historygamer | 18 Nov 2021 8:48 a.m. PST |
With the approach of winter, it reminded me of those recreated winter games like Trenton, Princeton, and others. Curious how some makes those games happen. Who do you do to represent snow? Do you do anything to the bases of your troops? How do you get them back to normal? Interested in what others do. |
Grelber | 18 Nov 2021 9:25 a.m. PST |
I bought some Woodland Scenics snow planning to use it with my Greeks, because the winter of 1940-41 was cold and snowy in the mountains of Albania (something that apparently came as a surprise to the Italian government!). I haven't done that yet, because I tried it out on a different project first. The snow ultimately came out kind of yellowish--and not even yellow, as in somebody let their dog out for a quick pit stop. This may, or may not, be due to the spray sealer I used. Anyway, I haven't gotten back to the Greeks. I have heard that white ink added to the snow keeps it white. I've also heard that baking soda makes nice snow. Grelber |
historygamer | 18 Nov 2021 9:52 a.m. PST |
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Eumelus | 18 Nov 2021 9:59 a.m. PST |
For Eylau and others I've used a white groundcloth, covered the roofs of the buildings with little white felt "hats", and used exclusively pine trees for the woods – looked pretty good without too much hassle. The green troop bases didn't stand out as much as you'd think, but if I were going to present such a game as a convention game I would probably paint the sides of my bases white (easy enough to change back). |
aegiscg47 | 18 Nov 2021 10:36 a.m. PST |
We just did a 1942 Blitzkrieg Commander IV game with a Russian winter counterattack: wfhgs.com/friday.html The game cloth is from Cigar Box and you can certainly use a variety of other white fabrics as well. Winter games do take some commitment as all of the trees need to be painted and based for winter, along with the villages and vehicles. I would definitely say that it takes much longer to do gaming pieces for winter than other seasons. I did find a trick that helps with basing in that I mix white glue and white paint, then brush that onto the bases (for buildings, vehicles, trees, etc.), then dip them into snow flock. That seems to work better with the white colored flock and hides any flaws. |
45thdiv | 18 Nov 2021 10:55 a.m. PST |
Do you have different bases for the snow/winter games for the figures? |
Tortorella | 18 Nov 2021 12:46 p.m. PST |
I have winter bases. All my 6mm troop stands are magnetized to allow me to change formations on a base, remove stands for casualties, or switch the bases themselves. Bases are flex steel, painted using a sort of dry brush texture method white/brown for muddy snow appearance. My winter 4 x 6 mat is brown marine vinyl texture painted with white for snow. 50 bucks from Joanns fabrics. I use foam underneath for a rolling terrain effect. The bases literally slide across the vinyl like board game pieces so I never really handle them and play is much quicker. My trees are bare wire trees painted grey, branches touched with white, pines are from a mini railroad supply store, streaked with white paint. Building roofs getting a thin layer of white Play Doe. |
Old Contemptible | 18 Nov 2021 3:41 p.m. PST |
I use white felt cloth from a fabric store for the game mat. I take my bases and dip them in Woodland Scenics snow flock. I dip my trees in the same stuff. I use Woodland Scenics bare trees mixed in with my other trees. I put these bases white and while the paint is wet I dip them in woodland Scenics snow flock. After placing items such as buildings, bridges etc. I sprinkle on the snow flock, making sure every horizonal surface has snow on it. After the game I shake off all the snow and if necessary use a can of compressed air to blow off the rest of the snow. Here are some of my winter games. link link link |
dbf1676 | 18 Nov 2021 4:55 p.m. PST |
OC, I think your plain white cloth looks most realistic. |
Old Contemptible | 18 Nov 2021 5:36 p.m. PST |
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historygamer | 18 Nov 2021 7:27 p.m. PST |
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42flanker | 18 Nov 2021 11:44 p.m. PST |
I remember that 2nd Trenton, setting. Very fine. |
Old Contemptible | 19 Nov 2021 12:05 a.m. PST |
It would nice if I could write in English. |
Ivan The Not So Terrible | 29 Nov 2021 8:18 p.m. PST |
Lovely table, Old Contemptible :-) I've been working on a winter setup for a couple of years now. I use Tamiya Snow Effect and Powder Snow Effect on all my figure bases, buildings and scenery. Fir trees are just sprayed white a couple of times. For the table, I will use a cloth of some sort, with polystyrene hills underneath. I have collected WW2 Germans and Soviets in 6mm and 28mm (all painted now), just completed over 100 6mm buildings, with about 35 more in progress and am currently working on about 30 28mm buildings as well. Should be done by the end of the year. Now why did I reply with this info on an 18th Century board? I am looking to do an 18th Century conflict in winter (rare I know), but found out recently that some Great Northern War battles took place during the winter months, so that's probably where I will be heading on the next project! Possibly 6mm and 28mm for that as I like both scales. As Russia is involved (I will collect forces for Sweden and Russia), I can use the same buildings as I have for WW2 – a wooden house is the same no matter the era. |
Der Alte Fritz | 29 Nov 2021 9:24 p.m. PST |
Here is a picture of the Trenton game that I did:
The mat is from The Terrain Guy ( sadly out of business). Note that the ground has flecks of black, grey and dark brown which is a more realistic look and breaks up the vast expanse of white. You can pick up some inexpensive evergreen trees at Michael's and Hobby Lobby or look for Lemack trees. |
Der Alte Fritz | 29 Nov 2021 9:30 p.m. PST |
Here is a picture of my Leuthen game.
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epturner | 30 Nov 2021 3:26 a.m. PST |
DAF; Those are some wonderful shots. I do like the look of your Trenton game. When we've done winter battles, we'll use a white or off white ground cloth, but nothing special to the troops bases. Home Depot carries bags of winter themed trees that I've used. I can get past the ugly white plastic bases, but I'm sure you could find a way to remove them or cover them up. We game in 25/28mm, but I think I recall the bags having trees small enough for 15mm. Hope that helps. Eric |
Ivan The Not So Terrible | 30 Nov 2021 8:23 a.m. PST |
Yes those are lovely shots, DAF – nice work! |