"How to build rocky bunkers with removable fronts?" Topic

Hey folks,

I am trying to figure out a good way to built a removable front for a cave bunker built into a hillside.

The idea is to create little caves that have loop holes and gun slits to the outside that can have figures placed inside. I have made buildings with removable roofs so I know the basic structure part but what I am unsure on is how to blend the removable part into the rock face without making it hard to remove.

Any suggestions, pictures, hints, etc welcome.

-Eli

I've seen pictures of hatches in the middle of big model railroad layouts where the covering of the hatch overlays the surrounding terrain.

Here are a couple of articles, but no pictures: link and link

Maybe do something similar where the removable bunker face fits into the cave like a plug. Then you'd have to have a part of the bunker face that protrudes so you could use it as a grip to remove the "plug-in" from its cave entrance.

I'd also use some pins on the removable face that would fit into holes around the cave entrance to help secure the face.

Jim

EDIT: My diagram didn't work so I deleted it.

That was my fallback strategy. So good to know I was on the right track.

My main concern would be durability and this is wargaming terrain and likely to get popped in and out more often than a model railroad hatch.

One though was to make a wire frame reinforced with hot glue and then blended into the surrounding terrain using paper towels hardened by watered down school glue.. This should allow for a bit of spring and the glue and paper towels harden like fiberglass.

-Eli

Would making opening to the back side of it be easier? Just asking

You know, why go with hinges? That seems like a lot of work for something that could end in tears.

Perhaps, if you want to make it gameable, why not try instead for a 'cartridge' style? Where you have the divets in the hill, then make it so that the 'front' can slot in/out as required? Of course it is a little more problematic if you add a cannon or two, in which case, you simply make the slot line where the cannon barrel protrudes! :)

I never planned on hinges.

As for having an opening, the terrain piece is too deep for that to allow for playable tunnels on the back side.

Magnets and steel?