Months ago, I wrote an article about model grass.

If you don’t remember, I explained two ways of doing it : using a grass mat or flocking powder.

My airport was initially based on a grass mat.

But in that email, I wrote one day I would try to upgrade and use flocking powder.

That day has finally arrived !

After several trials and failures, I’m now excited to share my feedback about this method.

I began to make my own flocking powder using sawdust and water-based paints.

I ended up being very disapointed. In a first place it looks good, but in pictures something was wrong :

The grass looked like tree trunks…

I made the decision to start over.

Sawdust was definitely too big for scale 1/500, which I didn’t expect.

So I tried with sand. Same method. Water-based paints to make it look yellow-green. I also kept raw sand to model brown fields.

I spread it carefully on areas covered with glue.

The next step was to stick to reality as much as possible and simulate photorealistic look.

I used Google Earth to have references.
 
Then, I painted some areas with various tints of green and brown with a brush. I also added model bushes to simulate 3D vegetation.

Then I took my camera.

Results were better with a smoother texture :

Now, let me show you the different steps with the example of bigger areas.

1/3. I first choose a reference on Google Earth :

2/3. I bond the flocking powder on the surface (using raw sand and sand painted in green) :

3/3. I add various tints of green and brown with a brush, and finally bushes :

More pictures of details :

I’m kind of happy with the result.

Conclusion of this method with sand powder:

• Pros: enable photorealistic looks, allow smooth transition with asphalt and create some 3D texture.
• Cons: take much more time than using a grass mat, require sand, painting material and patience.

Besides, if you are interested and inspired by this method, I will make a video tutorial on YouTube in a couple weeks

Feel free to tell me what process you’re using to model grass for your own airport by replying in comment.

I will also be glad to share more tips and discuss with you about what I learned in this project.

See you soon,

Olivier