Converting Battlefield in a Box Terrain to Vietnamese Muddy Rivers
I had a bunch of Battlefield in a Box Rivers lying around that weren't seeing much action so I decided to convert them to Muddy Vietnamese Rivers for use with my Vietnam War table.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfSqr7UWanuA6izYuvIjsCq34adnsbojM-yJB8bxYeolrL2C-53_GQD-_WbrOopYjJN531CvXP4hyrBTpGc4MO5klaCqAOEyWRo8hakHWoXtCgxzrIVFofBf8Cs55OHyLTLitPYGUUEaM/s400/BB514a.jpg) |
Battlefield in a Box River Sections |
Although they snaked the Battlefield in a Box pieces I had would only flow to opposite ends of the table. In order to allow for more variety I cut one of the sections into smaller pieces to allow the river to flow if different directions.
The next step was to paint the blue sections of the rivers in a brown earth colour as a base for the still water I was going to pour.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQe13KmoRVloumT8r002Xwjb5HnYoJfKopqBNBYFfoTTEOSsF7X_OFV66O3_hgXXNm-FqYWaKhaR8Jl617VZxVHreyb4EVlnSEfzKocSVtNb7gP6jk5vb-37c6c0vEGqlvoaAJDmcHe5Q/s400/20180131_144244-1.jpg) |
Vallejo Still Water |
Given that I wanted to go with a stilled effect I chose to use Vallejo Still Water. This stuff flows very easily and is a minimal mess, no fuss product. There are plenty of instructional how to videos on you tube showing its use.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZSuXMOCrPsz_BtE320ph0iv5xs1ty_HMJyxKbqgiepWy8ZV5QsRaBThluRizTspvbEOkwIor1u_lPpLIVTQcd41jW0K5780GNZL_kw-dHlbZ1JOXm3AuVMHI7eXQ_xL7-psxIbk-qutw/s400/20180131_145750-1.jpg) |
I added a small mix of these paints to the Still Water |
A small amount of paint was added to the Still Water mix.
I went with a 90% Provincial Beige, 5% Burnt Umber, 5% Raw Sienna mix.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyRNRVTJwWFe_oD8W3D6IutzbFiAh-tTdQ6xSw0mqGybMPT4jDQrH9Z4bbXC55q4ZwfiuiTSunwokab5ulcxQbMA_nU6_BfaV-WoTHYSgt4pcbkp9D4nyIRsFEdquunh1BqDlBOZyz_GA/s400/20180131_144303-1-1.jpg) |
The River left to dry. The ends were taped before pouring the Still Water. |
The ends of the rivers were taped and a thin layer of the still water was poured. I let this dry for 24 hours and then did a second thin pour.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpL6NLt9lz0fKEbZ9rul8RShrMvJr_xnLhFhGiouc3HnKvTbP8iCToq2eeb3xZJdLPhuIl9NiJIpu1QutmOmliiihocwZXG7cBsZefY4ujU96DEKkk2oSXTJZNwumnxLqqGetCJENnrG8/s400/20180203_140437-1.jpg) |
The finished river sections with flock added to the banks. |
The rivers were left 24 hours to fully dry. They were cleaned up and flock added to the banks. I have avoided adding grass tufts at this stage as the river sections will be stored on top of each other.
The Finished Product
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8-rDhTCQYwuoLOjDmPk07k0BqC_jSLBIm2OPY63-KQ285fKThgeIXLG8oTAT3OVXMK3tKMoVHJXuaHqRHk7Lrle7WlxE9Z3StKZfaVF48nhaNSEFclVUptMiZIpvfNZkjGG5HnFenD0/s400/20180203_165621.jpg) |
Long grass, bushes and trees will be added along side the river as needed. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsu7yXL4sIeM8-tNlsz3LPzIsuENMlFDuhk6N9khNIPHVqgZFBHNNgXXs4DIAztyN6A1UBoTEDugGoa8FZ4iKe9gQJkVBZokGNxTpMKql9ZNqc3ZW2iIuiJWkWZrpRMtjFGbJC7ludUpA/s400/20180203_165813.jpg) |
The river sections are flexible enough to be placed on small rises. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipH-DFDXCNS7FauE5qwDBiW1FW1i9ZY4hMaYzNG8WS0u27rMSzzQhK-cbTcyAnOreqwT4xZYCGdC5-3oc08jWvvCKSFo9PHF8p8x6TVEF49xScPWSniqWWHosNa_KwoHY3eZL9a7xrlqE/s400/20180203_165907.jpg) |
They are also weighty enough to sink into the teddy bear fur mat. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJEitn0-Ys1-49gJSfbV2GOqq3deVefVni-v-U0U4cezwWvF5gkwtP7MOJQ7v8_NlqcQ2elqdCRvJPDUAblmOcy0eWDA_ebAONKCg-stD9RsE-pUXTgmG06j0iGU67yauooIsqPDEFhhM/s400/20180203_165617.jpg) |
Rivers are always handy as Vietnamese villages were usually located nearby. |
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKMbH_DnhdwzPiNEn9NY9t2AlO3y61q-216AYPnxnoOSK3tCmBEiac274b0pCU5CmPqaW8miNu_4qlyuty-WtNimZfkPloFQ4UX3w-mUnpKBbPjJbVlo_4QjHVww-tCSQeTCfvI4x6qpI/s400/GIs+fording+muddy+river.jpg) |
Heading up river |
very effective Jason ! I reckon you have the muddy water color down perfect ! Thanks for sharing your formula. How many river sets are here ?
ReplyDeleteCheers Jimmi. Just the two river sets in the pictures at the top of the article. I do recommend washing them in soapy water when you first get them as the bottom of the rivers are quite tacky.
DeleteThey look great- always like to see brown rivers for gaming.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Pete.
Thanks Pete
DeleteCheers Matt
ReplyDeleteGreat stuff!!
ReplyDelete