Welcome to my blog, the story of my continuing journey into the World of Zombie Wargames.

Monday 22 February 2016

MDF

Five years ago I had the intention of doing some 1920s gangster-esque type games (I still do btw) and looking around for inspiration I came across this building from the wonderful "Sarissa".
 It's a residential building sutiable for any time period from about 1900 onwards and ideal for the 1920s.
Obviously the building could also be used in my Zombie gaming too, so why hasn't it seen the light of day on the table I hear you ask.
Well, ny version of it looks like the photograph below (mostly because it is my version) and has done for several years now.


Unfinshed front view
Though it has been worked upon a little and is very near to completion, there are reasons why I've never actually got around to finishing it.
The building is obviousky meant as a split building with separate doors for the left and right sides, and is also reflected on the ground floor layout. Whilst the ground floor has wall pieces etc. there is little to no room for a staircase to the second floor (and the third floor too. which I bought as an extra). The upper floors also have no means of entry and I've been in several minds thinking about the internal layout since the purchase of this .







Rear view (not for those with OCD)
You're probably thinking that even whilst I was contemplating how to finish off the inside of the model I couldhave at least finished off the front!
Well, therein lies another thought-provoking 'problem' with this building.












BOring side view
Like all the buildings in the Sarissa Urban range it has an integral pavement (or sidewalk  if you prefer) as can be seen in the top photograph and very nice it is too, except for the fact that all my pavements are 50mm wide and his one is 40mm. So the problem is - Do I saw the pavement off or use it as is on a purpose build board?
  A secondary problem that needs a decision depends on whether or not I make use of the building as two premises or a single one and this will have a knock-on affect upon the entry way stairs (currently two staircases!).
I did do a little extra 'modelling as can be seen in the photograph below,  merely a rood hatch using coffee-strirrers (what else!) and a little sand to give the featureless, smooth roof a texture.

Roof hatch
So am I disappointed with this building ?
The answer is an emphatic "NO not at all", it fitted together very easily and is a superbly 'solid', warmes model. It was lightly sprayed with a grey £1 Poundlandworld spray and painted using both  acrylics and water-based clour-testers with no detectable warping on the model.
There is another feature that I'd like to mention too and that's the service I got from Sarissa, which was superb. I placed the order and recieved the well-packed parcel some four days later (I think that there's a good chance you'd wait longer for a home delivery from your nearest supermarket).
This, however, is not the end of my adventures in MDF, as in my next post I'll be showing my two latest MDF aquisitions.
This is a test
So that's it until next time, I hope you've found something of interest in the history of my first encounter with MDF.

28 comments:

  1. That red/pink is simply outstanding, Joe, and I'd certainly appreciate a posting as to just how you obtain such an effect. Great look!!

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    1. Thanks Blaxx. I painted it whilst looking out the window to houses similarly coloured. I randomly painted blotches of black, reds, orange and brown over the all the walls, then washed in a "brick red". The mortar is wall filler sprinkled over it ( it can then be wiped into all the crevices).

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  2. That is a great start... and what lovely colors on the briks!

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    1. Thanks HW, I did realise that older bricks aren't generally a single colour and wanted that effect.

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  3. I really like this Joe, I have the same building sitting on my shelf awaiting a coat of paint - perhaps this is just the inspiration I need.

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    1. THanks Michael, I really do need some inpiration too, to get this finished - please hurry up with yours.

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  4. Nice work Joe - it will look great when it's finished :)

    I have to agree about the lack of interiors for upper floors. I wouldn't be surprised if Sarissa would be willing to sell them off-list if you asked.

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    1. Thanks Tamsin, I do feel that if they re-did his range they'd attend to things like that (and thwe lack of a rear door!),but it is a very old rangenow.

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  5. Nice building mate. Sarrisa do some lovely work.

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    1. Thanks Clint, I really do like most of the stuff they do.

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  6. I've got Sarissa buildings and they are lovely. I'm with Simon, how did you get that lovely brick work Joe? Tutorial please :-)

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    1. Thanks dGG, even if the 'stonework' is a little on the large large they do make good brickwork. I'm hardly qualified to give tutorials, but see my reply above.

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  7. Looks excellent! Can't wait to see what this will look like when its completed.

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    1. Thanks N667, I too wait in anticipation of its completion.

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  8. The brick looks fantastic Joe! And while it doesn't help you, it made me feel better to know you are overthinking your terrain as well! It is much easier for me this way - I can just tell you to stop complicating and make ladders to reach upper floors - maybe divide the building in 3 parts (flat - corridor - flat) and make it 2 flats in each of the stories?

    PS:
    You need a slightly greyer white for your test.

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    1. Thanks Matevz; I may well gave to stop wrrying about the interior and just finish off the exterior. Overthinking things is what I do best I reckon, but it does lead to a lot of inaction too.

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  9. That's a lovely building Joe, I'll wager that cost you a pretty penny. Excellent effect on the stonework sir. Was there any sponge work involved with that?
    Really looking forward to seeing this finished and in play.

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    1. Thanks Bob, I thought it was value for money (about £30 ?)at the time, when I could afford to do so. I was all ready to purchase a lot more too, but unfortunately ill-helath has prevented this.
      No sponge were used in this, I have enough problems as it is wuth just brushes.

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  10. One word. SMART.Sorry two words, very smart.

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    1. Thanks Irqan, but will it be still "smart" when it's finished ?

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  11. Having made a fair amount of foamcore/card buildings before, I'm looking at all the wonderful MDF kits which are available now with considerable interest. Maybe one day I'll build a new town myself...

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    1. I was very surprised how much I liked these buildings, but they don't leave much room for personalise ing them to one's own style, save in painting. I'd probably have all MDf buildings and have them painted too if I could afford to.

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  12. Looks good Joe. There are some great kits these days. Check out the TT combat range inexpensive and the do tons of stuff.

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    1. Thanks Brummie, I regularly window shop all the Mdf ranges and there aresome truly great builings out there as well s some real lemons too.

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  13. Looking good. What a wonderful resource. I vote two premises. Its double the gaming potential!

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    1. Thanks Davidm it's probable that I';; opt for two - eventually.

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  14. Lovely house and great painting. The scenery is also very usable on the gaming table.Good work Joe!

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    1. Thanks Ptr, I'll be happier when it's finished

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