L. Roman watch tower

[ochoin]

I think period-specific terrain is important for a wargame. With a series of Late-Roman against Saxon Dark Age games coming up, I finally put the finish touches to this terrain item:









donald

[Essex Boy]

That's very splendid indeed, Donald.

[Penda]

That is a nice piece of terrain!

[World2dave]

Excellent model!

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

When I saw the thread title, I thought Norman had adopted a new screen name!

Can we take it that this is entirely scratch-built? If so, double kudos to you (the other one being for the painting).

[ochoin]

I designed the tower & took it, several years ago, to a little chap I met at a train show whose dad had bought him a laser cutter. He produced a ‘flat pack’ that was a real trial to assemble. That staircase being particularly challenging.

I was not thrilled by the end product & it kicked around my “to do” pile. I decided to modify it by adding bits (I think you can see some of the match sticks & scribed lines etc I added) to give it a more 3D feel. After I painted it, I was enthused enough to build the base. I’ve often used medium density foam (most of my hills) but this is actually the first time I have used polystyrene as I did not have any of the other for the earthen ramparts.

Horrible stuff to work with ( the mess!!!) but the Terrain Tutor gave me the necessary hints to make it look OK & be reasonably solid. I am rather proud of the gate (which has a peep-hole) which was made from coffee stirrers etc.

I was going to add a bamboo skewer palisade but I decided that was overkill. After all, the couple of troops manning it would take to their heels if they saw a large enemy force approaching. The ramparts would keep out the odd thief etc & provide the minimum security needed.

donald

[Paul]

It looks very nice and similar to a lot of the artists reconstructions of Late Roman/Early Post Roman defences. I'd go for the pallisade if there was enough room for figures to still stand behind it and at the same time consider splitting the skewers to 'clad' the 'tongue and groove' around the platform so it all ties in?

The Terrain Tutor and Lukes APS are my go to's on YouTube even just for a bit of something interesting to pass the time. TT is excellent on flocking gaming pieces, Lukes terrain has become very realistic and his static grass work is superb!

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

I was going to add a bamboo skewer palisade but I decided that was overkill. After all, the couple of troops manning it would take to their heels if they saw a large enemy force approaching.

Also, from a tactical point of view, a palisade atop the bank would give attackers something to shelter behind whilst they "sniped" at the folk in the tower.