I've started my first Dio, it's going to be my GI Joe Base of Operations for the Good Guys.

So far I've decided on setting up shop on a 4X4 board. The outer perimeter will be a chainlink fence (courtesy of some new window screen I've bought) with two PTE towers. The inner compound consists of the enlisted barracks and the motor pool, as well I'm devising a guardshack for the gate. There's going to be a clearing for my new PTE Blackhawk and Little Bird as well the PTE command post will act as the MP station.

The base will be built into a mountain, the inner base will consist of two upper levels and three to four lower levels. I've already printed out patterns for floors and doors. I've decided on a surgery, briefing room, mess hall, armory, and a few other sundry rooms.

I'd like some suggestions on how to best make terrain such as trees and. I've already bought some dollhouse furniture for the CO's office (A desk, shelf, chairs, a TV etc...) that fits and I'm planning on raiding Marauder's for an arsenal.

My forces are a mix of GI Joe Blue Box Elite and the new Blue Box Combat command...I'm buying three of the cobra viper unit kits from Smalljoes to supplement their diminished ranks.

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I've always found the great outdoors provides the easiest backdrops, provided you try to keep things in scale.

If money is no object then try a hobby store, they usually have fake grass and shrubbery.

Thanks for the advice. I'm using spanish moss from a dollar store to simulate heavy scrub growth (also using it to make a custom in a Ghillie suit) and I'm using brown, gray, and tan spray paint to make the mountain.

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Update: I started yesterday on 1" thick foam insulation I laid out extra long lolipop sticks around the perimeter (fence posts for the chainlink) and began the ground work for my three story installation. So far I've reached the third level but decided to take a breather. The base is massive, standing now over two feet tall, built into the mountain. I even added a hidden machinegun nest (camoflauged courtesy of some nice green no-slip liner for kitchen cabinets) The rocks are jagged and ledges narrow, just the perfect place for Firefly or Storm shadow to attempt to infiltrate the Joe installation.

My plan is to have it completed by early December along with my Cobra throne room/command center so I can run my first dio.

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