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So i have two Pegasus Techno Bridges and im going to make one bridge damaged like this (http://www.undergroundwargames.com.au/blogs/news/7404728-knocking-out-a-pegasus-techno-bridge) and the other i want to do similar to that but the center two peices completely destroyed with like a large blast template hole in it. but im unsure as to how to do this, ive tried to look for some pictures to help get me an idea of how to make it look like what i want, but have been unsuccessful. So im hopeing someone might have some suggestions or maybe someone has already done this and can point me in the right direction. My closest guess as to how to do that is to follow the similar bridge as i linked before, but cut a large hole in the center then just start filing away at the edges in a random way to make it look blast damaged then to paint the scorch to it, but seeing as i have 1 chance with it (not really wanting to buy a more bridges to test it on) i better make sure i do it right.

You could always get one, and take a hammer to it in the middle that add a preformed crater in the middle....with enough weathering it would look like a great terrain piece.

You've got the basic idea. Cut your hole, then attack the edges with files, knives, saws, clippers... whatever you like. Pliers are an oft-neglected tool for applying damage that you may want to consider - you can bend and tear many plastics to look like steel that's been deformed by a strong blast (easier with thinner stock - not sure how robust those bridge panels are, so it may or may not be a viable option). If you're careful, heat (candle, lighter, heat gun, hot water, soldering iron) can be used for some pretty convincing effects, as well - from shell scrapes and bullet holes to metal sagging from the heat of the blast.

If you're worried about mucking things up, make your hole a bit undersized, to start. As you work around the edge, any spots you don't like can be reworked, since you still have room to push outward, into fresh material. Unless you have other plans for it, the material removed to make your initial blast hole can be used for practice, as well. I'd definitely recommend using it as a dry run if you plan to try anything extreme, like heat- or hammer-based deformation.

love the pliers and heat idea, ill try it. and to practice make a smaller hole and work out i like that. ill try it.thxs

Soldering irons produce perfect heat-damage looks. However just make sure you do it in a well ventilated area as decomposed Styrene monomers are bad for your lungs

Haha yeah, I'd hate to die for a project. Lol

ok, this is my first attempt at making a small blast hole in the bridge, it needs something more, ive tried to melt a little bit of the edges and score them, and tried to pry some of the mesh up. but it still looks a little forced.... any suggestions?

What you're missing is debris. Try adding some rubble in the form of sand or small pebbles and bits of Sprue to the hole and around the edge, it should look great!
A few upwards facing bits also helps add realism.
Keep us posted

Someone further up mentioned pliers. Try and tear the deck upward and/or downward. The circle looks a bit too clean still.

ok, i bent up some of the pieces with pliers, but its really flimsy so couldnt do too much without breaking it. also used the center piece i cut out to add some debris and added some blast damage to the far railing.

That looks better already

If you're actually trying to tear the material, surely its good that its flimsy?

yeah, but i have a problem of judging how much it will take before it breaks. and a few of them broke easier then i figured. But im still working on it, it still doesnt look right, i think i need to make some of the sides not as straight. and make it more curved or try to bend it some. after i get this one perfected im going to do a second hole then on the second bridge one very large one.

Yeah, the picture above, the right side looks to straight lined for a blast hole. I would also do a lot more bent edges, and debris. I would also suggest looking up actual blast craters on Google try to create what you see.

I think part of it, is that the bridge is so thin, when an actual bridge is thicker, and you would have more to damage.

yeah, i tried to find some pictures of bridge damage, but all i find are concrete bridges fallen to the ground. and this is more metal, so i need to see what high explosives do to a large piece of metal and that kinda, ONLY thing i could think of is like a bullet hitting a metal target. and trying to replicate that, but thats too small to replicate for a larger effect.

Yeah, finding metal bomb damage would be better. Like I said, it sucks that the bridge is so thin, doesn't give you much to work with. What you have is pretty good, and you add some small details and even more detail with your painting, you will have a cool piece of scenery.

I have to say I do like those Pegasus bridges. Not a huge fan of there other stuff, but the bridges do look pretty cool.

yeah i spent a bit looking online for some metal damage, closest i could find is some old world war 2 battleship hull damage, but hard to really see. But yeah ill try to add more debris and ill damage more of the bridge.

This looks about right, any suggestions on what else i might want to add? looks good to me.

2nd bridge.

Both of those look great. With some paint and sand debris, it'll be dead-on.

I'm with hubbsey, those are spot on. I wouldn't add any more, but paint and weathering. Maybe the only thing you could add would be the piece you cut out on the second bridge, cut that into a couple pieces to place in between the two halves, like it was blown before the enemy could take it, and that piece just fell straight down into the water, or whatever was below it. Just an idea, otherwise, great job.

i was thinking of that deathknight, but the 2 pieces that came with the bridge, i just cut 1 in half and added the damage, so i have 1 that isnt even touched, im debating on trying to make a small infantry bridge or not. yeah im going to try to add some blast coloring and some rust at the larger bent parts. hopeing to make it look good.

I have to commend you.. those damaged ones really look good.

I bought 3 of those kits.. and made a short, a normal, and an extended length bridge..

the long one is a bit saggy in the middle..

Thank you. Yeah, it worked out much better then i hoped. I was worried id destroy the bridge and have it look bad. But now i just have to get my buddy to paint em for me ( i both suck and hate painting hah ) But now ill order 2 more and assemble them like normal. And use these 2 for the games i play where you can destroy bridges to slow an advance of the other army. Played before without the bridges and was tons of fun, so now i have some good looking bridges that will just make the game that much better.


And to help the sag for the extra long bridge, try getting some popsicle sticks 2-3 of em and glue them on the bottom of the bridge across. That should strengthen it.

Brilliant stuff! i think the Bridges are such a great piece and when done well (like you have shown) they are super effective gaming pieces.

For our games, we use them to link mountain tops and are usually supporting an armoured corp moving in for the kill or troops are taking cover from the steel reinforcing along the bridge

Nice work again and great link

The Underground Wargames Team