Roadside Farm Wargame Terrain Module

1:72 Scale Scenery for Simulation Games

Roadside Farm Wargame Terrain Module.

The photo shows a typical European farm complex suitable for wargames from the 18th century until today. The farm model is permanently mounted onto a 50 × 25 cm terrain module which interlocks with similar modules to form a large wargame table-top. The farm has been built straight from the Airfix Waterloo Farm kit. One roof section had been missing, which is why the roof of the farm house was built in a damaged state. A cardboard floor has been added as well to allow individual miniatures and wargame troop stands to occupy the damaged building. The vegetable garden and the hedges around the small orchard were made from model railway lychen, sawdust and tea leaves.

Tools & Materials

  • 10 mm Chipboard, cut to 50 × 25 cm
  • PVA Glue
  • Interior Filler
  • Axle with Dual Tires
  • Acrylic Paint
  • Size 5 Flat Brush
  • Small Stones
  • Flocking
  • Static Gras
  • Lychen
  • Tea leaves

The Airfix farm model was glued onto the chipboard base using a hot glue gun. The terrain module was then covered with interior filler which may be sculpted to represent rough ground, worn footpaths and rutted lanes.

Roadside Farm Terrain Module Construction

This aerial view of the farm complex shows the terrain module prior to painting and further detailing. The inside of the farm yard is covered with sand instead of interior filler, but the effect is not very attractive. A lot of PVA glue was required to hold the sand in place, and it took a very long time for the glue to dry. The surface of the sand shows large cracks and some sand has fallen off the base even. These areas need to be covered by static grass once the model has been painted. Interior filler is easier to work with, it dries quickly, accepts paint more readily than regular sand, and it can be used very sparingly.

Roadside Farm for Wargames, plan view

The plan view of the finished farm module is used as a map section of an electronic or printed campaign map. These standardized map sections interlock with each other to form an endless variety of colourful maps for wargames. Several club members may contribute map sections which can be joined to create large wargame tables.

Small terrain modules like this roadside farm are often used in wargames and they can be tactical objectives along a main line of attack.

Wargame Terrain Modules