28mm WW2 British airfield - advice please

[uti long smile]

I'm planning a 28mm WW2 British military airfield. My wargaming is firmly lodged in fantasy, so I've not many points of reference.

The nature of the game is more Weird War Two/Pulp so I'm not going for accuracy, more cinematic sweep

I've already got a couple of plasticville hangers to line the main runway and plan for an air control tower, a large hanger, maybe a radar dish. There will also be a couple of store sheds and maybe a pill box or command bunker.

Some of the larger piece will be scratch built, but can anyone recommend any inspirational reference pics, former builds or terrain suppliers to help me with ideas?

[Poiter50]

There is a Corgi airfield set of buildings, small scale and rare but very nice looking buildings that would serve as a guide.

[FramFramson]

Is this going to be a proper airfield back in Blighty, or will this be a more rough-and-ready field setup on the close western (or even eastern, prior to 1942) fronts?

[Poiter50]

Actually, this item on Ebay 350422115577 .

[Plynkes]

I'm not so sure airfields had any radar apparatus during the war. A radio beacon to help friendly planes in navigating their way home maybe, but nothing for detecting planes for air traffic control like a modern airport would have. I might be wrong though, I often am.

The British radar system for detecting enemy planes was a chain of radar stations, geographically unconnected to the airfields.

[6milPhil]

I think you're quite right, although here in SE England radar sites were relatively close to air fields but more by chance than design, there being lots of both dotted all over.

Some interesting arrays local to me. http://www.subbrit.org.uk/rsg/sites/s/sandwich/

RAF Manston photo courtesy of the Luftwaffe:


Niseen Huts are almost a must have...




Also somewhere for the chaps to lounge around waiting for the scramble


Don't forget an officers mess... and maybe one for the oiks too. Of course you could get awat with Nissen huts for most of these...

[Thunderchicken]

Although some of the film Battle of Britain was filmed in Spain a lot of the airfield scenes were shot at RAF bases in the South East/East of England which were active during WWII; North Weald, Hawkinge and Duxford I think.

Its a good excuse to watch the film again!     

[uti long smile]

Cheers gents.

The table will be for our Doctor Who Miniatures Game at Salute. It's loosely based on Victory of the Daleks episode that aired earlier this year. This had a mad scientist, so I can afford to push the more fantastic elements a bit - hence the radar dish.

Nissen Huts or Barracks/workhuts are a must too.

What about Pillboxes or bunkers? I've seen a couple - but nothing that has really grabbed me.

[Thunderchicken]

I'm no expert but I'd imagine you'd have slit trenches and dugouts both as defensive positions and air raid shelters. I used to live near RAF Northolt in West London and it had a few Type 22/24 pillboxes dotted around the perimter.

Type 22:



I've got a couple of these in 28mm and think I got them from Stronghold Miniatures along with some Home Guard goodies. Not sure of anyone else produces them in 28mm.

[joroas]

Check out these signs too:

http://thesquare-wargames.co.uk/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=1_15&products_id=77

[Calimero]

Shouldn’t an WWII airfield have some AA artillery pieces too?

[Silent Invader]

A concrete slab control tower is a must (see the 1:76 Airfix kit for inspiration).

In the earlier years of the war I believe that much of airfield guard and defence was provided by regular army local "Home Defence" battalions.... mostly comprised of a part-time mix of mid-50s WW1 veterans (such as one of my great grandfathers) and inexperienced 18-21 year olds. 

[Overlord]

Try these links for some inspiration:

http://worldwar2airfields.fotopic.net/
http://www.oldairfields.fotopic.net/
http://www.controltowers.co.uk/
http://www.derelictplaces.co.uk/main/forumdisplay.php?s=cb222f4f76aa966b9b350a6779b58ffd&f=63