Akula's Dune Terrain Project (Update 26/1/14)

[Kitsune]

Gonna be following this thread with much interest!

[Andrew May]

This is what I was thinking of:

[AKULA]

Well it might end being almost that tall....the Washington Monument in my last (PotA) games was 4' tall, but sat on top of a 6" raised subway section.

Similar sort of principle to your photo, just with rocks on the other side.

 

[anevilgiraffe]

that's my pipe dream for Peach Trees... 

[Elk101]

This is what I was thinking of:

I actually remember that!  I remember wanting to build one. It was never going to happen!

[FramFramson]

In a different vein, I knew a fellow who made a brilliant terraced mountain as a vertical map for Mechwarrior.

[TheShadow]

What minis will you use to represent Dune characters ?

just wondering if youve seen these threads here on LAF ?

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=48556.0

and some alternative schemes here:

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=54920.0

sure from that first thread youll get one or two characters !!!

[AKULA]

just wondering if youve seen these threads here on LAF ?

I have seen them, and I wish Andy every success with his own project, but to be completely honest I won't be buying some of his character figures, even though it would be a cheaper option than commissioning my own. 

Please don't misinterpret this as having a pop at Andy's project (I'm not) - we aren't in competition.

I have commissioned sculpts from Whiffwaff (who sculpted Andy's greens) previously.  Adam (Whiffwaff) is very quick (and cheap) because he uses dollies - this comes at a cost though in terms of quality, and I'm afraid I don't like the way that he sculpts faces and hands. Additionally, his dollies are on the "short and chunky" side which means they aren't a good fit IMHO with Crooked Dice and Hasslefree miniatures which I also plan on using.

I understand Whiffwaffs business model, and I'm pleased that it works well for him - if you are on a limited budget, and need some figures quickly I'd recommend him (his communication is very good also).  I think his aliens are generally speaking better than his humans for the reasons i've outlined above.  IMHO the best human minis that Adam has sculpted are the snow troopers, which use Hasslefree guns, and wear hoods/balaclavas and mittens. 

As I mentioned already, my plan for this project is to extend the group of figures that I've commissioned, and include character options - the heads are swappable, and as I've used the same sculptors as Crooked Dice/Hasslefree my own figures will be compatible with their own extensive ranges. 

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=50885.0

When I started planning my space-opera type project I went with the best sculptors I could afford - Kev White, and Ian Mountain - I've also got some miniatures that Andrew Rae that may make an appearance as well. They cost more, and take longer, but I am pleased with the end result, as I'm sure AndyW is with his own project which has bags of character.

 

[Juan]

You have a very nice range of figures just begining here, and I expect to buy them for some of my Science Fiction ideas (including Dune, of course), because they have a great quality and are totally compatible with two great ranges of minis, Haslefree and Crooked Dice.

Great terrain project, too!

[AKULA]

Quick update, been working upon the "second stage" for the citadel....4'high Washington Monument for scale purposes....



Just to the left will be a supporting piece of citadel which will house a Ornithopter hanger.

Top 5 levels are a separate section - if some of the lines look a little off, its because some of the end-support sections are intentionally angled.





The "window" is made from packaging that comes with a iPad.

[OSHIROmodels]

Wow!

This is gonna be great 

Love the window, really brings a feel of the film to the whole thing.

cheers

James

[Michi]

This is totally bonkers, you know?
What a waste of space that could be filled with shoes and clothes - well, that´s what SWMBO would say.
I´d be happy to build a railway layout there instead.
However, most inspired and ambitious!!! That´s the spirit of us gentle people of this forum!

[dijit]

Looks great. Having been inspired by the afore mentioned White Dwarf article and more recently Jens 'City of Darkness' thread, I've been planning a vertical board too. So I'm wondering what height have you set your floors to? I'm thinking 3", so that its possible to get your hands in and all those models waving swords, etc ridiculously high.
Looking forwards to seeing more of this, if its anything like your previous projects its going to be good.

[Mason]

 

Nuff said!

[AKULA]

I'm wondering what height have you set your floors to? I'm thinking 3", so that its possible to get your hands in and all those models waving swords, etc ridiculously high.

Yup 3" or thereabouts, apart from the lowest level which is 6".  I messed about for about a week ....trying different dimensions, going away, coming back for another look, before gluing anything together.  In terms of sight-lines and gameplay it seems right for the figures etc.