Rubicon Models
Rubicon Models => Work In Progress => Topic started by: Rubicon Models on November 13, 2014, 05:10:14 pm
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A NEW RANGE – 1/56 (28mm) Modular Buildings
MDF buildings had been gaining popularity for the past year. Pricing usually range from £12 to £20 for small unpainted buildings to over £60 for painted ones. We had been working on a new project experimenting with different concepts and designs for over a year. Now that we have some solid groundwork done, we would like to share it with you before moving onto the next work phase.
Disadvantage with MDF buildings are:
Heavy – because MDF are made from wood fibres with a resin binder
Thick – because they are made from standard industrial MDF boards
Flat – because they are laser cut, everything is 2D
Square – you will never see round corners or bent surface
Burnt Edge – because of the laser interacting with the resin, you always will have a burnt edge
WYSWYG – there is no way you can customized your building except with a different color
Besides MDF buildings, there are paper, resin, some plastic ruins, plus a few plastic huts of fixed design. OR you can create your own with mixed material taking lots of planning and preparation work.
Our goal is to create a generic Modular Plastic Building for the wargaming community. Advantages of our design include:
Plastic – light weight, sturdy and easy to handle
Modular – meaning you can customize the look of your building
Stackable – every floor and rooftop is removable to show interior
Details – everything are highly detailed
Expandable – expansion products are planned to add variety on a regular basis
Low Cost – most basic components are common to the whole range which meant lower retail price
Here are some possibilities and concept design for your comment:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RM2x3TownhouseCover_zps073acbca.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RM2x3Townhouse_zps15e7974f.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RMStackableDesign_zps36850a80.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RM2x3House_zps4bdfe052.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RM3x4House_zpsc91ce1df.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/RM4x6Warehouse_zpsc31801ec.jpg)
We would like your participation to make this a better product for the community. Things like:
- Type of wall pattern you want to see on the final product
- The look of the door design
- The look of the shop window display
- The look of the chimney
…and so forth!
Mind you this is still something of a work-in-progress project, if development cost is too expensive we might not proceed further. We do have some 3D prototypes done, will post them up on the forum later!
C&C welcome!
;)
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This would be a most welcome addition to your range, interior detailing is a bonus. You can get mdf with interior detail but it does push the cost up. I look forward to seeing how this develops. Now, if you can kick these out as 15mm as well as 28mm.......
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Looks great!
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These would be fantastic! laser cut buildings in 28mm cost just as much as other terrain products in the same scale and they are significantly less detailed. At 15mm the laser cut products are fine because you want the effect of scale from afar when looking down at a flames of war table. For 28mm its all about detail and these look like they'll be superb!
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I think your samples look vaguely European. In Europe, hell in Normandy alone, styles could vary a lot. So I think you should offer a lot of options :-)
Like in this one you have brick partially with render and those wooden frame rendered walls:
(https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2430/3566461556_9248a31e52.jpg) (https://flic.kr/p/6ra3Lu)Traditional buildings in Normandy (https://flic.kr/p/6ra3Lu) by EIL Intercultural Learning (https://www.flickr.com/people/28456404@N05/), on Flickr
Here is plain stone, probably more common on farm buildings like that modular warehouse:
(https://photos.travelblog.org/Photos/165444/638333/f/6421820-Pretty_Normandy_buildings-0.jpg)
If you remember the old Mordheim buildings (I still use them for WW2 skirmish) their way of affixing corners with plastic stonework would work with plastic walls as well. Is that how you are going to assemble the buildings? But I think your corner stones would need to look more uneven, sort of like this:
(http://www.bugbitten.com/images/58238e9ae2dd305d79c2ebc8c1883422/Brittany_Normandy_amp_Paris-2431/Brittany_Normandy_amp_Paris-73914.jpg)
(Link to the page if the image doesn't work: http://www.bugbitten.com/photos/Europe/colleenashfield/Brittany_Normandy_amp_Paris/2431-342-73914.html (http://www.bugbitten.com/photos/Europe/colleenashfield/Brittany_Normandy_amp_Paris/2431-342-73914.html))
So Stone, Brick, Rendered walls (some damage with stone or brick underneath), plain brick, with bigger alternating corner stones. Seems like you get more and more stone and brick houses when you go north into Belgium and Holland. But I'm no architect...
You also get some thatched roofs in Normandy and Belgium too.
Here's a lot of information:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Architecture_of_Normandy
This blog post is very nice: http://belgianpearls.blogspot.se/2011/01/belgian-architecture-and-interior.html
I'm not sure going fully modular is the way to go, maybe a modular series combined with one-offs that are more quirky and characterful.
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Thanks, Laffe! That's great references! We are no architect or historian, we can only apply our design onto "generic" buildings that we can find on books and on the internet. Your references would somehow go into the final design.
Of course, there are other considerations... ease of painting and how to get the texture match seamlessly with each wall section and so on... Thanks again!
;)
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I found another great page, Normandy then and now:
http://izismile.com/2009/09/03/normandy_during_ww2_and_now_204_pics.html
Some of the current houses are the same (or same style) as they were back then really.
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Another building, from the Bessin Normandie area (wherever that is?) which shows a 300-year old farmhouse.
(http://www.bcwebdesign.co.uk/normandybandb/images/house%20front.JPG)
Typical rendering over stone that has cracked and fallen off, slate roof and large window shutters. Satellite antenna presumably a late addition :-)
Edit: It's a bed and breakfast now, about 40 minutes west of Caen, smack inland of Omaha beach apparently. Website: http://www.normandybandb.biz/ (http://www.normandybandb.biz/)
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I think Laffe pretty much nailed the descriptions, brick, stone, decayed render etc. As to interiors, I'm not sure more is needed than a textured floor (boards or tiles) & some detail on the windows & fireplaces ( I say this as none of the mdf scenery - 4Ground, Sarissa etc had them - & somehow it just looks wrong!) Look forwad to more news on this!
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This is DEFINITELY something I would buy in droves. I've been searching high and low for plastic modular buildings for Bolt Action and haven't liked anything I've seen until this...
I really hope you guys move forward with this, because I'm already sold!
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The 300 year old farmhouse shows another possibility.With a little planning these can be backdated into other wars/time periods. WW1, Franco-Prussian, Napoleonic etc. Expands the market.
I like the idea of a few 'feature' models that can be also used to individualise the generic ones. It's very easy to fall into the 'rows of boxes' look although I understand that individuality would add cost.
Terry
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Ooooh, I love the idea! :o What I would like to see in the modularity of the kit is the ability to create ruined buildings as well as whole buildings. I know that I'm asking for a tall order, but, personally, I spend way too much time searching the internet for GOOD ruined buildings. If there was one building kit that could do it all, that would be awesome! ;D
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Ooooh, I love the idea! :o What I would like to see in the modularity of the kit is the ability to create ruined buildings as well as whole buildings. I know that I'm asking for a tall order, but, personally, I spend way too much time searching the internet for GOOD ruined buildings. If there was one building kit that could do it all, that would be awesome! ;D
The initial product will be in a complete building format. Converting it into a ruin should not be too difficult as most parts are in modular form. Over time, we will create special expansion sprue(s) for those who don't want to convert. This will be an active project for a long while... based on customer feedback!
;)
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This is a genius idea! Well done ;D
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For the weekend, we are uploading part of our 3D prototype parts for your thoughts and comments...
The Floor Board - this is the basic building block of all buildings. This one is 2 x 3, some might be 3 x 5, and so on...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH01BasicFloor_zpsddc7ba34.jpg)
The Walls - Walls are make up of a solid wall, wall with windows, wall with entrance, store front wall, and so on...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH06BasicWallComponents_zpsda4ddd5c.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH07VariousWindowOptions_zps0538c95e.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH08VariousWindowOptions_zps40f9734b.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH09VariousWindowOptions_zpsa4cdffa5.jpg)
Wall Corners - These are the basic support for each section of the building
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH03ExternalWallCorners_zps55117b37.jpg)
The Staircase - Connecting the upper floors, we have created some staircase that can be used on all 4 corners of the building.
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH10AngledStaircase_zps578aab83.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH02StaircaseRailings_zpsf458c572.jpg)
The Slated Rooftop - The final top section of each building, can also be a flat rooftop or any other shape. Can also add single or multiple gables to it for customization! The rooftop will also define the building to be a townhouse or a standalone building as well.
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH15SlateRooftop_zps09b9e63c.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH16RidgeTile_zpsdf7abc05.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH04RoofSideWallComponents_zpse3f10313.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH05RoofSideWallOptions_zps0e78e0f3.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH11RooftopGableOptions_zps2afea987.jpg)
The Chimney & the Rain Gutter Drainage - How can a building without a chimney or drainage. These can be of various shape, depending on design...
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH12RainGutterDrainage_zps07889308.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH13BasicChimney_zps72852c7d.jpg)
ASSEMBLED VIEW - and finally some assembled view of our prototype building!
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH18AssembledPrototype_zpsdd7103d6.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH19StackableDesign_zpsee5e2ff3.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/MH17HousewithTank_zps597189fa.jpg)
All these are our initial prototype parts, still a lot of fine-tuning and touch-up work before they can be put into our final design.
We have not put in (or etch) texture on the walls yet. There is a lot of consideration on painting, seamless pattern matching between walls, and so on...
Other options will later be incorporated into the final design, such as balcony, back door, outhouse, and so on...
C&C are most welcome!
;)
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Time to start putting some... ok, a lot... of cash to one side.... I'm seeing a town board I've always wanted in my future.... looking great guys, and by the way you'd probably make a killing just selling the staircases separately!
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Wow the new pics looks great think you really got something good going here. Keep it up!
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I would definitely be interested in buying these buildings - they'd be perfect for some exciting Weird War II action! :)
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WOW! My jaw just hit the floor! I have been dreaming about buildings like this for years! Have you guys considered using kickstarter to fund the initial project? I reallly want to see these buildings become a reality and I would back a kickstarter for this in a hot second! These are amazing!!!
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These look amazing! Love the idea.
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wow, that looks really great. It's certainly a project that will sell well :) Might I also request looking into a European church kit. Even resin kits in 28mm are hard to come by
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Awesome looking product
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I love this idea. Its like Lego for wargamers!
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I'ld love to see options with the front and back doors on the gabled ends of the houses. And with various gable peaks — smooth triangles, stepped slopes, scalloped slopes. This is the traditional look for the Netherlands — especially along the canals where we wargamers love to play house! The style is also scattered throughout Europe.
These images are for somewhat taller buildings in Amsterdam, but the general style would work for two or more stories (insertable middle floors would be great for the models too!)
(https://goblinhall.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/amsterdamcanal.jpg)
(https://goblinhall.files.wordpress.com/2014/12/amsterdamfacades.jpg)
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I'm sorry to dissapoint you Cat, but you.ve posted pictures of Amsterdam. There has been no fighting in Amsterdam (WW2) and only Amsterdam looks like that. Typical buildings in the Netherlands of interest for wargamers should look like these Farms and village/town houses and shops. WSS (wargames Soldiers and Strategy #74 has an article on the fighting around Arnhem and the type of buildings there should be on your Wargames table. . and for the record, I'm from the Netherlands and grew up on a farm like the one the last picture. Hope this helps.
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/header_Beth_zps27b7ddb8.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/header_Beth_zps27b7ddb8.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/winkel_zps83a3508a.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/winkel_zps83a3508a.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/4LebretsHoeveDeelerwoudVeluwe-_zps3a3484ee.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/4LebretsHoeveDeelerwoudVeluwe-_zps3a3484ee.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/Hagensdorp_zpsec3ccdfd.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/Hagensdorp_zpsec3ccdfd.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/Kerkstraat12_zpse318bf33.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/Kerkstraat12_zpse318bf33.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/dijkhuis_zps4d17dca2.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/dijkhuis_zps4d17dca2.jpg.html)
(http://i236.photobucket.com/albums/ff166/Hollanders_bucket/Dutch%20buildings/boerderij_zps9504ac6d.jpg) (http://s236.photobucket.com/user/Hollanders_bucket/media/Dutch%20buildings/boerderij_zps9504ac6d.jpg.html)
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That is helpful, thanks!
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Good..
Good thing for me is that the Rubicon kit, as it is, seems to fit in nicely.. Looking forward to start building with it.
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Do you know if those architetural styles carry over across the river Ems into Lower Saxony and around Oldenburg? I'm hoping to make models of buildings that will be suitable for most of the Canadian Army's drive through the Netherlands and up to Oldenburg - Bad Zwischenahn
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If you google Oldenburg and pictures you will see buildings that are similar. BUT the germans seem to love plastering their brickwork. Mostly shades of beige, yellow but other "soft"colors are used sometimes.
That is "typical" german and something rarely seen in the Netherlands, if plastered at all (like the farm in the B&W foto) Dutch walls will be white/plaster of paint.
The "style"of the building will gradually change from "Dutch"to "german". If you're close to the border you can't tell (from the look of the area alone) of you're in Germany or in the Netherlands
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Guys - I think Rubicon has to keep this as generic as possible. Ideally, these kits need to be usable for anything from France to the Soviet Union. I'd much rather they took some broadly 'European' themes, even if they aren't quite accurate for a particular region, than tried to replicate anything specific.
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Cadet
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Re: 1/56 (28mm) Modular Buildings
« Reply #29 on: December 15, 2014, 11:22:35 PM »
"Quote
Guys - I think Rubicon has to keep this as generic as possible. Ideally, these kits need to be usable for anything from France to the Soviet Union. I'd much rather they took some broadly 'European' themes, even if they aren't quite accurate for a particular region, than tried to replicate anything specific."
I can only agree. I´ve got the same opinion.
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Agreed. Point taken no more specific region stuff like Normandy, Holland or Saxony. ;)
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I think making the buildings entirely generic would be a mistake.
Maybe you can have mostly generic walls and some walls with details like window arches, corner stones or similar that would anchor the building in a real place, and then swap those parts out from different kits? Since we already are going modular I mean.
Other stuff like perhaps chimneys, window shutters etc that you fix onto the building could also serve to further differentiate the buildings.
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Finally had the time to make some extra bits and pieces to paint up a prototype. Unfortunately, we have forgotten to make a single door piece, so the storefront piece is used for all buildings you see here!
NOTE: The prototype you seen here is NOT THE FINAL version. We have just painted up a sample using some old and new resin duplicate pieces we have around the studio.
This is a standalone house setup:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/01StandaloneHousewithGable_zpscaf164e9.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/02StandaloneHousewithGable_zps099aa065.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/03StandaloneHousewithGable_zpsa4474ae2.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/04StandaloneHousewithGable_zps4c59c80a.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/05StandaloneHousewithGable_zps600a46ed.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/06StandaloneHousewithGable_zps54e29629.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/07StandaloneHousewithGable_zps9fa80dee.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/08StandaloneHousewithGable_zpsd1bab6d9.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/09StandaloneHousewithGable_zps570fa3ba.jpg)
This is a Town House with a new rooftop.
With this rooftop, you can line up several town houses together provided you do not have windows on the side:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/10TownHouse_zpsa54a4608.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/11TownHouse_zpscff72ba2.jpg)
By adding various different components, you can customize each building with a different look.
Here is an example with using Rooftop Gables:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/12TownHouse_zps9a76f20d.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/13TownHouse_zps02350b57.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/14TownHouse_zps62701b58.jpg)
Other components would mean:
1) Different windows
2) Different chimneys
3) Different doors
4) Balconies
5) Basement
When we meant "Modular" you still need to glue them together on a PER FLOOR basis.
Each floor is detachable to reveal the floor below... for obvious reasons!
Welcome to give more feedback on features you want to see!
;)
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I love that lots! Is the door separate? That's the only thing that I can really see at the moment that could do with tweaking in the future
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I love that lots! Is the door separate? That's the only thing that I can really see at the moment that could do with tweaking in the future
The door can swing open... ;)
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Here are some texture map that we probably can use for the outside wall:
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag377/RubiconModels/Modular%20Buildings/00PossibleMaterialfortheHouse_zps73b5311d.jpg)
At present we are more inclined to use Stucco or Plaster wall because it would mean better tiling between wall pieces.
We are also looking into different ways of implementing texture onto the design.
Any suggestions?
;)
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If I had a choice, I'ld buy mostly brick and some plaster.
If I didn't have a choice I'ld buy ones that are all the same ^,^
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These are beautiful and very practical. I like the brick and stone textures.
I'd love to see a variety that can be used in different genres, ranging from modern to WWI back to Victorian/Gothic. And I'd love to see them sold in various bundles, ranging from single buildings to "blocks" that can be used to create an entire board of terrain quickly, easily and relatively inexpensively.
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I would buy a ton of these right now if they were available.
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These have to be one of the most exiting ideas to come out of any company they are just so great. They can be used for any game system, Armour through to Zombie. A true new world for gaming.
Congratulations.
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I was wondering if you also planned a church for this range
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very nice idea and good looking building . Some general ideas which i think you should also consider. There aren't always same types of roof tiles - maybe consider 2nd building with other type and leave it possible that roof are modular between different buildings . Also maybe some of wall and roof parts could be also damaged and in that way you can have ruined buildings . And some small generic buildings would be great to see - dog house, outside toilet etc...
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Brick and ston walls are very useful since they are difficult to scratch build.
Plaster can be easily added on top of them even by non expert and lots of variants may be done. In oarticular one can leave the bricks visible in some points to simulate damaged plaster.
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Any more news on these exiting products.
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Any more news on these exiting products.
This is still pretty much a work-in-progress project. We have gone through a few revisions of the basic design, but the development cost is still quite high. Need to put more work into the design and cut the budget down to a controllable scale so that we will not lose money on it!
:-\
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I have to say, I didn't think the prototype really captured the look of the kind of architecture that you see in photos of the campaign in France and Germany. Even the proportions looked a bit 'off'. I realise it's very challenging to produce workable modular buildings, but I'm glad you've continued to revise the design. I do wonder whether you'd make your money back on something like this. It would end up as quite a large kit, and I'm not sure how many people would invest in it. I guess you already have an idea of how well plastic scenery for games like WH40k sells.
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The hardest part of making buildings is to make the Windows and doors that are geometric and uniformed. I would like too see a mixed window / door set and lattice shutters in the scenery range for town or farm buildings.
There would not be a need to make wall sections as you can get different plastic brick work card from Wills HO scale railway scenery so it would keep the cost of production down and less parts too deal with.
I have some 1/72 Miniart buildings I got 8 years ago.......there are so many parts and they all look the same as they all have the same components. Just to say, my enthusiasm for attempting to make them has diminished.
I have the industrial wall set that I would like to convert into a damaged building so a Normandy or Eastern European building accessory set would be helpful.
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Just for accuracy, Wills (now a wholly owned subsidiary of Peco) is scaled for the UK standard 4mm to the foot (1/76 scale).
Slater's Plastikard and Southeastern Finecast (other manufacturers are available) do embossed wall materials.