Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => "Build Something" Archiv => Topic started by: Will Bailie on April 09, 2021, 06:25:08 AM
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It's time for me to stop lurking and finally participate on this forum!
My BSC 2021 creation will build on my ongoing Operation Husky project. If anyone is interested, I've been recording things on my blog https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/
Something crucial that's been missing from my collection, though, is some difficult, rocky terrain to reflect the actual challenges that WWII soldiers faced on Sicily. My BSC will focus on the SS121 highway crossing of the Dittaino River just outside of Leonforte. I'll post some more background on this project over the weekend, along with how I plan to represent this on the table.
Here's hoping that my miniature megalomania hasn't overridden my common sense!
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A Lemax Ski slope repainted would give you a hilly piece of ground.
quote author=Will Bailie link=topic=130714.msg1656654#msg1656654 date=1617945908]
It's time for me to stop lurking and finally participate on this forum!
My BSC 2021 creation will build on my ongoing Operation Husky project. If anyone is interested, I've been recording things on my blog https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/
Something crucial that's been missing from my collection, though, is some difficult, rocky terrain to reflect the actual challenges that WWII soldiers faced on Sicily. My BSC will focus on the SS121 highway crossing of the Dittaino River just outside of Leonforte. I'll post some more background on this project over the weekend, along with how I plan to represent this on the table.
Here's hoping that my miniature megalomania hasn't overridden my common sense!
[/quote]
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A Lemax Ski slope repainted would give you a hilly piece of ground.
Thanks for the suggestion, I wasn't aware of the Lemax option. However, I've decided to go in a different direction! I'll post my plans here tomorrow.
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I've written a blog post with some of the background for my BSC project. It is available here: https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/04/bsc2021-background-and-plans.html
Short version: 21-22 July 1943, battle of Leonforte, Sicily. The Loyal Edmonton Regiment has taken the town of Leonforte, but is being counterattacked by the 104st PanzerGrenadier Regiment. Meanwhile, the rest of 1st Canadian Infantry Division is trying to reinforce the cut-off Eddies! But the Germans have destroyed the bridge on the only road into the town. This is what the bridge looked like in 1950, after it had been rebuilt:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ND1AEs-ENlM/YHD2KQFlVDI/AAAAAAAAF2s/wfFanEuiBJ0Go3XpPoJTyTvKb2MQMJAIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/approach%2Bin%2B1950.PNG)
(photo is from Volume II of the official history of the Canadian Army in WWII)
The sappers of 3rd Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers worked overnight, under fire from the Germans, to build a Bailey Bridge to cross the Dittaino River, and allow the Eddies in the town to be reinforced. This was the first time a Bailey Bridge had been constructed under enemy fire, with the first ever Bailey Bridges being deployed on campaign just a few months earlier in Tunisia.
My BSC project will be to make a simulation of the Dittaino valley. Here is a Google Earth image of what I plan to represent:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epsBKtUXJBM/YHD2UquDicI/AAAAAAAAF2w/Ki2zCEBk4U0s9xgl3BUzm00_I--p6foWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/SS121crossingDittainomarkup.png)
And here is a sketch of my plan:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7BzKb-FQvkQ/YHD2qjFJ-dI/AAAAAAAAF28/NH75ePPCpk0VAk8fqb08sjH7iLARhTpIwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3641.JPG)
The idea is to make a 4' x 4' board, split into four 2' x 2' tiles, with the hills built up from insulation board, covered with plaster for texture. I've never done this before, so I'll be feeling my way along as I go. Things may very well change as I find better ways, or as I get better advice on how to proceed! (I listen to advice, even if I don't always follow it)
Let's see how this goes!
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Ambitious! I look forward to following this.
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.
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Ambitious - looking forward to seeing it built :)
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Interested to see how you are going to build it
what scale?
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Thanks for the comments! The build is not going to be to scale; it will be a gaming piece inspired by the actual terrain. I'm going to compress the ground scale to fit into a 4'x4' space, with things like the road sized to fit 28mm or 1/56 miniatures.
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Next step - more planning!
These are the floor tiles I'll use for the base. Each is approx 2' x 2'. The theory is that the plastic side will not scratch whatever table I put them on.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zYV6B2c__pM/YHI9N2622oI/AAAAAAAAF3Y/CF6HMHy2jg4904jljurSLAldCbihBZMIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3655.JPG)
I'm going to ignore the tongue and groove aspect of these tiles, and just butt the smooth sides together. It means there's a risk of the boards separating a bit if bumped, and there will be a visible line where the boards come together, but if I connect them using the tongue and groove, I'll never get them apart again!
I've sketched the proposed road layout as well as the bottom of the hills. I've already deviated from the initial sketch I made, and no doubt the final product will be even more different.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sdN6An33W0s/YHI-sDgh3aI/AAAAAAAAF38/shtMZqk6q0YZYLNKZj9gdt8dIVYQ4PsaACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3662.JPG)
My idea right now is that the bridge will have 2" clear under the base plates. The maximum height will be 4", on the side of the boards going to Leonforte. I want to keep overall size under control so that the boards can be conveniently stored, and also moved to and from the club (that's assuming that the club ever has another game night - stupid pandemic!).
Roads will be 4" wide. I'll cut the roadbeds into the hills, and will use slate-coloured felt for the paving. It will be removable, so that perhaps I can use the same boards for the NWF or some other location and/or historical era!
My next step is to procure some insulation board and a hot wire cutter. This will take a few days, so next progress update will probably not be until next weekend.
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These are the floor tiles I'll use for the base. Each is approx 2' x 2'. The theory is that the plastic side will not scratch whatever table I put them on
Oh man... I think I will have to steal that idea.
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I didn’t realise it was going to be that large, but that is going to be an imposing piece of terrain once finished
:o
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Wow! This is going to good! Is it all sandy/gravel-y terrain or are there rocks and cliff in there too? How you going to them?
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An impressive project, and the historical background is really interesting.
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Wow! This is going to good! Is it all sandy/gravel-y terrain or are there rocks and cliff in there too? How you going to them?
I'm getting a lot of inspiration from Pat Smith's Setting the Scene Vol II: http://www.stevenlampon.co.uk/settingthescenevol2/
The idea right now is steep hillsides, becoming vertical where the bridge abutments will be. The hillsides will be very difficult going for men on foot, and impassable for vehicles. I hope to make the hillsides rocky, with some scrub and bushes in the bottom of the valley. But I haven't figured out that part yet! Maybe some builder's sand with some larger bits of aggregate mixed in. I'm going to build the hills first!
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I bet this is going to be a real stonker.
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Ohh, that Pat Smith book looks good! 8) It may have to be put on my birthday wish list! ;) Thanks for the reply.
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Ohh, that Pat Smith book looks good! 8) It may have to be put on my birthday wish list! ;) Thanks for the reply.
Definitely worth it, but be sure to grab a copy soon, before they are all sold out!
I have procured the remaining supplies. A hot wire cutter for the foam board:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7q2fbX5gMGE/YHjwYVK_eVI/AAAAAAAAF7E/1NmBK8wrigc645MIHiwmiSri9a1x7TlkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3682.JPG)
And an 8' sheet of 1" insulation board. If my project crashes, maybe it could be an alien monolith...
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Vl1AfLbI550/YHjwYQCSOQI/AAAAAAAAF7A/8EAi1NY2wp8yn_yVIAhwhv_4Ueg9uDJ8gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3683.JPG)
I will start cutting and forming the hills on the weekend.
And finally, just to show that there's no point doing a project if you're not going to over-do it, here is an RCE survey team, kitbashed from the Perry Desert Rats and Zulu War British Infantry boxes. The dumpy level is made up of two heliograph sets, and the level rod is an infantry flag pole with the end chopped off. They aren't part of my BSC2021 entry, but once the boards are finished, they will be active on it. :)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zFQEqVT5QTY/YHjwZunODXI/AAAAAAAAF7M/TIgimYl6tCsQfyRtTQib-kwRLRiU5rJXgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3685.JPG)
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Love that RCE survey team, very clever idea.
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I just noticed that I put the wrong year in my BSC2021 title, so I've edited my entry to catch up with the rest of you! (It's like we all mysteriously lost of year of our lives and didn't even notice.... lol)
Today was a lovely, warm and sunny spring day, so I was able to set up the tables on the patio and get started on building the hills. 😃
Following the plan I'd prepared, I set out the insulation board and got to work. (and reminded myself to take photos to document the build process 😉)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S72txVdDRms/YHuDJr0PNHI/AAAAAAAAF7o/7dn5FQRRP9oHTt_52dGP8rKecHtxE3p2gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3686.JPG)
I checked my assumption that 2" was enough height for the bridge over the gorge.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cakWlIf_t54/YHuDJgyg5UI/AAAAAAAAF7w/8ZnqM2XwbuIcADR-aE7UCGIJ9pqa86bLgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3689.JPG)
Looks OK to me!
I started cutting:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1knlYzXZAf0/YHuDMhEzuFI/AAAAAAAAF8A/cDBm6eClBzA1b3k-KX9fmdmZDLS4H0GJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3694.JPG)
Following the advice from Pat Smith's "Setting the Scene", I was careful to just use points of glue - he points out that if the entire surface is covered in glue (especially with white glue), it will not create a bond.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2qvL9aOChGY/YHuDNsdjQ7I/AAAAAAAAF8E/1t0p64454bgU4oCiVon5lSXp23dGY2Y8QCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3695.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HaShfhdCM-M/YHuDOtiJgmI/AAAAAAAAF8I/PwBdSraNJ2YTMkr_Ob6ep8EAloqvAT0jACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3696.JPG)
Moving on, I traced the desired cut lines on the next hill as the glue was setting for the first.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yo8QvIXt7sA/YHuDOyON7PI/AAAAAAAAF8M/uFAc26NvFfcuGnKf_uieYfol2M4aEqfZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3697.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Y28yOkWA8tg/YHuDP1hPU0I/AAAAAAAAF8Q/utoXeg0MhtUpLOFMdqoaRCRI3HDHraTUwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3698.JPG)
It was about now that I realised the white glue was not creating a bond between the insultation board and the plywood base. So I decided to try an alternative: double sided carpet tape!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sags1KN1GRQ/YHuDRAGAyMI/AAAAAAAAF8Y/uiY78GrkFrkKs_jOxgVeRkKumT4pmIfswCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3700.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vOVWWNoVuOg/YHuDSLK410I/AAAAAAAAF8c/mEL4vscPqlAJCJKfi7j2QsrlIdFpHJmvgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3701.JPG)
Carpet tape turned out to be just great. I probably overdid it, but the only way those boards will shift is by tearing them apart.
To mask where two boards come together, I decided to put a mini-gorge. Not the best photo, but the gorge can be seen in the shadow. Hopefully it will be a bit clearer as the build progresses.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Mgh1kAXodI/YHuDTGlUzdI/AAAAAAAAF8k/XYqK_fgjhnkDDfUt2H81deddAGkl0E4_gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3703.JPG)
I got into the swing of things, and didn't photograph everything. This is how the boards looked at the end of the day.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i34pAvLU4jE/YHuDUZpjQpI/AAAAAAAAF8o/atdruY1hp1oeLMXdHNh1-_dlZ3E1efMnACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3705.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c0vkCj6iEzM/YHuDVNsX-sI/AAAAAAAAF8s/ZUery3J3WuQufhqg2P3pct54SEdYl_zfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3706.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--foFh9-HLnw/YHuDVW7eqYI/AAAAAAAAF8w/p_WgjHV86oAj_xzT0oV09tvwgJLYWMNGgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3707.JPG)
My original plan was to go for a 4" maximum height with the boards, but I now think that 3 layers of insulation board (3" max height) will be enough. Compare the current progress with the photo of the valley.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-16qiW3MfzEg/YHuDWKjhCcI/AAAAAAAAF80/OGl5dribBCEm2boxxSBEMUlv9R-4cmoqQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3709.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GEyHDuAc5xg/YHuHW6pVhJI/AAAAAAAAF9Y/lY4yr9a3cYESMnq2NAzmUQJyD2XlHV3lACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/approach%2Bin%2B1950.PNG)
I keep reminding myself that this is a representation for gaming on, not an exact scale model. If I need additional height on the side slopes, I might add some removable hills to fit the corners. Any comments greatly appreciated!
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One more thing, and I didn't take a photo of this, but I made sure that the 3" hill sections line up, so I can turn the boards 90-degrees to create up to 8' of hills! Or any combination of the 2' boards if I only need 4' or 6'...
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This is looking great Will. Looks like you have a great outdoor space to work in out there in N Van! ;)
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Thanks, B6 - I moved and am now in Burnaby!
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That's coming along nicely. It looks to me you've managed a really nice compromise between the reality of the steep slopes and a playable surface.
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Thanks, B6 - I moved and am now in Burnaby!
Well then, perhaps I'll get to see this close up (once the pandemic is over I mean) because I'll be moving to BBY before Xmas. :D
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Good progress there, and a clever idea to make the boards work in a different configuration
:)
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Good progress there, and a clever idea to make the boards work in a different configuration
:)
Thanks. Here are a couple of shots showing the alternative layout:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tKbJAq806-w/YHzDcQQxzJI/AAAAAAAAF90/gjm60d6LxAIJ_4UjawX47HwnlqCAZpRrQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3710.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zCvJhZHxt2g/YHzDcczV4jI/AAAAAAAAF94/6yKvuyHvodUqTyzucZ6T-lxwzOe9yc6ewCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3712.JPG)
Since I don't have an 8' table, I can't lay all four boards out ;)
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Today I added some texture to the boards. I decided to try some plaster cloth since I picked some up on clearance from Michaels. It comes as a roll of mesh impregnated with plaster. To use, cut into strips, dip in water and then lay on the table. It's pretty messy, but easy enough to do.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iSQB7Pv34io/YHzGbwTC9PI/AAAAAAAAF_E/LawzheyLTQAxHYJM6ySbYhbTovgKpjRfgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3716.JPG)
I started with one board, completed layered it with plaster, and moved on to the second. This is how much I was able to cover with one pack, roughly 20 cm by 3.5 m. When I ran out, I went back to Michaels and picked up the last two packs they had in stock.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qkg-YEw6FWQ/YHzGcPnfDMI/AAAAAAAAF_I/U7kgubkQAGYqCwDbC9vG628aW9_sLuwSACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3717.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6fD0wDuTQog/YHzGhJ5kBII/AAAAAAAAF_g/emmpB24ExLcXv_YuUPZfvjtdO4A4rsMBQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3722.JPG)
This is as far as I got with the total of three packs. It didn't quite cover the entire surface. The main thing is that I covered over the plywood base and all the joints for the insulation board.
The mesh pattern is visible in the plastered areas. In future steps I'll cover this up with more texturing, with sand, gravel etc.
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Although I have made terrain off and on for years I have never used plaster cloth- I think that looks very good so far.
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Thanks, Codsticker. Jury's still out on the plaster - I'm letting it set for now, and will be back at it in a day or two. I'm also curious to see how it turns out! I'm finding that it's fun to make a plan, try things out, and then see if I should continue or try some sort of pivot :)
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That looks good so far! 8)
About the cloth, as well as the mesh, do you not see the edges to the cloth squares too? I can't tell from the photos.
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One more thing, and I didn't take a photo of this, but I made sure that the 3" hill sections line up, so I can turn the boards 90-degrees to create up to 8' of hills! Or any combination of the 2' boards if I only need 4' or 6'...
Clever.
Looks like such a great project. Really looking forward to seeing how this turns out.
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Here is what the boards look like after a full day of plaster curing. These closeups show the plaster cloth after installation. The mesh of the cloth is visible. Ends of the sheets can be seen, but are not terribly obvious.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBNzZ7zc8DY/YH5VS36MVTI/AAAAAAAAGAg/5vyiRbkcVB8YRo0re0SJYKnAA5KabyxIgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3732.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--_HAj0CyGmc/YH5VS8PiK-I/AAAAAAAAGAY/gzVNkAeDwFsCyR2Tzy5IMVeXIcIxegpyACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3734.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7y6OEiS0HSA/YH5VVqbDEII/AAAAAAAAGAo/zW2-ZS8Vrk4rfov1IrzxzycKLe65Db9VQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3736.JPG)
I'm going to paint some thinned plaster over the boards. Hopefully this will cover over the visible mesh. I'm going to take some care in applying the plaster, to give it as 'natural' an appearance as possible. And I know that I'll still need to do some sanding afterwards.
Here are some models added to show scale. It looks a bit like they are traversing the Great White North rather than Sicily in July! That will of course change once I get some paint on it.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ryTLlqwfuto/YH5VWhu9h_I/AAAAAAAAGAw/HsDDG-B3ilQLqN6IRnBiXgHfJ1Ml4I4DgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3738.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PjbAx1eyf3o/YH5VYGT1nBI/AAAAAAAAGA0/3VZsk-G4Hp0WZ_Q-9U4GKg1QnWGFmAadgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3739.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oGSvB76Txg0/YH5VYe8WbtI/AAAAAAAAGA4/eUcgH4-B178nFcF99V3BQ_97HxltYer0wCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3740.JPG)
Here is my attempt at carving a road into the hills. As you can see, I made quite a hash of it. I'll have a go at filling it in to get it to a smooth grade.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_B_PxtGq4S8/YH5VYoGgYEI/AAAAAAAAGA8/UJa8t3jXHV455awu0E731GbIBfBisRsgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3741.JPG)
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Between paint, flock and debris I imagine the mesh pattern will disappear. It's going to look great.
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Between paint, flock and debris I imagine the mesh pattern will disappear. It's going to look great.
100% this. If you’ve any concerns you could always add some sand/grit to add some variety to the surface, and cover up any spots where the mesh is visible, but I’m sure it will all blend in.
:)
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100% this. If you’ve any concerns you could always add some sand/grit to add some variety to the surface, and cover up any spots where the mesh is visible, but I’m sure it will all blend in.
:)
Indeed,what the chaps said,it will smooth everything out nicely :)
And a cracking build I must add 8)
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Thanks for the positive comments! I have a combination of plaster, sand, grit and other texture still to come.
swammeyjoe on the Too Fat Lardies forum pointed me to these digitized WWII-era maps of Sicily. http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/italy_25k/ (http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/ams/italy_25k/)
I've zoomed in on Leonforte to get this:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F8fSM3-rnzo/YH78nvhCDZI/AAAAAAAAGBc/U0otZYVMPMkvj-tq3UOGlytZCqIb6mxWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Leonforte%2BMap.jpg)
The red line for the road confirms that it is a metalled (i.e., paved) road, so I'm good to go with my plan for grey felt to represent the roads.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HnPmatwCFFo/YH78nneVxwI/AAAAAAAAGBY/g0qcr9UwPMUuDUTGaNGiPk-oRe_KkMmPQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/MapLegend.jpg)
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This really looks great so far.
I also really envy people who has space to store boards like these lol
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Looking good :-* :-* :-*
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Another huge one! I'm starting to feel intimidated by now, even though my own entry is the terrain piece with the largest footprint I've made to date!
I love the fact that this is an entire playing surface on its own, and that it can be deployed in a variety of setups, much like I made my current desert table.
Once the paint starts flying, this is going to be an impressive one...
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Thanks for all the comments, they keep me motivated to keep going!
After enjoying sunny, warm weather all week when I was stuck at work, the forecast is for rain all weekend, so that's a bummer, my indoor space isn't the best for messy work. I have had a go at sanding, which creates a lot of dust (good thing I have such a great supply of masks these days!). Even though I was sanding outside, there is a lot of mess involved.
I'm looking forward to applying a thick base coat of paint to cover up a lot of the dodgy stuff. The paint should also seal in the plaster, especially the dust from the sanding! I will have some updates before the end of the weekend. Soon I won't be able to resist painting though, and once that happens the updates will have to stop.
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After enjoying lovely sunny and warm weather all week (when I was stuck at work), we are experiencing a rainy weekend. No hope of working outside on the patio, and there is no way that I'm going to be sanding off the plaster indoors! Instead, I've found some detail work to keep me occupied.
Throughout Sicily, and onto the Italian mainland and also in NWE, the German army routinely destroyed bridges. As far I can tell, though, they mostly destroyed the bridge span, but often the bridge abutments and piers were often left in place. For example, here is a painting of a Bailey Bridge in Italy:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xG6KeO_EqL0/YISnMJiTTaI/AAAAAAAAGB0/tcSaMr7OjpwuB_c7nOiTo8c-no1I9HTZQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Bailey%2BBridge%2Bin%2BItaly.jpeg)
This was painted in 1944 by Captain Lawren Phillips Harris in Italy, and is part of the Canadian War Museum's collection: https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1018653/ (https://www.warmuseum.ca/collections/artifact/1018653/)
As you can see, the Bailey bridge has been installed on the previous bridge's abutments. I was not able to find any pre-war photos of the Leonforte bridge, but this screen capture is from Google Earth and shows a hint of the current bridge's abutments. I don't know when the current bridge was built - most likely it was built long after the war ended, but nonetheless I'm going to use it as inspiration for my project.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-w1-vxitYI3k/YISpUaZfaOI/AAAAAAAAGB8/4EB7ecunN4EK-v_cRBfFp0JyEZ4zAVaxgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/Screenshot%2BDittaino%2BBridge%2Babutment.png)
I'd previously picked up a cobblestone-printed sheet, originally intended for the streets in my Sicilian village. I've repurposed it for the bridge abutments!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FwoHrUE1g8g/YISq7e8_UcI/AAAAAAAAGCE/HMI2q2Rh2UoFm7HXs709tE0jvHoX-C8xwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3747.JPG)
Cut to size, set in place with some carpet tape and then add some sidewalls.
North side:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OC4q4c6FqVM/YISrnwkE4wI/AAAAAAAAGCM/gkg2_Hd0wvE17kw7GaqyIdFe_S8fWNNYACLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3752.JPG)
South side:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b_WaKqCUNXQ/YISrpXqPKZI/AAAAAAAAGCU/XKHmFuGC8p4vhZd2cL4Rh_Cz78pEdXxgwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3753.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-epgDhok170M/YISrrDH-yxI/AAAAAAAAGCc/gu-MEJfInBgkJiErW-5rbcO62FqdbGPzgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3755.JPG)
I mixed up some plaster of Paris to fill in behind the wingwalls:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ms6EO4Vs3I8/YIStHo7dsyI/AAAAAAAAGC8/MHVP7cy04Hog-L-RGEfJlFOQYGiB3W0JQCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3758.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0W6OcIFKB3I/YIStHvOaidI/AAAAAAAAGC4/S94GI42rZFIdAKLThvnzh0Kh0wpSdhc6gCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/DSCN3759.JPG)
I'm going to let the plaster set overnight.
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Impressive work since your last update.
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Thanks! The comments are keeping me motivated!
One of the challenges for these boards is to keep a balance between making tall hills but also keeping the boards to a manageable size. But limiting the hills to 3" height leaves the hills a bit less impressive. So I've taken some left over insulation board and built some hill toppers.
There's not much to them. I cut two layers of insulation board and an MDF base. Stuck them together with carpet tape, and then did some shaping with the hot wire cutter and utility knife.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cI4vNAW50h4/YIinSB48x9I/AAAAAAAAGEI/W9Yttc9ZhZ0PahwjvQbmOnmxhS8G_BqywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3725.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HkVqfFEM_Ho/YIinSEybJ8I/AAAAAAAAGEE/XPcM8feVVh8L6uGkmgjIwwKvFsLd2VFywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3726.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8VurRkkadyI/YIinTVFSLDI/AAAAAAAAGEY/yDP5-8Dtg1wGibA1TE2jUtPQEl9LKu_TwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3728.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bz7liI1n424/YIinUqekfKI/AAAAAAAAGEo/7fqorjbVK5MXmcuhEqgO0E3lT0BpQJcXQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3730.JPG)
I left space for a little step, just wide enough for an infantry figure.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XLNVgJDE4hc/YIim_18wdTI/AAAAAAAAGDk/zsOk7quYKekcbZtPRkMEUVASAzJgtvytQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3760.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EykiOlflQjk/YIinB3j2pyI/AAAAAAAAGDw/l9okvNiulRE-aZ1GeAP6RrzUwToSr4FvACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3763.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pxs6f-7rmiw/YIinCuA1NJI/AAAAAAAAGD0/CeSi0xlY-GUJ3sXfkWGFBawJ-hjChztPACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3764.JPG)
As a bonus, I will have a few more hills to use in other games!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s_JAIxGtnac/YIinCkadaeI/AAAAAAAAGD4/M_Q-OvDFl8oeN43WZnxtNkwgWzw5UJQnwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3765.JPG)
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Those undoubtedly will come in handy, and will add much more variation to the board with minimal effort (read: you make that look easy ;) ).
They look pretty good already. Are they to be used on this board only, or will they match another table you already have?
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Those undoubtedly will come in handy, and will add much more variation to the board with minimal effort (read: you make that look easy ;) ).
They look pretty good already. Are they to be used on this board only, or will they match another table you already have?
Thanks, Daeothar!
I'm getting to the point where I need to stop mucking about and just start painting. As for easy.... the toughest part is getting all the necessary stuff set up. Once I have all the materials, and a good place to work, and the correct tools, and the right weather (I'm working outdoors for safety and to control the mess a bit better) - so once everything is in place, then it's just a matter of getting on with it. I wouldn't have been able to do all this in my old apartment!
My tables before have simply been a felt sheet (a Hotz mat) with various terrain bits placed on it (or under it on occasion to make hills). Once painted, the hill tops will be usable on my old gaming sheet as well. Due to the right-angle shape, they'll best fit in the table corners.
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Beware high table edges and wargamers with big baggy jumpers lol lol lol
Looking good :-* :-* :-*
Will take a bit of painting though?
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Impressive build :)
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Weekend update - I've started painting, so no more photos from me until the final.
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Good luck on the painting side! :)
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Thanks!
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I finished work on my entry a while ago, but I've spent the past week figuring out how to photograph it! I've sent in a photo to Hammers, so that will have to do.
Looking forward to seeing all the entries in all their glory!
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I finished work on my entry a while ago, but I've spent the past week figuring out how to photograph it!
One of the challenges you fellas doing large pieces face will be getting a photo you are happy with. I am sure it looks awesome I am eager to see it.
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Thanks, Codsticker. The photo ended up being a bit of a compromise! The 'one single figure' is almost lost in the overall photo :) I 'm looking forward to the end of the contest, so I can show off all the work that was done after I started painting and vegetating the boards.
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I 'm looking forward to the end of the contest, so I can show off all the work that was done after I started painting and vegetating the boards.
Yeah that will be great to see those stages.
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Will - I also had some difficulty with the photo using a single figure, but once i got it it was pretty dramatic. Looking forward to seeing the final results
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Cheers, Pete. I'm really looking forward to seeing your bridges - once this contest is over, I plan to build rope bridges on my terrain so it can be used for NWF or other locales and eras!
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Looking forward to seeing your masterpiece (and even more to the eventual game you play on it!)... :o
Mike Demana
http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/
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Voting has proceeded far enough along that I can safely assume I'm not advancing to the next round, so I'm going to jump the gun a bit and post the remainder of my build thread. Just to be safe, I'll leave the photos on my blog here https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/06/bsc2021-next-steps.html (https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/06/bsc2021-next-steps.html) so anyone who wants to see will have to take one more step to see!
Thanks to Hammers and to all the builders for providing such magnificent terrain pieces. Happy gaming, everyone!
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Here are a few "glamour shots" of my terrain.
Starting with the original inspiration, here is a Canadian recce group finding that the road bridge has been demolished. An RCE survey team starts with measurements for the replacement Bailey bridge.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hN40ddh1fIM/YOI-tSuxmiI/AAAAAAAAGcc/vYTySHJYQlAUI1cbshiwhMmFofvQngLiQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3956.JPG)
The RCE bridging platoon arrives and starts building the bridge.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jiXiV_H8iuc/YOI-x573uVI/AAAAAAAAGc0/QYcIPN4viLo8pq3H3PgZDZ0Di114qSPvwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3963.JPG)
While the Bailey bridge is being built, the 90th Canadian Anti-Tank Battery managed to manhandle a couple of 6-pdrs across the ravine, and a mixed force of gunners, sappers and PPCLI infantry held off the enemy forces until the bridge was finished.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jWv_F97CD40/YOI-ypUQoUI/AAAAAAAAGc4/T3YQxECc98gAQv6_7wmRemMKkAdIj7d-wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3964.JPG)
Finally, the bridge is finished and the Sherman tanks of the Three Rivers Regiment are able to cross and advance into Leonforte.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qLm96eAIXhA/YOI-13w5mFI/AAAAAAAAGdM/8kahC-Mre4AwUfHBha_4unsKMIKYAdTZgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3969.JPG)
The terrain can be used for other arid or semi-arid areas, such as NorthWest Frontier
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yoehoHZW6uA/YOJCUmQzVZI/AAAAAAAAGdk/yOWZoSpxum0jYPU3Aag4HozZuZWzve5kACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3972.JPG)
Middle-earth
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XOevTQEI9wQ/YOJDDZ9LA1I/AAAAAAAAGd0/4xdW-eNhlScHogJ-Jr3l-0m7NUTho0aWQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3975.JPG)
Palestine, 1917 (although I obviously need to build a few more bridges!)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HB6fPH7kvwk/YOJDfsT2e_I/AAAAAAAAGd8/WiE_sgGt9EQ_77XTqJ7dbAqtxRKVx3xBACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3976.JPG)
American South West (a bit embarrassingly, the plaza warped when I put it into the hot sun!)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NyPMKGXaONk/YOJFaax3qiI/AAAAAAAAGeM/IglcKl7uO3MxwCLFPPJXAMSDyu6jY6cygCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3979.JPG)
Modern Afghanistan
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9zZOpvftSKs/YOJGLOQqENI/AAAAAAAAGeY/rkf7s_M6qWgS5tmL3yhCnMXJfh4BIhd3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3982.JPG)
And Al-Andalus in the era of El Cid
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-h4gGCClEnbg/YOJHOVCvHJI/AAAAAAAAGeo/mGAEU9D5MpowGJ40OUbBiVug61KWOg92wCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3987.JPG)
More photos can be seen on my blog: https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/07/bsc2021-glamour-shots.html
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Excellent work and happy to see that your terrain has alternative uses.
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Great work :-* :-* :-*
You should have used the bridge in your competition Photo
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Fantastic pictures WB! The really show the versatility of your piece.
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Great photos - as Codsticker said, they really demonstrate the versatility of the terrain 8)
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Thanks for the comments, everyone!
I weighed whether to include the Bailey bridge in my competition photo - the bridge is from a kit, so I felt that it didn't really meet the spirit of the 'build something' aspect of the BSC, even though it is easily under the 0-25% commercially bought items limit. I certainly had great fun building the bridge, and then converting Perry Desert Rats into the RCE Bridging Platoon, as can be seen in my blog https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/04/bsc2021-background-and-plans.html (https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/04/bsc2021-background-and-plans.html) and https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/05/3rd-field-company-rce-bridge-builders.html (https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/05/3rd-field-company-rce-bridge-builders.html)
As I mentioned on another thread, I am already a winner of the BSC, because it inspired me to make this big piece of gaming terrain, even if I didn't get out of the first round lol I will have a few mates over next weekend for the first game with the new terrain - and I will be certain to post an AAR with plenty of photos!
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I will have a few mates over next weekend for the first game with the new terrain - and I will be certain to post an AAR with plenty of photos!
I look forward to that. :)
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As promised, here is a game report: https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/07/bsc2021-chain-of-command-on-new-boards.html (https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/07/bsc2021-chain-of-command-on-new-boards.html)
Loads of photos there. I'm still a novice at Chain of Command, but if I keep getting thrashed, I hope that I will eventually learn something :P
Some sample photos:
At the end of the Patrol Phase:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CBw1iiZZI9U/YOug3mKtGeI/AAAAAAAAGfQ/46ZFGif0kWEZBZpnpdBvBwwE30L9NsfkwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3992.JPG)
First troops deployed:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ugnIkWtrPc0/YOug56rHmPI/AAAAAAAAGfc/KebLHcfWs8QRWfxMRZvLKcojZ0N9WqdpQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3995.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NAGlSbYcQik/YOug6Li1QCI/AAAAAAAAGfg/s_GZBuvjSh4OsnvQ47XZqEdPzJgcnuSBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3996.JPG)
Tankety tank tank:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SVYJBxGPJrQ/YOug7PmOQiI/AAAAAAAAGfk/-rJRaIftSdQBKJlROkNjTPcZMSHqhHrxACLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3997.JPG)
The view from the German lines:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ob0ahG8gYXo/YOug8nto8eI/AAAAAAAAGfs/L4dHldX88pE1VafNmyqI6CsPFU5x7CtywCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN3999.JPG)
Ill-fated attempt to cross the bridge:
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gpT1yr7MYwo/YOug_Ey2EzI/AAAAAAAAGf8/L6t8plCXCnIxAYcXJRoQTxROsWDAs484QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4003.JPG)
How things looked at the end of the game. The tank is fine, but things collapsed as the infantry were all shot up!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sEVR-tQpEcE/YOuhE4CjysI/AAAAAAAAGgc/xqxflFYKnZcDTWPF_7QccdVUs7IyPCmDgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4011.JPG)
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Great to see it getting a run out so soon, thanks for sharing the photos
8)
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Managed another game of Chain of Command. Before this game, I quickly made up two more floor tiles - no hills or vegetation, just a thin layer of plaster and some paint.
AAR write up is here: https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/08/more-chain-of-command-on-bsc2021-boards.html (https://willstoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2021/08/more-chain-of-command-on-bsc2021-boards.html)
The extended boards, with a village and some fields added
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cXik2NycVmE/YQoFMiaQ2iI/AAAAAAAAGjQ/IAdDyrktsBcyCgR9wj109yI_j6kzLHgFgCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4111.JPG)
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nv8w4yagItg/YQoFMl3VnmI/AAAAAAAAGjU/svb80VjqP9UZoDayiRUjbVvB9rpvz3ORQCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4112.JPG)
It must be market day!
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WKAxpd70yBc/YQoFMk1kISI/AAAAAAAAGjM/PDKf_sY3Ak4jC4KQXpbl9Cr4d2WjxsTSwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4110.JPG)
Closeup of the Bailey bridge, with an Opel truck adjacent.
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yJ9IH7wQEIc/YQoFy1VS4wI/AAAAAAAAGlw/OnWv3ZTWbXk4sVHSsccVKTCyZEgeDgaKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/P1190209.jpeg)
Canadian soldiers in the orchard
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HILrV-HtFtE/YQoFUHSq1gI/AAAAAAAAGj8/Lpz06TVFee44r6gvcd1YAcQguLT2cCU3QCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4121.JPG)
German soldiers falling over in the rough terrain
(https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0sKI-VrLQ_A/YQoFWMgxE-I/AAAAAAAAGkE/KYy25yKVBvQ_aPIRNVrXtA_AuNPlIlomwCLcBGAsYHQ/s2048/DSCN4123.JPG)
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That board turned out great! Nice work :)
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That's a great build Will. Really captures the lands of the Mediterranean.
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Thanks for the comments! Soon, I hope to see how it does with a different historical era and location.