Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: Captain Blood on June 11, 2014, 12:38:08 PM
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So I'm starting to think about Dark Ages terrain, and specifically buildings...
By which I mean the stereotypical thatched hut / hovel / house / hall commonly associated with Saxon / Viking type cultures...
I want to be able to make up a village - so half a dozen assorted buildings, great and small. Plus pigpens etc...
I've taken a look at:
Grand Manner - extensive range, although in an assortment of different styles and cultures. And very expensive, even though he seems to have currently discounted his prices by 25%
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/577_14_06_14_9_20_08_0.jpg)
Stronghold Terrain, and am very taken with them - but the range is very small, only three different buildings, and the overwhelming impression is 'Teddy Bear Fur'. But they are in contention.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/577_14_06_14_9_20_09_1.jpg)
Adrian's Walls - quite a new outfit, I think, who do a nice range of ready painted Dark Age buildings in exactly the right style. The only problem is, I'm not that keen on the paint job they come with, and not sure I want to pay a premium for ready-coloured buildings, when I don't like the colours. But they are in contention too...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/577_14_06_14_9_20_09_2.jpg)
I could make my own - wouldn't be too difficult, but not sure I can be bothered.
I detest the 2-D, printed look of MDF buildings, so please don't suggest those.
Apart from that, I'd be very interested in any other ideas, suggestions, testamonials or recommendations. (We might even create a sticky, if we can get an exhaustive list).
Thank you :)
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I'm in exactly the same position, ready to get some terrain on the table to go w/ the near-complete forces I've (finally!) gotten together. Cost is an important factor, so I'm doing some MDF, but I'll be watching this space.
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I like Acheson Creations. Nice buildings, pretty cheap and well, they work great!
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/eaodak/SAGASmallHouse04_zps3deb1138.jpg) (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/eaodak/media/SAGASmallHouse04_zps3deb1138.jpg.html)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/eaodak/SAGALargeHouse04_zps68221462.jpg) (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/eaodak/media/SAGALargeHouse04_zps68221462.jpg.html)
(http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i149/eaodak/SAGASaxonHouse302_zpse6a22ce1.jpg) (http://s71.photobucket.com/user/eaodak/media/SAGASaxonHouse302_zpse6a22ce1.jpg.html)
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Curteys Miniatures has a small range:
http://curteysminiatures.co.uk/product-category/dark-ageearly-medieval-buildings-and-civilains/
(http://curteysminiatures.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Frm-01.jpg)
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Gripping Beast has some lovely buildings in resin.
Hovels to but on the 25mm size.
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Gripping Beast has some lovely buildings in resin.
Hovels to but on the 25mm size.
GB have or had some cracking buildings I used to have the whole dark age village and it was cracking.
http://www.grippingbeast.com/shop.php?CatID=29
Scheltrum minis also have some gems in their ranges
http://www.scheltrum.co.uk/oaf1.html
http://www.scheltrum.co.uk/sbbfc.html
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Sod resin, you want some lovely bespoke terrain that would be the envy of your friends :D
(http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk138/jimbibbly/Terrain/DSCF9724.jpg)
;)
cheers
James
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So I'm starting to think about Dark Ages terrain, and specifically buildings...
By which I mean the stereotypical thatched hut / hovel / house / hall commonly associated with Saxon / Viking type cultures...
I want to be able to make up a village - so half a dozen assorted buildings, great and small. Plus pigpens etc...
Grand Manner - extensive range, although in an assortment of different styles and cultures. And very expensive, even though he seems to have currently discounted his prices by 25%
Grand Manner all the way for me Richard. Can't beat the quality of the workmanship.
Darrell.
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Dreamholme Scenics had some, but I'm not sure if they're still in business -- their "e-shop" seems to have evaporated.
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Caliver books do a range that you can buy painted or unpainted with lift off roofs.
http://www.caliverbooks.com/figures/catviewer.php?cd4975b1a7ddb4df6484565e27d22350&producer=163&range=Saxon%20%2F%20Viking%20Style%20Buildings&menu=scene
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My favourite buildings are still the Gripping Beast ones. Very sturdy and IMHO the best for the (5th -6th C) period.
Saw the Curteys buildings a Salute and they are very similar.
For pallisades I'd recommend the ones from Scheltrum, they are simply the best.
Grand Manner hs some really beautiful buildings as well but from a slightly later period.
The granary, thatched animal pens and craft shelters again fit in really well with Gripping Beast.
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Caliver books do a range that you can buy painted or unpainted with lift off roofs.
http://www.caliverbooks.com/figures/catviewer.php?cd4975b1a7ddb4df6484565e27d22350&producer=163&range=Saxon%20%2F%20Viking%20Style%20Buildings&menu=scene
I'm fairly sure the Caliver ones are the old PMC ones from eBay. If so, I have a few of these and they're not bad. The price has gone up now they're Caliver though. If you like I can get a few photos posted? They're still in their shop paint scheme as my Dark Ages/Early Medieval project never really took off after I got ripped off courtesy of Maelstrom Games (yes, I'm still bitter! lol).
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I should never have opened this thread. Now I have a burning itch to get me some dark age buildings.
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Grand Manner is indeed spendy, but their quality is a worthy compliment to your gorgeous miniatures.
Making your own = PITA
Could not agree more about laser-cut, pre-painted mdf. It just doesn't look right.
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I could make my own - wouldn't be too difficult, but not sure I can be bothered.
Hmmmm...... ::)
You only need a bright green baize cloth, a few of those small cereal boxes and some cardboard roads, dontcha...?
Go on, ya know ya want to.
:D
;)
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Grand Manner is indeed spendy, but their quality is a worthy compliment to your gorgeous miniatures.
Exactly my point really- you want the best to go with your beautifully painted models, yeah?
Darrell.
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Well yes - except stylistically, the GM Dark Age buildings are a bit of a mish-mash of different styles and cultures, whereas I prefer a more coherent look to my villages :)
Thanks all, for your excellent suggestions. Keep 'em coming!
I think what I may do, in the interests of research and advancing the corporate knowledge of LAF, is to buy a sample building or two from each of the ranges I like the look of, and then see what we think...
My favourite buildings are still the Gripping Beast ones. Very sturdy and IMHO the best for the (5th -6th C) period.
Thanks Willie. The astonishing things about the Gripping Beast Dark Age buildings is that they appear to be incredibly cheap - like £10 - £12 each (as opposed to a range of £20 - £30 each for equivalent mid-sized 'houses' from several of the other manufacturers). How can they do them so cheaply I wonder? And can the quality really be any good at that price? We shall see...
Sod resin, you want some lovely bespoke terrain that would be the envy of your friends :D
(http://i279.photobucket.com/albums/kk138/jimbibbly/Terrain/DSCF9724.jpg)
Ah, James... If only I could afford your rates ;)
(Plus, what draws the eye is a mat of bedraggled teddy bear fur... I'm just not convinced... I think I prefer the solidity of resin thatch... :?)
I do like your smokehole though ;)
Gotta say, the Curteys ones do look very nice...
Hmmm...
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Since we are building quite a good list - and we don't have many medieval stickies - I have now made this topic sticky.
Do keep adding to it. Pics would be good too if you have any from the various manufacturers...
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I do like your smokehole though ;)
That's not a phrase you here every day of the week :)
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That's not a phrase you here every day of the week :)
Maybe in Cumbria?
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Maybe in Cumbria?
lol
Might be a good place to start looking for some Dark Age buildings too.
:D
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My understanding is that the buildings shouldn't have holes in the roof. For two important reasons; 1 -- when it rains it drips on your fire. But MUCH more important is that 2 -- it turns the house into a blast-furnace; the hot air rises rapidly out of the top, cool air is pulled into the base of the fire which fans it, making it hotter... and eventually it sets the roof on fire.
See pictures at; http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Stow_Anglo-Saxon_village
(It's worth a visit if you're passing and interested in the era.)
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Where the smokehole is placed is a hotly debated subject amongst archaeologists. And it has become almost religious. There are those who believe the smokehole to be in the roof and those who believe it to be at one end of the building and those who believe there is one at either end.
For wargaming purposes I can live with either sollution. Truth is we will never know.
Not until my timemachine is perfected. Those unconsidderate Dark ages people did not leave any buildings standing for us to study. Or perhaps it is the people inbetween the dark ages and now who were inconsidderate?
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You clearly weren't taken with my PMC ones then? Now sold by Caliver
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/z3_zpsc00207f8.jpg)
Its all right Richard - I'll forgive you
;) ;)
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Interesting about the smoke hole. I always thought it was away from the fire along the ridge but with a protective couple of planks to stop the rain falling in (but where those planks would go and how the rain would be stopped is any man's guess :) On top would be a good option).
Maybe in Cumbria?
Shut it frog boy ;D
cheers
James
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You clearly weren't taken with my PMC ones then? Now sold by Caliver
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/z3_zpsc00207f8.jpg)
Its all right Richard - I'll forgive you
;) ;)
They're not bad Giles... And they are cheap :D
I have quite a few of the PMC half-timbered and tiled buildings for C15th - C18th (and beyond).
Just think the PMC Dark Age buildings look a wee bit on the square and regular side for Dark Age huts... I see them as a bit more organic-looking somehow... Slightly more primitive (yes, I know the Dark Ages weren't actually primitive at all, but that's how I see the buildings, alright? ;))
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Interesting about the smoke hole. I always thought it was away from the fire along the ridge but with a protective couple of planks to stop the rain falling in (but where those planks would go and how the rain would be stopped is any man's guess :) On top would be a good option).
I'm certain that the smoke filters through the thatching from the fire in the houses.
Many houses as late as the Late Middle Ages didn't have chimneys. It wasn't really until the Tudor period that they became more numerous.
Darrell.
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Shut it frog boy ;D
lol ;)
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Cap`n those GB buildings must have been out for some 15 years I reckon since the Pattens ran the company, the cost as I understand it is in recouping the cost of the mld after that its pure profit or almost
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I'm certain that the smoke filters through the thatching from the fire in the houses.
Many houses as late as the Late Middle Ages didn't have chimneys. It wasn't really until the Tudor period that they became more numerous.
Darrell.
That is what I'd thought as well.
And West Stow is definitely worth a visit.
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Hovels to but on the 25mm size.
Some piccies of Hovels:
Celtic farmstead
(http://www.hovelsltd.co.uk/Ancient%2025/6d1.jpg)
Pig sty
(http://www.hovelsltd.co.uk/Ancient%2025/18d.gif)
http://www.hovelsltd.co.uk/ancdarkage25.htm (http://www.hovelsltd.co.uk/ancdarkage25.htm)
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Those Hovels ones are quite nice actually but I bet they're really small :?
cheers
James
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I've not seen them James, so I don't know. More generally, when Essex Miniatures stocked Hovels I had a look at some of their other products and I thought they were nice. They didn't seem especially small but I didn't have a 28 with me and Essex sell 25s.
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Richard, following extensive research I put together some highly accurate scratch builds. These are based on the latest archaeological evidence. I could put some together for you if you like?
PS the old west figure was the only one I had to hand so sorry to spoil the illusion
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lol
It's not on baize, he won't go for it :D
cheers
James
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lol
It's not on baize, he won't go for it :D
cheers
James
lol the closest towel was blue and white, I though it might jar with the Rice Crispies blue.
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Hello
Here are some GB buildings with a BTD norman as size comparison.
Hope they are usefull.
Cheers
Rui
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And a few more
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Richard, following extensive research I put together some highly accurate scratch builds. These are based on the latest archaeological evidence. I could put some together for you if you like?
lol lol
Not bad, mate, but Corn Flakes are a much better choice as a basis for Dark Ages stuff.
And you forgot to make a river out of the paper wrapper.
;)
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Richard, following extensive research I put together some highly accurate scratch builds. These are based on the latest archaeological evidence. I could put some together for you if you like?
PS the old west figure was the only one I had to hand so sorry to spoil the illusion
lol lol lol
Darrell.
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lol lol
Not bad, mate, but Corn Flakes are a much better choice as a basis for Dark Ages stuff.
And you forgot to make a river out of the paper wrapper.
;)
What? You mean you haven't heard of the legendary Saxon warriors Snaphaelred, Crackric and Popmund?
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What? You mean you haven't heard of the legendary Saxon warriors Snaphaelred, Crackric and Popmund?
lol lol lol
No, I had not......and I bet Richard hadn't before today, either..... :D
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Very useful shots, thanks Rui.
Steve - funny, but not so useful... ;)
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What? You mean you haven't heard of the legendary Saxon warriors Snaphaelred, Crackric and Popmund?
Since these names roll off the tongue so well, I am going to use them in my Saxon force.
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Very useful shots, thanks Rui.
Steve - funny, but not so useful... ;)
Those GB buildings do look pretty good actually. I'd go as far to say better than my efforts.
Richard, I try my best! ;)
Since these names roll off the tongue so well, I am going to use them in my Saxon force.
It's only right that their place in Saxon Lore is recognised!
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What? You mean you haven't heard of the legendary Saxon warriors Snaphaelred, Crackric and Popmund?
lol
Great work on the scratch builds too. ;) lol
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lol
Great work on the scratch builds too. ;) lol
Thanks Nick. I'm hoping to launch them on Kickstarter. It would be good if I could get an endorsement along the lines of "they're the best I've ever seen" says award winning painter Captain Blood.
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Thanks Nick. I'm hoping to launch them on Kickstarter. It would be good if I could get an endorsement along the lines of "they're the best I've ever seen" says award winning painter Captain Blood.
I need a church, think you can wack one up for me? I love your post modernist style applied to a dark ages motif!
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Thanks Nick. I'm hoping to launch them on Kickstarter. It would be good if I could get an endorsement along the lines of "they're the best I've ever seen" says award winning painter Captain Blood.
lol
I m sure if you send him some samples to paint, how could he refuse???
lol
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I need a church, think you can wack one up for me? I love your post modernist style applied to a dark ages motif!
Hmmm. I think I have a shoe box that might work?
lol
I m sure if you send him some samples to paint, how could he refuse???
lol
I'm sure he could lower his standards temporarily!
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Steve, I fear that your new product has veered off topic as it's not resin. Perhaps if you diped the whole thing in a bucket of superglue to firm it up a bit?*
*for the enthusiastic but dim, this is not a 'real' suggestion, it is a joke. Dipping Steve's creation in a bucket of superglue would be very bad for health and safety......
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Steve, I fear that your new product has veered off topic as it's not resin......
I have faith in Steve: This is obviously the master for the series that he will be casting up in resin soon.
:D
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No mention yet of Hudson & Allen?
They do a few albeit Celtic in style (hmm, described as 25mm)
http://www.wargamescenics.com/products.html (http://www.wargamescenics.com/products.html)
Some of the range can be sourced in the UK from Ebob.
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Total Battle Miniatures also do one Dark Age 28mm building...
£20
Lift off roof.
Bit square still, but rather nice...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/577_14_06_14_3_41_24.jpg)
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Steve, I fear that your new product has veered off topic as it's not resin. Perhaps if you diped the whole thing in a bucket of superglue to firm it up a bit?*
*for the enthusiastic but dim, this is not a 'real' suggestion, it is a joke. Dipping Steve's creation in a bucket of superglue would be very bad for health and safety......
I'll bet that's the voice of experience! lol
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I have faith in Steve: This is obviously the master for the series that he will be casting up in resin soon.
:D
Yes, I'm thinking a series of 8; at least that's how many come in a variety pack.
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Yes, I'm thinking a series of 8; at least that's how many come in a variety pack.
I'm looking forward to learning the names of the other residents lol
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Total Battle Miniatures also do one Dark Age 28mm building...
£20
Lift off roof.
Bit square still, but rather nice
That reminds me of what can be seen at West Stow.
Hearth in the right place and no smoke hole = thumbs up
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Well, Blood may come over as a bully to some, but his hearth's in the right place. lol
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Well, Blood may come over as a bully to some, but his hearth's in the right place. lol
lol lol lol
Plynkes you are a comedy genius!
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You people are ruining my serious thread... >:(
;)
(But don't worry, once we have exhaustively listed all the Dark Age resin out there, I shall 'tidy up the thread' - i.e. edit out all the spurious banter - leaving only the gems of insight and pearls of information. As befits a serious sticky resource for future LAF generations... :D)
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I am surprised that you have not done a little spring-cleaning already, you hearthless bas.....
;)
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Gripping beast offers some resin buildings, made by grand manner I think. They are good and not so expansive.
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You people are ruining my serious thread... >:(
;)
(But don't worry, once we have exhaustively listed all the Dark Age resin out there, I shall 'tidy up the thread' - i.e. edit out all the spurious banter - leaving only the gems of insight and pearls of information. As befits a serious sticky resource for future LAF generations... :D)
Sorry Richard :'(
:D
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Interesting thread.
I like a good old mix and match when it comes to buildings. Otherwise it looks like your village has been built by the dark age equivalent of Barrett Homes......
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Can we have bran flakes for the Romano-British houses (they are a bit more regular than the Anglo-RiceCrispysons)?
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Apart from West Stow, this site (in Norway) is worth a visit:
http://www.visithaugesund.no/en/Product/?TLp=533357
and if you want a boat to get there:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Harald_Fairhair
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Might I also offer up the work done at Nyköping in way of inspiration,
http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/engelsk/welcome.html (http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/engelsk/welcome.html)
Also, another version of fastolfrus' link, in case of difficulties,
http://www.visithaugesund.no (http://www.visithaugesund.no)
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Might I also offer up the work done at Nyköping in way of inspiration,
http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/engelsk/welcome.html (http://www.middelaldercentret.dk/engelsk/welcome.html)
Also, another version of fastolfrus' link, in case of difficulties,
http://www.visithaugesund.no (http://www.visithaugesund.no)
Well, for Dark Age, I think Ribe Vikingecenter is also worth mentioning:
http://www.ribevikingecenter.dk/en/home.aspx
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Frontline Miniatures do a couple of nice small buildings
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/22/164_02_08_15_11_17_21_0.jpg)
http://www.frontlinewargaming.co.uk/ (http://www.frontlinewargaming.co.uk/)
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Would it be appropriate to put forward my own humble efforts? My clochan as painted by the ever-productive Mason...
(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NjgzWDEwMjM=/z/Wi4AAOSwd0BVzi-T/$_57.JPG)
You may buy a few here...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321832965260?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321832965260?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649)
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Late to the party and I've not even brought the right kind of gift.
Saxon Miniatures/History Maker Moulds have some rubber moulds for a dark age village so that you can cast up your own. Spend roughly the same amount and get yourself an infinite supply of hovels and huts:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/26/3405_30_12_16_5_30_09.jpg)
Moulds can be bought individually or as a set with discount. Check them out here (http://saxonminiatures.com/product/thorfinstead-bundle/)
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Ohh I didn't realize they were already out.
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And they seem really good value to me.
8) 8)
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Those Hovels ones are quite nice actually but I bet they're really small :?
Hovels celtic farm can be seen in my Hill fort on this topic http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=100274.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=100274.0)
They are not big, but not to small to feet with 28mm figures.
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If not already mentioned Acheson Designs have done a new range of Medieval buildings that really more Dark Ages in nature. They also finished a successful Kickstarter for the buildings. I picked up quiet a few at Historicon and did the Kickstarter so I am set for my Dark Ages games for having a village that needs defending/sacking. :D
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FYI
Grand Manner is changing its business model. Raw resin models will no longer be available but painted ones will be. Orders for raw resin go until the end of the month, Jan 31st 2018.
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Hi i know this is a fairly old thread, but does anyone know if the Saxon Miniatures Dark Age building molds for casting in plaster are still available after Warlord Games bought up their figure range ? Saw them featured in the Shield Wall supplement for Hail Ceaser and they looked really nice.
Failing that does anyone have a set they'd like to sell to me ?
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Hi i know this is a fairly old thread, but does anyone know if the Saxon Miniatures Dark Age building molds for casting in plaster are still available after Warlord Games bought up their figure range ? Saw them featured in the Shield Wall supplement for Hail Ceaser and they looked really nice.
Failing that does anyone have a set they'd like to sell to me ?
I had not idea!! I would be very interested to know if they are available too! :)
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I believe it’s a right topic to refresh rather than creating a new thread (I hope)
Some time ago I spent quite some time searching for STL files (to print out myself) for thatched huts that would be accurate for England/Normandy in early Middle Ages (900-1100AD) I found only a handful of candidates that I could actually print but nothing as good as those presented in the thread’s first post (Those made by Grand Manner / Stronghold Terrain / Adrian’s Walls). There is muuuuultitude of fantasy huts available to print but I simply can’t accept them in my historical project.
So, if you know of any good models of thatched huts, I could buy STL files, please send me the link.
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From some time ago (2018) the Printable Scenery, Country and King line of STL buildings exist. These run from castle structures to fam fields, walls, farm buildings, city/town buildings, King's Gate and Tower, etc. This is a large line of structures, scenery and some figures for printing. I found them on ETSY as printed versions from several vendors.
Look at the Country and King buildings. "Realistic 3D Printable European Buildings for Table Top games from the Middle Ages through to the 20th Century for Wargames and D&D"
This Norman Period building line had a kickstarter shown at:
https://www .kickstarter.com/projects/printablescenery/king-and-country
Despite all logic I have obtained many of them and I feel they are very nice. I have even made modifications to a few successfully.
They are available printed on ETSY from several vendors/printers. I like Dungeon Artifacts for price, service, print quality and responsiveness.