Pulp era rope bridge WIP

[pacarat]

Just getting around to setting up some terrain and such for Pulp gaming.

Here's a Pulp era rope bridge in the works. Still needs paint and weathering.


First a close up of a few figs contesting the span. Testing so far indicates no problems with multiple figures on the bridge.





Raw materials:




More steps in the build process below.











Getting close. My plan is to have bridge ends as separate pieces. I will make matching "bookend" type terrain pieces that will have cavities to slide the bridge ends into. That will enable me to vary height off table, type of terrain (heavy jungle, mountains, etc) to suit period, climate, location, etc. I can ALS then choose to span river, rock gorge, etc, changing out terrain to suit scenario.

Also means I only have to make one bridge.

[Patrice]

Excellent. And inspiring, thanks.

One problem with such bridges is that it often seems that the wargame terrain was built only to hold the bridge - instead of the bridge being useful to cross a gap. So it's another challenge to imagine a terrain 

[OSHIROmodels]

That looks a great build 

Is there any flexibility to it or is it fairly stable?

cheers

James

[Marine0846]

Looks great.
How are you going to anchor it on the ends?
That is the problem I have with mine.

[Traveler Man]

Very nice indeed! You've captured the look of such bridges. I'll have to make one sometime.

[Heldrak]

excellent work!

[pacarat]

Thanks, all.

@Patrice: Yep, totally agree on the "terrain just to suit the bridge" aspect. I have some ideas on the drawing board to address that. My goal is to make all pieces as modular as possible. Initial thinking is to have one end/destination be an isolated, butte type feature, with the bridge as main access point, and maybe a secret, camouflaged cliff-side secondary path that can be available/revealed as needed. On the butte would be  flat space for changeable plot points - ruins, temple, secret lair, etc. Other end would be a much larger raised area - hill, plateau, etc. with sloped, easy access from several sides.

@Traveler Man: I've glued the wood dowel "pole" anchors into holes drilled in the wood 2x4 end pieces (which are screwed together.) Just have to get the tension on the guide ropes set and then I can glue ropes  in place. For stability, one option is to set up the end pieces with magnets underneath, and use washers/metal plates on the actual canyon/river floor terrain pieces to help stabilize. I'm hoping with the supporting rods (see below) and the weight of the wood bookends, I may be good to go.

@James: it's pretty rigid at this point. Hard to see in the pics, but there are two heavy, dark brown paper wrapped floral wire rods under the bridge planks, along each side. These were bent into a very slight arc - they provide the major lift/rigidity for the bridge and keep planks in parallel. I was having trouble keeping the bridge from torquing (it looked like a huge parallelogram) until I tied these in. I also wrapped those two pieces in the opposite direction from the first set of plank bindings, which helped counter the twist I was getting.

[Mad Lord Snapcase]

Really excellent work! What are the metal bridge supports with the holes in?

[Mason]

Very clever well thought out.
 

[ZuluPaul]

Very nice, great idea on modular terrain, gives you a chance to use your work in many terrains.

[d phipps]

Excellent work! We'll definitely have to steal some of your ideas when we get around to this project. 

[pacarat]

Really excellent work! What are the metal bridge supports with the holes in?

Jewelry/craft bits from Hobby Lobby. They were on clearance for 50% off, and looked like they might work as supports. Finding them gave me the inspiration to give this project a try.

I'm considering painting them as bleached bones, they have an organic feel to me.

[Melnibonean]

Beautiful work. I might have to "borrow" your idea sometime in the near future!

[obsidian3d]

I always wanted to try this. Nicely done!

[Shawnt63]

Nicely done!