Building Porto

[Bill Slavin]

I thought I would share a few pictures from my latest project. I have been building the battlefield for our next game, the crossing of the Douro River in Portugal as Wellesley drove the French forces out of Porto and eventually Portugal for the second time. My battlefields are all modular, as I don't want a whole lot of permanent constructions cluttering my space, and this was probably one of the most challenging I have had to construct. It involved building a two-tiered table, and devising a way to fashion the cliffs in a believable way. Fortunately I had inherited some sheet leading years ago and it came to my salvation!
Here are some pictures of the construct and final table along with some close ups of the seminary and wine barge, the two pieces that I purpose built for this scenario. There are loads more pictures on my blog as well as a detailed step by step of the build if you are interested.
https://tinywarsplayedindoors.blogspot.com/2021/10/building-porto.html
And because this is a figure forum, there are a few speed-painted British soldiers as passengers for the barge as well as the steersman. The rest of the figures will arrive on the battlefield this Sunday.

[Minuteman]

A very ambitious project, will be interesting to see how this progresses. So far, so very good!

[despertaferro]

wow...
So much work for something non permanent puzzles me...
Nice to see the so many different ways to approach our hobby.
Congratulations Bill!
Joan

[Bill Slavin]

Thanks, Minuteman and Joan.
I don’t know, Joan. For me process is everything. You’re in film, I’ve seen the effort that goes into transforming a street scene for one shot. Besides, the build was really only a few hours, not counting the seminary and boat, which I will use again elsewhere - it’s all modular. Just look at Mr. Dodson’s work if we really want to see work spent on something ephemeral.

[C M Dodson]

A masterclass in practical war games terrain as always.

The ‘look’ of the thing is first class with the cliffs and the natural looking town.

I note that you and Jonathan seem to have ‘linked up’.

He is an excellent researcher of this period.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Peter]

Looks fantastic Bill!

[Bill Slavin]

I note that you and Jonathan seem to have ‘linked up’. He is an excellent researcher of this period.

Yes, I started sending him my battle reports of his scenarios a while ago, as I was always a fan and thought he would like to know someone was enjoying his games. Jonathan (JJ's Wargames) was my unknowing mentor when I became interested in the Peninsular War, and his site became my "go to" for information and inspiration.

Bill

[Xantippos]

Glorious indeed . Great job!

[Bessiere]

Gorgeous layout. Will be pure joy to do battle on it.

[Graeme]

Excellent scenery as usual.

The cliffs look really good and I like the statue in front of the seminary and the fabello boat

I assume the Port wine is still in the boat. just the containers that have changed.

[Beano Boy]

All a fantastic gift to my little eyes. Well done. BB

[Bill Slavin]

The cliffs look really good and I like the statue in front of the seminary and the fabello boat

I assume the Port wine is still in the boat. just the containers that have changed.

Thanks, Graeme. Yes, it's an inverse on the old Nelson-in-a-barrel ploy! And thank you for the nudge - I was lazy and hadn't looked up the Portuguese word for those wine barges. But I think it's "rabelo".

Bill

[Santi Pérez]

A very ambitious project, will be interesting to see how this progresses. So far, so very good!

I think just the same, Bill. But knowing your amazing ability, I have no doubt that it will become a fantastic work.

Santi.

[Patrick71]

It's amazing you can build such a beautiful terrain in just a few hours.
I like your buildings too.
Can't wait to see to see the battle report.

[Graeme]

Rebelo yes, my mistake (and I did look it up).

it's an inverse on the old Nelson-in-a-barrel ploy!

"Well a drop of Nelson's blood wouldn't do us any harm"

[MABO]

Late but not too late I hope. I would like to add my applause as well! Super job, Bill!