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Early sketch of sentry sign for gate. Note the German markings with the British sign posted over it, purposely done to stay in the timeline and give the main gate an international flair and representations of both Allied and Axis commands. The German words were later changed to French to represent 1944 lower Normandy. |
SENTRY POST
88mm FLAK GUNS
| RECREATING THE FALAISE GAP |
| RECREATING THE FALAISE GAP |
SENTRY POST
88mm FLAK GUNS
When Sam Howell and Chris Colman envisioned the event at the
Omega Ranch back in January 2008, they discussed what a
great idea it would be to have some awesome props to enhance
the event/battle. The obvious would be to make a defensive
position heavily protected by the well known 88mm Flak guns.
Although static, the guns would certainly add some flair to the
scenarios planned for the event! The question: How to make
convincing looking artillery props and keep the costs minimal?
Sam and Chris exchanged dozens of stock photos of the guns
they had in mind and came to a consensus. The guns would be
constructed about 75-80% scale and be made of PVC pipe,
wood and paint!
The first 88 was a shot in the dark, and several design problems
were worked out. They decided to mount the guns on a simple
wooden cradle and shroud them with an armor shield. Then, the
guns would be set behind sand bag emplacements. It was
obvious the costs would not allow them to build complete four
leg bases on the guns, so the cradles worked perfectly! The
finished guns are over 14 feet in length and stand over six feet in
height!
Once Chris and Sam cut, nailed, screwed, and glued all the
pieces together, it looked like it just might work! Sam picked out
a gray-green color and, with Chris, painted them in the shop.
Once set up, they added the final details. The guns were aged
with spray paint (to resemble rust and grease), and the shields
attached. From 15-20 feet, they had very convincing 88 mm Flak
guns.
The main reason they chose to make the German props first is
that these guns were, and are to this day, a legend in the defense
of Nazi-German occupied states. These guns were feared by all
allied forces and are easily discerned from any other piece of
WWII artillery, giving a foreboding sense of doom to our event!
After research with Sam, the Creative Director of the Omega
Project, the Association decided to not only have 88's, but PAK
guns as well. It is foreseeable the Association will plan on
building some nice Allied 105's in the future.
Omega Ranch back in January 2008, they discussed what a
great idea it would be to have some awesome props to enhance
the event/battle. The obvious would be to make a defensive
position heavily protected by the well known 88mm Flak guns.
Although static, the guns would certainly add some flair to the
scenarios planned for the event! The question: How to make
convincing looking artillery props and keep the costs minimal?
Sam and Chris exchanged dozens of stock photos of the guns
they had in mind and came to a consensus. The guns would be
constructed about 75-80% scale and be made of PVC pipe,
wood and paint!
The first 88 was a shot in the dark, and several design problems
were worked out. They decided to mount the guns on a simple
wooden cradle and shroud them with an armor shield. Then, the
guns would be set behind sand bag emplacements. It was
obvious the costs would not allow them to build complete four
leg bases on the guns, so the cradles worked perfectly! The
finished guns are over 14 feet in length and stand over six feet in
height!
Once Chris and Sam cut, nailed, screwed, and glued all the
pieces together, it looked like it just might work! Sam picked out
a gray-green color and, with Chris, painted them in the shop.
Once set up, they added the final details. The guns were aged
with spray paint (to resemble rust and grease), and the shields
attached. From 15-20 feet, they had very convincing 88 mm Flak
guns.
The main reason they chose to make the German props first is
that these guns were, and are to this day, a legend in the defense
of Nazi-German occupied states. These guns were feared by all
allied forces and are easily discerned from any other piece of
WWII artillery, giving a foreboding sense of doom to our event!
After research with Sam, the Creative Director of the Omega
Project, the Association decided to not only have 88's, but PAK
guns as well. It is foreseeable the Association will plan on
building some nice Allied 105's in the future.
Early in January, 2009, Chris Colman and Sam Howell were
driving back on a fireworks run from Daytona Beach, Florida,
securing pyrotechnic supplies for the Liri Valley Tactical Event
that would commence later that month. Discussing the pros and
cons of the upcoming tactical, they inadvertently took a wrong
turn and ended up taking State Road 44 as the way home. While
driving through the countryside, they remarked how the open
land they saw on either side of the road would be great for an
event. As if by Divine intervention, Sam spotted a sign off the
side off the road,stating "Paintball Wanted" with a contact
number to call.
"At first we passed the sign," recalls Sam. " Then it got really
quiet in the cab of Chris' truck. About a quarter of a mile later,
I asked Chris to turn around. We stopped, got the number, and
immediately called Stan Smith, founder of God Is Awesome
Development, and discussed our interest in securing his
property for a WWII re-enactment event."
GIA Development's curiosity was sparked and, with a little elbow
grease, a fire was started for the creation of an event with the
land, and continuing freedom, to develop a tactical that will be
pleasing for the WWII re-enactment community and beyond.
driving back on a fireworks run from Daytona Beach, Florida,
securing pyrotechnic supplies for the Liri Valley Tactical Event
that would commence later that month. Discussing the pros and
cons of the upcoming tactical, they inadvertently took a wrong
turn and ended up taking State Road 44 as the way home. While
driving through the countryside, they remarked how the open
land they saw on either side of the road would be great for an
event. As if by Divine intervention, Sam spotted a sign off the
side off the road,stating "Paintball Wanted" with a contact
number to call.
"At first we passed the sign," recalls Sam. " Then it got really
quiet in the cab of Chris' truck. About a quarter of a mile later,
I asked Chris to turn around. We stopped, got the number, and
immediately called Stan Smith, founder of God Is Awesome
Development, and discussed our interest in securing his
property for a WWII re-enactment event."
GIA Development's curiosity was sparked and, with a little elbow
grease, a fire was started for the creation of an event with the
land, and continuing freedom, to develop a tactical that will be
pleasing for the WWII re-enactment community and beyond.
The Sentry Post idea was an early idea we
planned to visually have at the main gate, so
participants would immediately know this
would be a professional event. We had been
at other events that had simple rope chains or
portable toilets turned into guard shacks and
we said, there's got to be a better way. After
several sketches were drawn up, the sentry
post finally was ready to be built.
Dan Gordon, with his years of cabinet making
expertise, was called into action to oversee
the construction. By the end of the day, the
shack was built with hurricane standards and
authentically captured the ambiance of the
scenario.
With the addition of a radio box, signage and a
flag pole, the main gate now welcomes
participants to 1944 occupied France.
planned to visually have at the main gate, so
participants would immediately know this
would be a professional event. We had been
at other events that had simple rope chains or
portable toilets turned into guard shacks and
we said, there's got to be a better way. After
several sketches were drawn up, the sentry
post finally was ready to be built.
Dan Gordon, with his years of cabinet making
expertise, was called into action to oversee
the construction. By the end of the day, the
shack was built with hurricane standards and
authentically captured the ambiance of the
scenario.
With the addition of a radio box, signage and a
flag pole, the main gate now welcomes
participants to 1944 occupied France.
| One of many roadsigns built to mark off the scaled distances to each objective scenario. The road network and town placements closely represent the original maps of the Falaise pocket. |
THE VILLAGE CHAMBOIS
THE VILLAGE CHAMBOIS
Sam envisioned a mock up of the village of Chambois to be a
key strategic location in the battle plan. The area was
selected due to it's potential for a fierce fight, having a choke
point of three important roads.
Sam and Chris discussed with other organizers the theme of
the first building for the "Village of Chambois". Of course,
they had to keep costs in mind and what would best
enhance the "look". A two story French Cafe seemed to fit
the bill. Many stock photos and scale model dioramas were
examined and Sam decided to use the layout pictured here.
Again,we secured the services of our lead carpenter, Dan
Gordon, to head up the job.
This facade is only the corner stone of what will be an
expanding village. We look forward to the input and
suggestions of participants in re-creating and improving
Omega as a premier WWII event site.
| CREDITS Landowner- Stan Smith, GIA Development, LLC Event Liaison and Co-event coordinator- Chris Colman Creative Director and Co-event coordinator- Sam Howell Lead Carpenter- Dan Gordon Assistant to Dan Gordon- John Hart, Ron Epps Executive Producer/WWII-HAF Liason- Art Durshimer Sign Artisan- Dan "OZ" Ozsvath Prop masters- Chris Colman, Sam Howell Web Design/Marketing- Sam Howell Special thanks to our wives for putting up with cluttered, messy garages, backyards, and guest bedrooms, and for tolerating our many hours of absence during the production of this event! |
| Operation Omega, like a fine painting is a work in progress. When the idea of a premiere WWII battle site was envisioned, it was understood that this site has the potential for growth. With 500 acres to use for the Falaise Gap, and 700 more across the street, the possibilities are almost without limit. Landowner Stan Smith basically gave the team "Carte Blanc" on the property for this event. |
| OPEN DOOR POLICY 001 - Your Suggestions Count! Operation Omega is an ongoing process, with construction continually in progress on the site. Projects are always being added, updated, and improved to ensure this project remains a premier event in Central Florida. Operation Omega is geared for the enjoyment and participation of all WWII re-enactors. Therefore, the WWII Historical Association of Florida will consider reasonable requests regarding the construction of additional props for scenarios that add to the total immersion of a WWII tactical event. From you! Return to this page often for updates on the re-creation of the Falaise Gap. And, by all means, feel free to contibute your input on the Registration Page! |
| Attention to detail is stressed on each project. The numerous barrels could have been left to the decay of nature, but gallons of paint help restore these relics to proper use. |
| Post holes were dug by hand. Sign posts went up immediately afterwards. |