Making and painting a Barricade / Shelter Base - Updated 23/02/2024.

 Hi Everyone, 

                     I was flicking through my photos and came across these photos of a scratch-built barricade part shelter I had thrown together, which would be suitable for most settings and I thought you might like a look.

I could have added more roof cover, but then it would have been harder working out the line of sight.

It was constructed from a bit of curved plastic I had found lying about and leftovers

from a laser-cut building project and some model sprues, clay was added around the

base with a bit of moss thrown on, and then painted in post-apocalypse style. Add a

bit of debris on the floor, sand mixed with a light wash of dark paint. 

That is how the barricade remained, for a while. Then, on reflection, I decided that the

defences needed to be beefed up slightly, as the side did not provide enough protection. I

grabbed a few more planks and lolly sticks and away I went again.

I added another front panel.

Plus a support made from a lolly stick.

I added some protection at the windows and some battle scars on the sides.

Someone is doing lone sentry duty. Who did he annoy? Are the survivor numbers getting low?

"I might as well get comfy in here".

"A board to stop critters climbing in easily. That's good".

A bit more paint and blood on there.

Finally, I added a removable barricade for good measure, just in time. He has visitors.

"What's this? What's your business?"

"ALARM ! ALARM!"

Lizard Folk are on the attack.

Will he survive? I leave that up to your imagination to decide.

Here I prepare the base for it.

A painted hardboard base. Smooth down the edges with a craft knife.

 

These are hardboard Laser Cut walls, available at hobby shops. The same effect can be

achieved by sticking two strips of foam core together, scoring them and painting them.

The Square blobs are foam-core, for supports. Foot traffic has churned up the ground.

The glue should be covered with sand while wet.

The Barricade in its setting.

Stepping stones at the back.

The Barricade in action.

I hope it gives you an idea of what you can make with your leftovers. Keep all of your offcuts in a container for use later.

Regards all,

Ivor Cogdell

(C) Copyright 2024 Ivor Cogdell.

The Battle for Dirk's Compound - Part 4 - The scrap starts

The Battle For Doug’s Compound - Part 4


Previously
Pt 1 The cast.

Pt 2 - Pre game Info, House rules.

Pt 3 - Mission Briefing 

Campaign Turn 1

Hi everybody,
                       The playing  board for today is roughly 3’ by 4’. The Star Army Rogue Trooper Space Marines" are using the yellow dice and the Orks are using the orange dice. The Blue dice is the Turn Number.

Turn 1

Situation - The Star Army Squad, “Harrison’s Hooligan’s” has just come onto the board at the South West position.  There are three Potential Enemy Forces (PEF’s) on the board, at the top two corners and in the middle, represented by a  lone figure with a dice that represents its reputation, which governs when it can activate.

Activation  - SA = 5, O = 4. so the SA Activates.


Major Popov  (Rep 5, the rest of  the squad are Rep 4) gives the order to advance warily, Wanda is on point, with Hank and Vicky going up the ladder to get the high ground. Hank checks the flat ground around the lake, Vicky covers the compound, ready to give the squad covering fire.

"Andy, see whats in there".

There was nearly first contact, as Vicky moved across the skyline, but the middle PEF had the building in the way and missed her.

Activation (PEF Rep 6 NW).


Roll 2 successes - Move 16’ towards nearest PEF, stopping at 4“ minimum distance. There was nearly first contact again, another close call, Wanda was looking in the wrong direction this time when PEF 6 moved out of cover and back into cover.

Activation (PEF Rep 5 - Middle).

Roll 2 successes - Move towards nearest PEF. (Remains still as they are already at minimum distance). Making faces at each other instead.

Activation (PEF Rep 2 - On the SA's right).


Roll -  0 successes - So no movement, taking a chow break.

Turn 2

Activation  - SA = 6 , O = 2. so SA Activates first.


Andy cracks the code on the compad and searches the building, while the Major and “Thumper“ check out the cargo modules.


Vicky moves along the catwalk, out of sight from the PEF’s. (I double checked, they are obscured by the roof of the other building).

A sudden squall blows in, cutting visibility to 12". (I forgot to have it in earlier, but it would not have made any difference, apart from there would not have been any First Contacts for certain).


PEF 6 - Passed 0d6 - No movement, fag break time
PEF 5 - Passed 0d6 - No movement, drawing graffiti on the hut with their knives.


PEF 2 - Passed 1d6 - Move 8” towards Enemy, in cover. (The only consistent cover is to the right). Got bored, going to see what the other's are up to. Dump their empty ration packs on the floor and move off.

"Its dark under 'ere." "Shaddap, at least we were dry". "Wassup, ya think a little rain gonna turn ya into a frog?", "He already got a frog face"."Here, froggy, froggy". "Quiet down!".

Turn 3

Activation  - SA = 1 , O = 4. so the Orks Activate first. What will they do ?

Its getting late, so that's where I am going to leave it for tonight. Turns 3 and 4 are in the can, I have just got to crop and edit them.

Take care all,

Ivor Cogdell

Expanding a Barricade pt3

Terrain Gardening

Hi all,
         Here is the third part of my Terrain expansion idea, what to do if you are all out of models to build. It's not exactly kit bashing, but not far off. Find an existing bit of kit and embellish it to your satisfaction. That can be things like adding debris, junk, tools, boxes etc to an area on your model. Adding more defences, barriers, tripwires, nets, pits, anything to give your models extra grief getting through them in one piece.

If you have not checked out my other instalments, please do so now, so you are all caught up on the process and where I have come from with this.

The Previous Build

Side view, showing an old pathway.

Materials you will need.

Filler or grout.
Lolly stick
Sand.
PVA Glue or Modgepodge.

Apply the filler around the base with a lolly stick or your fingers.

Smooth down around the edges.

Apply fine sand over the still wet filler, press into place and allow to dry.

Add more or less texture as you fancy. Paint if required.

I would have done more texturing, but I had run out of sand. Such is life.

Wooden baracade that can be moved when needed.

Once dry, seal with watered down PVA glue or modgepodge. Allow that to dry. Apply a second coat if needed. Then touch up any bits that need doing with paint.

Happy modelling, folks,

Ivor Cogdell