The more detailed, the more life-like and realistic materials, the  greater amount of fine handcraftsmanship and artistry (as opposed sterile mechanical look of modern lazer scribed and CAD techniques) in a historical model the better it films, photographs, visually stimulates, educates & communicates.

Table Top will also consider proposals for the repairing and or updating of existing museum dioramas and 3d display models.

For proposal requests & or commissions email: mgtbltp@aol.com

FORT DUQUESNE 1754-1758

Situated at the forks of the Ohio (at the site of present day Pittsburgh) on the point of land where the Monongahela and Allegheny rivers join to form what the French called La Belle Riviere. A key strategic military and trading point on the Belle Riviere Frontier, the fourth fort in the line, Duquesne, Le Boeuf, Marchalt (Venango), that stretched along the communication back to Lake Erie at Fort Presque Isle. Constructed under the direction of Captain Le Mercier, by the Compagnie Franches de la Marine and the Canadian Milice. This compact Vauban style (the original death star!) fort was built partially of horizontal, squared, oak and chestnut timbers laid in criblocked walls with tamped earth and rock fill on the land side and upright stockade walls on the sides abutting the rivers with one full bastion and two demi-bastions, ditch (fosse), covered way, and glacis. Successfully defended twice from attacking English forces before it was burnt and demolished by the retreating French on November 23rd 1758. No need to leave Les Anglais a gift !

SPECIFICATIONS :

The above "tromp l'oeil" illusion cyberama, was digitally constructed with PHOTOSHOP from a scanned photograph shot in natural sunlight on 400 speed film, of a 1 centimeter = 3 feet scale 3d model of Ft. Duquesne circa 1755 on a 4'x 4' base. (designed to accommodate 15 millimeter MiniFigs Military Figurines)

A Diorama consists of a 3d model /miniature scene set in a "view box" with a naturalistic setting/painted backdrop which again gives a "tromp l'oeil" illusion.

SAMPLE OF ORIGINAL PLANS & PROFILES USED TO RECONSTRUCT FORT DUQUESNE

Having the Plan & Profile and or X-sections help a lot inreconstructing a historical site, additional details must be obtained from contemporary renderings (if they exist), descriptions found in journals and diaries, and the gaps filled in with contemporary comparative deduction.

Ft. Hindman at Arkansas Post

TYPICAL 3d MODEL/DIORAMA MATERIALS LIST:

particleboard & lath base
layered soundboard - topographic landformer
cardboard
matchsticks
toothpicks
plaster fill
index cards
toweling
found objects and natural materials
aggregate
gathered hand graded lichen
Minifigs, figurines & pewter diecast cannon
Woodland Scenics, terrain flocking
Walthers, model railroad detailing supplies
acrylic paint
Elmers Glue

CUSTOM DESIGNED HISTORICAL SIMULATION TABLE TOP GAMES

Ten years in development "Key To The Continent" is a historically accurate and precise simulation game based on both the French & Indian War & Pontiac's Rebellion. Pivotal battles in primeval wilderness, guerrilla raids on snowshoes and ice skate, savage raiding parties and bloodthirsty massacres. The beginnings of modern warfare, germ warfare, and camouflage, were all apart of the action on the North American continent,during what evolved into the very first "world" war (Seven Years War).

Every effort has been made to make this game as realistic as possible. Variables such as weather, season, sickness, lack of supplies, loss of command, and control of the seas has been incorporated randomly into play.


“One picture is worth a thousand words, one model is worth a thousand pictures”-Ray Ottulich

*For a client list and references, click here.