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Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Jonas on December 12, 2011, 09:15:16 PM

Title: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 12, 2011, 09:15:16 PM: Since we moved our VSF campaign to Africa I have been wanting to do some terrain, but I didn't realy know how to start.

I have seen the new Empress Rorke's Drift set and I really want it, but I can't find room in the budget for the next many months.

So when I saw Matakishis thread about making his own building from Rorke's Drift (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=35823.0) I thought I would give et a go too.

I chose some other materials, mostly based on what I had and could use free. Some thick cardboard, some matches, glue and a knife.

I started by doing the exterior shell after Matakishis "how to" but I soon found out that I would want to have interior rooms too, for the games I will be playing.

I found this drawing:

(http://cf.geekdo-images.com/images/pic420953_md.jpg)

But since I am not going to be gaming Rorke's Drift I decided to alter the layout of the building a bit, and already while following Matakishis instructions I lost the historical correct layout anyway.

So this is what I managed to do today:

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain001.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain002.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain003.jpg)

If this thread should be in Workbench I hope some admin can move it, I decided to put it here as it will be used for our upcoming VSF gaming in Africa.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: matakishi on December 12, 2011, 09:50:47 PM: That was quick :)
Looks good so far.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 12, 2011, 09:52:07 PM: Thanks, it will probably not be up to your standard and durability, but it will probably do for now.

This is my first time building any larger buildings for gaming, so I am also learning as I go along.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Mason on December 12, 2011, 10:02:06 PM: Very quick and impressive start, Jonas!

I shall be watching your progress with this one.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on December 12, 2011, 10:05:06 PM: It's looking good, I am happy for it to stay here unless anyone else has an objection in which case I will gladly move it. :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Chairface on December 13, 2011, 01:47:26 AM: Quote from: Malamute on December 12, 2011, 10:05:06 PM
It's looking good, I am happy for it to stay here unless anyone else has an objection in which case I will gladly move it. :)

If anyone objects they have far too much time on their hands. :) Looking good Jonas. I'm looking forward to updates. African VSF has loads of possibility!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on December 13, 2011, 08:24:24 AM: Yay! Terrain!

Wehooo! lol

I'm doing some matakishi adobes and foreign legion fort too, but shh,.. don't tell anyone!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Thunderchicken on December 13, 2011, 09:43:20 AM: Looking good so far fella. Those house prices don't seem too bad either ;)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 13, 2011, 11:23:32 AM: Thanks for the comments, I won't have time to continue today, but hopefully I get the next couple of steps done before the weekend.

Quote from: Dr. The Viking on December 13, 2011, 08:24:24 AM
Yay! Terrain!

Wehooo! lol

I'm doing some matakishi adobes and foreign legion fort too, but shh,.. don't tell anyone!

Yeah, Matakishi is the man to copy :D
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 18, 2011, 03:20:16 PM: ok, I didn't manage to get more done before the weekend, but I have been working a bit yesterday and today.

This is how far I am now.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain004.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain005.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain006.jpg)

I have made doors and windows with matches, but no shutters this time.

Roof is teddybeer fabric and needs glue and paint.

The building has been basecoated black, even though I was advised against it, but I will use some colours in between before I have a go with the final layer of white.

Anyway, this is my first attempt on building anything like this, so I learn as I go along and so far I am mostly satisfied with the result.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Count Winsky on December 18, 2011, 04:04:10 PM: Great Job!!!!!!!! Looking forward to final product. I am actually in the process of doing a Boer VSF army. Thanks

Count Winsky
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on December 18, 2011, 04:05:39 PM: I think perhaps you should have cut that fur with a knife on the backside so the edge wouldn't look that straight,.

Maybe it won't show when you've soaked it with PVA and paint. :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 18, 2011, 04:09:30 PM: Yeah, I thought about that, but only after I saw the picture, when looking on it, in real life, I doesn't look that odd.

I hope it will look fine when it is done. There is also a bit of teddy left for the missing backhouse, but I need some of that tile adhesive to put structure on that one too.

Well we must gather again another time.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: watchtower78 on December 19, 2011, 05:29:40 PM: This looks great! The teddy bear fur really adds to the roof and will be even better when you can cut it down a bit. I could see this being in Africa. What color are you painting the exterior?
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 19, 2011, 05:58:31 PM: I am painting the building white(ish) with brown wooden door and window frames. The roof will be painted in some dark brown colours.

I couldn't sleep last night, so I gave the house a basecoat of bone colour and the roof was given watered down glue yesterday and has been drying over night.

Unfortunately I can't continue right now, since I had to clear the livingroom for a guest of my wife. But hopefully I can do the next steps and take some photos tomorrow.

One thing I have to remember for next building, is to draw marks for doors and windows with a pencil instead of a pen. Somehow the pen lines show through both the black undercoat and the bone colour. This is not a problem on the outside since it got tile adhesive, but they are noticeale on the inside, I guess time will tell if it matters or not.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: matakishi on December 19, 2011, 07:03:56 PM: Quote from: Jonas on December 19, 2011, 05:58:31 PM
One thing I have to remember for next building, is to draw marks for doors and windows with a pencil instead of a pen.

Biro is a killer for this. You only get it wrong once though and then you remember :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: watchtower78 on December 19, 2011, 07:48:46 PM: Yeah pen (or marker) also shows up through industrial strength latex paint and Woodland Scenics Realistic Water. I used both when drawing up the plans for the ~~deathstar~~ river system board. Needless to say I tossed those boards and eventually will do some more. Been saying that I'd do more for several years now but hey who's counting. Here's looking forward to seeing the painted product!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 20, 2011, 12:23:58 PM: I have had some time to continue a bit, but still no pictures, I will take some later today.

I will keep this house even with all it's faults and then I will try and do better next time.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: The_Beast on December 20, 2011, 03:33:34 PM: Quote from: Malamute on December 12, 2011, 10:05:06 PM
It's looking good, I am happy for it to stay here unless anyone else has an objection in which case I will gladly move it. :)

No problem as long as he paints the walls with Unobtainium. lol

I notice the new Rorke's Drift from Warlords et. al. also has teddy fur, though a bit more of a crew cut. :D

Jonas, I would be glowing with pride had I done half so good. 'Walk with pride, man!'

Doug
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on December 20, 2011, 03:40:36 PM: Quote from: The_Beast on December 20, 2011, 03:33:34 PM
No problem as long as he paints the walls with Unobtainium. lol

I notice the new Rorke's Drift from Warlords et. al. also has teddy fur, though a bit more of a crew cut. :D

Jonas, I would be glowing with pride had I done half so good. 'Walk with pride, man!'

Doug

Not to hijack this thread but in Africa the hunt goes for Obscurium, not Unobtainium - that's India. lol
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: The_Beast on December 20, 2011, 05:34:18 PM: Quote from: Dr. The Viking on December 20, 2011, 03:40:36 PM
Not to hijack this thread but in Africa the hunt goes for Obscurium, not Unobtainium - that's India. lol

D'oh. Of course!

Naturally, I'm covered by the fact that there are, and have been for some time, Indians in Africa. :D

Still say, great kit to defend against radium gun-toting Zulus!

Doug
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 20, 2011, 08:16:18 PM: I can see Matakishi finished hes houses to a lovely standard, I must see how well I fare, but I am satisfied so far.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain007.jpg)
The roof has been washed with thinned glue, basecoated and drybrushed. It looks a lot better in real life than on the photos.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain008.jpg)
The frontside.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain009.jpg)
The inside, to show how the pen still can be seen through the paint.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain010.jpg)
Inside.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain011.jpg)
Front porch.

Next I need to paint the door and window frames and ad some freehand floor boards.

Lot could have been better, but as I am doing the best I can and learning while I go along, I am satisfied with the progress.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: matakishi on December 20, 2011, 08:58:28 PM: Good work.
Now the building making bug has bitten you and you won't be able to stop. The good news is that you'll find everything gets easier with practice :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: watchtower78 on December 21, 2011, 02:01:41 PM: This is a nice African house. I can easily see it in a Rorke's Drift type scenario or one that requires the British to defend against a marauding horde of skypirates? ;) Mombassa perhaps? Matakishi is right though, it gets easier with practice however I still think this is marvelous! Makes me want to pull out the old foam core and get to work.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 21, 2011, 04:20:48 PM: (http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain012.jpg)

I still need to do the floor and highlight the frames and railings.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on December 21, 2011, 04:23:57 PM: Not bad at all. :)

As Matakishi says, making buildings is addictive and fun :)

keep at it :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: The_Beast on December 21, 2011, 08:11:20 PM: Better and better!

Doug
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: watchtower78 on December 21, 2011, 09:17:53 PM: What did you use to get the roof that way? Was it just glue and paint?
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on December 21, 2011, 09:59:45 PM: Quote from: watchtower78 on December 21, 2011, 09:17:53 PM
What did you use to get the roof that way? Was it just glue and paint?

I thinned down pva glue and painted it onto the roof, then I picked a bit at it to get it more messy, I thought it would be more easy to see what it was this way, but I think I overdid it a bit.

I then left it to dry over night on the radiator, then I painted it with a dark brown paint I bought cheap at a pound store, again a bit thinned down, to go into everywhere a bit more easy.

Last thing to do was a drybrush of a lighter brown.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Traveler Man on December 22, 2011, 04:52:07 PM: Nice work. I'll have to get the old foamcore out again. :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 05, 2012, 01:01:02 PM: I haven't progressed so much on the building terrain front lately, but I bought myself some bell tents and made a small British camp.

Plans are to make a proper ressurrection of this thread later and build some more houses and finishing them too :D

But so far you can enjoy this small camp:

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain013.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain014.jpg)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Red Orc on March 05, 2012, 01:13:02 PM: :D

that looks really smashing Jonas, nice work!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Ray Rivers on March 05, 2012, 01:16:57 PM: :-*

Looooovely!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on March 05, 2012, 01:25:19 PM: That is really rather splendid. A very nice collection you are building there. ;D

Perhaqps to give it that authentic feel perhaps some whitewashed stones and a flag pole would be in order. :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 05, 2012, 02:09:44 PM: Quote from: Malamute on March 05, 2012, 01:25:19 PM
That is really rather splendid. A very nice collection you are building there. ;D

Perhaqps to give it that authentic feel perhaps some whitewashed stones and a flag pole would be in order. :)

A flagpole is ceartainly an easy and good idea. About the whitewashed stones, I am not really sure what it is? Some fench or such?
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Traveler Man on March 05, 2012, 03:44:51 PM: I like it, like it lots! :-*
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 05, 2012, 05:33:41 PM: Great stuff!"
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Laughing Ferret on March 06, 2012, 04:19:37 AM: very nice effect!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: aggro84 on March 06, 2012, 04:50:00 AM: Lovely project. Wonderful stuff.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Burgundavia on March 06, 2012, 05:50:20 AM: Nice stuff. Our gaming group just embarked into the Zulu War, so I too have been building a hospital, also heavily influenced by Matakishi's plans.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 06:46:10 AM: Thanks for all the comments :)

Quote from: Burgundavia on March 06, 2012, 05:50:20 AM
Nice stuff. Our gaming group just embarked into the Zulu War, so I too have been building a hospital, also heavily influenced by Matakishi's plans.

Take some photos, so we can see it :)

I plan to do a new hospital, since I am not really satisfied entirely with this one.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: mattblackgod on March 06, 2012, 07:15:22 AM: Nice work. The tents are great. How are they made?

Whitewashed stones - take a large rock and paint it white.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 10:16:00 AM: The tents are not made by me, I bought them, they are from Renada, I think that is what they are called.

I bought them through Perry Miniatures, so I didn't have to buy the normal tents. They are 4 bell tents for 5£.

About the whitewashed stones, I don't think it is a problem to make some, I just had no idea what they were. But I searched the forum and found this thread http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=22111.0 (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=22111.0). So now I know what was ment.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on March 06, 2012, 10:46:28 AM: Hi Jonas,

Sorry I missed your response on the whitewashed stones. I am glad you found Hammers thread with the details. It will give you a very British feel to the camp I think :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Ray Rivers on March 06, 2012, 01:09:38 PM: Quote from: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 10:16:00 AM
I just had no idea what they were.

Glad you found out. My "google-fu" failed me. :?
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 01:35:54 PM: I must go and scavenge our driveway... I should probably make some stone fenches too, they could easily come in handy for all sorts of games.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: The_Beast on March 06, 2012, 03:54:33 PM: I know I'd seen the stones used for demarcation, but all I could think of was 'But, Sahr, we don't have the rigging to move a boulder.' 'Then paint it white, Sargent Major.' lol

Doug
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 06, 2012, 04:40:41 PM: Quote from: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 01:35:54 PM
I must go and scavenge our driveway... I should probably make some stone fenches too, they could easily come in handy for all sorts of games.

Hehe I seriously do not think we need to make more stone fencing! lol
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 04:49:22 PM: No, not if you bring yours along each time, but it would be nice to end up having enough terrain of my own, so you just needed to bring a few models :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 06, 2012, 05:08:55 PM: Quote from: Jonas on March 06, 2012, 04:49:22 PM
No, not if you bring yours along each time, but it would be nice to end up having enough terrain of my own, so you just needed to bring a few models :)

It's not like I'll be riding my bike there any time soon. lol

But sure, do what you please. ;)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2012, 01:08:52 PM: ok, I know these pictures are terrible, but they show a small progress.

I added the whitewashed stones and I had some boxes and crates, which I touched up and added.

Edit: I also added some camp fires.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain015.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain016.jpg)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Plynkes on March 08, 2012, 01:28:45 PM: Between the white stones and those tents, from above it looks like you're playing Pac-Man! lol

Great job.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on March 08, 2012, 01:36:06 PM: Quote from: Plynkes on March 08, 2012, 01:28:45 PM
Between the white stones and those tents, from above it looks like you're playing Pac-Man! lol

Great job.

lol

Despite that I think it looks great to :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2012, 01:39:52 PM: Thanks, it was a quite easy thing to add and it brings much to the looks of the camp.

I ordered some maelie walls, which will be the next thing I'll add and I also have some more boxes which needs paint.

And I have some tubes which I will make into tribal huts.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2012, 08:06:32 PM: Today I also started building some African huts/Cannibal huts, which will be used for VSF and pirate games.

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain017.jpg)

What you can see on the picture is some potato crisp tubes cut to lenght and doors added. Roof cones made of empty cereal box and some towel cut for tatching

It might be hard to see what it will end up looking like, but I think this will work out.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 08, 2012, 11:13:31 PM: I put the towel onto one of the roofs and assembled a house, the result was not as I wanted it to be....

When you are standing by the table you just can't see the house, only the roof. The roof extends too long out and hides the house completely.

The solution is either to make the roofs smaller og cut some new and higher tube sections. There is not much to take away from the roofs, so I think the best solution is to get some new tubes and make the houses 1cm higher.

I had chosen the hight after the British house, but on that house the roof don't extend out from the building and "steals" the hight.

I have taken a couple of pictures, but they are not really representative for the in-game situation, they are taken at table view hight and not from an angle where you would normally stand and look at them.

Luckily potato crisps are not that expensive and my wife also has a tube she is about to empty :D

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain018.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain019.jpg)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 21, 2012, 07:03:10 AM: OK, I cleared some of my rambling posts from the thread and now I present some finished huts instead:

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain020.jpg)

(http://i965.photobucket.com/albums/ae132/jonasfrickmann/VSF%20-%20Terrain/terrain021.jpg)

Now I need some inhabitants and some bits and bobs to make it look like some one lives there.
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Malamute on March 21, 2012, 08:28:35 AM: They look very effective, excellent stuff :)
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Relic on March 21, 2012, 10:20:22 AM: Quote from: Plynkes on March 08, 2012, 01:28:45 PM
Between the white stones and those tents, from above it looks like you're playing Pac-Man!

:D seconded
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Chairface on March 21, 2012, 11:13:39 AM: The huts look great!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Ray Rivers on March 21, 2012, 11:20:08 AM: Yep!

Super job!
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 21, 2012, 04:39:39 PM: Very nice little village for the savages.

I'm going to buy the set with the cooking pirate from Old Glory by the way. It'll fit right in. lol
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 21, 2012, 04:46:25 PM: Well, I had plans to buy that set too, but I don't think we need two cooking pirates and 20 captured pirates?
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 21, 2012, 04:50:42 PM: Quote from: Jonas on March 21, 2012, 04:46:25 PM
Well, I had plans to buy that set too, but I don't think we need two cooking pirates and 20 captured pirates?

No just leave it to me then. I'm getting it anyway - promised the kids to do some pirating with them. lol
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: gamer Mac on March 21, 2012, 04:56:24 PM: Good looking houses :-* :-*
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 21, 2012, 05:00:24 PM: Thanks, they were quite easy to make, the part that took longest were arguing with myself over the roofs and hights of the buildings and such...
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Dr. The Viking on March 21, 2012, 05:08:47 PM: Hahah well it all turned out for the better.

When are we going to fight around them!? :D
Title: Re: Building some terrain for African VSF
Post by: Jonas on March 21, 2012, 05:21:15 PM: Well, I will buy the cannibals next week, so I guess we can do a game in 3-4 weeks from now, if I paint fast, but they should be pretty fast to paint up.

And i think it will be usefull in our pirate game for the cannibal encounter.

I think I will make some skulls on stakes :D