Roman watch tower..WIP

[carvel2]

I'm getting all excited about scenarios for lone Roman garrisons being attacked by celtic hoardes and thought a watch tower at one end of a gaming board might prompt some kind of engagement along the length of the table. An escape scenario or a rescue/reinforcement...
Anyway...watchtower required.
Decided to do it in card first to get the proportions right and still be able to have figures on the balcony.
Here's the mock up...


(For the eagle eyed also had a go at stippling the gaming board)
The balcony looks a bit clumsy to allow for the bases, but allows a figure to stand and shoot...but only plastic figures in the card version. The metal figures tip it over! I've bought a flickering flame to put inside for dramatic effect. Beer will dramatically enhance this effect ; )


Plan is to make it in something more substantial and use the template for kids studying Romans as a craft activity : )

Any thoughts on how to do a convincing roof tile in the real thing?

[BigMike]

You can buy plastic pantile sections from railway modelling shops which might be just the job. Otherwise pop into your local GW and have a good look though their 'how to make wargames terrain' book. It really is a good read and has loads of good stuff on buildings.
Like the stippling on the board. Can i suggest for a more even coverage you try a big sponge - like to ones you get to clean the car with and stipple the paint on with that - you'll get bigger blotches and different colours will blend with each other better. One other advantage with having bigger blotches of colour on your boards is it's easier to mark out woods and things by saying before the game starts that the wood extends over a large area marked by colour and with a few token trees on to remind you of which bit is forested!

Let me know how you get on with the flickering light (and the beers) i've often wondered about them myself...

[Biggus Dickus]

Carvel......Beer dramatically enhances many things

it sounds pretty good anyway.....check this out for some sheet materials, you'll likely find everything you need and more here..http://www.antenocitisworkshop.com/materials-tools/sheet-materials.html

Those archers could also remove the rope from their bows and make rope ladders.......or rappelling lines to absail down from that tower walk way

I'm really interested in this flickering light thing so please lets here more, or see pictures......I want to use this technology somehow!

[carvel2]

@Big Mike...big sponge. Will do : )
@BD rope ladders...good idea ; )
Will build the tower and set the light and take the required pictures : )
Its a fathers day present along with:
maximus with dog on foot
Imperial officer waving his hand in the general direction of the enemy
Officer making a libation

Will also post pictures of turf wall when finished...fencing now added : )

[Cubster]

Buying the tile roofing sounds wise, but if you want a budget option then you can use thick cardboard, as used in sturdy boxes. If you peel off the thin paper from one side you are left with a corrugated card face. Just cut it in to strips and you have clay tile roofing. The lines between tiles can be painted in. For flatter tiles I would score a sheet of card with your tile sizing and then cut into strips, laying them on your roof in a staggered pattern. You can cut the odd bit of damaged or slipped tile effect into it before gluing in place.

[mikeland]

@Carvel
Nice work, do you have the template on the computer? If so could I beg a copy?

[carvel2]

@mikeland...of course. It would be a pleasure. I'll scan it at some point this week.
Shall I post it on here or send it directly to you?

[mikeland]

Thanks! I am okay at tge midel building but i really struggle to get the scale so your template will be a really big help! I think there is a funky new 'upload attachment' on these forums nowfeature you could try! But if you'd rather I can PM you my email!

[carvel2]

I'll try the new upload thingy... if its a miserable failure I'll PM you ...how do we do that now?

[carvel2]

Ok...not sure if this will work. The scan didn't go so well but it should give anybody a starting point.
Nope...cant work out how to post the scans
Help!