Windmill...Metal or Wood?

[grubman]

So I think I'm going to go a head and paint the Ertl Cow Town Windmill.  The only thing I don't like about it is that the texture is mostly smooth.  I would have liked it if it had woodgrain like the rest of the terrain.

In any case, this got me thinking of how to paint it.  I have two choices, going with a dry wood look that might not be that cool because there is no wood texture...or going metal, but I'm afraid that might make it look to "modern".  Of course I could try to combine the two.

In any case, I was wondering if anyone could give me a little historical feedback?  I was thinking that both metal and wood were probably pretty "scarce" since most everything had to be shipped in to the western parts of the country.  Does anyone know what a windmill was most likely to be constructed out of?

Thanks.

[Evilcartoonist]

Most windmills up until the turn of the century would be wood (except for the blades and fittings.) But all-metal windmills were available as early as the 1870s- they just weren't very popular.

This isn't my knowledge- I just did a little Googling for ya
http://www.windmillersgazette.com/history.html

[Cory]

Wood is probably the best way to go for accuracy.

A wood grain can be added to plastic fairly easily by making a few passes with 60 or 80 grit sandpaper.

[grubman]

so wood.

Sandpaper, huh? I'll have to give that a shot, thanks.