Cheap and Cheerful Chinese Market Stalls

Time for one more quick terrain post before this weekend's Boxer game.

The Mongol Market wouldn't be much of a market without some stalls so these were knocked up from off cuts of timber and cork from various other terrain projects to date. They still need some goods but the hard part is done...

I've just finished another dozen Boxers too so they'll also be appearing here sooner rather than later.

Cheers,
Millsy

Peking - British Legation Complete!

I'm happy to report that bar a few minor items (e.g. a flag) the British Legation is complete. Overall pretty happy with how things have turned out. The photos don't show the contrast as well as they might so you'll have to imagine that the window frames are clearly distinct from the darker interior.

As per several requests, some 28mm Perry Miniatures British Naval Brigade stoutly defending the gatehouse to give a sense of scale...

I'm still debating the front door. I left it out til now thinking I could make an undamaged and a damaged version for a last ditch defence but that just seems like a lot of effort. If the Boxers and inside the walls it's pretty much game over man anyway (go on click away, you KNOW you want to).

The first floor can be removed for a smaller walled configuration if I decide to do some battles outside Peking. The roof also comes off both the main building and the hospital for storage and so figures can hide inside.

The hospital...

At some point I think I'll add some window shutters in the same red as the roof folded back against the wall for a bit more interest. As it is stands it looks a bit flat. Having said that, some trees and a statue or two in the courtyard will go a long way to alleviate that.

I've also finished up four small stalls for the Mongol Market which I'll put up later in the week.

Thanks for all the positive comments on the build to date. It's taken considerable effort and the feedback has been a great motivator.

Cheers,
Millsy

Peking - British Legation Build Complete!

Right then. That's the construction for the British Legation knocked off I'm very pleased to say. Not 100% happy with how it turned out but certainly it's good enough that I'm not inclined to redo any part of it at this point. I'm sure once it is painted up I'll be even happier with it.

The "hospital" lurks in the corner near the gatehouse. More like a closet that anything else but the size isn't important so much as it's role in game play. Wounded Allied troops get sent here and some recover to fight on whilst others do not.

The interior of the wall looks pretty sparse at the moment but there's impromptu fire steps and other set dressing to be added. These will be removable to allow for various scenario options.

Time for a lick of paint or three now.

Cheers,
Millsy

Peking - British Legation Gatehouse

Just a quick post tonight (as much because I've just knocked myself half sense-less on a cupboard door as anything!).

I've finished the build on the gatehouse for the British Legation. This posed me some conundrums as I struggled to get the right balance of detail vs. effort and scale. Overall I think I'm happy that is is clearly representative of the original even though nowhere near a replica.

Special mention of the button with the crest sitting over the entry way. That's been rattling round in the bits box since the dawn of time, proof you should never throw *anything* away :-)

Here's the genuine article for those curious to know.

Now onto the walls and hospital building...

Cheers,
Millsy

Peking - The British Legation

Back on the tools this weekend and tonight, building the first of the buildings for the Legation Quarter proper, in this case the British Legation. I might have gone a bit OTT with the height of this but then again maybe not. It just looks BIG on it's own. I guess I won't really know until things are assembled around it which should help to put it in perspective.

The structure is built in three parts for storage and transport but also so I can use it without the second additional floor if desired. Windows are Warbases laser-cut frames and the sill above and below scrap MDF from a big-ole-bag-o-crap I was gifted by a trader a while back.

I've started work on the gatehouse and will move on to the hospital and walls next.

Cheers,
Millsy

Peking Legation Forces - US Marines and Betsy

I figured it was about time I did some work on the Legation Forces for my Boxer Rebellion project so I made a start with some of the obvious ones - the US Marines and and the artillery in the form of 'Betsy' as she was called by the Americans (a.k.a. the International Gun).

Ably led in the film by Charlton Heston, the US Marines stalwartly resisted all efforts to dislodge them despite seemingly overwhelming odds.

I've taken a little licence with the uniforms. The webbing should really be black but it just didn't look right so I've gone with a natural leather look instead.

'Betsy' a.k.a. The International Gun, was a makeshift artillery piece assembled by the defenders and served by a variety of troops. In the film it eventually bursts and kills some of the crew. I can see similar things happening on the table...

Next up some more buildings I think.

Cheers,
Millsy