Georges le constructeur

With almost all of my buildings on largish scenic bases I find it a challenge to make up some of the maps associated with Chain of Command campaigns, my recent experience of Operation Martlet led me to ordering up two 'stand alone' buildings with small bases to add to my Normandy collection. I chose Charlie Foxtrot models as I know Colin and have gotten 97% of my stuff from him so far, the kits are easy to build and lend themselves to upgrading and personal touches.

I have watched Lardy TV and Richard Clarke building and converting a Dark Ops blacksmiths, beautiful but too much effort for me, however I decided to try my had at plastering. Normally I simply paint and brush in some fine sand which works very well. So off I trotted to B&Q or some such hell hole (for me) for a couple of tester paints, a small trowel and a tube of filler. Imagine how perplexed I was when I saw many testers not in pots but in a sealed unit with a sponge on the end, duh. I did manage thankfully to find some tins, so I was set up.

 
My first efforts on Dormer House 2 do not look great, the areas around the dormer windows and chimney stacks were difficult, I now realise I should have given them a rub with some sandpaper just to take the edges off but, yes, no patience, but also I only have very rough sandpaper in the shed which would not have done. Next up I painted the building in Good Home's Chueca, not a clue what that is, then lightened it a couple of times and drybrushed the large areas, next I weathered the corners etc with Vallejo German Biege. The roof I tiled with Warbases tiles (I think), Colin also does tiles and I have used them in the past but these are smaller and I like that. Vallejo Burnt Red and weathered with Stone Grey and then a light brush of green, any green is fine, I tend to use a dark green. That was it, Colin sorted me out with a small base so some sand and flock, tufts and flowers and hey presto.

The second building was the Cafe de Normandie which is located in Carentan, the kit has some nice lines on the bottom level and a lovely etched sign, so naturally I decided to cover all these up and make my own sign. I had to do this as again I was using filler, perhaps I could have been tidier around the sign but my skills would probably not be up to it. My plastering had improved this time. For a change I painted the lower level a different colour, Good Home's Cordoba and used Chueca again for the rest, the weathering was the same as above although I used Stone Grey on the shutters etc. A quick look online got me the posters which always seem to add character. Colin had put a small patio on this base for me so I felt it needed tables and chairs, I got these from 4Ground and I have to say I am disappointed in them, they are very flimsy compared to some I got for my Dead Man's Hand game but I forgot where I got them. I slathered them in glue and spray paint to try and give them some body but I am not sure it will work. I don't want to glue them to the patio because that's the first place a squad of men will hide and again I am sure they will simply collapse, but for now they look good, vin anyone?

 

So there we are, probably the last buildings I shall add to my Normandy set up apart from some scatter, glasshouses, sheds etc. A big thanks to Colin for the extra effort.