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Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: mortimer on February 18, 2010, 10:00:52 PM

Title: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 18, 2010, 10:00:52 PM
First I work in a warehouse posted in other topic

HERE (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=15960.0)

And this is the second, one of the biggest buildings in my Belgian Station project, a Rubber Office. It takes me a lot for the planification... At this moment just build the whole structure and the removable roof in foam core board (1cm for the base and the columns, 5mm for the structure and 3mm for the top of the roof)... I've began with the wooden floor in one of the porchs, made with a green bamboo mat  :D :D :D

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4029/4368990188_ed7e004ef4_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4027/4368990194_08bee36455_o.jpg)

(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4368990196_bd119ea53f_o.jpg)

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2683/4368990200_3655121d0a_o.jpg)

And still a lot of work... I'll update this topic with next stages...

Hope you like it!
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: Svennn on February 18, 2010, 10:11:38 PM
Yeah, I like it a lot. I would never have thought to do a building such as this. I look forward to seeing it progress.
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: commissarmoody on February 18, 2010, 10:31:07 PM
Varu nice, I cant wait to see were you go with this
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: carlos marighela on February 18, 2010, 10:34:36 PM
Bamboo mat floorboards?  Genius! Think I'll steal that idea myself
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: gamer Mac on February 19, 2010, 11:00:39 AM
Looking good so far. :-*
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 19, 2010, 03:21:52 PM
It looks awfully good! I like it very much.
For some time now I am toying with the idea of some colonial building to be used as tropical hospital, with some verandas etc
Yours is magnificent!

here is a link on a "banana plantation in east africa" that might help you with some more inspiration!
and a link for Ainsty (now Crow's) trade goods that might help you titilate the building.

Now, where are those caoutschouk/rubber bales, I have seen somewhere?

BTW it is also a timeless piece. I think that it can be used in colonial and pulp settings! Nice
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: traveller on February 19, 2010, 05:27:54 PM
WOW!   :o

makes me think Congo late 19th C, Haiti early 19th...
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 19, 2010, 05:46:25 PM
It looks awfully good! I like it very much.
For some time now I am toying with the idea of some colonial building to be used as tropical hospital, with some verandas etc
Yours is magnificent!

here is a link on a "banana plantation in east africa" that might help you with some more inspiration!
and a link for Ainsty (now Crow's) trade goods that might help you titilate the building.

Now, where are those caoutschouk/rubber bales, I have seen somewhere?

BTW it is also a timeless piece. I think that it can be used in colonial and pulp settings! Nice

Yes, it can be used in very settings, it's the idea... I can't find your links, you forget to add this? and finally YES, I need more info and inspiration... I'm looking for rubber bales, rubber manufacturing in the stations and how it works in leopold's 18__ congo, transport? boxes? I can't find info about this question...

thanks for all your comments!!
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 19, 2010, 05:47:48 PM
And all the info about belgian stations and rubber in congo is welcome!!   :D :D :D
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 20, 2010, 12:32:33 AM
Shame on me! I forgot to add links that's awful, sorry

Here they are (or try to repost them:
http://www.diorama-dreamland.at/
on the navigation choose gallery index and then you see the links for some dioramas including the plantation one:

As for Ainsty i.e. Old Crow Models here they are:
http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/aitrader.htm

Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 20, 2010, 01:23:39 AM
Sorry for the mesh, in previous messages.

Usually natural rubber comes in bales of about 33,3 kg each.
Natural rubber is a natural liquid resin produced by trees known as caoutscouk or rubber trees (Hevea brasiliensis). The tree originated from South America but now has been planted in tropical and subtropical regions like Congo, Malaysia, Vietnam, India to name a few. In Europe it can be found in the South but is not productive, is just used as ornamental. A known plant of the same family is ficus.
When latex is collected is pressed (by hand at early times) to form sheets. Left to dry, then goes to the smoke house to get smoked.
This is essential since smoking acts as preservative against bacteria and fungi (Oh they love eating latex, a delicatessen for them) Then again pressed to form bales.
Some links:
http://www.kitchenandbathwarehouse.com/rubberwood.html
http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Wonder-Book-Of-Knowledge/What-Is-A-Rubber-Camp-Like.html
http://chestofbooks.com/reference/Wonder-Book-Of-Knowledge/How-Is-Rubber-Prepared-For-Use.html
http://www.2goglobal.com/2GoChronicals/2%20Go%20Photos/Asia/Indonesia/life_in_bukit_lewang.htm
http://www.jungleway.com/images/content/photos/treks/slideshow/JW1.jpg
http://asiapacific.anu.edu.au/newmandala/2006/09/01/rubber-dub-dub/
http://www.rain-tree.com/Plant-Images/rubber-tree-pic.htm
http://www.greensleep.com/Europe/Great-Brittain/EN/gzg-organic-hevea.asp
Sorry most links are from South America and Asia, but they give some idea.

As for modelling:
sheets are easily made from putty/green stuff. Some Ainsty trade goods bales can be used. They look suspiously as cotton bales but can pass as rubber bales, too.

Transportation: any means: Rail, canoe, bearers etc.

But finishing the model you have to built a large balance scale to weight the rubber.

The last at least for today: Try to find out how King Leopold treated rubber collectors. A good popint to start is what Mark Twain reported about that matter .

Ah while collecting your rubber, do not forget to add some askaris! They might be useful
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 20, 2010, 01:45:58 AM
In the meantime I found an interesting site with some photos about the process of the natural rubber in Brazil.

http://www.bouncing-balls.com/serendipity/picturegallery_amazonia.htm

and some photos with pressing sheets and drying sheets  from thailand:
http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=3493
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 20, 2010, 02:01:07 AM
Thanks!!!  :o :o :o Really useful info!! And great ideas...

I've think in a balance in the dock... yes, a fluvial transport via Congo River... One of the other things you comment is a smoke house... more info about? Perhaps a small smoked cabin... it's a good idea!!

ANY PHOTOS OR OLD DRAWINGS FOR THIS????

I've look the site for Trade Goods... I think something similar like this bales -in the front- http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ainsty/a2625.jpg (http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ainsty/a2625.jpg) or the big ones on these http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ainsty/a2643.jpg (http://www.oldcrowmodels.co.uk/ainsty/a2643.jpg) Again a great ideas!! Thanks... Useful and inspirate info...

Finally, about the genocide in the King Leopold's Congo I got a lot of info, thanks, I'm fond of Africa story and I've read terrible reports about the Force Publique systems... about the explotation and the kidnappins, slaves and cut-hands market...  :-[ :-[ :( :( I can recommend you this book by Peter Forbath, a fantastic compendium, one of my favorites about african colonial and exploration history http://www.amazon.com/River-Congo-Discovery-Exploration-Exploitation/dp/0061224901 (http://www.amazon.com/River-Congo-Discovery-Exploration-Exploitation/dp/0061224901) and of course the classic Joseph Conrad "Heart of Darkness", about Mark Twain's text I known it for references, but I'll get the complete text... thanks for recommendation again -and sorry for my English-

Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 20, 2010, 02:06:38 AM
The graphic info in the first of your last links is a TREASURE!!!

Some "pelles"  ;) and a smoke room... great search again!!!
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 20, 2010, 10:14:53 PM
The graphic info in the first of your last links is a TREASURE!!!

Some "pelles"  ;) and a smoke room... great search again!!!

that is why I send you.
I can't wait to see your modelling use of the above!

(BTW which part of Spain you are from?)
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 21, 2010, 12:20:28 AM
From Albacete, a middle size city in La Mancha, between Madrid and Valencia...  :D

I'll post soon more fotos of the rubber office building... next steps... I'm working on it.
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 21, 2010, 01:51:20 AM
Are you speaking Valenciano or castillano?
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on February 21, 2010, 01:55:06 AM
Castellano, castellano  :D This is Castilla!! I just understand Valenciano, but I don't speak it...
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on February 21, 2010, 11:43:39 PM
Castellano, castellano  :D This is Castilla!! I just understand Valenciano, but I don't speak it...

Ok I don;t speak both, but I was curious!
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: argsilverson on March 14, 2010, 01:22:25 AM
Hi Mortimer,

Take a look at the post here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=17225.msg206959#msg206959

not exactly the right scale/balance to weight rubber bales, but I think there is a lot of useful stuff for your colonial projects.

any newer photos of your project???
Title: Re: CONGO STATION PROJECT: The Rubber Office (WIP)
Post by: mortimer on March 14, 2010, 02:04:04 AM
Yes, very interesting... thanks

I'm working on it! I have some photos of different phases WIP, and I hope to finish the building next week... I'll share this  :D :D