Cactus Archipelago - more WIP pictures 25.8.2014

[Zafarelli]

Here are a few pictures of a last minute showpiece we came up for Tactica last weekend. Actually, it was started on a whim about a week before the show, and I never imagined that we were able to produce something showable in that timeframe I have not yet made pictures of the whole thing, but here are a few construction pictures.

Underconstruction is Styrodur, covered with mattress foam, covered in turn with PVA and fine sand.



The foam material had to be held in place with toothpicks while the glue was drying (hence the project name. The actual vegetation is more tropical). I recommend gloves for pushing these in - those Chinese torturers knew full well what can be achieved with bamboo splinters.


Front and back view of the already painted rock.


Shanty attached to the rock face. By now, there are plenty more, connected with ladders and walkways.


Pipeline to feed the machinery inside the cave.


Now for the dilemma: I have absolutely no idea what to do with it in the end The idea is to make this into a gaming table, consisting of three to four of those rock islands, all of them interconnected by walkways or suspension bridges. It will be definitely post-apoc (or at least sufficiently backwater to justify the rusty shanties). I could imaginge a pirate or smuggler outpost of some kind, or a trading post, but it could also be a last resort on a zombie- or mutant infested world. Other suggestions would be highly appreciated.

[Mason]

 

Whatever you do with it in the end, it is a genius idea that I am well and truly stealing.
 

I can see all sorts of uses for this technique, starting with the outside covering of a tropical island for a criminal mastermind to live in.
That is something that is starting to come to fruition with bits and pieces being acquired in my usual hoarder fashion....

Thanks for the inspiration!
 

One question: How durable is the foam after being PVA'd?

[Sangennaru]

Wow! I want to see the developements!

One question: How durable is the foam after being PVA'd?

Same question for me =)

[Za Zjurman]

Ubercool 

[Centaur_Seducer]

Oh dear Jens, there you go again!

[Zafarelli]

Oh dear Jens, there you go again!

It's an incentive for you to invite us to Gubbspel Galore again

One question: How durable is the foam after being PVA'd?

I used two coats, and diluted the first layer of PVA quite heavily. The material is essentially a sponge, so it will soak up the mixture. If you add a bit of paint, the outermost millimeters will by dyed as well, so it doesn't really matter if the sand/PVA crust chips a little here and there. It just enhances the rocklike texture. But after two coats, it is quite durable as well.

[Mason]

Cheers, Zafarelli!
 


I shall have to give it a go.
A thin layer of foam should be best, I reckon.

[Lowtardog]

Very border lands...love it

[Andym]

That's going to be cracking!

Can I make a suggestion though?... I tried it on my Aquanauts and pirate stuff, I found it more durable if you use TopCoat. It's a kinda wetter polyfilla/plaster. Same as the PVA, the stuff will be soaked up like a sponge but it makes it as hard as a rock! Might be worth doing on future rocks?

[War In 15MM]

Really great looking piece.  Richard

[Mason]

That's going to be cracking!

Can I make a suggestion though?... I tried it on my Aquanauts and pirate stuff, I found it more durable if you use TopCoat. It's a kinda wetter polyfilla/plaster. Same as the PVA, the stuff will be soaked up like a sponge but it makes it as hard as a rock! Might be worth doing on future rocks?

Thanks for the tip, mate.
Much appreciated!
 

[EndTransmission]

Ooooh I can just imagine a few of those with rope bridges going between them. Very nice!

[Andrew May]

AMAZING!

Boreing question, where's the pipe work from?

[cp models]

Great stuff 

[Andym]

AMAZING!

Boreing question, where's the pipe work from?

My guess would be the main mans website....

http://pardulon-models.com/en/buildings-und-parts/add-ons-und-accessories/186/wall-decor-i-pipes