Thursday, August 1, 2013

Hirst blocks

 
Sorry for being slow on my HISTORICON REPORT, but I had to check out my new acquisition. While at HISTORICON I attended a seminar on casting Hirst building blocks.  Since this was his last class, he offered some blocks for sale and as gifts.  I acquired some blocks that could be enough for 2 octagonal towers.  Finally at home, I have inventoried my blocks and find I do not have enough arrow/gun slits to make 2 towers. After a couple of ideas didn't pass muster, I have settled upon a border fort.  I will be using it in my Schwabian Wars and for Jackson Gamers Medieval / Renaissance games.
 
The border fort / castle will have 1 octagonal tower, a gate, and walls with octagonal corners.
I have enough blocks to make the walls tall enough to give a good impression with my 40mm Prince August.
The top of the tower will provide a great observation post.
 
I plan to build the forts walls 1 block thick and then place foam to provide the walkway and support the walls.  The tower will not be made to come apart as I will provide trays to hold the troops inside.




Wednesday, June 12, 2013

New Tree Test

Miss Kitty checks out the troops

Oh No!  A giant monster is attacking

A curious cat

The new trees form woos on the flank




Friday, June 7, 2013

Making trees for HISTORICON 2013

I will be the game master at HISTORICON 2013 for an AWI game.  I put the same game on at COLONIAL BARRACKS 2012 with the aid of the Jackson Gamers terrain box.  For HISTORICON I am going to need trees to represent the swamp on the side of the battlefield.

I found a simple method to create trees.  By twisting galvanized wire for the core and tape for bulk the trees are made.  I was unable to use their method of using acrylic caulk so I used white glue and tp to give the bark effect. (Bill Hamilton gave me the idea)
http://sirrob01.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/wargaming-terrain-how-to-make-trees-one-single-trunk/


A tree getting it's bark

Trees with paint and foliage beside those without

Same scene from a different angle showing the hidden troops



 
Final 2 stages of production