This document provides guidance on constructing sand models for military briefings and planning. It discusses different types of models and focuses on sand models. Key steps for sand model construction include: 1. Preparing the sand and drawing a coordinate grid scaled to the area being modeled. 2. Creating a height chart and modeling the terrain relief through contour lines using the appropriate vertical exaggeration. 3. Adding terrain features like roads, vegetation using colored sand or other materials. 4. Checking the model against maps and photos to ensure accuracy before using it to brief plans or missions. The document also covers improvised field models without boxes through similar construction of a coordinate grid and relief features directly in the ground.

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DFPCTS
PLATOON SERGEANTS COURSE
MODEL CONSTRUCTION AND BRIEFING
INTRODUCTION
1. A model is a production of a special piece of ground reproduced schematically on a small
scale on a flat surface showing all physical features (both natural and artificial) in a way to give a
birds eye view of the ground. To be a good professional model maker, one has to be good in map
reading as well.
TYPES OF MODEL
2. a Cloth model
b. Clay model
c. Glass model.
d. Plastic model
e. Sand model
f. Saw dust model
g. Etc.
However in the military today sand model is commonly used. This handout will therefore
dwell on the construction of a sand mode
SAND MODEL
3. In order to materialize a given area for exercise and war games, we need the sand model.
This will teach you how to prepare a sand table in a box and an improvised sand model in the field.
SAND MODEL PROPERTIES
4. The following properties of a sand model distinguish it from a map, a photograph or a
sketch.
a. Relief format
b. Significant details associated with a certain objectives may be emphasized, while
other that are insignificant are omitted.
c. The scale is determined in compliance with the concrete purpose, for which the
sand table is produced.
d. It simplifies the assessment of ground and enemy deployment elements.
PURPOSES OF SAND MODEL
5. a Training purpose. In demonstrating enemy and our forces moves, tactical
exercise without troops etc the map and aerial photograph may serve the same purpose,
however, the sand table has preference.
b. To brief commander and soldiers for a mission, such as reconnaissance or raids
on objectives.
c. As an aid, in planning military operations.
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SAND MODEL PLANNING
6. Conditions. A sand table will not complete with the requirements, unless the following
conditions are met.
a. It should be constructed in the appropriate scale.
b. It should properly express the properties of terrain it represents (valleys, hills,
cliffs etc.)
c. It should cover the entire required areas.
SCOPE AND DETAILS
7. For sand table planning, you should determine the boundaries of the area to be
represented by the sand table. For instance, when the mission is capturing an enemy post, and
you wish to explain how the flank out to the objective is performed, it is enough that the sand table
should encompass the close vicinity of the post, the fencing in the area and perhaps its dominating
ground exit routes. This sand table encompassing the entire area to be crossed by the forces and
all features to support orientation and navigation. The sand table does not have to be detailed and
also, its accuracy does not have to be great.
SAND MODEL SCALE
8. a. Horizontal scale. The sand table horizontal scale is determined by the required
accuracy. However, sometimes the sand table dimensions (box dimensions and sand
quantity) require modeling on a smaller than desired. In such cases the largest scale
possible for the sand table modeling should be calculated. For instance, sand table
dimensions are 4 meters long, 3 meters wide; area dimensions are 6Km long, 6Km wide.
The calculations are:
3/6000 = 1/2000 = 4/6000 = 1/1500
The appropriate scale to model this example is:-
1 meter sand table = 2Km area - 1/2000
(The smaller of the two fractions)
If the scale calculated is inconvenient, it may be rounded but always to the smaller units.
b. Vertical scale. Mostly heights should be exaggerated – the vertical scale should
be larger than the horizontal scale. The reason for this is that small height
differences of the sand table should be presented producing the appropriate relief
impression of the area.
(1) The rules to establish the vertical scale are:-
(a) The larger the height difference on the terrain area, the smaller
the exaggeration capacity is.
(b) The larger the horizontal scale is, the small the exaggeration is.
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(c) Make sure not to distort the area pictures, for instance do not
exaggerate wavy area until observed on the sand table as hilly
area.
(2) The measures of exaggeration is calculated by the ratio between the
vertical scale and the horizontal scale, When the vertical is 1:500, and the
horizontal scale is 1;1000, the exaggeration is 2. This means that each 10
meters length is represented on the sand table by 1cm, while each 10
meters height is represented by 2cm.
REQUIRED DATA
9. After you have reviewed the former paragraphs, you will know which data you need to
model the sand table. The data includes:
a. Area boundaries
b. Horizontal scale
c. Vertical scale.
MODELING PROCEDURE
10. a. Preparation for table modeling.
(1) Sand preparation. After the required data is established, you may proceed
with modeling. Wet the sand and break it down by using a Spade until
convenient for modeling. Avoid over-wetting. Establish sand table
directions and distribute the sand according to the area contents.
(2) Drawing coordinate lines. Knock in nails at table edges at space
representing 1Km each (according to end sand table scale). Tie to these
nails crosswise wires. This procedure above the table a coordinate net,
identical with that on the map. Additional coordinate lines may be drawn
(on the map as well). The sand table square size should be at least 5 or
50 cm, to provide for standing in it without the wire interfering with the
work.
(3) Height Chart. To ease height calculations during construction, you should
calculate and record it in advance all sand table height, according to the
contour line, the map modeled section, from the lowest height to the
highest one. The heights are recorded in a chart format, as in the following
examples:-
Height in map Height in sand table
30 metres 2 cm
40 metres 4 cm
50 metres 6 cm
60 metres 8 cm
70 metres 10 cm
Don’t begin sand table modeling from the bottom of the table ( sand table
height), but leave 2 to 3 gap at the bottom. Use long straight edge (or rod
with the appropriate height recorded, according to the chart), to be
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inserted down to the table bottom, and then, the sand should be piled up
to the desired height.
(4) Making skeleton lines. The modeling work will be easier after you mark
the skeleton lines on the map section including the modeled area. The
skeleton lines incorporate two lines systems. One is the ridges, line
system – these are rain relief lines, drawn over ridges, and needs also
watershed lines. The other lines are stream lines which are drawn on the
centers of depressions and indicate valley beds
(5) Aerial photograph Preparation. When assisted by aerial photograph, it is
desired to mark on it coordinate lines and as many height spots as
possible. When a sand table is modeling by an aerial photograph only,
and height data cannot be obtained from a map marking contour lines is
desired. To mark contour lines, as well as height spots, a telescope is
required. The contour lines are marked throughout the entire modeled
section, with best accuracy, taking care of parallelization of lines and if
possible, at uniform height intervals.
b. Relief Modeling
Upon completion of preparations proceed with the relief modeling. Modeling
sequence is from the high to low areas, in the following steps:
(1) Determine skeleton line according to location on net and pile the sand
accordingly from lines to ridges.
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(2) Determine the location of hill tops on the sand table, stick the straight
edge vertically and fit the sand height according to the chart.
(3) Model terrain contours and slopes according to contour lines and their
location on the net.
(4) Upon completion of the relief modeling, recheck forms, and slopes against
the map. Make the necessary corrections.
(5) Correct the necessary corrections by an aerial photograph,. At this phase
it is desired, that the commander that ordered construction of the sand
table will check the table himself, the compliance with requirements and
emphasize that the details that are extremely important to the execution
(6) Press the sand with your hands.
RELIEF MODELLING SKETCH
PILE LAND FROM
STREAM LINES TO RIDGES
DETERMINING 144.5
TOPHILIES
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MODEL TERRAIN FROM AND SLOPES IN
ACCORDANCE WITH CONTOUR LINES
(c ) Ground features modeling
Steps - Features modeling is performed in the following:
(1) Disperse back ground colour, producing the impression of the terrain
nature, sand in yellow, floral covered terrain, in green etc.
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(2) Other ground features may be marked by means of various materials.
Roads, streets, rivers, etc by means of color powder, road in red,
(3) River in blue, ways and lines in white etc, and very significant ridge may
be emphasized. To mark lines as for road use paper tunnel. Insert in
tunnel the color powder and draw its end along the desired line. So that a
continues line is drawn. Bunkers may be represented by chalk piece,
fences with steel wires, passage in minefield with cartridges, trees with
small branches etc.
(4) Additional Instructions. The ground features may be modeled by an aerial
photograph, without a map. When modeled by a map, it should be
corrected by an aerial photograph. Not all features should be marked, only
those significant to the mission.
IMPROVISED SAND MODEL
11. A unit in the field conditions, where sand box is not available, may erect an improvised
sand table to model in the area by estimation. This may be done by one of the following methods.
a. Modeling by co-ordinate network. Find, a proper size area, clean and align it by
means of a shovel mark dimensions desired and stick into the ground at the four
corners with 50cm long wooden wedges. Stick additional wedges at edges of the
marked area, at distances representing 1km on the area, and install nails at the
upper ends of the wedges. Bring in the area sand in a quantity enough for
modeling the sand table. Tie to the nails cross wide wires, so that a coordinated
network is produced equivalent to that of the map. Make sure the network is
horizontal.
b. Modeling by Estimation. The modeling steps are similar to those of box modeling,
whereas in this case the means, or time are not available, an accuracy not a must.
You may model the table without a coordinated network and without measuring
heights but by estimated only. Beware that by using this method the sand table be
as inaccurate, that contours relative heights, directions, distances etc may be
structurally distorted.
BRIEFING IN THE FIELD
12. Models will be used for briefing of patrols, special mission troops, commanders of an
impending operation etc. It is therefore imperative that it represents all the information that will be
necessary for the task to be carried out.
a. Stage Management
(1) Those to be briefed will be seated, standing or kneeling in order of
nominee as in O group to avoid confusion.
(2) The briefing officer will be standing at a position which will not obscure the
model from the party being briefed. If the briefing will take place in a room it is
necessary to have the room so fixed as to have seats lengthwise on the models,
with the model being low as to be viewed by all.
(3) The briefing officer will use a long pointer to avoid walking on the model.
(4) It may be necessary to rehearse before the party arrives to have the
material flowing in a logical and conclusive manner.
b. Procedure
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(1) Start by introducing the model, mentioning all the aids used and state
what they represent, and up orientating the model to the north and
showing your location on the model.
(2) Give a brief of the situation in the order to make the O group or party
being briefed the activities so far taken place and those who to take place
with the model.
(3) Have one staff officer pointing all the features mentioned on the brief to
avoid breaking the flow and continuity of the brief. Pauses in between
statements is essential to allow the party to assimilate or take down notes.
(4) Have all the information clearly marked on model eg locations, assy
areas, FUPs, GLs etc.
(5) Have sketches of the model issued as annexes to all the written portions
of the brief.
IMPROVISED SAND TABLE IN THE AREA EXAMPLES
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SAND TABLE MODELING
1. Sand preparation.
2. Drawing co-ordination lines
3. Height chart
4. Relief modeling
5. Terrain feature modeling.
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