MexRev scenery

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

I don't have to model tumbleweeds now. The first consignment of PP troops arrived in the post this morning... Government troops to man the barricades and the first part of my supply train...

[martin goddard]

Very nice Neil.
Would you send me those buildings photos fr the MILL please
Gracias (see what I did there. I could just blend in  )

martin

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Sure thing, Martin - you should get them about now...
N

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

The cacti sculpts and other plants are coming along nicely.
Made using the nail method: a flat headed nail (corroded for better adhesion) glued to a base with a high grab adhesive. Then clad in finescale white Milliput lightly scored with interrupted parallel longitudinal lines to create the pleats. Additional branches are made using a thinner wire armature which needs to be sufficiently rigid enough to take pressure from applying and sculpting the Milliput while flexible enough to be bent outwards for better access while still wet.
The Saguaros are easy enough but the multi-armed variants such as the Mexican Giant Cactus and thinner Organ Pipe cactus require significantly more work.
Seen here with PP cacti being processed
The agaves are culled tips from plastic Christmas tree sprigs, while the bushes are made up from the leaf-lets of the Christmas tree glued in clumps to the bases.
I can also recommend Model Scenery supplies N gauge maize crops which make up great patches and fields... well worth the extra expense for being too fiddly to attempt oneself but can be visually very effective https://www.modelscenerysupplies.co.uk/Sweetcorn-N-gauge

[martin goddard]

We need some puns here about Neil's cactii.
I dare you.

martin

[Wardy64]

That could be a thorny subject, but Neil gets the point.

Dave

[Colonel Kilgore]

Sharp as ever, Dave.

Simon

[Leslie BT]

They look very good Neil, need to make some myself.

[Panzer21]

We need some puns here about Neil's cactii.
I dare you.

martin

That would be corny.......

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

well I happen to think they look amaizing!

[Colonel Kilgore]

well I happen to think they look amaizing!

I think you are right, Neil - great work!

Simon

[Nick]

I don't want to comment. It seems like it might be a prickly subject.

Nick

[Colonel Kilgore]

Nah - I think Neil has absolutely nailed it.

Simon

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

ouch  - the good Colonel wins that one I think!
More field defences are rolling off the production line - some 15mm 'cheval de frise' ex Hallmark (Magister Militum) https://www.magistermilitum.com/ae11-20mm-cheval-de-frise-x5.html. I've had them for years and they make a useful addition to either sides' repertoire of obstacles...

[sukhe_bator (Neil)]

Rolling stock for the Mex Rev railway. A high sided 'gondola' bogie freight wagon commonly adapted for armoured train usage. This is made from an adapted PP flat wagon, cut in two and 'stretched' to 100mm with 20mm wide insertions from plastic basing. This makes a 30 foot reduced scale version of the standard 40 foot gondolas in use which are deemed too long for wargaming purposes. Sidings and ends are from plasticard, 15mm on the sides with 10mm high ends. Seen here with a standard PP flat wagon for comparison. Strengthening rib detailing to the panels will be added with microstrip. There is room for two 20x40mm bases of 6 standing riflemen manning both sides or either an MG nest or field artillery piece at one end. A removable canvas awning will be added on wire supports...

And the motive power, the beginnings of a scratchbuilt Consolidation class 2-8-0 locomotive ca.1902 built up from balsa and obeche wood scraps and a fat marker barrel as the boiler. The PP Western loco cow catchers have been adapted to make a wider frontage with a gap for a coupling mechanism. The 1/2 pennies are the right diameter for the driving wheel flanges and the rest will be sculpted in green stuff. A tender will be made up from sculpted styrofoam and parts. All I need is a pair of bogie wheel sets to mount it on.