Custom Siege Tower The Zvezda Siege Tower is a terrific value for money model, at around £10 (US$20), you can't really go wrong, especially when compared to the price charged for a plastic tower from a certain high street (work) shop... However, having watched Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King for the [insert high number here] time, I decided I fancied making a large custom siege tower. Regular readers of these pages will know that I often praise the benefits of balsa wood. So, here I go again. Apart from plastic wheels, the rest of the model was scratch built from balsa wood of varying thickness. The other benefit was the model cost about £5 (US$10) to make...and it was fun! The first stage was to sketch out the tower profile. This took a few attempts to come up with a design that I was happy with. Important considerations at this stage were to allow for plenty of models to fit inside. The second requirement was to have a dual drawbridge model. I wanted the siege tower to be used to assault wall and tower sections. The heights worked out very nicely and a tower with levels around 50mm (2") would easily allow for models to fit inside. Tower Levels Stage one was to make the four main platform levels. These were made from 1.5mm (1/16") balsa with reinforcing battons glued underneath. The supporting sides were then glued ensuring the platforms were parallel. Base Section The supporting sides were extended up through each level. The levels were glued in place one at a time and allowed to dry. Main Structure The two drawbridge sections were constructed from 2.5mm (1/8") balsa to provide additional rigidity. Cutdown cocktail stick were used for the pivots, there were glused into position to make sure they remained strong enough to support a horde of lead models sweeping out of the tower... The drawbridge frame was put together seperate from the main tower with the horizontal supports glued in place. Drawbridge Construction Once the drawbridge section was rigid, it was glued to the front of the main tower chassis. Drawbridge Fitting When the drawbridge section had been glued in place, the top part of the drawbridge had enough space to construct yet another level for some lookout models. This was not originally intended to be included but was decided in a moment of inspiration. The lookout platform was kept very shallow but sized to allow a single row of models to be positioned. Some additional cladding would be added to provide protection from ranged attacks. Drawbridge And Lookout Platform Once the frame had been completed, it was a question of starting the planking on the front and the sides. The balsa planks were cut by hand to make them a little uneven and add to the man made appearance. Cladding Is Added There was a slight angle part way up the tower that needed filling. Offcuts of balsa were glued on at an angle with plenty of overlap allowed. Corner Detail Some gaps were left in the side planking so models positioned inside can fire ranged weapons. A triangular bow-like construction (bottom left) was put together for the front of the tower. This was partly to aid stability and prevent the tower from falling forwards and partly to add some detail to the front and break up the flat facia. Completed Side The rear view shows the uneven nature of the cladding and the shooting windows. Rear View The siege tower bow was built up with alternating planking and then trimmed to give a pointed effect. Bow The bow was then glued to the front of the tower and additional cladding glued to the lower section to finish off the tower. The Finished Construction The tower was then undercoated and then given a base coat of Coat d'arms wood brown and dry brushed with Citadel Orc Brown. Adding The Wheels And The Paint The finished model is quite impressive if I say so myself. When fully loaded with warriors on 20mm bases, it can hold 90 or so. A fine number for assaulting a castle wall... The First Battle! The next project is a "Grond" style battering ram...