Can anyone recommend any suitable model hills for games? I am looking at the Western Theatre of the 1866 campaign. The terrain is predominantly wooded hills with valleys. Many of the combats involve figures moving onto and across hills and so the terrain pieces should not be overly steep and have a reasonably flat summit.
What.
You don't make your own hills?
Easy enough to do.
Have you tried Kallistra? They stack.
https://www.kallistra.co.uk/?page=14 (https://www.kallistra.co.uk/?page=14)
I find that hills like those made by Kallistra are too rounded / slippery to accommodate figures.
Personally, I prefer flat / stepped hills so figures can move over them better.
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 06 August 2021, 04:26:48 AM
I find that hills like those made by Kallistra are too rounded / slippery to accommodate figures.
Personally, I prefer flat / stepped hills so figures can move over them better.
You are not alone in this preference.
I flock mine and don't have a slippage problem.
QRF have/had a BOGOF on, at least last week
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 06 August 2021, 04:26:48 AM
I find that hills like those made by Kallistra are too rounded / slippery to accommodate figures.
Personally, I prefer flat / stepped hills so figures can move over them better.
I think I may have acquired my flocked 'rounded' hills from S & A Scenics (unfortunately, business operations currently suspended until September for 'personal' reasons) - I've had them for so long, I can't recall. My miniatures bases have magnetic bases (from, yes,
Magnetic Bases) which also tend to slip when the slope gets too steep.
My solution is to have on hand a few thin steel paper bases with thin felt pads stuck on underneath (the type of very thin self adhesive felt pad you can buy for porcelain ornaments). The thin steel paper bases are cut to exactly the same dimensions as my miniatures bases so are unobtrusive and the felt undersides stick the bases to the slope admirably.
If you like stepped hills then the answer is some sheets of mdf of an appropriate thickness, eg 10 0r 15mm if such a thing exists, then cut out some stackable shapes. the straight edges are great for hills which start somewhere off table. You can do the same sort of thing with hardboard, a system we used down the Liverpool club for several decades, see below:
(https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/51361235879_11eccfeb28.jpg)
Figures are Pendraken and Old Glory 10mm SYW.
I've done the same, but using cork wall/floor tiles (which B&Q and Wickes no longer stock :().
I put styrene pieces underneath my games mats. Looks much better than hills placed on top and models don't slip. I think hills tend to be exaggerated in wargames. You don't need anything more than 1cm per contour maximum in my view.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 06 August 2021, 08:56:56 AM
I think I may have acquired my flocked 'rounded' hills from S & A Scenics (unfortunately, business operations currently suspended until September for 'personal' reasons) - I've had them for so long, I can't recall. My miniatures bases have magnetic bases (from, yes, Magnetic Bases) which also tend to slip when the slope gets too steep.
My solution is to have on hand a few thin steel paper bases with thin felt pads stuck on underneath (the type of very thin self adhesive felt pad you can buy for porcelain ornaments). The thin steel paper bases are cut to exactly the same dimensions as my miniatures bases so are unobtrusive and the felt undersides stick the bases to the slope admirably.
I have recently exchanged e-mails with Simon as I was concerned with the message on his website.
S & A Scenics has recently acquired a large part of the Hinchcliffe Range, and to sort it out has been quite an undertaking, so rather than delay orders Simon is sorting the range out and is due back to full production in September I believe.
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 06 August 2021, 06:25:18 AM
QRF have/had a BOGOF on, at least last week
Yes but only on 40mm high hills
Quote from: Westmarcher on 06 August 2021, 08:56:56 AM
.... My miniatures bases have magnetic bases (from, yes, Magnetic Bases) .....
Correction: the magnetic strips and steel paper are from
Magnetic Displays (that's what happen when you do things in a rush! :-[ )
[p.s. I also use variously shaped polystyrene pieces under my table mat.]
Quote from: Scorpio_Rocks on 06 August 2021, 04:26:48 AM
I find that hills like those made by Kallistra are too rounded / slippery to accommodate figures.
Personally, I prefer flat / stepped hills so figures can move over them better.
Several years ago I was gaming with a bloke who bought unflocked hills, I think from S&A, and then "flocked" them with iron filings before painting them. Our magnetically based figures did not slide down hills. :)
Simon at S&A Scenics is a very honest, helpful and all round good bloke. He has been doing what he does for at least 20+ years probably more.
Over the years he has produced many conversions of his normal range for me.
I am sure if you contact him and explain what you want he will, if all possible produce it for you at a reasonable cost in a reasonable time scale.
Quote from: Ithoriel on 06 August 2021, 12:06:39 PM
Several years ago I was gaming with a bloke who bought unflocked hills, I think from S&A, and then "flocked" them with iron filings before painting them. Our magnetically based figures did not slide down hills. :)
Now there's an idea! (I use magnetic bases)
Another vote for S&A Scenics.
Unfortuneatly S&A is down til 01/09/2021. Had a look earlier.
Quote from: Lord Kermit of Birkenhead on 10 August 2021, 09:03:56 AM
Unfortuneatly S&A is down til 01/09/2021. Had a look earlier.
I have spoken with Simon at S&A Scenics in last month, and he is reorganizing after acquiring half of the Hinchcliffe range, and did not want to take orders that would then be delayed.