I think I've completed the drawing stage. The serious work begins tomorrow if I can get the workspace cool enough. Here's the plan.
A few comments about 'design'. I've pretty much kept to the same ground scale as the tactical rules (2cm = 100 yards). The distance from the apex of the two end bastions is c.30cm so about 1500 yards. I've strayed from the ground scale when it comes to the ditch and the glacis. I've made the ditch a bit too wide at 1.5cm or 75 yards. This is in order to get bases of infantry comfortably inside. As compensation I've made the glacis the same depth and therefore a bit too short. But both added together are about right.
Another 'design decision' is to simplify things. I've done away with a separate covered way and ditch. The covered way would be too small at the right scale. The eagle eyed will note there are no places d'armes either. Too small and fiddly. No distinction either between terreplein and banquette either.
The plan now is to cut out the ditch and the area outside the glacis leaving me with a template. The template will get stuck down to a sheet of expanded polystyrene (somehow) and then I'll cut out the shape. Simples! Well, probably not. Something is bound to go wrong, but nothing ventured nothing gained. Once I've got the shape cut out I'll apply the paper stone walls I bought years ago from a model railway supplier. Next will come the embrasures and the talus. Then the whole lot will be stuck on a piece of board and I can 'do' the ditch floor and glacis. The trickiest bit I think will be chamfering the polystyrene to form the slope of the glacis.
Well that's the idea.
A great plan Chris and I hope it goes well.
ReplyDeleteI think we need to apply the three foot rule to terrain as well as figures, leaving out fiddly bits and adjusting sizes to be practical is a great idea.
Thanks Ben. It's hit a bit of a glitch as forecast by others (and suspected by me).
DeleteSound decisions made . I look forward to seeing the next stage …
ReplyDeleteAlan Tradgardland
I think it's back to the drawing board, if not literally, at least in terms of material.
DeleteExciting stuff and good compromises. That is an impressive plan.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jim. The plan fell down on the choice of materials.
DeleteAll I can say is "good luck" Chris!
ReplyDeletePolystyrene is so difficult to work with - the best is controlled heat via polystyrene cutter or pyrograve, but this risks both melting and cyanide gas! Never been brave enough to try my polystyrene cutter!
Sanding seems to produce endless amounts of static charged particles that are a bugger to clean up.
The most success I've had is with a really sharp blade; changed regularly as it blunts and tears if the least but dull. Something like a Stanley blade or those snap off extending box cutters?
Neil
Neil, offers some useful tips and caveats. I wish you good luck the project too!
DeleteYou were absolutely right Neil and Jon. I feared you would be but ploughed on. Still nothing lost but a bit of time.
DeleteI echo Neil’s comments above. I’m still finding electrostatic charged polystyrene bobbles near my workbench two years after completing a hill making project…this despite the fearsome and repeated ministrations of the hoover by the wife and I. With that said I think this project will look ace. Good call on missing out some of the fiddly bits too.
ReplyDeleteWell the clean up exercise wasn't too bad. Vacuum cleaner on MAX. Probably sucked up more than I should have. :-)
DeleteWell a lovely design there Chris and with these reduced scales (and others too), well always have to make design decisions based upon game play and getting the 'right look'. I'd try some of that insulation foam you can get from B&Q etc rather than polystyrene, as I imagine the latter would be a sod to cut neatly for this design.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I was thinking about that. Not sure if I can get anything thin enough. But I'll trot over there at some point. The polystyrene was easy enough to cut but behaved exactly as you said. I knew it would but ignored all advice and my own suspicions.
DeleteA very impressive plan and should look great on the table, look forward to seeing it progress.
ReplyDeleteCheers Donnie. It might be a while longer before any results can be shared. Having cut out the template, stuck it down and cut out the polystyrene, the material is just too flaky to cut with enough precision.
DeleteVery good looking fortress. Your plan sounds solid, but we all know about plans and the enemy. Looking forward to seeing your progress and hearing any tip you have along the way.
ReplyDeleteWell, the old saying proved correct. The enemy in this case being the material. New alternative on order. We go again!
DeleteI have to admire your ambition, approach and planning, but I have say good luck... rather you than me.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to seeing your progress.
As I said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. I ventured and didn't gain, other than experience and a cut finger! It's been 40-50 years since I last cut expanded polystyrene.
DeleteHopefully you get it figured out Chris....polystyrene is a bstrd to work with and easily damaged later, too....
ReplyDeleteAnd so it proved.
DeleteVery interesting project. Do you have a hot wire foam cutter? I have not and I've been using knifes. I do consider getting a hot wire cutter, even a small one for neater cuts and less mess.
ReplyDeleteI don’t have one Roger. It probably would have been better to use one.
DeleteChris
Good luck with your cutting out of the design, which looks great, and modelling of the fortifications.
ReplyDeleteThanks Peter. I needed the luck but I think my ask was too big. I’m trying another material. I’ll try again when it comes.
DeleteChris