Terrain: Acacias or Zaribas for Sudan

[Phyllion]

Some recent reading has filled me with enthusiasm for the Sudan project so I'm looking to bulk out the terrain collection. One thing I keep coming across is the 'Zariba' or barricades, variously described as constructed from boxes/barrels and from thick, native thorn bushes, acacias trees I think? (depending on availability I presume). I'd quite like something to represent this, as well as some standings acacia trees to represent particularly tough areas of terrain.

My question, for the combined intelligence of LAF: how would one model such things? I've come up pretty much blank from my usual terrain suppliers, the closest I found to what I think im looking for was Grand Manner's black thorn barricades
http://www.grandmanner.co.uk/Black_Thorn_curved_section_coral--product--155.html

These are suitably natural but seem a bit high and a bit thick to look right.

Any bright ideas?

Cheers!

[Belgian]

I have seen zariba's made of rubberised horsehair which looked quite convincing, can't find the pictures but I'm sure other wil be able to find it. I think it was on this forum and in a smaller scale than 28mm.

[joroas]

From Dave Bickley's blog.

[Plynkes]

I think you are right about the Grand Manner pieces. Far too big. They are meant to be the permanent boma around a village, rather than a temporary, overnight fortification.

As Joroas' picture shows, the zaribas used by the British were small enough for a firing line to shoot over them.

[Phyllion]

From Dave Bickley's blog.

Ah, now those are smashing, thanks! Exactly what I'm after.

[Barry S]

Hi,

Here's a photo of a 28mm version of a zariba I made using horsehair



Here's a 15mm version I made, also using horsehair.




Finally, there are some great tutorial here for making some African styled trees.
But if you're bored here is a link to some of the models I have made over the years - http://s92.photobucket.com/user/LeadBear/library/African%20Trees?page=1

Cheers,

Barry

[Phyllion]

Also smashing, thanks Barry. Rubberised horsehair it is! 

[Belgian]

Hi,

Here's a photo of a 28mm version of a zariba I made using horsehair



Here's a 15mm version I made, also using horsehair.




Finally, there are some great tutorial here for making some African styled trees.
But if you're bored here is a link to some of the models I have made over the years - http://s92.photobucket.com/user/LeadBear/library/African%20Trees?page=1

Cheers,

Barry

That are the smaller scale zariba's I mentionned! And they look splendid both examples.

[Phyllion]

I completely forgot to share my results after your sage advice. So rather belatedly:



More here:
http://infrequentwargamer.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/zariba-zariba.html

I've plenty more so will likely make more and some areas of scrub using the same method

[Slayer]

looks great, very nice figures to. oh and merry xmas

[Barry S]

Great job! I also like the miniatures.

All the best,

Barry

[Traveler Man]

FWIW I made a zariba for Darkest Africa gaming. Details on my blog...

http://ajstable.blogspot.com/2011/07/zariba.html

[Fuzzywuzzieswiflasers]

Where do you buy rubberised horse hair? I can't find it here in Oz.

Cheers
fuzzy.