Camouflage Netting
by Frank Blanton
British vehicles of WW2 and even modern times are known to often have camouflage netting either mounted or stowed. Here's a surprisingly simple but effective way to put them on your models. Start by getting a roll of bandage material at your favorite drug store. Frank uses Kendall Kerlix. The material is cotton, and one container will last even a Vulcan's lifetime.
Tease, or perhaps pull would be a better word choice, the bandage material and cut out a piece several inches across. Shape is not critical. The white material is best colored before trying to mount to the model. Frank finds RIT fabric dye ideal for this purpose. Possibly tea or coffee would impart a more subtle look if you are willing to experiment. Vallejo paint can also be used. Usually the netting were variations of brown or green.
Into a container, mix up a water based paint of your choice of brand and color, add some white glue (or wood glue), and thin with water. Though the netting has been previously dyed, the paint helps cut down on any shine the glue brings, and makes darn sure the white doesn't show. Dip the netting in this wet mixture, and squeeze gently to remove most of the moisture. Place onto the model where you want it, and try to think of yourself in 1:35 scale. Where would you stow it? Smart tank crewmen would not put anything in the path of the running gear, vision, or weapons. Use a tool or paintbrush to manipulate the netting into haphazard shapes, and make sure it conforms to the surface realistically. Heed Newton's Law of gravity and everything will be fine. Leave it to dry, and if glossy areas show, use matte varnish to fix.
Often the netting had what the British called Hessian strips interleaved into the netting. In reality it was strips of burlap. If you want these in your netting, get out a two-part epoxy putty. Frank prefers Aves ApoxieSculp. Mix up equal amounts and when combined well, stretch and squish it out flat on a piece of glass or ceramic greased with a tiny amount of Vaseline. Do whatever it takes to press it out flat and about 1mm thick (less is better). Use a scalpel to cut strips about 2mm wide. Press these strips into the netting at random intervals, and manipulate with tweezers or pick to look realistic. Hanging them from a gun barrel is effective, but make sure they hang straight down in relation to barrel orientation. Use the glue mixture to help it all stay secured.