1940s Control Tower

[manchesterreg]

Looking for something in 28mm, to represent an RAF Control Tower in 28mm, for my Sealion gaming.

[grant]

Airfix do one in 76 that would probably be close. Saw it this weekend and it's cool.

http://www.airfix.com/us-en/airfield-control-tower-1-76.html

[fred]

The airfix one is pretty cool, but is a very simple box like construction, it really wouldn't be too hard to scratch build - if you can find the railings. Also as a 1/76 one it will be quite small for modern 28mm figures.

[matiec]

I suspect scratch build is the answer. I might well have a go......clearly needed for hawkinge and Lympne airfields. On a different note have you come across anything that would serve as a radar station ?

[Captain Darling]

Hey Matiec,

Re Britsh radar stations from WW 2 the buildings were 'block house' type structures even Nissan style buildings were used the antennas were huge radio style masts not necessarily directly adjacent to the buildings so you can get away without them...scroll down on this site for surviving structures  ...

]http://coastkid.blogspot.com.au/2013/07/durness-sutherland-sango-bay-home-chain.html]

Enjoying your Sea Lion campaign...

[tin shed gamer]

This is a subject I've been looking into myself,as I've been trying to come up with the ideal 30's-40's small airfield for pulp and vbcw games.
There are very few suitable in scale models most of which turn up in O gauge railway kits and still require an awful lot of modification to work for gaming.
 
So scratch building is the way to go. The simplest and quickest thing to do is to rescale the generic Airfix one. I'm personally going down the recycled card route ( no surprise there) for a quick fix.
As for railings fastest and strongest version for gaming is to use plastic 'I' beams and wire/ brass rod then paint the I beams as concentrate.

If you do decide to go down the scratch build route and get stuck.feel free to pick my addled brains.
Mark.

[carlos marighela]

I have the Airfix Control tower and had a bash at converting it for 28mm (not as a control tower as it happens).   It's an OK model, nothing brilliant, basically a plastic box with windows and doors. It is possible to enlarge the doors, which are the things that most obviously indicate scale. It's still a pretty titchy structure, which has its pluses and minuses.  Nice in that it has a small footprint but will look pretty silly if you plan on parking a 1/48 Spitfire anywhere near it. The real ones tended to be fairly substantial structures.

Trouble is you would still need to scratch build the external stairs and if you want to make the structure itself a playable item you would need to build out the balcony and build up the wooden room atop it. All in all, you might as well make one from plastic card/foam board/embossed card etc. Remember that many of the pre-war ones were built in brick and they weren't necessarily rendered.

Of course if it's just a bit of set dressing you are after, then it's probably fine. Just plonk it on the far side of the table and it should look the part.

[manchesterreg]

Some good ideas, im looking more for something ready made, as Gout in my right hand (until i got it, never knew you could get Gout in your hand) means im looking for easy stuff to assemble, even my painting has to be outsourced now, had even thought of using a Railway signal box, such as Sarissa makes as a go by Control Tower.

[tin shed gamer]

Okay two options spring to mind but its budget dependant ,Pre made route is more likely to lead you to model railway buildings .Scaledale have a pre made and pre painted HO control tower .
As you mentioned Sarrisa , I'd recommend that you look at this and combined an Adobe or western flat roof building .(I'd post a link but it's refusing to co operate which is more to do with my total lack of keyboard skills than my sculpting  ) this is on eBay in 1/48,1/76 in laser cut card.which is often easier to handle than MDF.( airfield control tower ,as a search on eBay will bring it up)

[manchesterreg]

Many Thanks for that!!

[matiec]

Thanks Captain that is a really useful link...my brain as always is now rushing ahead to design and scenario. I had already planned to get a a couple of the sarissa missen type huts they make. I like the grassed over bunker and it is a must for an entrance into an underground section. I know I shouldnt but I do like the idea of the mast ! I'll keep hunting charity shops till the right thing comes up...it will.

[tin shed gamer]

Completely forgot there is a more extensive range in 1/48 and 1/72 card models covering airfields at scale model scenery. The only draw back is these are for printing off then cutting out.But you do get more bang for your buck .if I remember rightly the 1/48 control tower is  around £6.On the plus side they're pre coloured and have colour interior detailing .Not everyone's cup of tea. But might be a better option given the condition of your hand.(as you should be able to get a mate or the Mrs to knock these up in an evening )
Mark.

[manchesterreg]

Just had a look at those on modelrailwayscenery.com very nice, cheap too, upscale to 130% and that should be good enough, could stick over boxes or something, thank you for your help, luckiliy some days my hand doesnt feel like its on fire, so maybe able to do it myself.

[Rob_bresnen]

I would look at using this one to convert into a 28mm version of the airfix one grant showed a link to earlier.

http://www.sarissa-precision.com/Factory_-_OfficeWarehouse/p1603368_13760166.aspx


They also make this

http://www.sarissa-precision.com/Radar_Station/p1603368_11845258.aspx

[Poiter50]

I like that Office/Warehouse piece, very convertible. British Radar in 1940 was very different to the circular type that Sarissa makes. It consisted of tall straight "poles" with long wire/cable stretched between the poles/towers.

I would look at using this one to convert into a 28mm version of the airfix one grant showed a link to earlier.

http://www.sarissa-precision.com/Factory_-_OfficeWarehouse/p1603368_13760166.aspx


They also make this

http://www.sarissa-precision.com/Radar_Station/p1603368_11845258.aspx