City Boards

I've been developing a city board for my new campaign.  I wanted something simple to build but modular.  I like the look of some of the boards I've seen on other blogs - especially Vampifan's excellent terrain - and wanted something like that.  This is what I came up with...

I used World Works Games Streets of Legend Terrainlinx. They look great but are a bit of a PIA to cut and assemble so I simplified it.  I decided to make some 12"x12" pieces, some 12"x6" pieces and some 6"x6" pieces.  I decided not to use the fiddly connectors and just glued the printouts onto foamcore.  It turned out ok and didn't take long.

This shot is upside down from the first for some reason but you can see how the pieces break into parts.  The only problem will be if someone bumps the table and everything shifts.  To minimize this I will set up on top of a fleece blanket to help hold things in place.  Eventually I may insert some tiny magnets and metal bits on the edges of each piece to hold everything together...we'll see...

For now I can make a decent 3'x3' table and have enough extra pieces to have a bit of variety.  Eventually each piece will have a front and a back side to add even more variety.

I've also been working on more city terrain to fill the board and built a couple more cars from World Works Games.  These two sedans are from their Mayhem Traffic set.

These two shots give you a sense of scale.  They are pictured with some Hasslefree survivors and a mix of Wargames Factory and Victory Force zeds.

And here they are by themselves.  These are good models.  I did the trick with the dowel for the wheels again, which makes these builds a lot easier. (See here).

That's it for now. I am getting characters set up to start a new campaign in ATZ:FFO. I still need to build more city terrain but hopefully I'll get some games in soon.

Fill 'Er Up!

I started this project probably 6 months ago.  I got part way through. got discouraged and went onto other things.  I finally sat down last week and made myself finish it.  It turned out ok considering I almost threw it away when I made a few mistakes on it all those months ago.

This gas station is from World Works Games.  I don't remember what set I bought it with but I believe this model is included in a couple of their sets.  It also came with a red, white and blue version.  I may build that version at a later date.

It is a straightforward build.  The canopy and pillars can be a bit fiddly, as can the pumps.  With patience it can come together well though.  You can see my canopy is a little wonky but I'm just saying this is an older station that has some wind damage...

You can't see it really well but I did the sign differently.  The cardstock legs looked spindly to me so I made a different base.  I used some flat black foam sheet material I got at Hobby Lobby a while back.  I sandwiched the bottom of the sign between two pieces and mounted it to another piece with some supports.  I think it looks okay.

Here it is with some models for scale.  Looks like something bad is going down at the local gas station.

Until next time...Peace.

Down on the Farm

I finished the Stoelzel's Farmhouse I've been working on.  I think it turned out well.

Front Elevation

Side Elevation

Rear Elevation

Side Elevation

First Floor View

Second Floor View

Farmhouse Parts

These models are very good.  They are straightforward to assemble and give excellent results without being too fiddly.  Each PDF "kit" comes with several color schemes, including a brick version.  There is also a wraparound front porch for this model that I will put on a brick version I am planning to build.

I printed on regular multi-use printer paper.  The prints would be better if I used photograph paper, but for the cost I am content with the multi-use prints.  I used permanent glue stick to fix the prints to the foamcore board.  The instructions call for using either self-stick labels or spray adhesive but that was too much hassle for my taste.  The glue stick seems to be working fine.  Other than that minor change, I built everything according to the instructions, which were clear and easy to follow.  I did have to buy an Xacto rabbet cutting tool.  You can cut the rabbets with a regular hobby knife but a specialized tool makes it MUCH easier.  (Rabbets are channels cut partway into the foamcore to make strong joints, especially at the corners.)

I did not bother with cutting out the doors and windows.  The model would look better with that added level of detail, but my goal is to get a table finished quickly.  I also did not add the chimney.

I really like the interiors on these models.  I used a hot glue gun to attach the walls.  Be careful with this method though!  One of the upstairs walls ended up wonky because the glue sets quickly and I did not have it quite lined up correctly.  Oh, well, it's an old Farmhouse anyway, right?

There is a bunch of furniture that comes with these kits, which I plan to use.  The furniture pieces look great and seem pretty straightforward to assemble.  I will "decorate" this farmhouse soon.

I purchased the rest of Stoelzel's houses as well as the M.U.C.K. and am eager to build more.  I think this is an excellent way to build an urban or suburban table without too much hassle and with a good sense of scale.  Plus you get buildings with full interiors!  I plan to use these kits to build a "Main Street" type urban center with housing on the side streets behind the store fronts.  I might even be able to manage a fair semblance to East Toledo for my new ATZ:FFO campaign I am designing.

Thanks, Carl, for a great product!

Paper People Movers

Just a few quick pics of some card stock vehicles I've built recently.  Many others have done reviews of these builds so I won't say much.  Just sharing a bit of what I've been working on.

First up is a World Works Games bus.  The pic is not the best - a bit dark - but you get the idea.  These are simple to make - a very basic box.  I did not reinforce it and it seems to be fine as is. It wouldn't stand up to having books piled on top of it but it's good enough for my games.

Next is a WWG van.  It also is a fairly simple build.  The only challenging part is getting the hood section to come together properly.  I didn't reinforce it at all either.  I think it looks good and will hold up fine.  I'll just be sure to keep it away from the dog.

Last up is an Ebbles M-11 4X4.  This model is the best Hummer or HMMV look alike that I've been able to find and I really like that it comes in several styles and paint patterns.  A great model but rather fiddly to assembly.  I ended up with some gaps near the windshield/hood area on the right hand side.  It looks fine on the table top but close inspection will reveal some errors.  Still, overall a great model and I will be building more.

One modification I made on all of these models is the wheels.  I found the cardstock wheels with the tabs to be folded and glued to be a huge PIA to assemble.  So I found some wooden dowel that was the correct diameter and cut off small disks to fit the wheels.  I then glued the cardstock prints to the dowel to make the wheels.  On the bus and van I used half disk pieces of dowel and on the HMMV I used whole disks.  It worked fine and was much easier.

That's it for now.  I just bought my new set of All Things Zombie:  Final Fade Out rules so I'm off to read!  Totally stoked for these rules!

Until next time...peace.

Rumors of my Demise...

Life being what it is, I'm not even going to offer any excuses as to why I have not posted since July 4.  I guess we will all need to come to terms with the reality that this blog will be sporadic...

Anyway, here are two more minis I've painted recently.  That makes 9 of Bobby Jackson's Thugs for my collection.  I have the other 3 in the queue to be painted.

There is not much to say about these figures that I haven't already said.  Exceptional quality and fairly easy to paint.  The baby on the woman's hip was a bit fiddly, but I think it turned out OK.  She certainly adds a lot of character to the game.  I did modify the man slightly.  He came with a topknot or maybe a beany for a hat on top of his head.  I thought it was silly so I shaved it off and left him bald with a bandana.

From the photo you may be able to notice I've also been working on some Stoelzel's Structures.  For the keen of eye you will recognize the Farmhouse from that collection.  These are great models.  I will post more about them later.  I've also been working on some cardstock vehicles...more on those later too.

I've decided I will revamp and start a new campaign with the introduction of All Things Zombie: Final Fade Out.  I'm looking forward to the new rules being released.  I've begun some initial character development and am creating a story tree, making up my own Day One and following series of encounters.  Look for more on that later too.

Meanwhile, I'm expanding my collection, one model at a time.  Until next post...peace.

The Growing Horde

I've been painting a fair bit these days.  Finished 6 more Victory Force zeds for my growing horde.

First up is one I've painted to be a hooker.  As I was painting her I realized she had a Star Trek badge on her left breast.  I'm not even sure she's a zombie since she has no obvious wounds.  She was in my 50 for $50 pack from Victory Force though so now she's a zed.  I filed the badge off and kept on with the prostitute theme.  Next is one I call 'Zombie Gerry'.  He's a big guy in sweats with an arm off.  He must have been on his way to his workout when the apocalypse struck.  Next is a zombie Rabbi.  I imagine that he is using his hands to keep his guts from spilling out.  On closer inspection I suppose he could be Adam Sandler...

First in this lot is a woman in blue sweats with a fanny pack.  Her right hand has been eaten off and she has wounds on her shoulder and elbow.  Next is a man in shorts with butt crack showing and both arms eaten off.  He has a massive head wound but apparently it was not enough to put him down permanently. Finally we have another woman in sweats, this time all pink.  She has wounds on her leg and shoulder. Other than her hair she is virtually identical to the first woman in blue sweats.

So, some good, basic zombies all in all.  The VF zeds do have a lot of character and the sculpts, while not stellar, are good enough for a horde.  And speaking of hordes...

...this is mine in all its glory.  A mere pittance compared to some out there but this is my 42 finished zeds all in a mob.  Of course I have about 50 more to assemble and paint but these will do for a while.  Time to start working on more survivors and the cops I ordered a couple weeks ago...

The buildings in these last 4 shots come from World Works Games.  They are from their instant scenics line.  These are a great way to build a quick urban table.  There are no interiors but if you don't mind that, or you want to scratch build your own, these are a great way to start.

More Painted Zombies...

I've been slowly painting my way through my Victory Force zombies. Here are 6 more for your enjoyment...

Starting at the left we have a zombie in a leather jacket with his arm eaten off.  He reminds me of The Fonz, but that probably dates me.  Next is a pair of zombies wearing what looks like yoga clothes.  I call them 'Zombie Mike' and 'Zombie Jenn' for reasons of my own...

In this group we start with a diminutive zed who I've painted up to be an old man.  I think it is actually supposed to be a boy but I'd already painted him before I realized this. Next is a zed who looks for all the world like Edgar Allan Poe.  I suppose he could also be Tom Selleck, but I went for the Poe theme.  Last we have the ubiquitous 'nurse zombie'.  She's wearing a red name badge because all the nurses wear red name badges at the hospital where I work.

Finally I'm adding one more shot of the alley behind my house.  Somehow I missed posting this in my last post.  I especially like the potholes in this one.  Anyone seen any good pothole modeling out there?

That's it for now.

To all my American friends, have a safe, happy Independence Day!  To my British friends...well...have a safe, happy July 4th.

: )

Post Apocalyptic Images

On my urban run this morning I got to thinking about zombie war gaming.  This is a common occurrence but this morning the images I was seeing sparked my imagination.  Many of the buildings and sites I was running past have a 'Post Apocalyptic' feel to them.  I started taking pictures with my iPhone.  Maybe these will be helpful to others for ambiance or inspiration for that new piece of terrain.  Or maybe you just want to try to guess what U.S. city I live in...

A bridge like this would be an ideal spot to set up a fortified survivors camp.

Some creepy graffiti under the bridge.

Another view.

A view of the downtown from another bridge.

A closer view of downtown.

This hospital building was abandoned about 8 years ago. Some of the windows are broken and there is a lot of overgrowth. Interesting to observe how nature retakes our structures.

A house that burned. And my thumb...

An abandoned factory complex, partially demolished.

The abandoned factory from across the river.

Closer view.

A different, active factory viewed from under the bridge.

House that has not been painted in years. Another interesting study in Nature's reclamation.

The alley behind my home.  It was very quiet this morning...kind of creepy.

Sign on my neighbors garage.  Seems appropriate for the Apocalypse.

A neighbor's shed that is getting overgrown.

So, any guesses as to where I live?

Other than running and daydreaming I've been painting zombies.  Should have 6 more to show you by next week.