Small update of the project so far. The pictures taken show the first time I have put the whole thing together with surroundings just to get a feel for the project and how it all links together. Lots of work still to do inside and the roof needs a bit more work but apart from that its coming on nicely.
After completing the build on my Churchill and Panther tank and builing a large batch of walls,what better excuse for a quick diorama to show them off.
The diorama is based on a real event that took place in the village of Tilly-Sur-Seulles on the 18/19th June 1944. The 2nd Essex Regiment were assualting the village with support from the 81st Assault Squadron RE. The Churchill AVRE unexpectedly came upon a chance encounter with a Panther tank and fired a snap shot at it unfortunetly missing, but striking a near by telegraph pole or tree and thus destroying the Panther tank.
The diorama wall was simply made from foam card and the tree behind the wall is scratch built from wire. I used a simple photograph as a backdrop. The black and white photograph is actually a real shot taken in Tilly after the battle.
Although not easy to see, the dust behind the Churchill tank is made from Poly Fill which was sprayed cream and then had the dust/dirt from the road glued onto it.
Both tanks and figures are 1/56 scale made for Bolt Action gaming.
Just finished a test four Men-At-Arms group.
The snow theme seems to be my favoured choice and I am quite pleased with the Woodland Scenics snow flake effect.
Very quick update of the progress so far. All my attention has been on completing the roof
and internal roof space. The 1/48 scale Citroen parked outside is just a guide for scale.
Next up is prepping the ground floor for some interior design work and painting.
A much needed update on my chateau project. Things have finally started moving again as I have cleared by back log of painting during the covid 19 lock down.
As you can see, I have been working on the ground and second floor and have just started on the third floor and attic space. It still looks a bit Heath Robinson at this stage but once I get some paint on it will come on really quickly. One thing that has surprised me is the sheer scale of it as it comes together. I wanted a scratch-built Chateau as nothing on the ready built market ticked the box in size or detail, even so this going to be a beast.
Things that have slowed me down are the planning of how everything will fit together and allowing access to all rooms and spaces for figures. Its difficult making whole floors that can be separated for game play and structurally solid at the same time, especially in foam card.
Interior design will include marble floors using marble effect sheet, wooden flooring using model boat planks and dolls house wall paper for a lot of the rooms. Fire places have been scratch built and I intend to fill out every room but in a moth ball type state if that makes sense. So white sheets over chairs etc etc.
Big thankyou to my laser cutting friend who was responsible for turning my very basic diagrams into some fantastic looking windows and doors.
Next challenge will be the roof which is a Mansard and the dormer windows protruding from it. The roof will most likely be the most complicated part of the building and I think it will test my limited building ability to the max. Wish me luck.
A bit more armour for the allies. An M10 Wolverine tank
destroyer by Warlord games in 1/56 scale. Marked out in
British colours of the 20th Anti-Tank Regiment with men from
3rd Infantry Division. The original picture the mini diorama is
based on is a short distance from Sword Beach on the 6th
of June 1944.
The raised railway line is simple 28mm resin and the embankment
is styrene. The road is real earth.
Been busy at home during this corona virus lock down
adding bits and pieces . This is a simple large, fallen
oak tree made from wire wrapped in woodland scenic flex
paste. The canopy is made from a floor cleaning pad that
was ripped up and the roots are a combination of sponge, real
dirt and rubberised horse hair. Basically anything spare lying
about was included in the build.
Lords of Midnight
For while now I have been wanting to recreate a favourite 80`s
computer game called The Lords of Midnight into table top
wargaming and I fortunately stumbled into Para Bellum`s
Conquest game which seems to fit perfectly with my vision.
For those of you who are too young to remember the 80`s or just
missed this game it focussed on a land locked ice kingdom with
the good fighting the bad in a Lord of the Rings type environment
and more.
Para Bellum`s new conquest figures which are roughly 36mm are enough
of a match and ideal for conversion to get me started.
The soldier in the picture comes from the Men at arms figure set
and will represent a Lord of Midnight. Hope the frozen atmosphere
of the landscape comes across ?
Just a small update of progress being made during these strange and worrying times.
The picture is of a mock up for the front entrance of the chateau before I start
gluing things in place. I have an excellent contact who is able to make most
things from laser cut mdf and he is responsible for the brilliant doors and windows.
I now have a large ready made supply of doors and windows for the project so things
should start to get a move on shortly.
The stretcher bearers are from Black Tree Designs, otherwise known
as EOS Orbis Black Tree Design.
These guys are for my Commonwealth Crete force and are made of metal.
A word of warning. The figures are quiet nice but the company is
completely useless. Don’t just take my word for search around on the
internet and read the tales of disappointment. I gave up waiting for my figures
to arrive after numerous emails and phone calls which never get answered. Luckily
Paypal came to the rescue and got me my money back and eventually I bought the figures
off fleabay from a private seller.
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