The following is a guide to some of the ancient to medieval buildings, castles and accessories available for use with 25mm figures. In my never-ending quest for now terrain, I've come across number of items which can add variety to the battlefield, Particularly in skirmish-level games.

Although I've tried to be objective about this, these are obviously just my opinions, and I'm sure others will disagree on some Points. Nevertheless, I thought it would be useful to Provide some information about what's available.

I learned of many of these by responding to ads in the MWAN. Several are currently manufactured only in the UK. I've included information about US distributors I'm aware of; they are undoubtedly available from other places as well; hobby shops often carry some of those).

May all your sieges be successful!

AHKETON USA (Tim Acheson)

Order From: R.D. 1, Box 125, Philadelphia, NY 13673 (315) 642-3235.

Types: Assyrian fortifications and buildings (limited number available at Present), Roman fortifications (also limited), Barbarian (Celtic/Viking) houses/huts, Inca house, Medieval castle system, some "fantasy" structures are good for medieval.

"Actual" Scale (relative to 25mm figures): Very well- scaled for 25mm figures. Good-sized doors and windows.

Proportions: Tend toward the massive; they look impressive, but some of the larger structures (e.9., medieval wall sections) are BIG and heavy!

Medium: "Stonecast" Plaster. Fairly easy to break. Holds Paint well, but coat it with clear sealer or it will quickly chip with usage (I found out the hard way).

Level of Detail: Very good.

Features: Some buildings have removable roofs with excellent internal detail. "Wizard's tower" (suitable for dark ages - medieval) has seperate floors (build your own) and allows you to put figures inside.

Castle: Medieval wall sections allow you to make a very impressive, modular curtain wall with WIDE walkways. No corner towers available, but corner wall sections are. 'Skull gate' may be more suitable for fantasy, but it sure looks great.

Comments: Tim is now manufacturing most of these in the US, so return time on orders is now relatively fast. Some nice figures (Ahketon, Living Image and Others) available as well. I think the catalog is still free. These are fairly inexpensive as buildings go. 

GALLIA

Order From: Modeler's Mart, 2071 Range Road, Clearwater, FL 33575 (813) 443-3822 -- General catalog (Gallia included) $2.00. Also available from some hobby shops.

Types: Some buildings suitable for ancients; most for medieval (they have an extensive medieval line). Many accessories available as well.

Actual Scale: Nicely scaled for 25mm figures. Most doors are good-sized; a few are too small. Good-sized windows.

Proportions: EXTREMELY realistic and well- proportioned.

Medium: "Resincast"--heavy like Plaster, but smooth, Plastic-like finish. Smalls funny but very durable. Holds Paint extremely well.

Level of Detail: Excellent.

Features: Wide range of buildings, accessories, and fortifications, though none I've seen allow interior access. Some buildings have comparable ruins which can be substituted in battle if a building is destroyed--a nice touch!

Castle: The complete medieval castle from Gallia looks great (there's a Picture in the Modeler's Mart catalog) but is expensive (well over $200.00). The Gallia keep ($75.00) is huge, very impressive, and can easily stand alone in a battle (unfortunately, floor plans are needed to run skirmishes inside of it. Plenty of room for figures on the roof).

Comments: A Personal favorite for medieval-late medieval, although (as noted above) interior floor Plans must be drawn for skirmish games (draw the interior at 1:1 scale on graph Paper, move figures onto the Paper and off the table when inside the building). Fairly expensive as buildings go, but worth it in my opinion. Available Painted or unpainted.

GEDEMCO

Order From: Modeler's Mart (see above for address-- Gedemco catalog Costs an extra $1.00). Also At some hobby shops.

Types: Some buildings and accessories suitable for ancients; mainly medieval and later Periods.

"Actual" scale: Some are well-scaled for 25mm; others, Particularly the small buildings, tend to be a bit too small for 25mm. Doors and windows tend to be a little small.

Proportions: Well-proportioned; some Models quite realistic (e.g., medieval keep), others less so (e.g., samurai lord's house).

Medium: "Mode I concrete"--hard, plaster-like; resists chipping, but breakable. Holds paint fairly well.

Level of Detail: Generally well-detailed.

Features: A few buildings have removable roofs; most have no accessible interior. Fairly extensive range of buildings and accessories.

Castle: Can be built with Parts available--I haven't seen it, so I can't comment.

Comments: Some we Pretty nice; all are relatively inexpensive.

GREENFIELD GARRISONS

Order From: Games, Crafts, Hobbies & Stuff, 9220 Lackland Road, Overland, MO 63114 (314) 423-2199.

Types: Wall sections (Plastic), Palisades, keePs and castle sections.

"Actual" size Well-scaled for 25mm figures, though doors on keeps are too small.

Proportions: Well-proportionod.

Medium: Polyurutane foam, which is very light but surprisingly tough. Holds paint well.

Level of Detail: Very good.

Features: Keeps don't have interiors (though some gamers may be interested to iote that the 2-story wood blockhouse has a nice interior). Several terrain accessories available.

Castle: You build a castle with the components available; if some modeling work is done, they can look quite impressive. There are no windows in the keeps, but them can be carved.

Comments: Small stone wall sections (Plastic) are light, durable, and usable for many periods. If you've ever developed back trouble from hauling around heavy buildings, try these!

HOVELS

Order From: Stone Mountain Miniatures Box 594 Broomfield, CO 80020; Or Pendragon Miniatures, 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, OH 44145 (send SASE for ordering information).

Types: Samurai range, English and European range (both suitable for medieval). Buildings and accessories only.

"Actual" scale: Most very well-scaled to 25mm figs, though some buildings are too small. Most doors and windows ape in scale, but some doors are too tall and narrow.

Proportions: Generally well-proportioned, but some European buildings look too tall and thin.

Medium: Resincast (similar to Gallia).

Level of detail: Extremely high--these buildings are second to none in detail.

Features: No interior areas in the ones I've seen. Buildings have an appealing quality , which makes them a favorite of many wargamers. May be available painted.

Castle: None available.

Comments: As noted above, level of detail plus interesting design make these appealing (though they are expensive).

BELLONA

Order From: Pendragon Miniatures (see above for address)

Types: Bridges, ruins, walls, terrain, ancient hill fort, Roman marching fort.

"Actual" Scale: Stated scale is HO/010 (typically small relative to 25mm, but the bridges, ruins and "ravine" (all I've soon so far) are fine for 25mm.

Proportions: Realistic and well-proportioned.

Medium: I think they're vacu-formed Plastic--very light and somewhat Pliable (but sturdy enough to hold figures). I don't know how well they hold Paint.

Level of Detail: Very good.

Features: Bridge (U-RV1) is about 2" wide and nicely sized; the ravine is also good-sized.

Castle: Not available.

Comments: Roman and ancient forts took very nice in the catalog--if they're big enough, they're well worth the $6.25 Price tag. These Pieces are EXTREMELY light--very easy to carry, but I bet they'd blow away in a steady breeze. Very inexpensive.

OTHER NOTES

1. I've met several people in Southern California who custom-build castles--I imagine there are a number scattered around the country (although I've seen a lot more ads by such folks in British magazines). The ones I've seen are awesome but quite expensive.

2. In 1985, I ordered some castle Plans from "Castles", P.O. Box 117, Inkom, ID 83245 (I don't know if they're still in business). These are relatively inexpensive plans for constructing castles from wood, using hand saw, coping saw and drill. These are nicely sized for figures, but don't look terribly realistic unless you do a lot of modeling work, and require some skill to make.

3. I was recently introduced to some of the Products made and carried by the Dwarven Stonecutter (P.O. Box 241, Fawns Grove, PR 17321). They have Pre-made medieval buildings (which require some assembly) which look excellent (though some have fantasy overtones). They also carry "Linka-System" moulds in HO/00 scale--you can cast your own wall sections, etc. I saw some buildings made of these at ORIGINS which looked Pretty good (though a little small for 25mm).