At the Bressingham Narrow Gauge Exhibition I noticed that a trader was selling a jig to make tree armatures. The trader Norfolk Heath Works was selling a kit that included the jig, reel of wire and a jar of latex. I duly purchased a kit and the next day out came the jig to ‘have a go’. The jig is graduated in feet for the height of the tree from ground level, this covers N Gauge, OO Gauge and O Gauge. The kit costs £15.

You simply wind the wire around the steel pegs until you have done enough for your chosen height, remove from the jig and the cut the tops of the loops. It is then a case of twisting the wire into the trunk and branches. when satisfied keep coating with latex until you are happy with the thickness and shape. Even after coating with latex the armature is fully bendable.

Below are some photo’s of my first attempts of various types and sizes of armatures. I will post further when foliage is added.