"How Would You Flock Terrain Near The Arctic/Antarctic?" Topic

(I don't know what happened to my original text and pictures, but here are some pictures of what I'm after. I just don't want it to look like The Shire)

Just imagine a modern clash between the US and Russia (or China) in Northern Alaska during the "summer". Or in Tierra del Fuego. Or a near-future battled on a thawed out Antarctica. Or a SF conflict on some partially terraformed cold planet with Arctic tundra vegetation already transplanted there.

What colors would you use for the flock? What grades (fine, coarse)? How would you apply them, to get this effect?

Anything else? Any tutorials out there, perhaps? Thanks.

Dan
TMP link

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More sand/gravel and less flock. Mixed rust and green

Fine or coarse, or both? And does it matter which one you put down first?

Dan

If I were o flock terrain while I was near the arctic or antarctic, I would probably do it indoors using the same process I do normally.

I'll show myself out now…

Dan,

Terrain in Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego is pretty rocky and rough. You can use a mix but I would also have some larger rocks jutting out. In pockets you could do melted snow. Vegetation in Antarctica is really limited to mosses and algae, not much else. Tierra del Fuego has all types of trees and shrubs, with colors. Good luck.

Rogues1

There seem to be a lot of new "simple" vegetation sprouting in Antarctica now, either brought in naturally by birds or tides, or it's flora that was dormant for years (perhaps centuries) until now that it finally had a chance to germinate and spread.

I think it's an exciting time. The place is finally coming back to life!

Dan

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Recent scientific studies have confirmed that Antarctica used to be a rain forest. I look forward seeing palm trees there again. It's an exciting time to be alive and I am happy to be a part of it.

Think of the diversity that is the rain forest! Think of the opportunities to open new lands for farming and housing to feed and improve the life of a couple billion human beings in impoverished nations like India and China that will be able to move into a vacant continent.

Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog

Bunkmeister, if the Antarctic becomes a rainforest again, we will need more than room for the Indians and Chinese. World wide water levels will rise so much that most coastal areas will become ocean. Most humans live near the coasts as well, so they will have to move inland. Unfortunately, the Midwest in the US will become an inland sea again. So, that is a problem. Besides that, I am sure it will all work out fine.

LOL. Well, if it ever goes up 100 feet, I'll finally have a beach within walking distance, and still have about 30 feet to spare! :)

Dan

Don't worry, be happy. Life adapts. It always has and it always will. And perhaps, the earth is moving back into balance and current conditions have been an "out of balance" planetary state for a long time.

We live in exciting times, enjoy the ride!

About half of what we think of as 'Antarctica' is just ice, the rocks are below current sea level, so if it all melts or drifts away there will be a lot less useable area than people think – its all high mountains in the middle.

As for flocking – use something sand sized then paint dark brown and dry brush that with various greens from yellowish to bright. Add rocks to taste.

"The place is finally coming back to life!"

No Old Ones yet? If we get any shoggoths, I'm for turning the freezer back on.

Robert

Is that what this is?

Dan
TMP link

I took advantage of the current 20% off deal at Frontline Gaming and got one of their tundra mats.

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So I want to buy flock and ground cover that will help my existing hills blend in. My hills were done all green many years ago, and now I need them to look like they are part of the snow-free tundra:

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Thanks.

Dan

Here are a couple of closeups:

I'd go with the finest flock (and/or ground foam from the model RR shops) you can find.

Add random spots of intensely bright colors on the rocks for lichen.

Lion

You are probably right. It looks very powdery for the most part, specially where some of the colors overlap.

Dan

I might still order a few "winter" tufts(?) and coarse light color sprinkle bits for after I re-flock the hills. I might put those near water too, I think. I'll start with a small lake/pond.

The rest looks like it would be quite a mix.

Dan
PS. Those are all photos of the Anaktuvuk River Valley, at Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska.

Moss is fragile. It is slippery after the rain because then it is sitting on top of mud. If it is on top of permafrost it is certain to be even more slippery. On a slope, it slides underneath your feet, bare mud is left behind. That's very small scale so I'm not sure it can (or need be) modeled.
When you get to gaming, you might consider it as bad going with real penalties for slopes.

Walking Sailor: "Moss is … slippery after the rain because then it is sitting on top of mud. If it is on top of permafrost it is certain to be even more slippery."

Wow, that sure would introduce some unique and fun elements into a game! :)

Walking Sailor: "When you get to gaming, you might consider it as bad going with real penalties for slopes."

Which means that most movement will probably be confined to the flat areas, right? One could set up some really interesting kill zones that way, which could easily backfire on you too.

So it wouldn't just be a matter of having terrain in "Fall" colors. It would be a whole new ballgame then, right?

QUESTION
How would the military get vehicles across that type of terrain?

Dan

Lakes are a must, I think. Unless I can actually manage to make a river. :)

Dan
PS. These are also from Gates of the Arctic, Alaska:

I'm trying to chase down some Scandahooligan-made camo ponchos, they're space blankets with various tundra/arctic patterns on them. Can't remember the brand name, my Army buddy loves them for up in Alaska.

QUESTION
How would the military get vehicles across that type of terrain?

poorly. The Russians would probably do the best, the T55 has wide tracks for the weight.

Might even have to resort to the Bv206 snowcats for transport.

Here's Greenland in August. Hikers and locals say that the low ground gets "really squishy" that time of year.

That can't possibly be a good thing for heavy military vehicles.

Musk oxen don't seem to mind though.

Dan

Maybe the WWII experts can share some valuable insight into what US troops had to do in Alaska and the Bering Strait to prepare for the Japanese:

TMP link

Dan

Antarctica sure is looking much prettier these days. :)

Dan
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Ah-ha!

Pretty sure it was Xjagd hunting camo. xjagd.store/en

Very interesting gear there!

Dan