Constructing a ruin to fit a corner?

[Dungrange]

I agree that if height is a concern, then you should probably look at something that has been battle damaged, with the upper levels largely being a victim of war.  If you want something that just 16 cm, then that's about the height of seven people, so you're probably looking for something where no more than three storeys remain.

 

It's not English, but would something like Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness provide inspiration?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urquhart_Castle#/media/File:Urquhart_Castle_2017-05-22.jpg

 

The length of ruined wall could be scaled to fit the space, and the tower towards the back of that picture could be low relief on the backscene, so as not to dominate the space.  What you would therefore be building in 3D would be ruined walls and a ruined archway.

 

[Michael Hodgson]

3 hours ago, Dungrange said:

I agree that if height is a concern, then you should probably look at something that has been battle damaged, with the upper levels largely being a victim of war.  If you want something that just 16 cm, then that's about the height of seven people, so you're probably looking for something where no more than three storeys remain.

 

It's not English, but would something like Urquhart Castle on the shore of Loch Ness provide inspiration?

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urquhart_Castle#/media/File:Urquhart_Castle_2017-05-22.jpg

 

The length of ruined wall could be scaled to fit the space, and the tower towards the back of that picture could be low relief on the backscene, so as not to dominate the space.  What you would therefore be building in 3D would be ruined walls and a ruined archway.

 

.. or nearby Duffus - easier to copy as it is more straight-sided.

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scotland-inverness.co.uk%2Fduffus-dreamstime.jpg&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.scotland-inverness.co.uk%2FChatelaine%2FDUFFUS.HTM&tbnid=mgGRy5uGWsrLhM&vet=12ahUKEwjaltWS5oH2AhXQbMAKHTUoB9MQMygJegUIARDVAQ..i&docid=zibJqvR6Rde3IM&w=464&h=309&q=castle duffus&client=firefox-b-d&ved=2ahUKEwjaltWS5oH2AhXQbMAKHTUoB9MQMygJegUIARDVAQ

 

 

https://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk%2Fs%2Fcc_images%2Fcache_2470133609.jpg%3Ft%3D1476106828&imgrefurl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thecastlesofscotland.co.uk%2Fthe-best-castles%2Fmagnificent-ruins%2Fduffus-castle%2F&tbnid=Pi_0RdZQbH9xRM&vet=12ahUKEwjaltWS5oH2AhXQbMAKHTUoB9MQMygDegUIARDJAQ..i&docid=6KUzqLKwdcwdcM&w=1024&h=740&q=castle duffus&client=firefox-b-d&ved=2ahUKEwjaltWS5oH2AhXQbMAKHTUoB9MQMygDegUIARDJAQ

[HonestTom]

I made a little ruined castle based on no particular prototype as a lockdown project back in 2020. For what it's worth, here's how I did it.

[AyJay]

I have spent a day looking at all sorts of castles on Google earth and I'm now thoroughly sick of the sight of them!

 

Ok seriously now, with the criteria that it must not have too large a footprint and I must be able to see good views from all angles.  Also, I am not modelling the Unseen University's tower of art 

So taking all your collective suggestions and also the power of google, I have a short list of two castles which I think look just fine, they are:

Nunney Castle. This one has the challenge of the exposed broken stone that fills the wall interior.  This also gives the external dimensions, so I should be able to get the proportions.

Etal Castle. This is a gatehouse and separate building, so I could model one, or both. I'll have to guess the dimensions.

Both castles have 'interesting' interiors. The window shapes should not be too difficult a challenge.

 

Additionally, the selection of brick papers that Scale Model Scenery produce should be able to cover all dressed stone options.

 

No doubt I will have lots of new questions to ask once construction starts, but the obvious one that comes to mind first is a feature common to all ruined castles. How am I going to reproduce the rough exposed stone, see picture?   The only way I can think of is to build up a 'sandwich' of card that has been roughly cut/torn, so that the uneven edges is showing.  This will be a lot of fiddly work though.  

[Steamport Southport]

Looking for model castles?

 

I quite fancied building the Miniart ones just for a giggle. May be a bit big for the corner though. But they are good quality hard plastic.

 

https://miniart-models.com/product/72005/

 

This one is slightly smaller but does have figures. Could use the figures as re-enactors.

 

https://miniart-models.com/product/72033-assault-of-medieval-fortress/

 

https://www.amazon.co.uk/MiniArt-Medieval-Fortress-Historical-Miniatures/dp/B07PQM458L

 

I've bought Miniart stuff from Amazon and model shops in the UK. No need to buy from abroad.

 

 

 

Jason

[HonestTom]

13 minutes ago, AyJay said:

I have spent a day looking at all sorts of castles on Google earth and I'm now thoroughly sick of the sight of them!

 

Ok seriously now, with the criteria that it must not have too large a footprint and I must be able to see good views from all angles.  Also, I am not modelling the Unseen University's tower of art 

So taking all your collective suggestions and also the power of google, I have a short list of two castles which I think look just fine, they are:

Nunney Castle. This one has the challenge of the exposed broken stone that fills the wall interior.  This also gives the external dimensions, so I should be able to get the proportions.

Etal Castle. This is a gatehouse and separate building, so I could model one, or both. I'll have to guess the dimensions.

Both castles have 'interesting' interiors. The window shapes should not be too difficult a challenge.

 

Additionally, the selection of brick papers that Scale Model Scenery produce should be able to cover all dressed stone options.

 

No doubt I will have lots of new questions to ask once construction starts, but the obvious one that comes to mind first is a feature common to all ruined castles. How am I going to reproduce the rough exposed stone, see picture?   The only way I can think of is to build up a 'sandwich' of card that has been roughly cut/torn, so that the uneven edges is showing.  This will be a lot of fiddly work though.  

My suggestion would be to carve the walls from expanded polystyrene, coat them with a sealant such as Mod Podge and then add the external wall texture using either air dry clay or card cut from egg cartons.

[AyJay]

Well I have made my decision.  The winning design is.........

Etal Castle in Northumberland.

 

I have carefully studied the gatehouse from all angles possible on Google Earth and given the only dimension of a 36ft square footprint, I have managed to produce these construction drawings to 4mm scale.  (Please ignore the pattern on the bed covering  )

 

The end result should fit inside a cube of 15cm, which will fit into the required space.

The whole will be coated  with brick papers from the excellent house of Scale Model Scenery.

There will be a portcullis, which I'll fashion from matchsticks.

The site also has a ruined residential building, which I might also build if this does not rob me of the will to live.

Let the fun begin 

 

[johnb]

Good luck, please keep us all posted!

[Big James]

If you are on the look out for a small castle take a look at port lympne castle. It doesn’t have all the usual earthwork or defensive structures normally associated with a castle and it’s on the small side. 
 

Big James