28mm Card and Paper Buildings - WIP

Recently I have been trying my hand at making some card/paper buildings to populate my eventual zombie apocalypse...

My plan is to use printed paper "skins", and attach the graphics to a variety of hard shells. I visited the local craft stores (Hobby Lobby, Michael's, Walmart, etc.) hunting for suitable boxes (hopefully with lids).

I had good luck at Hobby Lobby, and using my trusty 40% coupons, and the 50% off weekly ads, I scored some nice raw materials. HL stock a set of about a dozen nested boxes with lids - bought for $6.00 ( after the 40% coupon). Nested boxes are way cool, cause I can minimize storage needed. HL also sells paper-mache boxes that nest, but are sold separately.  I found some raw wood boxes (open top/nested and kleenex/tissue sized) at Walmart.  Most card/mache boxes have averaged out to less than a couple bucks each, while the wood have been more expensive at about $3-$7 each.

I spent some time perusing images and textures on the 'net, looking for suitable samples. I then set up some templates in Visio, after taking careful measurements of exterior & interior sides, and interior floors. 

Next is to decide what type of building, then select walls, windows and doors, and any trim details. My templates are scaled so it is easy to size, scale, and tweak to fit ~28mm scale figs. I am using lots of sources - raw images, tiles, textures, and then use selective cropping, resizing, and image manipulation/editing to get the piece/parts I need. Initial efforts were slow and crude,but I am getting the hang of it and setting up layers and shortcuts to make the builds go quicker.


Here are some of my initial efforts...

I have a bout three dozen boxes now, ranging form a couple inches square, up to about a foot square, and both single and multiple stories. I hae several of the larger (6"-8") cube style paper-mache boxes that I will cut down to give me more variety in height.

I have no roofs done (other than the shanty iron ones shown) at this time. I am considering a couple of options, as I want to keep a) the lids/roofs removable,  b) have a rim around the edge that eliminates any sliding, and c) retain the nesting capability. More to follow as I progress.

Flea Market Find of the Year

Was out cruising an indoor flea market in Georgia while on travel a few weeks ago. Found this little gem in mint condition for $22.00. It is a replica of one the earliest 1950's McDonalds. Perfect size for 28mm zombie gaming. Also pictured are a few 1/43 scale vehicles I picked up at an outdoor flea market the day prior, and some WIP 28mm zeds looking for the "dollar menu".

Made by Danbury Mint. A/c powered analog clock on sign in front of building. Fully detailed/painted interior, with two skylights in ceiling so small light bulbs mounted above can shine through. Trying to decide what to do about the clock face - not sure if I want to keep it or replace it with some signage or hide with some bushes.

 Roof comes off as separate piece, and the interior ceiling is hinged for access, as shown above. There is room for standard 1" bases to fit around the center island, so I'll be able to have figures inside while gaming. Way cool!

View of the lighted interior. Super Size me!