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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Frostgrave => Topic started by: General Lee on December 07, 2015, 07:57:20 AM

Title: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: General Lee on December 07, 2015, 07:57:20 AM
Just discovered the Simba Toy Castle and was wondering if anyone has it and what the material is like. Is it hard plastic or the bendy type. How well does it take paint??

Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Eric the Shed on December 07, 2015, 08:09:42 AM
Rigid plastic...will take paint

Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 07, 2015, 11:58:45 AM
I painted the main keep, with some small additions (scratchbuilt wooden gates, statues, torches, scratchbuilt flagpoles) and I feel it's very good for the price.

I have more pictures and info in this thread:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=16492.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=16492.0)

But here's what it looks like painted:

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep1.jpg)

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep2.jpg)

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep3.jpg)

As can be seen here, the walking space on both sides of the roof has room for 4 figures on 20mm bases. Would be a good spot for a sniper/hochland longrifle.

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep4.jpg)

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep5.jpg)

And a few final pics with figures to give a feel of the size:

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep6.jpg)

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/empire/keep7.jpg)

Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 07, 2015, 12:05:09 PM
Forgot to add, it's rigid plastic. The backside of the wall sections isn't textured so you can either fill it (with cardboard and then covered in filler/spackle for instance) or, for the price, get a second set and cannibalize it for that.

To give an idea of size, here's one full set, with GW figures:
(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/pics/castleset5.jpg)

(http://wk.frothersunite.com/misc/pics/castleset4.jpg)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Philhelm on December 07, 2015, 02:55:37 PM
Did you ever finish the rest of the castle?
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: General Lee on December 07, 2015, 04:26:42 PM
thanks huys  :D
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 07, 2015, 04:30:07 PM
Did you ever finish the rest of the castle?

No, but it's on my to do list. ;)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Philhelm on December 07, 2015, 04:37:58 PM
It's amazing what a few bits and bobs and some paint can do to transform a child's toy into a nice piece of gaming terrain.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Elbows on December 07, 2015, 07:28:05 PM
Looks like a wonderful set to kit-bash into something truly excellent.  Nice.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Marine0846 on December 07, 2015, 07:52:17 PM
Looks great.
Watch there be a run on ebay for them. lol
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Froggy the Great on December 07, 2015, 08:38:10 PM
Are these commonly available in the USA?
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Roberticus on December 08, 2015, 12:07:27 PM
Who's up for a game of "Siege"? :)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 08, 2015, 12:16:09 PM
I don't remember exactly as they are stashed away at the moment but I think I have 6 or 8 of them, with the idea to convert them into a big setup with city walls and everything. There is also a version that has some round towers in it and a different roof for the central building.

(http://debenhams.scene7.com/is/image/Debenhams/171010389599)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Annie on December 09, 2015, 05:34:36 PM
I just bought one based on the recommendations! These are the sort of cool toys my friends had but I never got (being a girl, boo), so I bought one a bit for nostalgia too!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Psychoflexible on December 09, 2015, 06:01:47 PM
They seem OOP here in France. And you ?
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Annie on December 09, 2015, 06:10:05 PM
Debenhams have it on sale in the UK, but post worldwide!

http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171050908599_-1
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: AzSteven on December 09, 2015, 06:34:56 PM
Under $50 shipped to the US and expected delivery in 10 days.  Impressive.  Most impressive.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Eric the Shed on December 09, 2015, 07:02:21 PM
I used the Round towers to build my Keep - Gateway is a GW fortress - the rest scratchbuilt

full build and pictures here...

http://shedwars.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-keep-tales-of-shedwood-part-1.html (http://shedwars.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/the-keep-tales-of-shedwood-part-1.html)

finished picture

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/The%20Keep/DSC_0944_zps7110e825.jpg)

and here it is part of my medieval town set up

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/Nottingham%202/N10_zps5e312983.jpg)

The castle is also listed as a Superplay brand (link below)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superplay-Falcon-Castle-I-70x48cm/dp/B00194R2WU (http://www.amazon.co.uk/Superplay-Falcon-Castle-I-70x48cm/dp/B00194R2WU)

Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Ninefingers on December 09, 2015, 07:08:47 PM
That looks brilliant, hope they've still got some by payday  :-*
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 10, 2015, 10:34:26 AM
If you're out of luck finding that one, there's a similarly sized one by another company, the "Toy Major Deluxe Jumbo Castle Playset".

I have that one as well. I have a slight preference for the Simba one as I feel the stone texture is a bit nicer on it and the Toy Major castle has connector holes for the walls in the towers that would need to be filled (the Simba castleset uses the arrowlsits/windows as connectorholes which is smarter):

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81MzeBpl%2BtL._SL1500_.jpg)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: bandit86 on December 10, 2015, 11:15:06 AM
I am working on one, it's really a nice kit and not to expensive (hard plastic seems to take paint well)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: hawe on December 12, 2015, 03:21:25 PM
I painted the main keep, with some small additions (scratchbuilt wooden gates, statues, torches, scratchbuilt flagpoles) and I feel it's very good for the price.

Hello.

Very nice keep indeed.

One question: By painting it, did you prepare the plastics with a primer or did you only use drybrushing and (perhaps) inking for the gaps?

TIA Hawe
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 12, 2015, 04:42:06 PM
I primed it as usual with a standard spray can, then painted some thinned black in the crevices, then subsequent drybrushes of greys. Of course you could prime it black and directly move on to the grey drybrushes.

Really no different from say a GW plastic kit.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on December 12, 2015, 04:58:23 PM
After seeing this, I've started looking through Taobao

You in China then?  ;)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Eric the Shed on December 12, 2015, 10:54:51 PM
links... ??? ??? ??? ???
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Urquhart on December 13, 2015, 12:08:17 AM
They're actually on the text but Lead Adventure seems to have a css which means the link colour is exactly the same.

The solution is change the color of the words of the link with the option the forum gives (yellow, for example)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Annie on December 17, 2015, 09:44:42 PM
Mission accomplished, childhood complete!

(https://scontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpt1/v/t1.0-9/11225718_10156224588060234_3324519650786266179_n.jpg?oh=022533a75750e40e0940387d3afc2adc&oe=57197B63)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Pijlie on December 18, 2015, 07:09:58 AM
 lol

Good for you, Annie!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: nullBolt on December 18, 2015, 07:50:30 AM
Mission accomplished, childhood complete!

<snip>

God damn, it's huge.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Andym on December 18, 2015, 03:08:41 PM
Its not huge....its just Annie is in 28mm scale! ;)

Thats a great price for a full castle. There wouldn't be too much work involved. Just hide the low windows and you're sorted! Nice find and thanks for the link Annie!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: November on December 18, 2015, 03:21:16 PM
Now we can only wait that Games Workshop adopts that set, adds a couple dozen skulls, and slaps price tag to it. "Mythic Duardin Doomhold. One-click Special Deal Web Exclusive. 500£"
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: sjwalker51 on December 19, 2015, 10:25:35 AM
Debenhams now selling it for only £21, I can resist anything but temptation...
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Daniel36 on December 19, 2015, 10:38:00 AM
I saw this exact thing at a thrift shop once. But its details are too big. However, I also saw it painted at a wargames club several years back, and it did look alright painted.

Maybe I should've just gotten it anyways. It was cheap as heck.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Golgotha on December 19, 2015, 09:09:59 PM
Thank you Annie for the link - have ordered one - it is going to feel like Christmas this year.  hoping with a little work that it can be turned into something fantastic. see good examples of the keep made up here on LAF but no one seems to have gotten round to the walls. It is the back of the walls which concerns me and the joints but will soon find out.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: AzSteven on December 21, 2015, 03:17:55 AM
Annie's smile made me laugh - clearly her Christmas loot arrived early!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Ninefingers on January 07, 2016, 07:43:11 PM
Down to £14 now! (http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171050908599_-1)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Za Zjurman on January 07, 2016, 10:43:26 PM
If you're out of luck finding that one, there's a similarly sized one by another company, the "Toy Major Deluxe Jumbo Castle Playset".

I have that one as well. I have a slight preference for the Simba one as I feel the stone texture is a bit nicer on it and the Toy Major castle has connector holes for the walls in the towers that would need to be filled (the Simba castleset uses the arrowlsits/windows as connectorholes which is smarter):

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/81MzeBpl%2BtL._SL1500_.jpg)

I have this one and its good enough.

(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s390/zju/Fantasy/Kasteel1.jpg)

(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s390/zju/Fantasy/Kasteel3.jpg)

(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s390/zju/Fantasy/Kasteel4.jpg)

(http://i1049.photobucket.com/albums/s390/zju/Fantasy/Kasteel6.jpg)

Some minor conversion work and a lot of dry brushing and you have some nice cheap scenery.

Cheers,

Za
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Kpok on January 08, 2016, 07:20:39 AM
Here in Germany I got it for 13€.
Bought two sets  :D
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: mister c on January 08, 2016, 08:03:22 AM
Excellent ZA.
Are those vines are for climbing up Legend of Zelda style?
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Nooblord on January 08, 2016, 11:18:28 PM
Well temptation got the better of me and I ordered one. At £14 + postage it just seemed rude not to. 5 remaining for sale on ebay.

Thanks to those who posted pics of their mighty erections ( :o ) as they really helped to make an informed decision.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Za Zjurman on January 08, 2016, 11:19:53 PM
Thanks to those who posted pics of their mighty erections ( :o ) as they really helped to make an informed decision.

 lol lol lol lol
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: nullBolt on January 10, 2016, 10:07:48 AM
Thanks to those who posted pics of their mighty erections ( :o ) as they really helped to make an informed decision.

Hot.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Daniel36 on January 10, 2016, 11:27:36 AM
and here it is part of my medieval town set up
Will you marry me?
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Daniel36 on January 10, 2016, 12:12:41 PM
I did... >_<
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Vroomer on January 12, 2016, 03:36:42 AM
Down to £14 now! (http://www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_171050908599_-1)


Or ~$30 to the US&A with shipping... Have to wait for end of the month.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Vroomer on February 02, 2016, 08:20:27 PM
And they still have them in stock. Just ordered one. We'll see how long the trip across the pond takes.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Nooblord on February 23, 2016, 06:08:51 PM
Just starting to get to grips with my castle set. There is so much good stuff in this box besides the obvious - large figures that will make good statues and large constructs, ladders (always useful) and wooden walkways.

I was thinking about turning the keep into 2 separate ruined 'corners' but now I think I'll just keep it as a single, intact and un-enterable building. I will make a U-shaped city wall section that I can place down one side of the table, some watchtowers and ruined wall sections.

The pieces all go together well with very little flash. Blocking the windows and filling the hollow battlements won't be too much effort. There are so many wall sections I think I'll go with double sided walls.

By the way the Beasts of War guys (beastsofwar.com) got a load of these sets and are busy making a castle for Salute this year. There are details on their website but in the backstage section (for members) though there are a couple of work in progress pics you can see on the free part of the site. Will be interesting to see what they come up with.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: white knight on February 23, 2016, 06:42:53 PM
I agree the set is very useful.

There's a member on the Warhammer Empire forum who's been combining several sets along with plasticard in this amazing city complex:

http://warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php/topic,45510.msg959351.html#msg959351 (http://warhammer-empire.com/theforum/index.php/topic,45510.msg959351.html#msg959351)

Just a teaser from his post:
(http://i.imgur.com/DWDiYZg.jpg)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Za Zjurman on February 23, 2016, 06:45:13 PM
 :o That is insane  :o In a good way off course  :D
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Nooblord on February 23, 2016, 06:48:46 PM
Oh my! My brain is struggling to process that picture... can't find any suitable words...just wow.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Hupp n at em on February 23, 2016, 07:17:52 PM
Wow, that's as close to a 3D recreation of the over-the-top Warhammer concept art as I've ever seen. Incredible.  :o
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: jp1885 on February 23, 2016, 08:25:27 PM
Bloody hell!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Golgotha on February 23, 2016, 08:32:50 PM
Blimey that must be at least five sets worth love to see that completed...
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Elbows on February 23, 2016, 08:36:20 PM
I want to like that...but I just look at it and think "how the hell could you play anything on that?"  :(

I hope it's just a big piece for convention or something.  Looks a bit...useless other than a piece of art. 
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Azzabat on February 23, 2016, 11:22:09 PM
And ... suddenly I'm not the maddest person in the room anymore.

Excellent work. Mind suitably blown.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Hupp n at em on February 24, 2016, 12:51:33 PM
I want to like that...but I just look at it and think "how the hell could you play anything on that?"  :(

I hope it's just a big piece for convention or something.  Looks a bit...useless other than a piece of art. 

You couldn't.  At least, I couldn't.  It still looks cool though.  :D
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Andym on February 24, 2016, 02:05:22 PM
If you think he's mental now, wait until he has to do ALL those tiles on every roof!! He'll be bouncing off of the Walls by the time he's finished! lol
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Ravendas on February 24, 2016, 02:39:44 PM
It is a phenomenal amount of work and application, I see that and yet ....I don't like it.

Too symmetrical maybe, no sense of organic growth or function. Too perfect? It just lacks 'soul' somehow? Maybe the paint will transform it but I remain unconvinced, though still impressed.  :?

Yeah, everything is at a 90' angle to everything else. It makes it seems rather fake. As a vigorously preplanned city, okay, but cities back then were anything but planned.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: jon_1066 on February 24, 2016, 03:14:45 PM
Back when?  I didn't realise the Warhammer world was history!

Why not be a pre-planned city ala Brasilia or Naypyidaw.  Works well with Sigmar and the Gods of Law.  What could be more the opposite of Chaos than a regimented city full of right angles.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: jon_1066 on February 25, 2016, 08:57:17 AM
Exactly - it works perfectly for some mad Emperor's folly and attempt to impose order on the world.  The Ahkenaten of Warhammer.
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Doug ex-em4 on February 25, 2016, 01:54:09 PM
Exactly - it works perfectly for some mad Emperor's folly and attempt to impose order on the world.  The Ahkenaten of Warhammer.

Agreed - just because "real" people don't like it doesn't mean that some mad Emperor, President-for-Life, Bond Villain etc won't impose it on them.

Naypidaw and Brasilia are real-world examples of the phenomenon happening.

Doug
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Cergorach on April 09, 2016, 07:23:53 PM
What kind of plastic is it? 'hard plastic' is very descriptive, but... Can we glue it with plastic (Revell) glue (like we can with the GW kits)?

All those pics are quite impressive!
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: The Dozing Dragon on April 09, 2016, 09:14:45 PM
There's an interesting selection of toy castles on this 'eBay Collection' page, Elastolin etc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/cln/sportscarlycody/vintage-toy-castles-more/80012743015 (http://www.ebay.co.uk/cln/sportscarlycody/vintage-toy-castles-more/80012743015)
Title: Re: Simba Toy Castle
Post by: Hupp n at em on April 10, 2016, 06:38:25 PM
Is it possible to get this in the US? Or is that just a pipe dream?