Latest projects- simple trees; an orchards and a crazy bus

So just a few quick bits I have been working on recently including quick and cheap trees, and apple orchard and a bus for my central america project.

My first set of trees with a 28mm figure for scale.

I recently shared on Miniature Modeling Mayhem some of the trees I have been working on. I am not an expert on terrain, modeling or anything else really, but I thought I would give making some trees a shot. If I had the funds, I would love to just go out and buy some really good looking one. But since I would rather spend my funds on figures and the periods I have chosen to game require trees, lots and lots of trees, I had to learn to make something that was halfway real looking and could be done inexpensively yet still looked good enough for the table.

I started out by searching in the craft shops for suitable dried or fake foliage that looked like trees. That was harder than it sounds until I found a package of something just called Naturals at a Michael's Craft Store. I have no idea what plant these come from, but they work great. I won't write out every little step here, to make it easier you can just watch the video I posted. Hope this helps you.

Here are my trees after I used sanded tile grout to make the trunks and ground.

 Here is the video on how I made them:

Apple Orchard:
I have also been busy making an apple orchard. I want to be able to use this for a variety of periods and scales so it is about halfway between 20mm-28mm.

Latin American buses:
If you are reading this, then you most likely know I am in the middle of creating a fictitious campaign based on a Central American drug cartel and their battle with both government and rebel forces. If you have ever traveled anywhere in Latin America you will know they love colorful buses. Preferably of the old yellow variety painted in crazy colors.

I recently found this gem in a toy shop and wish they had a few more. It might be a bit under scale for my 28mm central america stuff, closer for the 20mm stuff I do, but I think it will do the trick on the table. I can't wait to start painting it.

The Tonka school bus with a 28mm figure for scale.

Here are a few more pics I plan on using for reference and to kick my imagination.

Until next time. Carry on men.
-Bob

Terrain reference: Northeastern United States

I hope today's post will be of use for anyone making terrain. It is really just a bunch of photos, taken in various seasons, from the Northeastern United States including Connecticut, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and New York state. Pretty much a large part of the regions involved in the French & Indian War, American Revolution (American War of Independence) and a bit of the American Civil War.

All of these photos were taken by me while either out hunting the land, hiking or on my own property. I imagine most of it looked the same during the time of the above mentioned conflicts. I hope you might be able to use it for a resource for making trees and foliage or as a painting guide.

When I was looking around to find ideas for my own terrain projects, I realized it could be hard at times finding decent, non-tourist type photos. Let me know if this helps and if you have a blog think about sharing photos from your own area. You will be surprised how useful they can be to other wargamers. These are in no particular order. I have used the captions to make any notations I thought you might find useful.

Enjoy.
-Bob

A small footpath trail, Connecticut

Frostgrave anyone?

Traprock worn down along the Metacomet Ridge. The Metacomet Ridge, Metacomet Ridge Mountains, or Metacomet Range of Southern New England, is a 100 mile (160km) narrow and steep fault-block mountain ridge known for it's extensive cliff faces, scenic vistas and microclimate ecosystems. These type of trail systems can be found all over the northeastern United States and were the early roads of Native Americans and trappers and traders alike. It's also great because a trail access point is only a few miles from my home. 

Yes, sometimes our small rivers and streams do freeze completely here.

To set games in this region you don't need many raging rivers, but you will need at least one small stream or river.

One of the Teenage Spies out on the Metacomet Trail system.

Metacomet Range, Connecticut

I often use smaller scale forts even when I am using my 28mm figures. When visiting some of the old historic sites, you will find that you often have to duck your head when entering. The structures are not big at all, especially outposts, early homesteads and settlements or trading posts.

The woods, New York

Woods, New York

Woods, Massachusetts

Stream, Vermont
Notice that we don't have many 'blue' streams around here. You can't go wrong with very dark blues, blacks and browns when making water. 

The Salmon River Falls, a 110-foot waterfall located in Oswego County, New York. The falls are about 50 miles from the old Fort Oswego/Fort Ontario historic site.  Learn more here. 

The top of the falls and the small stream that feeds it.

The view from my deer blind. I image you could be ambushed pretty quickly in this type of terrain.

My own wooded piece of paradise.

Massachusetts

One of my favorite hunting locations but also a beautiful example of the typical terrain found in the woods of New England.

Looking to the left from the photo above.