Friday, August 18, 2017

Finished Romano-British Watchtower


I had a free day today, waiting on a team to make yet another house assessment (why do these various agencies need so many of the bloomin' things?) so I cracked on and finished the Romano-British watchtower.

First up, I did the groundwork around the bottom of the tower and fitted the palisade. As usual the material I used for the ground effect is liquid nails scattered with sand. The tower was stuck in place using the trusty hot glue gun.



I arranged the palisade so the door to the tower is on the opposite side to the gate. This would be a design feature to prevent an enemy from rushing the gate then gaining entry to the tower in a single bound.

After that, it was a case of waiting for the groundwork to dry, then painting it, adding some ground scatter for dead bracken and a sprig of lichen for a small tree which has sprung up in the shelter of a corner of the palisade.

And here it is, complete.


Lord Gaius Menusius, his horn blower Agrippinus and standard bearer Fred Heckmonthwaite* survey the eager (?) lads of the local militia on maneuvers.


* Long story. **





** No, really.

10 comments:

Chris Stoesen said...

Nice job. It looks great.

A J said...

Thanks, Chris! It took a bit longer to make than expected, but I'm pleased with it.

Fitz-Badger said...

Turned out excellent! Great work!

I was curious about Heckmonthwaite
Which lead me to a wonderfully quirky article at
http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/16th-may-2002/20/by-our-northern-correspondent-eric-strongitharm-os

It all sounds very Wodehousian to me. :)

Phil said...

Creative and very nice job on this building...

tradgardmastare said...

Lovely work with the watchtower.
Alan
P.s how did you do the water effect in the photo of the boat at the top of the page?

CelticCurmudgeon said...

In one of the many novels about ancient Rome, there was a sequence where the principal character passes one of these watch towers manned by a dozen auxiliaries. His comment was that they knew that in case of a problem their mission was to light the signal fire...and sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Your modelling work is excellent. May your militia fight valiantly!

Michael Awdry said...

Wonderful work A.J. a great build.

A J said...

Thanks, gentlemen! I'll do this in order.

Fitz-Badger, I love it! Very Wodehousian. Heckmonthwaite obviously has a history.

Tradgardmaster, I used a 3-feet square sheet of blue plastic overlaid with another sheet of clear plastic for that photo. I have an idea for Colonial riverine and lake gaming, so once our house move is over I'm going to expand on the idea by getting a cheap blue shower curtain from the dollar store and another large clear plastic sheet to match.

CelticCurmodgeon, yes, I know the novels you mean. Light the beacon and pray that relief arrives soon. - Thanks for reminding me, I need to build a beacon to go alongside the tower!

caveadsum1471 said...

Lovely looking watchtower, it's come out very well!
Best Iain

A J said...

Thank you kindly, caveadsum!

 

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