Benan Watchtower - Laser cut styrene building kit

[Brandlin]

Work is progressing on the third of my Laser Cut styrene building kits, with the 3D model for the Benan Watchtower almost complete.

Like the other models, this is based on a household rubbish item to bulk out the base with laser cut styrene components used to build and detail the building. On previous models this has been a Pringles tube, this time its a Ben and Jerry's ice cream tub. (Ben and Jerry's... Benan Watchtower - see what i did there?)

Anyway there is a full description and discussion on >MY BLOG<

A couple of teaser pics, showing the model built as either a standalone tower or configured mid-wall. Those are 30mm round lipped display bases shown on the tower.

These are designed to have a low tech stockade feel to them rather than a defensive fortress, best for defending against wild animals, bandits, and pre-gunpowder foes. Stockade walls will be released around the same time.

Finally an exploded view showing the 107 components in the build.

As always there is further discussion and more and bigger pictures on my blog and your comments and suggestions are very welcome.

 

[Brandlin]

I've spent a half hour or so making a mock-up of the base of the Benan Wtachtower. I dont normally do this on the models - the first time there is a phsical assembly is when i put together the test cut from the laser cutter, but in this instance i wanted to check the access for fitting figures onto the watchtower platform. This mock-up is made from hand cut pieces.

From the CAD geometry I knew that this would be tight but that the figures would fit on the platform, what was less clear was if the figures could be placed between the pillars.

30mm round lipped display bases

The answer is - YES THEY WILL! You have to tip the figure to get it between the pillars and it is a little fiddly but I think worth the effort to keep the overall design of the tower.

The roof shown is the prototype for the stables kit - the watchtower will have the canopy shown in the CAD images, but it shows the versatility of being able to swap roofs should you wish.

Standard 25mm bases

Figures here are Hasslefree Grymn (space dwarfs) on 25mm bases. They are just what I had available and based. No tipping required here.

The final picture shows further options with this kit. As the upper surface of the watchtower is the same diameter as a Pringles tube (in fact it incorporates some sections of Pringles tube to extend the height slightly) a section of tube and therefore parts from the tower or stables kit too can be added to the watchtower to create another unique design.

I don't seem to be able to get away from Pringles tubes do I?

It would also be possible to mount the watchtower platform on the top of such a tube extension and then the canopy on top of that. (I meant to take a picture of that but I have glued the platform down ... doh!)

Bigger pictures are available on my blog.

As always comments, suggestions and your money are greatly appreciated!

 

[freakinacage]

you, sir, are mental

 

[Gapow]

These are looking great, I was looking for a reason to buy some Ben & Jerry's

I reckon with a bit of modification/degredation these would cool as a bit of Necromunda terrain! It'd fit in fine as a settlement, just have to mad max it up a bit lol

 

[Brandlin]

and an animated view

http://brandlin.blogspot.com/2010/07/benan-wattchtower-3d-view.html

 

[Brandlin]

Now that I finished the watchtower i have sorted the bridge to match it.

Will be a single A4 sheet and therefore around £5.

​

More discussion and pictures on my blog

 

[jerry kurl]

Fantastic work yet again - have you had any thoughts to sci-fi stuff? maybe some "bastions" and "defence lines" and the like

 

[DarkSideGames]

Excellent drawings and creations! I really like them.
Note to self- Buy Pringles on way home!

 

[Brandlin]

you, sir, are mental

You say that like its a bad thing!

Gapow - if you buy 'em you can do what you like with them however I am trying to provide simple but high quality models without lots of adornment. If the user then wants to add skulls and/or post apocalypsse details then thats cool too. Personally i think post-apoc is overdone.

Jerry Kurl - I will do some sci-fi stuff when i've finished half a dozen or so more kits in the same vein as these... I want to get a viable range going before i try and work on other things. As to sci-fi - when i do it it will be modern, forward looking, smooth architectural simplicity none of tis overdonw retro pseudo gothic skull infested nonsence. Possiby a small range of off-world/colonial buildings - like porta-cabins on mars...

thanks for the positive responses guys...

now go buy some !!!