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INTRODUCTION TO SAND MODEL

DEFINITION: A sand model is a representation of a portion

or the whole of a geographical map covering an area of operation
made to scale such that the individual features assumed its
position in relationship with other objects.
TYPES OF MODEL:
a. Conventional Sand Model.
b. Improvised sand model.
c. Poncho Model.
d. Cloth model.
BASIC REQUIREMENTS: The basic requirement needed in
preparation of the sand model include:
1. Identification of area to be model.
2. Scale of the map.
3. Colour code such as:
a. Black or similar colours. e.g. build up areas.
b. Green for vegetation.
c. Red for main road and enemy forces.
d. Black and white for rails/railway crossing.
e. Hip of sand or uncoloured saw dust for high ground.
g. Yellow for contaminated areas.
Any unconventional colour used should be indicated in the
legend.
EQUIPMENTS REQUIRED FOR SAND MODEL:
a. Four pieces of planks, the length is determined by the details
required.
b. Nails should be of 1½ - 2 inches types (Quantity depends on
sizes of model).
c. Twine, the length depends on the areas to be covered.
d. Saw-dust, including red, green, blue, black and yellow. (Blue
detergent can also serve as blue)
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e. Dye to colour the saw dust.

f. Pieces of wood for build up areas and bridges.
g. Miniatures for unit representation.
h. Plain cardboard papers for labeling.
i. Chinograph pencils.
CONSTRUCTION OF SAND MODEL
a. Join the plank to form rectangle.
b. Mark and nail the topmost edge of the square.
c. Set the model frame with the help of prismatic compass.
d. Fill the model frame with sand at the bottom.
e. Grid numbered the nail points to correspond with grid lines
of the areas covered on the map.
f. Tied the twine to the nails at the end of the sides of the
squares, carefully produce your corresponding grid lines (Eastings
and Northings).
g. The squares of the model depend on the number of times
the affected area or each square shall be enlarged e.g. 25 or 30
times which will later multiply by 2 which is the original square of
the map.
h. As regard the scale of the model, you will divide the number
of time use in enlarging the map by the original scale of the map
e.g. 50,000 divided by 25 or 30 will give you the scale of the
model.
INSERTING FEATURES
a. Identify and mark the position of features with the help of 6
figure grid reference.
b. Apply colours as applicable.

LABELING OF MODEL
a. The scale of the map and model.
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b. Sheet number of the map.

c. Security classification of the model.
d. The direction of the North (Always at the right side of the
model).
Other things to be labeling includes hills, plantations, roads,
rivers, settlements, own forces, enemy location if known,
important landmarks that may be nicknamed and direction of the
flow of waters.
USES OF MODEL
a. Briefing patrols.
b. For issuing order.
c. For planning operations.
d. For briefing VIPs.
e. Updating features on the ground.
DISADVANTAGES OF SAND MODEL
a. Consume time and resources.
b. Not transferable.
c. Expensive in men and materials to construct.
d. Enemy can captured it and use it to their advantage.

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