A Cool Fort For The Green Army

 During the days when my 4-year-old grandson is present, I have been working on building a LEGO fortress for the green army man set.

I have a fairly extensive LEGO parts stash, so running out of materials to build a good-sized structure isn't a problem.

I pulled out every box of gray and dark gray bricks and plates that I have and just started building.

Not working to any plans, I just started clicking bricks and let the design evolve.

Here is the end result.

The fortress features a high wall with parapets, a guard tower on each front corner, a working front door, a two-story HQ building with a fortified roof, and a tall observation tower complete with flag mast and banner.

I even built up a few sections of abatis to place out front.

More pics:

This fort is nothing fancy - just the necessary elements to make it play-worthy. Over the next few weeks I might add some additional aesthetic details here and there, but in the meantime it will serve as a splendid centerpiece for many playroom battles!

Army Men, Part 15 - What's Wrong With These Pictures?

 While beginning my examination of the Confederate soldiery in the HL Civil War Value Pack (hertofore to be referred to as CVVP), I noticed this very strange footwear anomaly on the kneeling rifleman figure:

At least they got part of it correct!

Army Men! Part 15- Back To The Civil War!

 Now that I am through with posting about the old army man collection, I am turning my attention back to the Civil War figures, since that is my primary area of interest.

Now it's decision time. 

Do I leave the soldiers as they are for play with the grandkids,  or do I modify and apply paint to render them diorama worthy?

I am leaning toward the latter, as my penchant for Civil War history will definitely factor in.

Since I actively build and fly model rockets, and engage in woodworking, I have a fully equipped and supplied shop as well as the skills and patience for building quite detailed miniature battlefield scenarios.

I also intend to build up my Union and Confederate armies through the purchase of additional sets from various other sources beyond the Value Pack at Hobby Lobby, gaining as many different soldier poses as possible.

Speaking of that, I closely studied the problematic rebel soldiers from that Value Pack, and learned that they will need extensive modification to render them historically accurate.

This project will definitely provide lots of fodder for future posts on the blog.

Let the fun begin!

Army Men! Part 14 - The Wretched Refuse

Rounding out my army man collection is a small handful of random figures. 

In this instance, it's a couple of spacemen, a ninja, and a small minuteman. (Minute man, get it? Nyuk!), and a western figure.

I don't recall when or where I acquired any of these. They just appeared.

Also, I have this guy, made of rubber.

This gentleman came from a farm play-set that I had many years back. With the addition of a lone miniature rifle he became a citizen soldier.

Back in the farm days he had an accompanying wife figurine. Same blue color. I recall she wore a long dress with apron, a bonnet, and was carrying a bowl of eggs. Sadly, she disappeared many years ago, leaving him a widower with little else to do but pick up arms and fight in my play-room floor Alamo battles.

Finally I have these six horses, five of which are equipped with separate strap-on saddles.

I plan to use these in a diorama of one of the Civil War Napoleon cannons and its limber being pulled by the standard six-horse team.

Lastly, while we're on the subject of animals, I have a few camels that go well with the Tuareg Arab warriors.

This wraps up my old collection.

Next post, I'll be re-visiting the Civil War set. 

Cheers!