:  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Jules on March 02, 2008, 10:04:46 PM
great work now the final yards this is something to be very proud of...
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: z1pp132002 on March 03, 2008, 06:23:14 AM
Dominic, Superb work. I agree go with earthly board and cobblestone paths. Do you have any step by step for the factory and for the two other buildings behind Cafe de Normandy?

Thanks
GReg
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on March 03, 2008, 08:50:27 AM
Looking good, can't wait to see it  with the figures and a game report :mrgreen:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Captain Blood on March 03, 2008, 09:03:04 AM
Dominic, that is looking excellent.  :o
It's going to be quite something when it's all done.

I definitely agree you need to start thinking about the street scene now.

Antenociti carries sheet materials for every conceivable road surface. http://www.barrule.com/Workshop/scratch%20builders%20paradise/sheet%20materials.html

Also need to consider street furniture - street lamps, roadsigns, telephone cabinets and the like. Not to mention shellholes and rubble, if parts of the town have already seen fighting.

Think it will be all the finishing touches which will turn your fantastic scratchbuilt buildings into a truly superb townscape...
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on March 03, 2008, 09:45:14 AM
Thanks for your comments!

@Greg - I didn't do a step by step for the 2 new buildings in the back as the principles are similar to the detailed instructions that I prepared for the ruined house and the Place de La Republique house.  

The 2 new buildings are based on the Carentan shops in the pic below:

(http://carentan101airborne.free.fr/image/libera4.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on March 09, 2008, 08:59:04 AM
Here is the method for building the factory.

The administration building (pictured below) is made from cork.  The building front, sides and rear are measured as before, and the windows and doors cut out.  Plastic strips are used for all window and door frames.  The roof is a textured plastic sheet from Vollmer, cut to the appropriate size and glued together.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/factory3s.jpg)

As you can see, the walls are simply cork cut to the required shape and glued onto MDF board in which I have scored a pavement pattern with a knife.

The side shed and factory chimney are actually HO-scale German railroad accessory models.  The shed is actually a locomotive shed, so it is tall enough for people in 28mm scale.  But the side door on the shed is too small (HO sized) so I had to cut out a larger door for 28mm people.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/carentan_03s.jpg)
(http://www.piko.de/piko_bilder/61823.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on March 09, 2008, 09:11:30 AM
Now that I have a load of houses, and a factory, I need some French shops for my town.  As I already built a house on Carentan's Place de la Republique, I decide to build a couple more buildings from this famous square.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique_jeep.jpg)

This is a view of the square after the city was captured by the US 101st Airborne in 1944.  I decide to build the houses starting from "Cafe du Progres" to the "Horlogerie, Bijouterie" and "Meubles"

Here's another view of these houses:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique_cafe.jpg)

Unfortunately in both these pics, you can't make out the full structure of the Horlogerie - Meubles house.  I managed to find this picture showing a victory parade on Place de la Republique, showing quite clearly what this house looks like (on the left)

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique_parade.jpg)

So using the technique described earlier for building the house with garden on Place de la Republique, I scratch-built these two buildings:

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique_shops.jpg)

It will take me a bit of time to make the roof of the horlogerie-meuble house as it has five(!!) bloody dormers!!

@Sgt Perry - can you help me?  I can't make out the two words on the shop sign after "Meubles".  Can you make it out?  If not, what two words would normally be used on a French sign?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Jules on March 09, 2008, 10:37:20 AM
Also in appears to have a tenement at the back look at the roof lines on memorial picture you can see it running away from the main roof line..
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Le matou rouge on March 09, 2008, 11:08:13 AM
Quote from: "dominic"

@Sgt Perry - can you help me?  I can't make out the two words on the shop sign after "Meubles".  Can you make it out?  If not, what two words would normally be used on a French sign?


Sorry, i'm not the Sarge'  :wink: and I can't read any word just after "meubles", on the same line  :oops:
But if you speak of the shop sign above the "balcon" window (the 4th on the parade pics) It seems to be "MAISON TRAVERT" with the N T damaged. TRAVERT is also the name of the shop's owner on the other side of the street : "A. TRAVERT". Maybe "BON MARCHé" just before (with the C missing) but i'm not sure.

It was not rare at that time that the shop's stock (?) was in a different location.

hope that helps

meow,
Matt

EDIT : I totally forget to say that i'm in awe with your buildigns but that's so evident  :D
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on March 09, 2008, 07:57:26 PM
Thanks guys!

@Jules - yes, you're right!  I didn't notice it earlier.  Oh well...

@Matt - Thanks for your help.  Here's a close-up of the sign.  Can you make out what are the two words after Meubles?  If you can't make it out, can you make a guess?

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/place_republique_sign.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: white knight on March 09, 2008, 08:14:47 PM
Second word might be "vente" (sale). Or something else altogether.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on March 10, 2008, 07:45:10 AM
It's a very difficult one.

I would say  "MEUBLES SIEGES LITERIES" but I have to confirm by checking more pictures.

Olivier
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: white knight on March 10, 2008, 07:51:32 AM
That makes more sense.  :lol:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on April 05, 2008, 09:57:28 AM
Well, here are the final 2 houses painted up.  Hope I got the French signs right!  I'll try to do a pic of the whole town in the next couple of days.

(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/shop3s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/shop6s.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/wips/shopcafe1s.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Overlord on April 05, 2008, 10:00:00 AM
Yet again, great stuff Dom  :love:

Can't wait to see the whole town.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Keith on April 05, 2008, 11:20:39 AM
Wow!  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Helen on April 05, 2008, 10:20:06 PM
Hi Dominic,

Really nice work all round 8)

My congratulations on a job well done.

Helen
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: twrchtrwyth on April 06, 2008, 01:44:45 PM
Great stuff. 8)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: z1pp132002 on April 08, 2008, 03:40:07 PM
Excellent work Dom. Can't wait to see the town in all it's glory.


GReg
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on April 08, 2008, 03:49:07 PM
Thanks guys!

Tonight, the town gets its baptism of fire!
Tom and Zoogla are coming over with their paras!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Operator5 on April 08, 2008, 03:51:39 PM
Amazing Dom!  :o  :o

A shot of the whole town together is going to look very impressive.
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on April 08, 2008, 04:15:10 PM
WOW, bring on the after game report with photos :)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Le matou rouge on April 08, 2008, 05:43:00 PM
Quote from: "dominic"

Tonight, the town gets its baptism of fire!
Tom and Zoogla are coming over with their paras!


What a heavy meeting ! Just the podium of the first LP' League  :o

I would like to be "a little mouse" - as we say in French - to testify of this Titans' clash.

meow,
Matt
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on April 08, 2008, 11:59:27 PM
Hi guys, here's the whole town laid out on a grass board.
It's pretty late now, so I'll put up the game pics in a couple of days.

(http://www.napnuts.com/carentan/carentan_sign.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/carentan/carentan_overview03.jpg)
(http://www.napnuts.com/carentan/carentan_overview02.jpg)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: drferling on April 09, 2008, 12:04:10 AM
Absolutely terrific!  :love:  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: matakishi on April 09, 2008, 12:07:13 AM
:love:  :love:  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Overlord on April 09, 2008, 12:34:24 AM
Excellent stuff!  :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Lowtardog on April 09, 2008, 12:48:26 AM
Dogs danglies  :love:

(http://beer.trash.net/beers/258.gif)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: SgtPerry on April 09, 2008, 07:28:10 AM
Superb! :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Poliorketes on April 09, 2008, 07:35:20 AM
Dom, that's fabulous!
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Helen on April 09, 2008, 07:37:16 AM
Lovely :love:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Le matou rouge on April 09, 2008, 11:21:49 AM
:D

I really like the blue roofs : nice touch of color !

meow,
Matt
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Rabbitz on April 09, 2008, 11:48:40 AM
Thats AWESOME

Now to renew my search for 3mm floor tiles sold in Western Australia    :?
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: z1pp132002 on April 09, 2008, 03:26:03 PM
I'm speechless  :o Excellent work Dom.

GReg
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Jules on April 09, 2008, 03:51:51 PM
Awesome Dom... looks quiet a bit like the CoD Carentan
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Mike D. Mc Brice on April 09, 2008, 09:51:22 PM
Yes it's a great layout. Awesome to game with. The germans won btw :wink:
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: Malamute on April 10, 2008, 08:30:40 AM
Brilliant, a most inspiring set of buildings and a great collection of figures. You are the Daddy :)
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: poulppy on April 10, 2008, 10:50:41 AM
really beautifull !  :o  :o  :o
Title: Carentan WIP
Post by: dominic on April 10, 2008, 10:57:05 AM
Thanks guys!
And I owe it all to Matakishi and cork!!