Mountain terrain for wargames

My "mountain" is just about complete. 28mm and 20mm figures for scale.

 Just wanted to do a quick update and post some photos of the mountain I have been working off and on over the past few months. I hope to do a small tutorial once my real life slows down a bit. I originally began building the terrain piece for my French and Indian War project which I am doing in 28mm. I originally was going to add trees native to the northeast United States and Canada, but have decided that I will also be able to use this for some of my other projects such as my 28mm Central America moderns and also my 20mm moderns by using some different trees and foliage. I think it turned out pretty well.

I'll give you a brief overview of how I did it. The original idea came as I was helping my cousin cut up his old hot tub. Inside the tub was this yellow foam insulation that we took out in large pieces. I took those and stored them and after cleaning them up I cut and sanded the bottoms so they would lay flat leaving the rough, bumpy top surface. I did sand down a few sections to give me some flat areas and also cut a few spots for layering my "rocks". I primed the entire piece with some green spray paint and once dry started to glue my rock pieces in place using a hot glue gun. The rocks by the way are just pieces of rough cut pine bark mulch that I bought in a 40lb. bag at Home Depot. I sorted pieces by shape and allowed them to dry out before gluing them in place. I then started layering the bark pieces on top of each other to form my basic bolder structure. Once the piece was all glued, I started dry brushing a variety of grays, yellows, browns, etc. When I had the base coat of colors down, I completely soaked the piece in a pva and water 50/50 mix to harden the pieces and give it a bit of protection. I then started layering on dirt (dried coffee grounds from my pot), dried leaves (black tea and mulling spice and dried oregano) and finally added some moss to the rocks using the basic Woodland Scenics flock. I again coated the piece really well with the pva & water mix via a spray bottle. Finally I added some shading using some really, really watered down acrylic paint that I splashed on and allowed to run as it would naturally. I know I am missing a few odd bits of information, but I'll try to give an update in the near future.

If you don't know about this group yet, let me tell you about Miniature Modeling Mayhem. It is a fantastic group of guys from around the world who share ideas and interests in wargames and terrain building. We meet just about every night (if you want) via online video chats to share ideas, paint and talk history and other topics. I encourage you to check us out on Facebook and Google+.

Until next time. Carry on men.
-Bob

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.

Quick, easy and free basing material!

Tile samples from Home Depot

After a quick self-imposed deployment to the Havoc wargame convention on Saturday, I was informed by General ze Wife that we shall be deciding samples of flooring on Sunday for the base. While the General's orders did cut into my plan for continuing outfitting my men of the Volunteers-Etrangers for action in the French and Indian War campaigns, it would be a good way to forage for much needed supplies.

The General has been planning to improve the base for some time now with new flooring. The way forward with this project is where we differ. You see, the General believes that your humble transcriber should be able to do this with the help of the eldest Teenage Spies. Perhaps I could, but for someone who can hardly build a proper model, installing new floors in the base seems absurd. Although the concept is intriguing for one reason only...I have yet to find a way to approach the topic of a redistribution of the saved installation funds back into my military spending budget though. The Overseer of Most All Things will not be keen on such a proposal so best to go cautiously down that path.

As with most wargamers I assume, deciding what we need to buy vs what we can build/make/bash is always a concern. So I wanted to share this terrain tip with you all. I'm sure many already know this, but if you are fairly new to the hobby, as am I, it might be of interest. In the tile area of a large box store DIY home repair place, there staring back at me was the most glorious of all signs- FREE SAMPLES. Wow! Yes it was to good to be true. Here in a variety of textures and material from mdf, hardwood and vinyl were ready-made terrain bases. I couldn't believe it. How had I not discovered this bounty before? So as the General requested my opinion for each color and material combination known to man, I would ask to see the sample. I would scratch my head, purse my lips, frown, raise an eyebrow, whatever it took really to keep these tree bases, er tile samples, coming my way. Each new sample bulged the pockets of my hoodie even further. Soon the General realized that I was keeping each of the free samples including the ones we decided were to dark, to light, wrong texture, wrong wood, wrong everything.

The General demanded to know what I thought I was doing? "I need to fully understand the variances of texture and color compared to what we have now," I replied.
At that moment the Supreme Commander of all my Men completely and without reservation glared fire through my untruthful soul. I looked to retreat but was blocked by the overly helpful flooring associate who was inquiring if we would also like to look at ceramic tile samples. I immediately thought of Oliver Twist and wanted to repeat his famous line of "Please Sir, I want some more." forgetting that I had just been silently scolded. I knew the General was done with this exhibit of tile sample gluttony. The only action that would save me from undergoing a court-martial was to point to the free samples sign. Free, as in no expense, this is surely something the General would understand. I made a case for tree bases and rock bases and tried to explain that you can never have enough bases. Besides, they are free. FREE. Free with a capital F. Freeeeeeeeee, like a bird in the sky.

I had once again worn the General down. I was allowed to keep my FREE samples, all 35 of them, haha, yes 1,2,3..35! They will hopefully become bases for my collection of trees and various outcroppings. I think they will work great. They are roughly 3"x3" and 3"x4" and I think I will be able to find many uses for them.

I'll keep you posted on the progress I make using them. Now run out there and grab your samples before I get to the big box DIY place in your town.

Carry on men.
-Bob

Parallel parking trains and other madness

I admit that acquiring the accouterments of this hobby can be a challenge at times, a bit like trying to parallel park a train. But isn’t the journey sometimes more fun than the destination? It is for me anyway.

It was a joyous occasion in The Laundry Room Barracks over the last few weeks with a few acquisitions for my men and I.

I was able to convince General ze Wife that much needed reserve troops had to be trained for the French and Indian War campaigns I was planning. The General, at first, questioned why these troops couldn’t be acquired off a shelf from the Dollar Store. I had to state my case clearly and justify to the General that these were much more highly skilled and prized fighting men than that bag of roughians from China.

I had worn the General down. Besides, the Commander of all Things pertaining to me needed to finish preparing report cards and also had exams to grade. The General had little time for my foolishness and authorized my latest mobilization request. Hooah!  After trading a serious supply of Wampum and more than a few King's schillings, 18 finely chiseled Conquest Woodland Indian recruits were called up for duty from their base at Warlord Games in Great Britain.

The boys have arrived in fine shape via Postal truck. Foolhardy and excited I rushed in to show off my new men to the General. Although the recruits had been approved, The Supreme Commander of All My Troops did not share my enthusiasm and questioned this expenditure to the military spending budget once again. I could see the embers starting to ignite so I planned a safe retreat before the ginger-hair started to smolder, but the General quickly dismissed me to The Laundry Room Barracks. Lady luck was indeed on my side once again. I’m sure more pressing matters were on the General’s mind. Important things such as what would be served for dinner to the Teenage Spies that evening in the mess hall. The General had not time for my glee. Something as trivial as the arrival of reservists, Indians at that, was of little concern as the day faded to evening. Morale check avoided.

Once the warriors had been introduced to their new home, they were quickly allowed a warm bath and prepared for a primer coat by removing some of that metal grub that is all to common on little troops the world over. One might assume this was just the European way, oh relax, I’m kidding, a bit of grime comes with troops in the Americas as well. However, I do wonder if this grime removal would be double for troops originating in the Orient? These fine warriors are now cleaned up, waiting for me to issue uniforms and assign them to their units. Some shall become French allied Abenaki, the others British allied Monhegan. I admit I am a bit concerned at making their kit the best it can be. They are amazingly sculpted fighting men and deserve the concern of each brush stroke.

The next acquisitions are a couple of new terrain items, which include a nice piece of felt cloth and a yard of faux Grizzly Bear fur. The felt will be used as a board mat and is just a bit more than 6'x8'. It is of some fine medium-heavy weight felt material in a dark sandy brownish color. With a few cans of spray paint, in a variety of green shades, I was quickly able to turn this into something that looked like a bit of varied and broken terrain. The piece of felt is heavy enough that the paint did not soak through, so I still have the backside to use to represent a bit more arid climate. Total cost for this was only about $5.95 yd. x 72” wide. I bought a bit more than two yards so I’m in for under $15 and a couple more dollars for the paint. Not to bad to get two playing surfaces. I do like the commercial mats from companies such as CigarBox, but I really wanted to utilize the military budget on acquiring additional troops. The faux Grizzly Bear fur was a great score. I had been looking at a variety of fuzzy bath mats, towels and the like to try to represent some taller wild grass. Again, if I had my way and could convince General ze Wife that overruns are a regular occurrence in military spending, I would just buy the pre-made variety and be done with it. But unfortunately I do not have access to U.S. tax dollars like my own leaders in Washington, so I must compromise. The chocolaty brown Grizzly fur came at a price about three times the cost of the felt. This had me taking deep breathes while standing in line to check out. The General had already approved a few hundred dollars worth of spending for my units in the previous weeks. I didn't want to push my luck. But, I threw caution to the wind and approached it like a teenage boy in the backseat...just go for it my brain was saying. It was exhilarating. Break the rules even though I knew better. I could live without beer for a week or two. Ha, besides, there might even be some extra hidden in the supply depot. As you can tell from the photo below which road I traveled. I was now an outlaw who would need to avoid the General's Teenage Spies. With an added can of grass green colored spray paint, I had the tools necessary to kit bash that Grizzly into some proper wild grass. With these two items secured, I quickly raced back to base. The General and the most ruthless of the Teenage Spies, a fair headed lass who is the youngest of the bunch, were on a mission acquiring goods for the mess hall. I had to act quickly and decisively.

Because these items were acquired without the proper requisition and endorsement from the General, I needed to think like a cunning supply Sergeant. The mission was to get them painted and into the supply depot, aka The Barn, before the motorcade carrying General ze Wife and the hoard of spies returned to the cul-de-sac. The supply depot was rarely visited by the General but was a favorite place for the Teenage Spies to stash their Dutch Infantry bicycles. Much like a chameleon, I knew the best idea would be to camouflage these items in plain sight until they miraculously appeared on a future game board. With the board under attack from my men, none would be the wiser unless the Teenage Spies unravel my plan.

Unitl next time, Carry on my good men.

-Bob