The ECW Manor House

[mikeland]

Okay, I have made a start on planning building a manor house for ECW. I decided I wanted to make it fairly big, but not too large, so it is to represent a small manor type house.

After a lot of searching and thinking I decided to model some of its features on Aston House in Birmingham, which was the site of a Civil War battle.


Aston Hall

But I decided I would not use all of the building, as splendid as that would be I am taking baby steps as this is the first time I have had a go at something quite like this, it will be more complex than the church I made last year.. So I selected the middle section to use.


Middle section highlighted

From this I sketched out how I want the building to look.


Concept sketch

[mikeland]

Next I decided to work on the front of the building. I have drawn templates* for the main wall, the protruding front section and the door:


Main front wall

Front section and door

I have printed these out on A3 sheets. And will use them as cutting guides.

*If anyone wants PDFs of these please just PM me. I did attempt to attach the pdfs but the board doesn't seem to allow it.

Next up.. cutting the foam board for the front pieces.

I am still puzzling how to create all the window frames... any suggestions appreciated.

[Paul @ Warlord Games]

Looking forward to seeing how this goes. Take plenty of pics - would love to run it as a web article when you're finished...

[Stuart]

That looks very promising, I remember seeing once, in the GW how to guide, a suggestion for window frames by using the plastic vents you can get out of B&Q and cut the squares out of them to make perfect window frames (hope that makes sense, it didn't when I just read it back )

[Cubster]

I think Paul Mac has done a similar thing in one of his guides.

[mikeland]

That looks very promising, I remember seeing once, in the GW how to guide, a suggestion for window frames by using the plastic vents you can get out of B&Q and cut the squares out of them to make perfect window frames (hope that makes sense, it didn't when I just read it back )

I think I know the sort of thing. Have to go to home base on Friday, will have a look then, see if I can find something suitable.

[grant]

Looking forward to seeing how this goes. Take plenty of pics - would love to run it as a web article when you're finished...

Completely agree! For people like me, without terrain making skills, this is ideal!

[cromojaro]

I am still puzzling how to create all the window frames... any suggestions appreciated.

You can use styrene strips (Evergreen Scale Models http://www.evergreenscalemodels.com/Strips.htm) or balsa wood strips.

Or make a 3D model of the window and print with Shapeways http://www.shapeways.com/.

[Chilledenuff]

this has awesome written all over it. Looking forward to the build (may have to pm you for the pdfs as well and speak to my friend who is good at scenery.)

[paulsmodellingworkshop]

cromojaro's tips are good - also you can buy plastic window frames in various sizes and shapes - try antenocitis workshop for starters.
Also - gratings - as used on model ships can work if you cut out some of the sections.