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

Monday 22 April 2019

Abandoned Buildings #1

OK, so this is not really about abandoned buildings, but rather about the buildings I intended to model, but were never finished when the project was abandoned.
This project was part of my intention to build a playing area for the Peking (now Beijing) Legations during the "Boxer Rebellion" of 1900. Like most communal projects I've been involved in, I did my bit whilst the good intentions of others fell by the wayside - such is life !
The first building, one that was finished and did see some action, was the 'Temple-style building shown in the photograph to the right.


Rear view
It was made as a temple in Prince Tuan's (iirc) estate that was central to a lot of fighting in the fight for the legations, though it wasn't used by myself, but was loaned for a demonstration game at Claymore many, many  years ago.
It has taken a bit of wear and tear over the years, but is still fairly presentable.
It doesn't have lift off roofs, but figures can be placed (just) on the narrow balcony, as my figures have 20mm square bases (rather than the obscene, spawn of the devil 25mm slotta ones).



Window (duh)

It's hexagonal in shape with about an 8" (200mm) diameter and stands about 8" tall too.
Windows, wall decoration and the balcony surrounds are all made from "plastic canvas" (granny plastic), bought from haberdashers etc. which most, if not all, scratch-builders are familiar with.
The parts were cut to give some  representation of Chinese/oriental flavour to the model.


Wall decoration (obligatory boring picture)
The model's main structure is made predomitably from very thick cardboard, whilst the roofing id of course corrugated card, liberally washed in wall filler (for strength.
Decorations are beads affixes to cocktail sticks, but I haven't a clue what the balcony surround supports are !
The ground floor roof supports are probably dowelling !

Front door detail with figure for scale (Dixon 25/28mm)
Balcony detail with figure for scale.
So that's a building that has seen action on the table-top, even if not by myself.
I suppose with a bit of suitable signage it could double as a Chinese restaurant in a modern setting too ! (Thought the roof should probably be green)

That's it the for this week, next week I'll may well show some really unfinished buildings, once more from my defunct Boxer project.

Here's hoping you've found something of interest in this post and as always your comments are both welcomed and appreciated.

18 comments:

  1. What a great posting, Joe, with lots to see and enjoy. I've always wanted to game the Boxer Rebellion but never settled upon a range of minis or rule-set. Terrific stuff :-)

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    1. Thanks Blaxx, nearly all the figure I have are from "Old Glory" as they have a great range and were relatively cheap (and still are imo).
      I could have used either "Principles of War" (greatly underrated imo)but settled on ""The Sword and the Flame" as theyr'e a great fun set of rules.

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  2. You have some great building tucked away.

    The Boxer rebellion should be very colourful and I am tempted but so far have steered away from it. Although I have been tempted enough in the past to look up who makes figures.

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    1. Thanks Clint, onc the alllies landed in force, it was a bit of a largely one-sided affair,.
      Have a look at my answer to Blaxx's comment above.

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  3. My word Joe this is a stunning build, what a beauty!

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    1. Thanks Michael, it's one I learned a lot from making, it would be done very differently if I were to make one now.

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  4. This is another excellent building from your talented hands Joe - the use of the "granny plastic" and the way you've cut it is REALLY effective!
    Once again, bravo sir :-)

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    1. Thanks TWA, the winodws etc. took a lot of thought on how to make them - I haven't seen anything like them anywhere else either.

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    1. Thanks you Michal, even if it has been through a lot of wear, it's still presentable.

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  6. Great bit of work Joe, showing us all once again what can be done without using MDF kits :)

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    1. Thanks Frank, overall I'm a bit diillusioned with MDF kits; MDF kits take a lot of effort (imo) to make them presentable (hiding slots. tabs etc. and doing their tiled roofs better too).

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  7. Another super scratch build! Love the granny plastic,will have to get some! Im working on my first MDF kits now, some of it I like, some of it I'm not so sure of,still really enjoying your hidden gems!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, it was an interesting build, getting angles to fit and look right. I suppose it was a good stepping stone too to making better buildings.
      As for MDF, they are good in part, but they do have inherent flaws from muy erspective.

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  8. Excellent modeling, Zab!

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    1. Thanks Jay, especially as I really didn't know what I was doing when it was made !

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  9. That is amazing work Joe, very talented!

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    1. Thanks Al, I didn't think I was very talented back when this was made, it was still a learning process (I quickly learned not to use Balsa for anything)

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