Lead Adventure Forum
Other Stuff => Workbench => Topic started by: marianas_gamer on September 05, 2021, 01:09:18 PM
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I always splurge on wargaming stuff on my birthday. Being a total Sinophile (or at least the China in my head) there is always Chinese swag. Last year, among other treasures, I took a chance on a Chinese stamped balsa wood building puzzle kit, hoping it would be in the right scale. The dreaded Real Life intervened (and boy oh boy has it!) and I finally got around to unboxing the kit this long labor day weekend
(http://i.imgur.com/giZUklm.jpg) (https://imgur.com/giZUklm)
Only to find that that the instructions made flat pack furniture assembly childs play o_o o_o lol and the 8 1/2 year child
they say can put this together must be some sort of genius.
(http://i.imgur.com/T72cKFP.jpg) (https://imgur.com/T72cKFP)
After a number of hours, and some sailor-like words mumbled into my mustache the kit came together (minus a number of small odd pieces that I couldn't figure out where in #%$ they went! ...but will not matter once I glue things in place)
(http://i.imgur.com/sdjErHV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/sdjErHV)
In all, I am pretty happy with the scale and the bare bones of the model. I am going to do a lot of work though before this will ever show up on my table. It will be raised on a corkboard base so that it can be incorporated into my Chinese dockside and so that sanpans can dock under it. I will also replace the doors and windows, retexture the building, plastic clad the roofs in pan tiles and the base in stone texture plastic. It should be pretty cool when I finish it but it will definitely take time.
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When you say that you are happy with the scale, what scale is it? 15mm, 20mm, 28mm? Enquiring minds would like to know. ;)
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Good point Poiter50! I was a might vague on that wasn't I? I game in 28mm but I like my terrain to be just a might smaller. Here is the house with a 28mm mini for scale.
(http://i.imgur.com/IR8dged.jpg) (https://imgur.com/IR8dged)
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Oh that looks the part Lon! Nice gift to yourself. ;)
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Thank you.
Good point Poiter50! I was a might vague on that wasn't I? I game in 28mm but I like my terrain to be just a might smaller. Here is the house with a 28mm mini for scale.
(http://i.imgur.com/IR8dged.jpg) (https://imgur.com/IR8dged)
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Looking forward to see how you pimp this.
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Nice find!
A very good base to build from.
8) 8)
Looking forward to watching this baby grow.
:)
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I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. I've not yet seen thread on converting these kits to wargame use.
Poiter50 brought up a point that I've wondered every time I see such a kit. Is there any way to determine (roughly) the scale of these kits before opening the box?
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Pan Marek,
I don't think so. You just have to take the risk. That is part of the reason that I showed the box art so that folks could see if it would fit their needs as well.
Lon
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I'm looking forward to seeing your progress. I've not yet seen thread on converting these kits to wargame use.
Poiter50 brought up a point that I've wondered every time I see such a kit. Is there any way to determine (roughly) the scale of these kits before opening the box?
If you go to Ebay or Amazon, the listing usually include details that give the model size in cm. Sometimes there will be a box picture that lists dimensions. One maker, CHUKER, even lists a building scale on their boxes. Check out their 1/40 Wanchun Pavilion model for example.
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I have been working on getting this house up to standard. Supplies acquired,
(http://i.imgur.com/vqGaYsR.jpg) (https://imgur.com/vqGaYsR)
and almost all of the roof clad in plastic pan tiles. I still need to fill some small gaps and finish some long narrow gaps along the ridgepoles.
(http://i.imgur.com/QoQirSr.jpg) (https://imgur.com/QoQirSr)
It has required a lot of precise cutting and going back and forth with the puzzle base to actually fit everything back together correctly. It is always a bit more challenging than expected :? I think that just redoing the roofs is already an improvement and most of the flaws will be covered up by fill and paint.
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That’s a great improvement. I think as you see more of the roof than any other part of a building, then any improvements there have a big impact.
Adding a few 3d bits to flat walls helps too -which I guess you are planning to do from some of the other items in your pile of bits.
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The roof improvement works superbly - I might get some of those.
I misread the label in the first pic as 'pantiles' (I pronounced it mentally as panteeles...) and was a bit bewildered for a minute or so; in my defence, I am attending a Zoom meeting at the same time, so ;D
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'Tis coming along nicely, mate.
8) 8)
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really looking forward to seeing how you paint this...looking good so far
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Some more progress this Saturday as my wife is off to her sisters to help with her project. I all but finished the plastic “stone” cladding for the foundation. I also started setting pilasters in place though they don't show up too well in the photo :? They will pop though when they are painted.
(http://i.imgur.com/jpHlj2G.jpg) (https://imgur.com/jpHlj2G)
I finished two small lattice windows as well but they are not glued in place yet so they don't show either. Next is a lot of fiddly work putting together a bunch of larger lattice windows and decorative stick work. After that comes the cork base that will raise the whole building up at least an inch and a half and should give it a more fortified appearance. As you have probably noticed the front pilings already do not touch the table. They will be extended and also clad in plastic “stone” sheeting. Things are moving quicker than I expected with this project so that probably means that I am about to hit the wall or experience some horrible setback lol lol
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Incredible build…cannot wait to see it finished.
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Cracking stuff Lon 8) 8) 8)
It’s really looking good & I thought it ok to start with.cant wait to see more updates :D
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Lovely.
8)
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Taking advantage of the weekend, I put in some more pillasters, fixed a couple of holes in the cladding, and most importantly finished up the windows.
(http://i.imgur.com/uAP7LN3.jpg) (https://imgur.com/uAP7LN3)
The windows should be installed tomorrow. Then there is a lot of exterior stickwork, time consuming but worth it for the final appearance. I am surprised how fast things are moving. Anything to avoid painting the lead mountain I guess lol lol
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You do realize that by the time you've finished tweaking it. You'd been better off using it as a template drawing round the parts and scratch building a couple of them. lol
Wind up aside. You know I enjoy seeing the effort and methodology that goes into such builds. So crack on that man. :D
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That's true Mark but that presupposes organization and forethought lol lol
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Looks awesome!
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They look great.
8)
What is that lattice wotsit you are using?
???
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Paul,
They are plastic embroidery mesh. I have heard them referred to as "granny grates" before. Very useful and affordable.
Lon
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Cheers, mate.
Much appreciated.
:)
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Some more progress. Most windows are in place at this point. I still have some more decorative elements and three windows that are in difficult to place (and see) areas.
(http://i.imgur.com/UbTMg3j.jpg) (https://imgur.com/UbTMg3j)
(http://i.imgur.com/ugWvvci.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ugWvvci)
I also have roughed out the cork base.
(http://i.imgur.com/DD1Q7wK.jpg) (https://imgur.com/DD1Q7wK)
(http://i.imgur.com/hCvdpD3.jpg) (https://imgur.com/hCvdpD3)
And just in case the base doesn't make sense here is how they will fit together.
(http://i.imgur.com/TCo2br9.jpg) (https://imgur.com/TCo2br9)
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Plodding along nicely. Definitely adding some character to the project. I would have been so easy to opt for the safe route and just go for a simple cover up of the original kit.
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This weekends progress. The building itself is complete except for the front pilings, the doorway and surround, and some minor masonry at the corners of the cellar.
Front
(http://i.imgur.com/bVd6owG.jpg) (https://imgur.com/bVd6owG)
Side
(http://i.imgur.com/Z8qrZzM.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Z8qrZzM)
Back
(http://i.imgur.com/wP2q85m.jpg) (https://imgur.com/wP2q85m)
and other side
(http://i.imgur.com/6CRpbUr.jpg) (https://imgur.com/6CRpbUr)
I also made some progress on building the seawall on the base
(http://i.imgur.com/yr60uHK.jpg) (https://imgur.com/yr60uHK)
And a shot of the building on the base
(http://i.imgur.com/lqB46aY.jpg) (https://imgur.com/lqB46aY)
I am still a ways away from painting as the base and masonry staircase are/will be pretty labor intensive.
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Very cool!
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That is coming along very nicely.
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That is fabulous Lon! :-* :-* :-*
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You have done a cracking job so far, mate.
This is gonna be a real stunner when you are done.
:-* :-*
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Thanks fellas! I have been making progress but cork masonry takes time lol
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That is top notch work. Well done.
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Lots of cork masonry work and precision cutting of plastic masonry sheeting. The sea wall is almost finished. The buttresses on the masonry cellar are started. The staircase is finished. Things are really starting to come together. My back is hurting because of being hunched over for hours but it is worth it.
(http://i.imgur.com/KTnzeMV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/KTnzeMV)
(http://i.imgur.com/mBI9OVB.jpg) (https://imgur.com/mBI9OVB)
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That's plodding along nicely.
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All the construction on this house is finished except for some minor spackling on the base. I can now undercoat and start painting the house structure. Here are the final pictures before I pant it black (Keith and Mick and probably Alex Chilton would approve).
Front
(http://i.imgur.com/dAyyXOS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/dAyyXOS)
Side
(http://i.imgur.com/X7M6qlU.jpg) (https://imgur.com/X7M6qlU)
Back
(http://i.imgur.com/2LSrLvW.jpg) (https://imgur.com/2LSrLvW)
Other side
(http://i.imgur.com/cMbvZpz.jpg) (https://imgur.com/cMbvZpz)
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That looks wonderful with all the additions.
You have really taken it to another level, mate.
:D 8) 8)
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That’s fantastic Lon 8) 8)
Can’t wait to see it with some paint on
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That is really looking great!
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an inspiration thread! Thank you for sharing
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Looking good Lon.
Now I'm going to put the cat amongst the pigeons. With the suggestion of one little additional piece of work.
You can increase the mystery / storytelling,and versatility. By add a small jetty (with or with out a row boat ((a quick square bowed affair) access implied by a wooden ladder/stair leading up to the floor above. As separate piece that slots in and out . In the space under the room on piles.
If you make a stair with a platform atop the you could just as easily place it against the sea wall as well.
Then you've an access from the sea to a small island template/ residence. Or a secret escape route via a trap door .Or a nefarious smuggling route.
Or I could be really evil and suggest you make a second stone jetty with a sea wall and a small pagoda at the end to butt up against the sea wall of the temple.( rather than just bin the leftover cork and roof tile scraps.)
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beautiful job. :-*
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Thanks all for the nice comments fellas! Mark you are right, of course! lol How can you not have access to "waterborne commerce" and an emergency bolt hole when you are situated right on the water? I took the middle route in your suggestions and made a built up jetty (but no pagoda - that is another large build in the works). There is no wooden stairway as I am assuming a drop down collapsable staircase. Here is the completed jetty.
(http://i.imgur.com/T2FQjOQ.jpg) (https://imgur.com/T2FQjOQ)
Here are two views of the jetty in place.
(http://i.imgur.com/WgQpV62.jpg) (https://imgur.com/WgQpV62)
(http://i.imgur.com/BMf8Akc.jpg) (https://imgur.com/BMf8Akc)
Now painting should get going if only these tropical storms would just stop rolling through the Marianas so that I can get the bases undercoated. Not complaining about the lack of typhoons, no sir! Not even thinking about complaining........ Yup, better tuck my head down into my wargame bunker, shut up and appreciate all of the water being added to the aquifer!
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That really is a top drawer solution there, Lon, and will certainly add a lot to the 'playability' to the piece.
8) 8)
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Brilliant
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Wow Lon,fantastic :-* :-* :-*
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No Lon you were right. I was merely in the ballpark. Sometimes less is more. ;)
It has nice organic flow to it now. You know it's right when it doesn't require a table to imply a conversation with the landscape. If it can sit on a blank surface and have a sense of story. Then its going to shine on a table.
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Wonderful build!
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I have the first layer of paint on the building and first two on the base portions. It is complicated painting a large object like this with portions that are fragile. Needless to say I thought that the paint would go on much quicker. I still have a bunch of detail painting to do but I didn't want the forum to think that I was a slacker lol ;D
(http://i.imgur.com/tgbcCOc.jpg) (https://imgur.com/tgbcCOc)
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Looking good Lon 8) 8)
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Fantastic results! I’m jealous.
Dan
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Wow! Impressive!
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I have finally got the second layer of paint on and the house is looking much more like I want it to.
The front
(http://i.imgur.com/c2yIGpS.jpg) (https://imgur.com/c2yIGpS)
Another angle on the front
(http://i.imgur.com/Uce9r7G.jpg) (https://imgur.com/Uce9r7G)
The side
(http://i.imgur.com/VOf0aw3.jpg) (https://imgur.com/VOf0aw3)
The back, slightly skewed I'm afraid
(http://i.imgur.com/pyFqtML.jpg) (https://imgur.com/pyFqtML)
and the other side
(http://i.imgur.com/KjBcIIM.jpg) (https://imgur.com/KjBcIIM)
I still have two layers of ink and another layer of paint to really add some texture. Still, this paint layer has really addressed what I was aiming for.
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That is really looking superb!
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Looks fantastic Lon, you should have some cracking games around that 8) 8) 8)
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Looks good Lon :)
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Very nice!
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Looks beautiful!
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In a final effort I pushed this project over the finish line on December 31st. Just in time for the Build Something contest lol Here are some pictures of the building in context as a trading entrepot on the South China Sea. Chairman Fu and an associate are inspecting this newest company asset.
(http://i.imgur.com/qVdXbAA.jpg) (https://imgur.com/qVdXbAA)
(http://i.imgur.com/9SELN8h.jpg) (https://imgur.com/9SELN8h)
(http://i.imgur.com/40CcPYs.jpg) (https://imgur.com/40CcPYs)
(http://i.imgur.com/gIXUBuC.jpg) (https://imgur.com/gIXUBuC)
(http://i.imgur.com/ovIyBOV.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ovIyBOV)
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Gorgeous! Absolutely masterful!
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I see you've moved in. ;)
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Fantastic job Lon, this has come out really nice, all the xtra work that you put into it has paid off 👍👍👍👍
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Thanks everybody! I am starting my next project now, a little Chinese delivery. Then I may actually get back to painting some minis!
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Great work! I had a few of those type of buildings wishlisted on Amazon, might have to take a stab at it seeing your results... :o
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Thanks! Do it. These kits provide good bones to work off of.
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Got 3 (pagoda, watermill, arch of triumph) on the way! lol
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That building looks great on the river- very nicely done! Looking at it, I can't help but think "I bet it has an excellent buffet!". :D
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That has come out really nicely what a great find and a perfect addition to your collection.
Is the river a table cloth like the one used here? See video by Pulp Alley:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZayBpXrZtu8&t=131s&ab_channel=PulpAlley
See: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unique-50274-One-Size/dp/B00BW3JKMS/ref=asc_df_B00BW3JKMS/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=309920231706&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=247944041043824848&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046071&hvtargid=pla-312460526148&psc=1
I have made some of these see for example: https://frictionbmcminiatures.blogspot.com/2022/01/golgothas-wwii-pacific-island-us-vs.html
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Thanks folks! Not sure that I would necessarily be sampling the buffet that they are serving up though lol. Golgotha, yes that is the sea cloth rat I use. It is very affordable.