If you want to do Bodenplate and Y-29, then you're going to need to talk with Deacon and Persecutor at the 352nd Virtual Fighter Group (
http://www.352ndfg.com/vb/content.php) and Punchy Powell (Real 352nd Pilot) at the 352nd Fighter Group (
http://www.352ndfightergroup.com/).
You'll also want to get your hands on a copy of "Bluenoser Tales" (fat chance) or a copy of "Fighter Group" by Jay Stout.
IMHO, the only really good map for "Bodenplate" is the WestFront Maps by GilB57 as they provide enough bases for the various air operations starting Dec 23, 1944 and ending Jan 5, 1945; the principal period in question and is fairly accurate. You'll probably need to do some re-texturing to lay in the field (fairly accurately described in a post above).
P.S. (3-12-2013) There were no permanent structures at Y-29. According to both books and conversations with pilots, what hangars they did have were made from the crates in which aircraft fuel was delivered (4 55gal drums per crate) in by C-47, then wrapped with canvas. All pilots and aircrew stayed in tents with stoves to keep them warm. Aircraft, munitions, fuel and supplies for the 352nd were ferried in from Bodney UK almost daily because 9thAF units that were there did not have enough to spare for them. Remember, this was just a rapid deployment, temporary duty assignment by 352nd from 8thAF to 9thAF. It was not the "home" of the 352nd as reported. This was a 9thAF field. 8thAF fighter groups were deployed for only about 4-6 weeks to prop up 9thAF forward capabilities. There were no fuel tanks. Fuel was delivered by truck and C-47. According to stories, there was a deep ditch down either side of the runway it entire length - oft frequented by pilots when the base was under attack. There was a reference to two 21000 gal fuel tanks earlier. According to pilots, they did not exist while the 352nd was deployed there...maybe later. It was a muddy, cold, wet, sloppy, snowy, dreary....very unimproved location.
As for the slag piles, this region was covered with open-pit coal mines at that time, and the slag piles were the castoff from converting to coal to coke (refining) for use in steel production. Remember, this is the Ruhr Valley. Yes, they were large, but not mountains. More like large hills. If you look a photos from steel production facilities and see the large coal piles, then you get an appreciation for size. The object pack includes several suitably sized and shaped objects....they would just need to be re skinned for coal piles.
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Topic: Bodenplatte (Read 11168 times)
