BSC2018 Dr Mathias's 'Laboratorium Malum Plantae'

[Dr Mathias]

My 'ill-advised' entry for the the Build Something contest will be another modular section for my 40K Space Hulk layout- a spaceship research station housing very dangerous plants (what could go wrong?). I'll be using Rogue Trader for some ideas on plants. I've just completed an extensive alien jungle for the regular table top so I may as well tie this in.

The working title is 'Laboratorium Malum Plantae', although I'll admit to knowing almost nothing about Latin- so if anyone has a better suggestion, please feel free to chime in. The 40K 'High Gothic' language is a pseudo-Latin mishmash, so if it ends up sounding like a room in Hogwart's- that's okay

I don't have anything to show as of yet as I'm still trying to decide on layout of the section(s). I've had some clear plastic domes in the bits stash for a couple years and a large part of the build will be Hirst Arts castings so it fits the rest of the hulk.

[Blackwolf]

Good idea...

[Vanvlak]

Very cool - I'll be plagiarising this, I think 

[Braz]

Looking forward to this based on last year's entry.

[Dr Mathias]

So far not a lot of progress. I did get around to laying out the section, so that I had an idea of how many Hirst Arts components I might need.



I have a few ideas for some 'focal points' or little scenic features, however I haven't quite decided on how I want to integrate them into the section to allow for movement. I may end up making some removable elements that fit in as seamlessly as possible.

This section is ridiculously large but I wanted to include at least three domes housing plant terrariums and a little research station with some smaller domes. I picked up a little scribe station from Shapeways and I also want to have some bookcases- I designed those in Tinkercad, had them printed via Shapeways, made some silicone molds, and cast them in resin.

[Andym]

What about putting some famous(?) plants in those plastic domes? Maybe The Little Shop of Horrors plant, Triffids or Groot? Looking forward to this after your escape pod section last year!

[beefcake]

Great to see Space Hulk getting some love again.

What about putting some famous(?) plants in those plastic domes? Maybe The Little Shop of Horrors plant, Triffids or Groot? Looking forward to this after your escape pod section last year!

I like this idea. I second it so it must be done

[Vanvlak]

Oh my, looking forward to more of this. 

[Mason]

And another joins the queue to drool over this as you proceed.
 

[Dr Mathias]

What about putting some famous(?) plants in those plastic domes? Maybe The Little Shop of Horrors plant, Triffids or Groot? Looking forward to this after your escape pod section last year!

That is a good idea; I was thinking of doing a larger open room with some bigger containers in them (another section) and Groot would be a good choice for that. I had considered an Audrey II after seeing her show up on GWs Sly Marbo base

I haven't seen Triffids- it's a classic, so perhaps I'll do that

[Vanvlak]

So would this board link up to last year's? If so I REALLY want to see that gaming surface once done! 

[Dr Mathias]

I haven't managed to put in as much time as I intended at this point. I'm hoping to get in some good build time tomorrow.



The section outline has been cut out, and some Hirst Arts tiles glued down. I ordered some doors and frames from Armorcast (which arrived faster than expected) so I hope to get those installed soon. They allow removal of the doors, and more importantly, they're resin- so they will be more durable for handling purposes.



The raised terrarium area has been started as well- I've glued a 'ring' made from soft 'craft foam' around the perimeter of the domes to help integrate them visually.

I also modified two of the cast tiles and cut a hole in the section so that I can make a grate that has been pushed aside with a void beyond. 

[Vanvlak]

Nice - and that grating has tonnes of potential 

[Dr Mathias]

So would this board link up to last year's? If so I REALLY want to see that gaming surface once done! 

Sorry, I forgot to answer this question. This section will have four exits that will be compatible with the rest of the space hulk layout. I think I'm going to alter the color a bit though.

[Mason]

Looking good so far.
 

A few 'gardening tools' scattered about would be a nice touch. And maybe a couple of slugs....