by Hirst Arts Fantasy Architecture

Probably the most interesting dealer booth in this Summer's Origins 2001 Exhibit Hall for me was Hirst Arts' one. Although there is a "Fantasy" in the name, you can pretty much ignore that -- everything they make can be used for historical terrain.

Hirst produces silicone rubber molds for you to construct your own plaster buildings, walls, towers, etc. Bruce Hirst demonstrated for me the ease at which anyone can do this. The only thing needed is one of his molds, Plaster of Paris from a craft store, cheap plastic cups, a four inch wide putty knife, a spoon and some paper towels. It takes about a half hour from mixing the plaster, pouring it into the molds, letting it set, then popping out plaster bricks, wall pieces, doors, crenellations, etc. Glue them together and you've got your own self-made, 25mm scale terrain.

Each mold is meant to construct a particular building. Sets include three different types of medieval towers, Gothic church, Inn, stone bridge, bell tower, and the newest, a Roman temple. There are also auxiliary sets to quickly produce plaster cobblestone streets, clay roof sections and wood shingles.

His web site demonstrates the production process and displays the completed products well. Visit it at: www.castlemolds.com. The molds themselves range from $21 to $42. Remember, that although you may be able to purchase individual resin buildings, etc., cheaper, his molds allow you to produce endless amounts of buildings yourself, cheaply. And the component bricks, corner pieces, etc., can be assembled into other constructions limited only by your imagination. Ruined sections, as well, can be made easily by simply crumbling the plaster to your desire.

I highly recommend these molds to GL members! Contact Bruce Hirst, 710 W. 7th St., Sedalia, MO 65301, or at (660) 827-1685.

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