Gorillas go Banana Wars (Link to another 168 painted pieces on page 12)

[FifteensAway]

Carlos: see Cat's comment about "wicked hard plastic" above.

After looking at that photo for a while, I'm thinking not just covering the roof top lettering but mirroring that cover parallel on the other side to give the roof line just a tiny bit of pizzazz.  And, of course, painting the covers in a complimentary (or contrasting?) color than the rest of the roof. 

Not so easy sourcing buckets and tools in 15 mm - they are out there but few and far between.  Might be able to use smaller HO items in a pinch but relatively expensive option.  But I like the idea.  If someone knows of a solid source, let me know.  Many applications to use such details.

[carlos marighela]

Fairy nuff. Break out the foil baking tray tarps then.

[Cat]

Ah right, the sign on the roof.  That one I did resort to the trusty #16 XActo blade and elbow grease.  You can really lean into that blade for heavy cutting/carving.  Probably used a 1" wide shop file too.  And some Testors Contour Putty to fill in minor resulting divots.

[FifteensAway]

And back to Gyro Town.  Received most of my order from "Centrion Studios" today - and got a nice heads up that the second package was returned to them damaged and he will be replacing (and sending along damaged pieces gratis in case useful to me).  Another company with good service.

So a bunch of photos of likely setup:



The table is 2' x 4' and I think that is a good setup for a variety of. pulp adventures.  At the top of the image is the "small desert village" and including the eight mud houses (NEW TODAY)  in the central area (two extra supplied due to minor misprint issues!).  On the far left is the abandoned desert tower which may or may not reside within Gyro.

Down the left side are the following in sequence top to bottom: desert slaver compound (I will use as a jail, sort of like the scene from The Mummy?), desert granary, desert market, and desert stable.

Down the right side in sequence top to bottom again: desert blacksmith, desert trade post (NEW TODAY), medieval tannery standing in for still in-bound desert dye work (NEW TODAY), and desert inn.

And at the bottom is the desert gatehouse and desert dock.



A side view of same.



Opposite side view



From the opposite end.  I've placed a few figures and vehicles to help show scale.



Just a close up of one of the six different mud houses, got two each of two of them.



The tallest tower of the 'village' is nine actual inches, note the figure at ground level.



Just another shot for scale.



A quick misplaced shot of the abandoned desert mine (NEW TODAY) with a figure to show scale.



Last photo of Gyro - I've pulled out the medieval tannery and tried putting the abandoned desert tower in its place.

And here is an image of what is still on order, an archaeological site, quite expansive with lots of "toys" included:



In addition to the above I am waiting for, I have the following for Indiana Jones and friends to explore:

Ancient Desert Ruins
Desert Tower Ruin (Abandoned Desert Tower)
Abandoned Desert Tomb
Desert Obelisk
Abandoned Desert Mine

Yeah, I've spent a pile on all of this stuff but it will allow a wide variety of adventures so worth it.  Nothing much else out there to tempt me on the figure front and I figure, why the heck not, I want it so I grabbed it.

Now time to get busy with assembling and painting!  Part of that will include creating bases for those in need - and many of the items will really need them.

[carlos marighela]

Interesting. I suspect those models have been based on the style of architecture found in Timbuktu. Scope to do some medieval battles between the Songhai Empire and the Tuaregs or French colonial adventures should you so desire.

[Tom Dulski]

 I'm sure it will look fantastic once its all painted up

[FifteensAway]

Indeed, I can see my French Foreign Legion getting involved amongst those structures.

And not forgetting this whole thread is supposed to be focused on Banana Wars, while floating at the edge of sleep I've come up with one alternate name for Los Abajos when transported to Southeast Asia: Koala Slumber (which, of course, is a play on Kuala Lumpur).  Works for me.  And fun. 

Now, how do I model an iconic eucalyptus tree in 15 mm?! 

[mikedemana]

I agree, I was reminded of the buildings and especially mosques that I saw in Mali. Timbuktu is the most well known of the historical settlements there, but the mosque at Djenne is stunning!

Here is one of my photos from there:


And the smaller Sankore mosque in Timbuktu:


If you want more inspiration for buildings in the area, here's the link to the Mali entry on my travel blog:
https://world-wide-mike.travellerspoint.com/co/128/

Mike Demana

[carlos marighela]

Eucalypts you say? A number of manufacturers do gum trees for the local model railway crowd.

https://www.auscisionmodels.com.au/Australian%20Trees.htm

Best i could come up with for 15mm Blinky Bills were these:

https://www.ladyb.com.au/koala-bear-15mm-native-animals-in-native-timbers

[FifteensAway]

Mike,

Thanks for the photos and link.  Will come in handy when time to paint - though still deciding color scheme overall.   But your stuff will help.

Carlos,

Thanks.  I did find JTT has gum trees at a reasonable price and right here in California - though who knows where they actually are created.  Well, just checked and it seems they are made in Vietnam.  No big surprise.

[carlos marighela]

Matters no where they come from, they're all tarriff free again for now.

JTT produce some useful items. Alas, much of it like their pantile roofing sheets, which were cheap and generously sized, seem to have become difficult to find hereabouts. Hmm, maybe I should organise another holiday/cheap dentistry/ battlefield tourism holiday in Vietnam. I do have a loose filling that could do with some work. 

[Cat]

Ooh, that's quite the megalopolis, fun!

[Smokeyrone]

Much yet to decide but another order to Khurasan as well as a somewhat larger order to Eureka for some additional troops for La Ceiba.  I did find this item:



It is a 21" model (per box) that I hope to shorten to closer to 14" and back date it a bit - and waterline it.  Then I will need to find a German submarine to do the same.  And maybe another submarine to be helmed by the chief Nemonaut, the JVS Naughtylust.  (JVS = Jules Verne Ship)

Retirement just may be bringing out the worst in me!    . Or the best? 

Looks like there will be more going on than just an unfortunate incident with fruit.

Oh, almost forgot, the name of my tramp steamer must, of course, be the MIS Adventure.  (which could be Mobile Itinerant Ship or more likely Much Insane Stuff!)

And in response to Weird, I didn't order it but Khurasan does have another large ape in its offerings that might work if I were to go down your suggested path.  Though, at the moment, that doesn't quite fit but I will tuck the idea away for future reference - there is certainly uproarious fun possible down that path.

That is cool+

[FifteensAway]

Smokey and all, I have a quandary regarding those plastic ships and submarines (like that Growler) - do I keep them or move them along.  I'm thinking the latter since the others I have just made/water lined are going to be more durable.  Plus I have that stand off fleet Anton Ryzbak sent to me (no way is it forgotten, awaiting its game moment(s!)).  Most likely to be kept - or cannabilized for parts - will be a submarine or two.  But only need so many watercraft and only have so much storage space.   

I have an order out for some critters (HO for pulp +, N scale for model railroading), river bits, ship parts, and a likely order for some additional bases.  And the other portion of the Centrion order - and hopefully some unrelated archery targets for Robin Hood games.  After that, not sure what might tempt me.  Time to turn to painting and assembling - and gaming - and putting, as much as possible, acquisition behind me.  The most likely places to tempt me: new 15 mm pulp figures that strike my fancy, African plains animals - gazelles/antelope in particular, and cave women in 'proper' dress rather than bikinis.  Maybe Central American fauna in 15 mm.  After that?  No 'after that' at this time.

[carlos marighela]

You build it, you paint it pink and name it USS Sea Tiger.