Tip Page #9 by Ian Sadler

Making Corrugated Sheeting

and  a Middle East Compound Gate

This in my method and it works for me, several other modellers have in the past used a two part pattern system for making Corrugated sheets; I use only the base part.

Firstly you must obtain the measurements for a full sized sheet in your country not all are to the same standard as the UK. I measured up one at 6ft by 3ft and it seemed to be the standard. So using that I then counted the number of full ridges to a sheet it worked out at 9.

 I started by cutting 9 lengths of 2 mm plastic rod 52 mm long  and gluing them onto a  37mm by 52 mm scrap piece of plastic in 9 parallel strips separated by 1.5 mm gaps. This was left to dry over night, I then cut a sheet of aluminium foil oversize and pressed the surplus onto the back of the plastic master. Then by running a cocktail stick over the surface of the aluminium foil I was able to press the ridges into it. By running the cocktail stick parallel and horizontal to the foil I was able to replicated the corrugated sheets in a matter of minutes.

The scans show  how a part sheet was  worked up on the  master and along side is a fully worked part sheet , the smaller sheet of corrugated foil is in 1/72 Scale and I used an old master from a Russian tank fender which just happened to be the right spacing and size.

Note: The scan has slightly flattened the foil and aluminium is not really ideal for scanning.

Notes :When fixing sheets remember to overlap the long sides by at least two full ridges and when overlapping a full length at the bottom  it needs at least 4 scale inches overlap for the bolt head to fasten it to wood or metal frames. The bolts only go though every other one of the raised ridges.

You can by using this method in a matter of minutes make as many full sheets or parts sheets as you like and Battle damage can be added to suit your requirements.

See the additional scan of the compound gates and the part and full sheets tacked together with masking tape on the rear, this was done for the scanning purposes only, when I use them properly I will add the bolts heads from the water filter, see  my previous article “Rivets by the Million”.

The compound gate was made by gluing several upright sections of 2mm square plastic strip and adding cross members, the section at the top was made in a similar way but I added more sections to make the spaces smaller. When it was all set hard I added a sheet of aluminium foil to the front and bent the long vertical sides over the frame, this all that is holding it in place at the moment, the wire grid at the top was made from my favourite material Wine Filter bag netting.   This was cut to size and glued on the inside. I have yet to add the hinges or the method of closure, when I see a good photo on the news I will be able to make one out of aluminium foil. This actual gate scales out at 9 ft high and 6 ft -6 inches wide. I have seen them used on their own or in pairs; but this was built for demonstration purposes only. It will end up in a display case with all the other accessories for use at shows etc .

Give it a try cut plastic or aluminium foil what ever your scale.  

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