Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Hami on October 27, 2020, 08:57:05 AM
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After a prolong time away from my laptop etc due to work I have come back and started looking at new projects to design and print for some games.
I have decided to try and map out a small area (big enough for a 4ft x 6ft table) of the village called Villers-Bocage, many people know this from the famous German Tank Commander Mr Wittman and his Tiger tank. It has been time consuming looking through all the old pre war post cards of this area and the photos from the war. My Dad (as always) has helped me out as he has walked the area many times and is a handy man to know when doing ww2 projects. I have also used Project 44, this is a free mapping system that the Canadians have put together which is a really handy tool.
I did try and use the good old google maps trick like i have done in the past however when the allies took the village back of the germans they basically flattened it. Which made the fighting harder so i am finding out.
Anyway, the red area is the rough area that I am going to design. The Cromwell I am using as a reference point, this was taken out on a street called Rue Curie just off the High Street and not far from the OP Sherman which is also my other reference point for photos.
The hand sketch on the note pad is what (I hope) part of this will look like once done. I have spent hours looking through photos etc piecing together and then sketching out a rough street by street design for this area. i have now made a block design (very basic outline) of parts of this map which can be seen below also.
The most time consuming part is adding the detail and trying to make the buildings fit as Villers-Bocage was on a slope, my table is flat >:(, by my table i mean my Dads by the way lol
The area that will be mapped street by street:
(https://i.imgur.com/u2WrGxu.jpg)
My sketches and reference photos:
(https://i.imgur.com/c0q8u0X.jpg)
Rue Curie, Cromwell. Off the screen to the left is where the 'Island' is. This is explained in the next photo.
(https://i.imgur.com/XauTBa3.jpg)
This is what I have called the island. for reference, the far side of this picture is the street where the Cromwell was KO'd (Rue Curie), the right hand side is the High street, the front of the buildings is where the statue is/was. and the left is the part I still need to map out (i have the photos etc).
(https://i.imgur.com/UDvAyUu.png)
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That looks like quite a project.
I look forward to seeing how this progresses.
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Me too...ambitious projects I like!
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Quick update - First building almost completed,
Cafe Deslandes
(https://i.imgur.com/uvOkZwA.png)
only loads more to go ;D
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Looks like a need a bigger wargames room - sorry that should be a bigger house/mansion. lol lol lol lol
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Excellent work Hami! I shall watch this with interest as I need to tackle how I’m going to do clustered buildings and more urban environments for my 15mm Normandy project. Thank you for the tip about Project 44 I shall check that out. Also you are very lucky to have a family member to game with (something I would love).
Keep it up,
BALM
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Excellent work Hami! I shall watch this with interest as I need to tackle how I’m going to do clustered buildings and more urban environments for my 15mm Normandy project. Thank you for the tip about Project 44 I shall check that out. Also you are very lucky to have a family member to game with (something I would love).
Keep it up,
BALM
Thanks, here is the link for Project 44
https://www.project44.ca/
i found there arial photos really good.
What area of normandy are you doing?
The great thing about the world of 3d printing if designed right can be scaled up or down, I have scaled some stuff down to 20mm and 15mm for people on this forum before.
I do like having a family member to game with, although ask my old man that question as he has all my buildings etc at his lol , as you can see above he keeps saying i need to buy him a bigger house.
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Hi, I presume you have a copy of "Villers Bocage Through the Lens" published by "After the Battle"?
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Hi, I presume you have a copy of "Villers Bocage Through the Lens" published by "After the Battle"?
No, although other people have told me to get this book, I am currently using Google and other ww2 community pages to get the information i need.
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Hami I’m not specifically aiming for a particular area rather I’m trying to get enough generic green scenery to do Normandy, Eastern Europe, into the Reich, AWI and U.K. countryside all of which use my Cigar Box Battle Mat Grasslands plush. So I’m slogging through 40ft+ of Bocage, then hedges and walls, redoing old trees and building new ones and so on. I have a lot to do but it’s starting to look properly pretty.
I have 4ground buildings and will stick with them as they don’t offend me as they do some, although I’d like to repaint them eventually. Because I’m building both sides I’m currently using terrain as a break so I don’t burn myself out to badly painting hundreds of little chaps. I can think of lots of little bits of scatter terrain I could print :) .
Keep up the good work,
BALM
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No, although other people have told me to get this book, I am currently using Google and other ww2 community pages to get the information i need.
Daniel Taylor is the author. He's also got a fair amount suitable for VB on his website. https://www.dantaylormodelworks.com/ Dan's also built some highly detailed dioramas of Villers Bocage
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Hami I’m not specifically aiming for a particular area rather I’m trying to get enough generic green scenery to do Normandy, Eastern Europe, into the Reich, AWI and U.K. countryside all of which use my Cigar Box Battle Mat Grasslands plush. So I’m slogging through 40ft+ of Bocage, then hedges and walls, redoing old trees and building new ones and so on. I have a lot to do but it’s starting to look properly pretty.
I have 4ground buildings and will stick with them as they don’t offend me as they do some, although I’d like to repaint them eventually. Because I’m building both sides I’m currently using terrain as a break so I don’t burn myself out to badly painting hundreds of little chaps. I can think of lots of little bits of scatter terrain I could print :) .
Keep up the good work,
BALM
Sounds like a large task, I am lucky that my old man has 30+ years of scenery boxed up in his Games room. although I seem to be taking up more and more space with my prints lol
Daniel Taylor is the author. He's also got a fair amount suitable for VB on his website. https://www.dantaylormodelworks.com/ Dan's also built some highly detailed dioramas of Villers Bocage
I had a look at Dans website, his dioramas are very nice however wrong area of Villers Bocage for me.
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I like your detailed approach to this, will be fascinating watching this come together.
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Looking very interesting - you really are going for an impressive level of detail.
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So i ordered a book that a lot of people have recommend for this project, it arrives tomorrow so I will crack on with a few more buildings then.
Looking very interesting - you really are going for an impressive level of detail.
I think why try and do something like this and not try and get it as accurate as possible. Each building will have removable floors so that figures can be placed inside of them etc.
I like your detailed approach to this, will be fascinating watching this come together.
thank you. I have drawn each street out using photos, postcards etc i have found.
After looking at several different photos I started to notice a few bits i had missed out on 'Cafe Deslandes' I have also added a small building to the rear made of brick as some photos show this yet others don't so i though i would add it in
(https://i.imgur.com/8blsy7p.png)
tomorrow I start with the next shop down, once my book arrives.
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So after looking throw old photos and buying Villers-Bocage Through the Lens book, i have noticed that this building is not correct.
(https://i.imgur.com/8blsy7p.png)
tomorrow I start with the next shop down, once my book arrives.
If you look at the highlighted area of the below photos, it looks like the Sides and rear (a few photos from the book shows this also) would be made of stone or brick. So I have changed the side and rear of this building from large block work to stone. This also means that it will fit in nicely with my already printed building.
(https://i.imgur.com/j09LIHK.jpg)
Here is the NEW design, What version do people like more?
(https://i.imgur.com/rYKidvy.png)
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nice work, look forward to the completed piece
cheers
Matt
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After another day at this design I have finally finished my second shop, i have added in my reference photo for a comparison and tried to get my photo to replicate it.
I am aware that the Cafe names should be higher however if i do that it means that I can only ever use these floors for that purpose rather than using them in differently in other games (a general size of these buildings will allow me to mix and match and reuse them).
(https://i.imgur.com/IlfV61q.png)
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nice work, look forward to the completed piece
cheers
Matt
It might be the new year before this project is designed and further few months to print the whole thing lol ,
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So the past few weeks has been slow as I have been teaching myself how to use new design software for other items, i.e. crop fields. These are for my Kickstarter.
Anyway back to this project.
I have changed the design of the stone work to try and make it less repetitive, I have added a few more touches to some of the shops and managed to finish 'R. Pagary' the third shop in this street row.
(https://i.imgur.com/qwjTkQx.png)
The street front is coming along nicely I think.
(https://i.imgur.com/0R7NR7s.png)
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A quick update on how this project is now shaping up, I have finally managed to complete the row of shops that over look the Statue.
The 'Pharmacie' was the last building to do and I am now turning the corner and heading down the High Street.
(https://i.imgur.com/CtBVHTE.jpg)
Every single on of these buildings are of a similar design to my previous ones so figures are able to be placed inside etc.
I am still undecided if I should add internal walls or just leave them open plan.
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If you are going to use them for other battlefields or hope to sell them as a kickstarter (as per the farm) might be wise to spend the time and put in some internal walls?
Cheers
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Very nice indeed
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If you are going to use them for other battlefields or hope to sell them as a kickstarter (as per the farm) might be wise to spend the time and put in some internal walls?
Cheers
my chain of thought was along the same lines as what you said, more the fact that if I was to use them in other games (Zombies / Spectre etc) having the rooms / internal walls would be of use. i.e. room clearing or building clearing etc.
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Hami, looking forward to seeing how these all turn out and getting a game on it. Once they are printed out and painted they are going to look amazing and certainly fun and varied battle field for both large games and street fighting games. Gonna be hard work fighting holding by building!
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:o Impressive! I'm certain this'll be a rather impressive table in the end.
Only a miner criticism as the sign on the photograph of the outer left cafe seems to read 'Cafe DesGandes' not 'Cafe DesLandes' as in your render.
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Due to technical issues, i.e my computer not working over the Christmas period and then my new MacBook Pro failing only after a few days of having it means I have not had the chance to update this project.
I will get an update by the weekend for everyone.
p.s. my new rule book arrived this week and there are some good games in there. Although they need to put more historical maps in there for the scenarios, i.e. Villers-bocage game lol
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:o Impressive! I'm certain this'll be a rather impressive table in the end.
Only a miner criticism as the sign on the photograph of the outer left cafe seems to read 'Cafe DesGandes' not 'Cafe DesLandes' as in your render.
It is actually DesLandes, a family still in Villers Bocage. The L in the photo has an upwards flic on the font that might make it look like a G.
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It is actually DesLandes, a family still in Villers Bocage. The L in the photo has an upwards flic on the font that might make it look like a G.
I thought it was DesLandes, and the render is only there so I can see what I have designed, however I will try and put the flick into the L. Have you got an image of it?
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Unfortunately not, I was looking at your photo and remembering my own research on French shop signs for a similar project. Also, a quick google search shows DesLandes in Villers Bocage now but no DesGandes.
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Hello once again, I must apologies for not keeping this post up to date however I have been over seas working for several months and with limited to no data/signal.
Since I last updated this post I have completed the buildings that over look the monument/statue and walking down Rue Currie Street where one of the Cromwells where taken out, as seen in a reference photo. I can hear my old mans voice right now when he sees this post and I start bringing the printed buildings to show him, "I hope you're going to buy me a bigger house for all these prints", the answer is no, sadly not.
This is the over all view of the buildings.
(https://i.imgur.com/X5iahhv.png)
(https://i.imgur.com/vH315xW.png)
Buildings facing the high street.
(https://i.imgur.com/hSXEa0z.png)
Front and rear of the Island (as I call it)
(https://i.imgur.com/kFbWqTK.png)
Walking down Rue Currie Street and reference photo that I used for detailing buildings.
(https://i.imgur.com/lPL4gxB.png)
Another look at Rue Currie street from a different point of view.
(https://i.imgur.com/s78enEy.png)
The opposite side of Rue Currie and the Island buildings.
(https://i.imgur.com/YW7cHrb.png)
looking at the read of the buildings, due to the only photos I could find of this area was after the RAF bombed it. There was not much left so I had to use my imagination.
(https://i.imgur.com/aYHqYbZ.png)
I have now started on the buildings that make up the High Street. Once these are completed I will have a 4ft x 4ft board. I do need to add stone work to the building that is sticking out as the photo shows.
(https://i.imgur.com/domOAXo.png)
Please feel free to leave feedback on this project of mine. This has been a big task as I am trying to keep it as historical but playable as possible.
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Nice additions. I just need more space for storage.
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WOW did I really start this project back in 2021.
I would like to make excuses why it has taken so long but sadly I just fell out of love for this project due to the amount of work required for it. I have since pulled my finger out and started working on this again.
The fronts of the buildings are some what historically accurate based on photos and postcards, the interiors and rears of the buildings are my own work. The old man and myself play Street Fighting rules for Bolt Action with minis based on 20mm bases, this allows for very up close and personal games and thought thie buildings should relate to this.
Prints - these are draft prints. I a printing to ensure that they are all printable and work. I have already changed the designs on some of the buildings below.
At the time of posting this I still have a further three streets to design and print.
Rue Currie, this is where one of the British tanks where knocked out.
(https://i.imgur.com/FRXUUXJ.jpg)
One side of the street. Broken down for future reference. Running right to left - Hotel, Tunnel Building, 3 Story Town house, and then buildings 3 & 4
(https://i.imgur.com/KzYmyr0.jpg)
the rear of these buildings
(https://i.imgur.com/2bwe9RS.jpg)
The otherside of the street
(https://i.imgur.com/1Nm7VgQ.jpg)
the rear of those buildings
(https://i.imgur.com/lO4CDfE.jpg)
Close up of one of those buildings
(https://i.imgur.com/aDWAN7s.jpg)
The Hotel front / side
(https://i.imgur.com/m6tlVaA.jpg)
The Hotel rear
(https://i.imgur.com/GyHglym.jpg)
The Hotel bottom floor
(https://i.imgur.com/XbrKZMM.jpg)
The Hotel first floor
(https://i.imgur.com/yOLpNvK.jpg)
The Hotel roof
(https://i.imgur.com/0SBwodN.jpg)
Tunnel building
(https://i.imgur.com/4yTd6dv.jpg)
Three story town house front
(https://i.imgur.com/TH5oKKU.jpg)
Three story town house rear
(https://i.imgur.com/2pFoOvS.jpg)
Three story town house peeking down the stairs
(https://i.imgur.com/31U0eF8.jpg)
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wow! :o
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wow indeed, very impressive
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wonderful work! can you easily scale those files down to 12mm?
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@Billk yeah scaling down is not hard, what I would need to do though is maybe remove the inner walls etc, as I am aware some people place smaller scales as squads etc.
Thanks for the kind words, this has been a long project lol
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Fantastic great to see the project coming along
Cheers
Matt
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I have almost finished the small island of buildings which contains the pharmacy, cafes, bakery and the other side of Rue Curie. I only have one more building to print, and that is the middle building (another Cafe) in the reference photo below.
This building will sit between the shed / garage and the pharmacy on the Highstreet part of this section.
Front
(https://i.imgur.com/5Rg29xK.jpg)
Rear
(https://i.imgur.com/taBJ7U3.jpg)
Ground floor
(https://i.imgur.com/L9jw6mU.jpg)
First floor
(https://i.imgur.com/QZWwI7r.jpg)
This is the Cafe Deslandes, or aka the end building.
reference photo
(https://i.imgur.com/tZS03Dg.jpg)
Front
(https://i.imgur.com/7EvjP7I.jpg)
Rear
(https://i.imgur.com/lqlWYOv.jpg)
First floor
(https://i.imgur.com/jdYIlNB.jpg)
Second floor
(https://i.imgur.com/Rc57RB5.jpg)
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Absolutely stunning!
I too second the motion for 12mm to go with the Victrix minis.
Truly amazing!
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Spectacular, your effort and attention to detail is outstanding.
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thank you all for the kind words,
Absolutely stunning!
I too second the motion for 12mm to go with the Victrix minis.
Truly amazing!
When use are talking about 12mm, how do use base your troops. My concern would be that due to the internal walls if the miniatures are based as sections and not individually then you might not be able to place troops inside.
If this is the case and if there is interest in the 12mm scale, once I have test printed all the files I can revisit the designs and remove the internal walls for 12mm scale.
Spectacular, your effort and attention to detail is outstanding.
I am starting to think I went a little big for my first ever board build, I just feel sorry for my old man as I kind of store all my wargaming stuff at his lol
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Cafe Le Maitre, although I think it was called something else in my reference photo below but basically this is the second from left three story building. This print is the reason why I like to test print my files. The first floor widows on the front have a 0.5mm gap between the window frames and the walls. Annoyingly this was not the only failed part of this print.
For some unknown reason my slicer did not like the stone work on one side of the roof section therefore it removed it.
Both of these errors have now been fixed, but I will not be reprinting this unless I have spare PLA at the end of the project. It will be in a position that the roof error will not be noticed so I am not overly concerned.
I am due back to the house this weekend so I will take a photo / video of the progress on the current project and post it up here.
Thank you all once again for the kind words and feedback.
Front
(https://i.imgur.com/qR8d3Au.jpg)
Rear and side
(https://i.imgur.com/c208ja8.jpg)
First floor
(https://i.imgur.com/DAZmpi5.jpg)
and the annoying failed roof section
(https://i.imgur.com/2wO5O2v.jpg)
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Fantastic project,are you going to build any removable sections that are destroyed ? Might increase the playing area and possible scenarios.
Found these old pics of Villiers Bocage,might be useful ? People often forget postcards as a good source of info.
https://www.communes.com/cartes-postales-anciennes-villers-bocage-14 (https://www.communes.com/cartes-postales-anciennes-villers-bocage-14)
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Just keeps getting better!
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Fantastic project,are you going to build any removable sections that are destroyed ? Might increase the playing area and possible scenarios.
Found these old pics of Villiers Bocage,might be useful ? People often forget postcards as a good source of info.
https://www.communes.com/cartes-postales-anciennes-villers-bocage-14 (https://www.communes.com/cartes-postales-anciennes-villers-bocage-14)
Thanks for the link, I have been mainly using postcards from 1900 - 1930ish for references as the RAF done a pretty good job of bombing the village. The main issue I am having is the side streets leading off the high street, there is little to none. for these I have found postcards from other towns like Villers-Bocage and used them to kind of try make it work.
But t answer your question, there will be ruined versions of each building, what this might end looking like is the roof and first floor being damaged and easily swapped in and out or a completely ruined building. I have not thought that far a head yet. I will play a few games on the board, see where improvements can be made and then turn the village into ruins.
my only big concern is, does my old man have enough space for all these prints o_o
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my only big concern is, does my old man have enough space for all these prints o_o
I think I need a larger house. :D
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Annoyingly it was not until I started putting all this out that I noticed I had not printed the Pharmacie building. This is now printing, and the bottom floor shows where it will be on the board.
For rough scale, the table is about 2.5ft x 2.5ft.
Once I print the Pharmacie, this will be the area complete. I will then only have the high street and two smaller streets running off it to print. All files have almost been completed.
Once complete, it will be the environment bits and pieces to design and print. Things like benches, spades, garden bits. The stuff that makes a village look lived in.
Original outline design:
(https://i.imgur.com/X5iahhv.png)
3D Printed version:
(https://i.imgur.com/73awE0v.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/HizyPCL.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/IWLmEFx.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/P1ARY6q.jpg)
(https://i.imgur.com/jRTRvij.jpg)
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Wonderful! Printers really have revolutionised the hobby, this looks amazing :D
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That's looking amazing :-*
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Bloody hell! :o
That's an amazing set up! :-* :-*
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Thank you all for the positive feedback.
For reference purposes the below picture is the area of what I am aiming to achieve. The black outlines of the buildings are not accurate as per the postcards and war time photos but it allows use to get a feel for what I am doing.
(https://i.imgur.com/UAAgjgw.jpg)
Top left of the red box is the island where all the Cafes, bakery and pharmacy would have been, the road running on the right hand side of this block of buildings was Rue Currie where the hotel is placed.
I have designed the majority of the remaining buildings bar the most eastern ones within the red square.
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Superb