The Walls of Minas Tirith

I wanted one short side of the table to be book-ended by a representation of the outer wall of Minas Tirith but, with my ongoing illness driving my cash flow to near zero, buying pre-done I.E resin cast or laser cut MDF castle walls was out of the question. Technically we don't need the outer wall of Minas Tirith on the table, the table edge itself could suffice. But I wanted to enhance the appeal and look of this refight by showing them. So I looked around at what I had and whilst I didn't have any money I did have a lot of beer mats and some PVA glue.

This first shot is from the front. The wall section is five inches long.

Side view

Rear

Here is the gatehouse. It is the same height as the walls and will feature the two statues found in Gee Dub's Ruins of Osgiliath scenery set. The roof is large enough to hold a war machine of some kind, most likely a catapult as I already have a couple lying around.

As our refight starts Grond has already broken the iron gates down and the Witch King is confronting Gandalf. Suddenly the horns of the Rohirrim are heard and blam! It's Turn 1 of the battle! I have kept the cut out section of the entrance and will use it as the iron gate. I am also on the lookout for a 28mm wolf (I actually only need its head) to make Grond.

Then I built a tower

Here is what it all looks likes when put together. It is just over 36" in length which is perfect as I am planning on using a 3ft by 5ft table.

I have spent a couple of quid at Pendraken to get some doors and trapdoors from their dungeon furniture range to add a bit of "realism" to the model. The internal logic will be that the Gatehouse provides no way to get to the walls, that is done via the Tower, with the exception of the wall to the left of the Gatehouse for which I have built steps. This means that the model can be used in siege games.

I painted up the Gate Guardians, they were inspired by the Argonath

Something the entire internet and the films get wrong is that, according to JRRT, the outer wall is black, not white and made of the same impervious stone as the tower of Orthanc. My walls will therefore be black.

I was gifted a can of matt black non-cellulose spray paint. I've never used spary paint before but, realising I was getting nowhere with the black poster paint I took the walls outside, put my back to the wind and gave it a go. Triumph! Although I also sprayed my entire left hand (so good job I was wearing my partner's kitchen gloves ). The walls of Minas Tirith have finally come alive. All I can say is hurry up Pendraken then I can fit the doors and apply the final glorious coat of Hammerite!!!

I will ammend this post when the walls are finished.