Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Topic started by: jon_1066 on June 14, 2016, 09:26:39 AM
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Well having been inspired by a few threads and the long term desire to own a castle I took the plunge and purchased the small Renedra Castle. Small is relative here since the box that arrived was massive! Not easy smuggling that one into the house.
I don't want to just build it straight since to me it looks quite boring with four towers and four walls in a rectangle and also unlike any western European medieval castle. So a plan has been hatched to hack the thing up.
First off was to build a bit of wall. That went well except I realised liquid poly cement was no good. On something with such large areas to cover it was drying at one end before finishing gluing the surfaces. So a raid of the cupboard found a tube of humbrol cement which is ideal.
Next was a gate house. I have decided not to use the upper windows except on a main keep - so the gate house is low and squat but looks OK I think.
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7216/27627848726_3f08e4ff62_z.jpg)
Now the fun begins. I wanted to make an octagonal tower. This has a few pluses - it allows 45 degree bends in the walls and also looks more interesting. So I took the tower parts with the buttresses and chopped them in half. The wall was then scored and bent to 45 degrees to create a corner. I then took a floor piece and cut it in half, chamfered the edge then glued the whole lot together to create 3 sides of my octagon. That is as far as I got last night.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7383/27588492191_c46cf66293_z.jpg)
My aim is to build a third tower as a keep with three levels (totally straight as it comes in the box), hack a tower in half for two corner bastions and chop a couple of walls up to make 45 degree turns and finally to mash together a great hall from two walls and some window pieces. Ultimately it should let me build a keep and bailey style castle with the keep outside the bailey or a concentric style where the keep is in the bailey wall.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7452/27588738471_9dc53e7452_z.jpg)
I should till have enough bits left over for a causeway to the keep, some additional lean to structures in the bailey and to build an entire chapel/hall made up of more of the windows. Just need to decide how to do the tiled roofing, I was thinking of using Slaters 7 mm scale embossed sheets.
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This looks promising. Can't wait to se how you progress on this.
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Looking forward to watching you progress!
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Very promising 8)
Looking at your plans it's tempting to get more of the castle and do something similar :)
For the roof tiles I do cars ones that I've used on several medieval projects and they don't look too out of place.
http://www.oshiromodelterrain.co.uk/victorianbuildings.html (http://www.oshiromodelterrain.co.uk/victorianbuildings.html)
cheers
James
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looking great sir...
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Looks really promising!
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nice start will follow closely
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A good start - both plans look promising. Can't wait to see more.
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Very nice, the modifications look to allow for a more natural castle look.
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Here is last nights efforts. I built the opposite three sides of the octagon and prepared the walls to join the two sections together. Here it is just propped up with a sprue. I will glue it tonight and fix some strengthening inside. Next will be hacking up the crenelations
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/8/7077/27649025966_189df4ef9e_z.jpg)
Here it is with the other sections
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7394/27073515803_efb2973030_z.jpg)
The plastic cuts quite well and breaks cleanly so it is reasonably easy to work with. The real limitation to the set are the crenelations - there aren't enough to get fancy with the towers. I wish Renedra sold that sprue separately as that would open up additional possibilities.
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Do they have interiors?
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No - no interiors to speak of. You can put a floor in the tower but the interior walls are way too thin and have only a little detailing on in places. To give reasonable looking insides would require a fair bit of work. If you wanted to do that you would probably be better off getting out the foam and starting from scratch.
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Cool layout and shape-making 8)
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The lay-out is really cool!
Once finished it should really look awesome :D
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Nice!
From what I can see so far, I think the castle set looks much better with shorter, more squat towers, leaving out the floor with the windows. I think 'straight from the box' the towers look too tall compared to the walls.
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Excellent work.
I like how your floorplans are still relatively straitforward (and modular?), but the few changes you're making will make for a much more visually interesting castle.
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I like the layout. Looking forward to seeing this project develop.
Might it be worth dropping a note to Renedra encouraging them to sell the crenelations sprue separately?
-Michael
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Like where you are going with this....
Don't think I have seen too many castles that have the Square footprint (eg Bodiam) so I think your route is definitely the way to go...
Indeed your footprint shape is not a million miles away from the keep I built a few years back..
(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j375/ErictheShed/The%20Keep/DSC_0944_zps7110e825.jpg)
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Really like that octagonal tower, anxious to see it finished. :)
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Thanks for all the comments. Don't be too anxious as I am a slow worker!
The latest stage - with half the crenelations done. Obviously needs a bit of filler. I probably should have been a bit neater with the 22.5 deg cuts but nothing milliput can't fix.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7224/27649452971_62aa794f6c_z.jpg)
The idea was to have something pretty modular that can also be expanded in the future. With the modifications I am making there is probably a dozen different ways of laying out a castle plus I can use it for a fortified manor house, chapel, hall, church or watchtower.
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Most impressive surgery Jon. Fascinated to see how this turns out 8)
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Well here's the octagonal tower complete except for (quite a lot of) filling.
(https://c5.staticflickr.com/8/7315/27694593652_5146867e82_z.jpg)
Here it is compared to the gatehouse and a piece of wall.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7452/27794929075_95df61e935_z.jpg)
Pretty happy with how it is progressing. I have also hacked up a couple more bits of wall for two half lengths and a 45 deg turn. Next will be another 45 deg wall section then the half tower bastions.
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Well that's turned out very well :)
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Thanks. I am pretty pleased considering I planned the whole thing from a few photos of the sprues off the internet.
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That's looking super sweet. Bit jealous of your terrain skills.
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Really great work on that so far!
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And, if this is like any normal gaming project...within a week Renedra will announce an octagon tower kit to make you furious you spent all the time doing it. lol
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I have enjoyed it. Taking something and making it into something else is quite satisfying. In the words of the A-Team "I love it when a plan comes together." It honestly hasn't been difficult to do either. A steel rule, craft knife and tube of glue is all you need and the guts to make the first cut into something that cost £150 :o
It is also a nice change from painting - harks back to building Airfix kits.
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Modelling is more fun than painting :)
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I think you are right - based upon the number of plastic kits that I have built but not quite got around to painting yet.
Well no football equals more chopping. Up next one of the corner bastions. I have also done a 45 deg wall. Both need crenelations.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7460/27594421560_ea0eb6e717_z.jpg)
Here is the corner wall and an impression of the type of thing it will allow.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7303/27796139041_21bf2c02cf_z.jpg)
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Great work so far; I really like the way you're managing to take a really static and (dare I say) square kit and are making it into something altogether more organic and real, as if your castle has been slowly growing and being extended, all the while conforming to the terrain and then current architectural fashions.
Loving your updates, so please keep 'em coming! :)
Modelling is more fun than painting :)
So true... lol
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Great work so far; I really like the way you're managing to take a really static and (dare I say) square kit and are making it into something altogether more organic and real, as if your castle has been slowly growing and being extended, all the while conforming to the terrain and then current architectural fashions.
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Thanks. Life and football getting in the way but finished another corner wall (sans crenelations). These two pieces now give me a 90 deg turn between them.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/8/7365/27892813802_64fc7a0d45_z.jpg)
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Looking very good :)
cheers
James
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Wow, that is really coming together. You're making me reconsider the kit. :D
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Great project, mate :)
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This is looking seriously good. It must have cost you a mint to get all those kits.
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This is looking seriously good. It must have cost you a mint to get all those kits.
Thanks.
Renedra do a small castle pack - basically four tower kits and six wall kits for £150. It was a splurge but not as bad as buying them separately. I also ordered a couple of extra floor sprues to make the octagonal tower.
I did look at the alternatives very closely before getting it. Compared to something like the Tabletop Workshop castle, taken up by Warlord Games, the Renedra castle is better value being cheaper and giving much more bang for your buck in terms of conversion potential. Dwavern Forge and Tabletop World look really nice but are way too expensive. The MDF ones just don't do it for me - looking too wooden - and are also no cheaper. The old GW castle goes for silly money on ebay and still doesn't look that great. The Hudson and Allen one is undersized and not readily available in the UK. Not a lot of other alternatives other than complete scratch build.
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I did look at the alternatives very closely before getting it. Compared to something like the Tabletop Workshop castle, taken up by Warlord Games, the Renedra castle is better value being cheaper and giving much more bang for your buck in terms of conversion potential. Dwavern Forge and Tabletop World look really nice but are way too expensive. The MDF ones just don't do it for me - looking too wooden - and are also no cheaper. The old GW castle goes for silly money on ebay and still doesn't look that great. The Hudson and Allen one is undersized and not readily available in the UK. Not a lot of other alternatives other than complete scratch build.
Perfect summary of the available options. Despite some shortcomings, the Renedra model is a pretty good option compared to the alternatives.
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This is probably my favourite thread on this site at the moment. Really looking forward to seeing this come together.
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8)
You're making something that made me yawn and say " meh" into something that's making me sit up and say " ooooooo-er! Missus!"
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I did look at the alternatives very closely before getting it. Compared to something like the Tabletop Workshop castle, taken up by Warlord Games, the Renedra castle is better value being cheaper and giving much more bang for your buck in terms of conversion potential. Dwavern Forge and Tabletop World look really nice but are way too expensive. The MDF ones just don't do it for me - looking too wooden - and are also no cheaper. The old GW castle goes for silly money on ebay and still doesn't look that great. The Hudson and Allen one is undersized and not readily available in the UK. Not a lot of other alternatives other than complete scratch build.
I might add:
- the Russian Castlecraft sets, which have the downside of being a little small in scale (more 25mm than 28-30mm) and have too many small fiddly bits.
- the superplay/cimba playset (castle falcon), which needs work (no gates/doors, backside not textured), but a really cheap and not too shabby looking option for a scratchbuilding project.
Just realized I own the Tabletop Workshop set, several Castlecraft sets and a load of Superplay sets (both the square and round towered versions), all still in boxes, and yet I'm still ogling the Renedra set as it has lovely detail. o_o
On the plus side, combining them all does open doors for a more realistic, organically grown setup.
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Managed to build another corner bastion.
(https://c4.staticflickr.com/8/7691/28022144491_f297fafc3d_z.jpg)
I built this one slightly differently sitting the flooring on top of the walls instead of "inside". So the crenelations sit directly on the flooring piece. This should be stronger and wont have a seam between the floor and the wall.
This has enabled me to assemble an actual castle (sort of since it is lacking some crenelations)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/8/7345/27997162632_c506ae8a10_z.jpg)
The corner bastions are very useful for being able to adjust the fit of the walls as they are wider than they need to be. This gives greater flexibility in making up small gaps and therefore gives more possible layouts.
Next up is to fit the crenelations. These are a pain to cut so I am going to experiment with a saw. Will a junior hacksaw do the job or do I need to invest in something a little different? After that some more wall and then the great hall.
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A junior hacksaw will do the job but get a mitre box. You can do other angles with the mitre box, just move the peice in the box (probably not explaining myself very well :? ).
cheers
James
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Moved onto the great hall rather than the crenelations. Here it is "dry fitted". I have hacked up some of the little walls off a couple of the trapdoors to make a top to the wall to allow a proper gutter on the inside of the wall. The pitched roof will sit inside this.
I placed the door towards the middle so the hall can be to the left, kitchen, buttery and pantry to the right. I might do some internals to reflect this with a minstrel gallery over the passage. Any recommendations for wooden internals?
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8678/27643763993_bf95a0765e_z.jpg)
The Slater tiles arrived so started chopping them up. That is going to be a labour - the tiles themselves are pretty small - about 6 mm wide - so I will need 11 rows of tiles on each side. Still need to decide on how to do a top ridge tile as well.
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:o
That's brilliant!
I would use wooden stir sticks from the coffee shop myself for interior flooring etc
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:o :o :o
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I'm in awe, this whole project is inspiring :o
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Thanks for the comments. Honestly it is not that difficult - if you can cut plastic in a straight line then you are good to go!
Got some more done on the great hall. Glued the walls together and cut out the roof panels. These are dry fitted to check. They will be covered with Slater plasticard tiles to finish them off.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8660/27768374343_fb34da9b79_z.jpg)
A shot to show scale with a 28 mm figure.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8352/28280227832_944d6a3731_z.jpg)
And mock up of a castle - long and thin this one.
(https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8827/28384306185_e2e21981c3_z.jpg)
I have another wall piece to make up then the final three story keep.
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Brilliant. :D Really taking shape.
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Looks the bizz :D
cheers
James
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I very much like 8)
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Super cool mate. Your vision is really coming together.
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Excellent!
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Wow. This is going to look incredible when done.
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The great hall is a great idea! 8) Nicely done.
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Jon, would you mind telling me how tall the two-storey tower is? I'm planning something, and am not sure it'll all fit...
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Wow that really came together something nice. :-*
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Looking good :)
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Jon, would you mind telling me how tall the two-storey tower is? I'm planning something, and am not sure it'll all fit...
Each tower level is 78 mm and the crenelations 34 mm so total is 190 mm for a two story tower. The walls are 105 mm high plus 36 mm for the floor and crenelations on top. Any other dimensions just ask.
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Each tower level is 78 mm and the crenelations 34 mm so total is 190 mm for a two story tower. The walls are 105 mm high plus 36 mm for the floor and crenelations on top. Any other dimensions just ask.
You might regret this... lol
On the tower wall-sections that are below the windows of your great hall, how far is it from the end to the far side of the first supporting 'column' thing? (If that makes sense?)
Thanks for the info! :D
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I have to join the club!
Congrats, your castle is going to be very special and looking splendid!
Cheers
GS
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You might regret this... lol
On the tower wall-sections that are below the windows of your great hall, how far is it from the end to the far side of the first supporting 'column' thing? (If that makes sense?)
Thanks for the info! :D
Sorry for the delay in replying. The columns have the following dimensions:
First column 15 mm wide
Alcove 22.5 mm
Next column 14.5 mm
Middle alcove 24.5 mm
Third column 14.5 mm
Third alcove 22.5 mm
Final column 15 mm
The whole lot comes to about 128 mm. Hope that makes sense and gives you the dimension you need.
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I’m always amazed by the quality of the work we can see here on LAF. If I was to attends a project like this one there will be blood and small pieces of my fingers everywhere! lol
Very nice work so far. Looking forward to see the finished product! 8)
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Thanks for the comment. Given that it is the summer holidays hobby time is at a premium so progress is slow. Managed to get some time last night and got the roof tiles cut out and assembled. This is not glued - that will be next.
(https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8359/28120193954_8081b06d91_z.jpg)
I am planning on using some paper soaked with diluted PVA as lead work for the ridges. Just need to get my head around the angles required for the corner on the ridge.
I also experimented with my new acquisition - a razor saw. Had trouble controlling the vertical cut - managed to cut up the mitre box as well as the part! Oops. I think I have a method now though so just need to make up a 22.5 deg wedge. It should give me a much cleaner cut on the crenelations and hence less filling.
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This looks fab. Nice to see it coming together.
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Thanks
Finished the construction on the great hall and started some of the filling work. Gonna need more milliput!
Here it is with the paper lead work and the roof glued down and gaps mostly filled alongside two of the towers.
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7608/28680499951_a7625a233d_z.jpg)
Next up are the crenelations on the corner bastions, another section of wall and then the final keep.
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most impressive build -
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Cool! I will follow your progress. Thanks for sharing!
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This will end up as a most epic castle.
Based on your thread I dug out my old unbuildt gw fortress to see if I could do something fun with it. But was struck with despair over the massive amount of work needed.
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Don't be dismayed - be over joyed. Hobby time is fun time! If you have a project that is going to take you a lot of time that is a good thing. I have really enjoyed building this. I think it has been about a dozen sessions so far (with each about 2 hours) so that is about 24 hours of enjoyment this has given me.
Having said that I am not sure how you could convert the GW castle so easily. Perhaps it would suit an addition type of conversion - eg brattices and hourdings.
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...Based on your thread I dug out my old unbuildt gw fortress to see if I could do something fun with it. But was struck with despair over the massive amount of work needed.
I still have that GW castle stockpiled for use as a city wall. I plan to make one across the table, with an enlarged gate(house) and some relief in the rerrain (undulating ground), perhaps a sewer outlet and a dry moat.
Also, I want to do some overhanging houses and a widening of the wall in one area to maybe place a windmill!
Plans galore and in my mind's eye, it's looking just grand... ;)
Thing is; I conceived of this plan a long time ago, (it's been postponed for years due to lack of space), way before Renedra's excellent offerings. But since I already have the GW walls, I plan to stick with them. But I do plan on doing some heavy converting as well. It might not be as easy as with Renedra parts, but I'm sure it'll end up looking all pretty (when the time finally comes... ::) ).
Bottom line; I'm sure it can be done, it will just take (even) more effort. Just dive in and see where your project leads you. It's like Jon_1066 says; Hobby time is fun time! :)
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great work on this, just looking to get my mojo back and this sort of thing does very nicely...
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Loving your progress! I can't wait to see some paint on it!
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most impressive build -
+1 My words exactly! 8)
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Excellent work!
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Thanks for all the comments
Well the stone masons are largely finished on the first phase - just the plasterers then decorators to come in. I finished off the walls and crenelations using a little jig I made up to get the 22.5 deg cuts. It wasn't perfect but good enough. Next is more filling, then painting.
Some example castles:
(https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8673/28558738550_5ddc41ab15_z.jpg)
(https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8420/28767055071_eb56ce15a2_z.jpg)
(https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8824/28228032333_683e83586e_z.jpg)
I am quite pleased with the range of options available and the way it goes together. Some neatening of the edges required to give a better fit but mission accomplished. I have some doors to make up that will drop in at required locations for access to the walls from the towers plus the trap doors for access to the roofs.
My plan is to use it in a siege scenario for Dragon Rampant with some home brew siege rules.
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Splendid 8) 8)
I think the second option is my favourite :)
cheers
James
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What a wonderful piece. Amazing is a total understatement. :-* :-* :-*
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Very Nice.
I may have missed this but are you keeping it modular?
If you are sticking it together then I'm with Bibbles, No.2 is the best :)
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Thanks guys. No the plan is to keep it modular. If only for storage!
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I wouldn't sweat the fit. Once you start playing things are going to get jostled out of alignment anyway.
Super fab.
Plans for a few more towers?
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Yes - I have one more tower kit to do as a three story keep. The plan will be to insert it into the outer wall or have it on a mound linked by a causeway to the bailey. I will build the mound to allow the tower to be removed. It will also treble up as a church tower if everything goes to plan.
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Yes - I have one more tower kit to do as a three story keep. The plan will be to insert it into the outer wall or have it on a mound linked by a causeway to the bailey. I will build the mound to allow the tower to be removed. It will also treble up as a church tower if everything goes to plan.
Ah good! I was just gonna say, the one thing it lack sit a tall tower / keep for the lord of the castle to reside in.
Great project! The keep aside, I think the Renedra towers look tons better in this shortened state.
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Well time passes - finally got back to this project by applying some paint. Daunted with many square inches of wall I have finally hit upon a method for covering it - Liquitex acrylic spray!
I wanted to avoid grey dry brushing so I went for Raw Sienna over a grey undercoat with a mid Sienna tone as a base and number 7 as the top coat. My first test piece was a little "fleshy" so I toned down the mid tone on the other pieces painted so far.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4183/34485996926_c8d8d5bb1e_z.jpg)
Still much to do but it's starting to take shape
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A good colour :)
cheers
James
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Very nice. Carry on sir!
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Can't wait to see this completed!
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Looking good!
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Looking great!
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Indeed. That's a serious task if there ever was one. But it is looking very, very nice and it will definitely plivilege and preasure ;-) to use this in a an adventure. Well done. ;-)
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Thanks for the comments. Some more shots from this weekends work. All the stone work is painted and have started on the doors, etc. Also been experimenting with layouts and I am pleased with the flexibility of it.
The smallest castle
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4156/34670047475_7701ff03d7_z.jpg)
One with a great hall
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4172/34539832731_6b414c34e8_z.jpg)
Two baileys
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4155/34539830501_72918112d6_z.jpg)
Some paint on the roof and a start on the doors
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4162/34508353592_0e3a0783be_z.jpg)
As you can just about tell some of the doors I have mounted on a piece of paving to make them flexible in position so I don't need to use the gatehouse and can fit doors to the wall walks where needed. Unfortunately the gaps are not equal on the three bays on the towers so the doors supplied don't fit on the outer ones. Will have to shave a door or two for those. I have also made a small landing for access to the keep which is removable as well.
It also had it's first run out this weekend - a simple game with my 8 year old and some chaos marines fighting it out over the castle.
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Great stuff 8) 8)
A perfect Holdfast :)
cheers
James
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Indeed. Looking very good 8)
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Love the modular build - very impressive!
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That's absolutely impressive. Wow, what a project :o.
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Thanks
Well it's pretty much done:
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4203/34365155140_b9d769d018_z.jpg)
All the doors are painted and the roof of the great hall.
Another configuration. This shows the additional gates I painted to give greater flexibility (so it doesn't have to have a gatehouse)
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4188/34587699312_26d066fa9d_z.jpg)
Some close ups
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4195/34587697852_f93d975178_z.jpg)
Gate
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4177/34587698662_88761254d9_z.jpg)
Corner wall
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4222/34749916215_ac061dfcf9_z.jpg)
I have to say I am pretty pleased with how it has turned out - one of the rare occasions where my vision actually translated into reality. I have a few more bits and bobs to add - some more doors, some wooden stairs for accessing the wall walk and the keep. I have also got some charm bracelet cauldrons to turn into markers for boiling oil and a pile of bits with which to build something additional. I could probably get a decent hall out of them to allow me to assemble a church using the keep tower or could use them for some infill buildings in the courtyard.
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That is really splendid. You should be justifiably pleased with you handiwork. Great job 8)
Tiny constructive criticism - if it was me, I'd give it a bit more weathering, but maybe you prefer the clean castle look :)
Looking forward to seeing it with figures swarming all over it!
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That looks absolutely superb, well done.
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Great stuff 8) 8)
A perfect Holdfast :)
cheers
James
Indeed.
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Brilliant bit of work
Like Captain Blood I'd like a tad more weathering, especially at the base of the wall to sit it on the terrain, but it looks fantastic as is.
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Stunning build :-* :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
Love the colour choice
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Awesome result there. Any chance of seeing pics of it in action in the future?
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Fantastic! But yes I agree it needs a tad more weathering
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That is fantastic! Love the color choice for the walls.
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just have to join the applauding club!
Great build, colour choice and changeability.
I also agree, such a work should receive some weathering!
Cheers
GS
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Splendid job, jon! You're making me seriously considering getting some of those castle bits...
I've done a circular tower with Hirst Arts castings, but it really is a chore to cast all those blocks, and then assemble them. And dusty and messy.... And the result is very heavy and fragile. Your way would be so much more elegant and practical.
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Only three years after completion Sir John of Hytchen discovered a use for his new castle. His treacherous son had raised a vile army of beastmen and chaos scum to besiege the castle and claim the throne.
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50082731763_462432afc6_k.jpg)
Ogres batter at the gate, marauders have scaled the walls as more beastment arrive with scaling ladders in the background.
It was in the balance for a time but remembering the old Star Wars adage ("Let the Wookie Win") a few fudged rolls saw the defenders over-run. It was played using a simplified version of Lion Rampant with my 11 year old son. The attackers had two retinues to the defenders one.
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Very nice setup. Looks like a lot of fun