forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com

WW1 Aircraft Modeling => WW1 Aircraft Dioramas => Topic started by: Wodehouse on February 21, 2017, 06:07:57 PM

Title: Grass mats
Post by: Wodehouse on February 21, 2017, 06:07:57 PM
Hi all.  Digging through some old posts I came across Brad Cancian's thread about Polak grass mats here:

http://forum.ww1aircraftmodels.com/index.php?topic=792.0

It appears Polak is definitely out of business.  The same store Brad posted in the initial link has Martin Welberg's mats, and I was wondering if anyone here has seen or ordered them, and if so, what your impressions of them are.  They look almost as nice to my eye if you go to Martin's personal website, but not having seen either up close I haven't the foggiest idea of their comparative quality or scale.

https://martinwelberg.wordpress.com/2015/05/08/renewed-wild-verge-line/

Has anyone here tried these? 
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Wodehouse on February 21, 2017, 07:49:27 PM
Right on, thanks.  I'm definitely in the hunt for some sort of appropriate meadow rug.  I really should learn how to make the things myself, but my last attempt was a disaster, with little bits of static grass showing up everywhere for weeks - in my food, in my coffee, on my latest model just coincidentally right around airbrush time, etc.
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on February 21, 2017, 08:22:58 PM
I found some at

http://www.model-scene.com/x_foliage_p1.html

I bought some at Telford, including one that looks like a buttercup field. I cut some MDF to fit the mat and stuck it down with PVA. They do a mat as railway embankment too. It's basically 2 pieces that separate then you can lay a track, road or path down the centre using diorama material. I paid £13-16 for the premium ones.
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on February 21, 2017, 08:28:32 PM
This is the summer meadow, two bits joined to make a square foot. Like wallpaper, you cut an irregular curved join line to hide it!




(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/dpogson/P1040305b_zpsllev6m8e.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/dpogson/media/P1040305b_zpsllev6m8e.jpg.html)


(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/dpogson/P1040302b_zpsnyol9rlq.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/dpogson/media/P1040302b_zpsnyol9rlq.jpg.html)

And here's one of mine at Telford

(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/dpogson/P1040116_zps5t3mcz4v.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/dpogson/media/P1040116_zps5t3mcz4v.jpg.html)



Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Wodehouse on February 21, 2017, 08:35:43 PM
That looks great Dave.  I'll definitely add it to my interest list.
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on February 21, 2017, 08:42:56 PM
This is the buttercup meadow.

(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/dpogson/12D36091-B5E8-4E54-97FF-8B00381B6748_zpsg70aeqxu.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/dpogson/media/12D36091-B5E8-4E54-97FF-8B00381B6748_zpsg70aeqxu.jpg.html)

(http://i1230.photobucket.com/albums/ee484/dpogson/A0F6682A-F7C2-4F32-ABA7-F9FD0DA88742_zpsxfn46cup.jpg) (http://s1230.photobucket.com/user/dpogson/media/A0F6682A-F7C2-4F32-ABA7-F9FD0DA88742_zpsxfn46cup.jpg.html)

The mats are just the right size for a 1/32 fighter but a bit small for a 2 seater.
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Wodehouse on March 01, 2017, 07:11:44 AM
Thanks again, Dave, for the help.  And what wonderful models you've built.  Really first rate.

So I ordered one of the Welberg mats.  I've never ordered anything like this, so I have nothing to compare it to empirically to know if it's supposed to be top notch, horrible, or just average, etc.  At any rate, it looks pretty nice to me.

Here's a pic of the one I ordered.

(http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/charliebucket88/welberg1.jpg) (http://s534.photobucket.com/user/charliebucket88/media/welberg1.jpg.html)

And here's another one with a subject in its natural habitat - a lesser known and never tried design by Sopwith.  Don't even bother googling it.  Far too obscure.

(http://i534.photobucket.com/albums/ee347/charliebucket88/welberg2.jpg) (http://s534.photobucket.com/user/charliebucket88/media/welberg2.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on March 01, 2017, 06:17:33 PM
From the unbroadcast 1986 episode "planet grass" ?
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Wodehouse on March 02, 2017, 06:52:23 AM
Hehe.  Exactly, but 1968 not 86!  I would have put a WWI subject on it, but the Enterprise was easier to dust off for the photo. :) 
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Rob Hart on May 04, 2021, 12:39:21 PM
This is the Martin Welberg 'Rough Meadow".

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/mm236/rlhart13/.highres/DSC04402_zps77lpvtzr.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/rlhart13/p/47f34a51-f33c-4e39-9d8e-1d8918a27b39)

(https://hosting.photobucket.com/albums/mm236/rlhart13/.highres/DSC04398_zpsuhv2sf9j.jpg?width=1920&height=1080&fit=bounds) (https://app.photobucket.com/u/rlhart13/p/83bb649b-227e-46cd-9141-bf1c803d2e49)
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on May 04, 2021, 04:59:43 PM
Polak is back in business by the way.
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: WD on May 16, 2021, 10:54:38 PM
Polak is back in business by the way.

Really?  Can one order direct, or do they have a distributor?

WD
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: drdave on May 23, 2021, 05:05:10 AM
https://polakscenics.uk/product/wild-meadow-4706-variation-f/
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: WD on June 06, 2021, 11:05:29 PM
https://polakscenics.uk/product/wild-meadow-4706-variation-f/

Thanks Dr. Dave!

WD
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: MichaelStieber on June 09, 2021, 06:24:00 AM
I know the product was mentioned before, I also use the Martin Welberg mats and I am very satisfied with them.
The mat on the picture is without any additional coloration from me, just as it comes out of the box.
Later I sprayed just a coat of satin varnish over it, just to avoid the reflection of the synthetic grass.
For the base on the picture I used two packs, it is a big base for a Hannover Cl.II (40/30cm).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/193171143@N05/51244230695/in/album-72157719409141386/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/193171143@N05/51244230695/in/album-72157719409141386/)

(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51243941349_2fa962cfa8_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Europapete on June 18, 2021, 12:01:49 AM
Awesome! thank you for the updated info. Pickering btw, is a lovely village/small town on the edge of the North York Moors. Well worth a family day out, and you can do the hobby shop too. Regards, Pete in RI
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Mike Norris on September 23, 2021, 01:42:09 AM
https://polakscenics.uk/product/wild-meadow-4706-variation-f/

Hi Dave,
It's a pity that at the moment most of the Polak grass mats are not available,

Mike
Title: Re: Grass mats
Post by: Bughunter on September 23, 2021, 03:04:09 AM
The airfields of Ammo by Mig Jimenez are also very nice, and looks more like an airfield than a green meadow. According to manufacturer they can be used for 1/32, 1/35 and 1/48.
My photos in the Completed section of my latest models are done on the autumn variant.

This is not an "advertising by an influencer", I made an online order with other things and was surprised in a positive way.

Cheers,
Frank