Anybody with the detail packs will know that the gratings in the magazine look quite different to the real things. so here is my attempt at making a more authentic grating as per the pic below
All pictures Authors collection.

This is the medium grating in issues 48 but the principle will be the same for all of them.
I started by following the instructions in the magazine up to step 6. In step 7 i disregard the 2x2 as i have not used them. before making the assembly in step 8 I painted the inside edge of the wood strips walnut brown.

To make the shot rack i used some spare 2x5 left over from my planking. First this needed to be cut to length., slightly shorter than the 56mm strips

The 5mm width is to wide so i cut down to 2 x 3 and then sanded the ends into shape. next I drew a line down the centre and marked 2mm in from the end and then every 4mm


Using a round nosed power tool I put a countersink into the strip at the points I had marked. that gave me space for 17 shot.

I finished the frame and glued the shot racks to the sides, a quick sand and then two coats of walnut brown.

To paint the shot I first scatted it on some masking tape and painted the shot as much as possible.

once dry each shot was given a dab of glue and put in place. when the glue has set you can touch up the top of the shot wit a quick lick of black paint. Job done!!


“Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect.”
-Mark Twain