AK Day Terrain

[Jimmy James]

Jimmy, I've been using placemats as terrain bases for years, the mdf ones with cork backing and a pretty picture on the upper side. I peel the plastic laminate off and rough the paper up a bit to "key" the surface for glue. The cork backing helps stop them sliding around. They are easily cut to size using a hand or powered saw. I get them from charity shops or car boot sales for very little money.

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

This is good & useful insight Martin, v.much appreciated!

[Sean Clark]

Yes martin, but a double template can not be an objective
Julian

Agreed. Perhaps cut the place mat in half!?

[Jimmy James]

Righty then - think I'll produce some rough hills (will build something significant on top of one - transmitter or satellite dish maybe - to serve as an objective) to bring along. Also considering building some class of Memorial Arch (think a v dismal and shonkily-created Marble Arch knockoff) as well - might be do-able in a standard building terrain footprint...

[Sean Clark]

That's the ticket James!

I'll be doing a couple myself. Possibles I have come up with so far are:

1. A second hand car lot acting as woods.
2. A crocodile infested swamp acting as Marsh.
3. A Dr Evils lair built into a double template rocky hill with missile launcher.
4. The Presidential Palace as buildings, with associated Tennis courts and gardens acting as rough terrain.
5. An airfield with airport terminal.

[Colonel Kilgore]

I can cover the crocs, if you like, Sean. As Papa Whisky says: "why travel without one?"

Simon

[Smoking gun]

I've got a Ironclad Miniatures shanty church (15-shanty7) with a goat. Also some mine buildings (HO scale) which might have too big a foot print, I'll have to measure and see if they will fit the template.

Best wishes,
Martin Buck

[Sean Clark]

I dont think templates are absolutely prescriptiuve. Half an A4 size piece of paper, so 8x5 with some wiggle room either way is fine. The rule of cool trumps anything.

[Smiley Miley 66]

A5 size, but when reloaded came out we were already using the 12 x 6 template. Which I think is the size Martin was going for ?
If the templates aren't together then you must be able to get a "template or footprint" of two 30 x30 bases together, long ways or wide ways between templates.
Miles

[Colonel Kilgore]

Julian,

Without wishing to be pedantic, A4 is A4 (i.e. an ISO standard size) and measures 210 × 297 mm. By definition (of the international standard), it is the same around the world.

The closest American equivalent is, I believe, Letter (8.5 by 11 inches).

The rules do of course allow for some variation around that half-A4 size too.

Simon

[Sean Clark]

Statement from your humble organiser

I won't be measuring any terrain templates on the day. The rule of cool will always trump any other argument. So long is it is within the spirit of the rules, I don't mind if a template is 9x4, 7x7, 8x6, or doubles of the same.

No one I know within the Peter Pig community will seek to gain some slim advantage due to an oversize or undersized template.

This event is about fun, seeing a few AK47 games in progress, and having a chance for us to meet up and enjoy each others company.

There is an implied duty that each and every participant does his or her best to ensure their opponent has a good game. This is far more important than winning.

I remember from previous games days under the old rules where people took advantage of loopholes to use periscope like helicopters, or the arguments over how many bases could be carried in an APC. Lets have none of that. I'm more interested in the back story for your army. Why are you fighting in uMbongo? What is your generals name and why does he have an obsession with crocodiles?

[Colonel Kilgore]

Spot-on Sean, thanks - that's a lovely way to frame the focus of the event and our personal duties to one another.

Those of us participating probably need to be ramping up on the back stories of our respective forces to help with that wider narrative too...

Simon

[Smiley Miley 66]

Here is a contender for one of the Presidential Palaces. But I think it has been loaned out to Mr A Vegan and delegates.
It will need a lick of paint and a bit of tidying up.
Miles

[Colonel Kilgore]

That's a lovely piece of Colonial grandeur, Miles!

Simon

[martin goddard]

I can see Julie Andrews on the porch?


martin

[Big Mike]

I can see Julie Andrews on the porch?


martin

Lovely voice and very wholesome!
Mike