Zulu - Gaming Table and Terrain (by Vulpine)

[Vulpine]

So, I plan to start three or four threads based on my and my mates new Zulu system that were currently pulling our hair out enjoying writing.  I'm also going to do thread on making and painting our British and Zulu forces,  the rule system and how it works and then possibly some battle reports. But first, the terrain, starting with the table...

Other than the MDF it l was all made from bits I had in my garage (Although I am a painter and decorator)
 

http://img33.imageshack.us/i/imagetuk.jpg/
First up I went to B&Q who cut the board for me to exactly 4x4ft and a second at 2x4. My first job was to get some dark brown emulation and some sharp sand (around 1-10 sand - paint) and I mixed it all and painted it on, creating a lumpy rocky terrain.


http://img37.imageshack.us/i/imageuwds.jpg/
Next job was the hills. The hills started and stuck down bits of polystyrene the main shape of the hills, I did most on the smaller board. This is so I can later swap it for a flatter board. I then mixed up some polyfiller and filled smoothly around polystyrene. I also used it to form river banks.


http://img600.imageshack.us/i/imagemmpk.jpg/
While the filler is drying I lightly brush is with a damp paint brush to smooth it slightly, I then paint the rest with a coat of brown paint and then as its mid stage of drying I dry brush some light brown and then scatter static grass flock onto it.


http://img826.imageshack.us/i/imageyez.jpg/

http://img842.imageshack.us/i/imageibnl.jpg/
The river (it's had alot of debate about it's transparent and it's total lack of blue) was made by painting on a thick layer of Varnish. Don't go to thick people, otherwise it won't dry (Yes indid just that!)


http://img515.imageshack.us/i/imageugie.jpg/

http://img684.imageshack.us/i/imageftod.jpg/
Now the filler is dry I paint it, just dark brown, I then scatter some more flock onto thos areas.


http://img502.imageshack.us/i/imagevce.jpg/

http://img441.imageshack.us/i/imageykc.jpg/

http://img839.imageshack.us/i/imageirjv.jpg/

http://img525.imageshack.us/i/imageyqka.jpg/
The finished thing, although the river may get another coat of Varnish (or brown/blue)

Next up I'll do some terrain peaces.

EDIT: Pics embedded.

 

[robert]

Brilliant - river looks right

This is an excellent guide in board and terrain building worthy of a permanent place in the archives - I particularly like the way that what can be made very technical
has been made clear and easy to understand - a phote being worth a thousand words.

Thank you for sharing Vulpine

[Matt J]

top notch board very impressive. Did you base it any photos/maps?

[Techno]

That looks absolutely terrific !
Excellent 'guide' too.
Take a bow that man !

Cheers - Phil.

[Steve J]

I really like the base board. I shall look forward to seeing this in action .

[Vulpine]

Errr, I dont quite know what to say...! What a lovely response. Very un-forum like. Nobody called be a d**k head yet or anything... Ah ha! Your all trying to lull me into a trap! I'm watching you all

Robert- Thanks for that, very kind indeed sir!

M of M- It's not based on anything but it cool be loosely set on the Rorks drift, should the need (and I'm sure it will) to do a RD last stand senario. However to have a board based on one area makes it difficult to use. But as the 4x4 has a hill on the far corner, if I spin it 180• it ends up part of the river and a very canyon looking. I'm also going to do a plain 2x4 so I can swap the river out and have a very flat 6x4 or 2 4x4 boards.

Techno- Thanks, I'm bowing!

Steve J- I look forwards to using in, I was gluing Zulus to bases yesterday... With 400 of standard Zulus + 20 married Zulus + 12 Zulu rifflemen and Chiefs it's a very boring process. But it will be worth it! 

All- Just a not, I was watching Zulu last night and set it to surround sound... The marching of the Zulus in the distance, sounding like a train... Very scary!

[Techno]

Errr, I dont quite know what to say...! What a lovely response. Very un-forum like. Nobody called be a d**k head yet or anything... Ah ha! Your all trying to lull me into a trap! I'm watching you all

Think you'll find this the friendliest and most 'positive' forum around V !
Cheers - Phil

[Steve J]

Nobody called be a d**k head yet or anything...

These are early days for you... .

[nikharwood]

Dickhead.

There - happy now Vulpine?  

Seriously though - great job, really looking forward to seeing your figures on this one  

[Vulpine]

Thanks, needed that!

Did you sort it so the pics don't need opening? if so thanks for that also.

[Matt J]

If I'd have done that my wife would've said 'lovely dear but do you want to finish painting this f*cking room now and put the skirtings on' 

[Techno]

HAH !...I've only just noticed.
If that's your garage....You've been plastering the walls, haven't you V ?
Damn good advert for your skills there Matey !
Was some of the terrain board made from 'excess' from the walls ?

And the more I look at the river....the more I like it....Superb !

Cheers again - Phil.

[FierceKitty]

Your river's spot on. I used to live in Natal.

[Vulpine]

Garage? No, MG sleeps in there! It's actually i a kind of extension... My house I'd built into a hill so the ground flore had the back half underground so it's going to be a bedroom when we cam be bothered to finish it.

The wife spotted my ' gaming room' and went off it. She said "'this is going to be a bedroom not a Gaming room!" so I replied "sure love I'll move my modling into the kitchen".... STAILMATE!

[Techno]