Terrain Tutorial: Simpler Mini Bunkers for 40K

Some time ago I offered up a tutorial on mini bunkers which can enclose a single HW Team. I noticed two things about them that could be improved on. First, they relied on a store of plasticard, and on laminating it. So this has been replaced  with foamcard, which is easier to cut to shape. Second, they were designed only with Imperial Guard models in mind. I realised that just adding a little height would allow them to be used for taller miniatures, such as Space Marines toting Missile Launchers, opening up a wider vista of opportunities for these little fellas. So now they are more versatile! Ever the recycler, I have re-used some pictures and text from the earlier tutorial. Here's how you make the simpler bunkers.

* Plasticard sheet (0.5mm thickness)
* Plasticard rod (of whichever size you feel best suits buttons, rivets and door-hinges)
* Polystyrene cement
* Cardboard
* Foamcard (5mm thickness)
* Green Stuff or Milliput
* Superglue
* Sand
* Paint
* PVA glue
* Spare CDs or other things to use as bases
* Hot glue gun and sticks
* Ruler
* Pencil
* Knife

1) Grab yourself a bit of cardboard. A cereal box would be fine. Mark yourself a square with sides of 3" (75mm), and cut it out. Find the midpoint of each side, mark half an inch (12.5mm) either side of this, so that there is an inch (25mm) marked in the middle of each side. Trace lines between these so as to create a slightly irregular octagon. Cut along these lines to create such an octagon. Using superglue, secure this template to the centre of your CD, remembering not to put glue where the hole will be, accidentally gluing it to your work surface! For a plan see Fig. 1, and see Fig. 2 for the cardboard glued in place.

2) Cut a strip of foamcard that is 45mm across. If you want a taller bunker, just increase this measurement. Cut three 25mm strips. See Fig. 3.

3) Using the hot glue gun, glue the three strips to the perimeter of your card template and try to ensure they set in a vertical position. Then trim some more pieces of the foamcard to slightly longer than the gaps between them, and dry-fit them in place. Trim them to size with your knife, and then use the hot glue gun to secure them. For the front of the bunker, do not add the very front wall until last. First make your rough cuts of the front left and front right sides. You should have an angular C-shape and reversed shape. The bottom of the C should be 14mm, the top and side 10mm. Glue them in place with the hot glue gun. See Fig. 4.

4) Cut a couple of pieces of foamcard to fill the gaps in the front of the building, and with the hot glue gun, secure them in place. See Fig. 5. Now trim down the odd protrusions and smooth out the sides of the bunker as much as you can with your knife. Cutting a lot of foamcore may blunt it, so do change the blade if you need to. Now you can, if you, like, add a layer of 0.5mm-thick plasticard around the outside (and inside) of the bunker, and fill in any empty spots with GS or Milliput. I only had GS at the time. See Fig. 6.

5) Now use a bit of plasticard and knock up a door for the back of the bunker. Apply rivets and a handle or control panel and superglue it in place. See Fig. 7. You can compare the two different designs of bunker in Fig 8. The walls of this newer bunker are a bit thicker, as you can see. Turn the bunker upside down on a sheet of foamcard, and trace around itsedges. Carefully cut this shape out of the foamcard, trim it a little, and you should have a perfectly fitting roof.

6) Now grab a  load of sand and some slightly diluted PVA glue. Apply the PVA liberally to the bunker, and to the roof, and apply sand atop this. Remember to scrape off any sand that gunks up the door. Wait for this to dry, then apply a coat of dilute PVA over the top of it for it to dry. Then undercoat as you wish, and set to painting. See Figs. 9 & 10.

Some of the pictures below are out of numerical order. Blogger seems to enjoy doing this. Attempts to move them always result in a mess. They are labelled with the correct numbers, so you shan't get too lost! Happy gaming, folks!