I've had a lot of requests to post my assembly guides as blog posts, so here goes. If you would like to download the PDF of my assembly guides, you can find them (free) on my Skull and Crown Webstore in the downloads section.
General Assembly
Today we'll be building a Wooden Wars light cavalry French Hussar and his horse. This tutorial provides some handy tips for assembly basics that will cover most standard cavalry models. Remember, Wooden Wars models are designed for ages 14+ and should always have parental supervision when assembling, especially where sharp objects are used.
Tools
You will need a sharp knife, a suitable cutting surface, some sandpaper and a bottle of carpenter's type wood glue. I find that chisel shaped blades or a box cutter work best for cutting pieces out of the sprue.
The Hussar
Each model piece has 2 or 3 tabs holding it in the sprue. I nick the back of the connecting tabs first, then cut all the way through on the front. Remember to be very careful when handling the blade and cut away from yourself. You can in fact remove pieces from the sprue by simply twisting them out- but this may cause the wood to split, and I don't recommend it.
After cutting the pieces, lightly sand the pieces then test fit them. Set the saddle pieces and the carbine aside. We'll assemble the rider first.
You will note that the model comes with different arm and hat options, so noodle around with the pieces and see what you like best.
Take the Pelisse ( back) and glue it to the body, lining up the edges with your finger. I use the shoulder as the guide. When this is dry enough glue on the sword arm of your choice. If you with so create an "elite" Hussar, glue on the fur busby style shako. lastly, glue on the plume to the shako or busby.
Pro Tip: Your troops may take a pounding on the battle field, which sometimes causes
plumes to become unattached. If they do, simply glue them back on. or leave
them off as many real troopers did when going into battle.
The Horse
Horses comprise of 4 basic parts: the body, two head pieces and the base. There is also a Skull and Crown (tm) coin which can be used as an objective or "reinforcements" coin during the game. You can also gamble with it, or make an eye patch... you get the idea.
Just like the hussar, test fit all the pieces, lightly sand, and then glue together.
Using a wood glue attach the head pieces lining up with the center section. I prefer the "yellow" carpenters glue. I put my glue in one of those "school kid" sized squeezy bottles for easy handling.
Basing
When fitting the horse to the base Test fitting is recommended before glue is added, as there are sometimes subtle differences in the thickness of the plywood. If necessary, sand the tab on the horse before gluing it into the slot of the base (see gluing, above). On larger models like the horse I'll use a couple of paint pots to brace it up in an upright position while it dries.
Saddle Up!
This may be the trickiest part of all the Wooden Wars models- really!
The saddles center has a wide slot in which the rider fits. Take one part of the saddle and apply glue below that line, and then attach it to the horse with the back arch of the horse at or just below the saddle line. See image of saddle and red line for example. Once secure, attach the other side and line them up.
I find at this point it helps to take your rider and place him (no glue) in the saddle, adjusting it for best fit.
Lastly, with your rider in the saddle, take your carbine and glue it to the right side saddle following the vertical strap. Note how the carbine shape curves up and loosely frames the hussar's body. It helps support him in the saddle when the rubber balls come flying!
Ready to Charge!
That's all there is to it! Sit back and bask in your glory. Now you can think about painting your hussar, or just send him straight out to capture the enemies flag, or the captain's daughter.
The same assembly rules apply with officers and ADC models. The big difference is the left hand is usually glued on the rider after sitting him in the saddle to insure it is not glued too low.
Wooden
Wars: Assembly Guide- Horses and Hussar Light Cavalry
Today we'll be building a Wooden Wars light cavalry French Hussar and his horse. This tutorial provides some handy tips for assembly basics that will cover most standard cavalry models. Remember, Wooden Wars models are designed for ages 14+ and should always have parental supervision when assembling, especially where sharp objects are used.
Tools
You will need a sharp knife, a suitable cutting surface, some sandpaper and a bottle of carpenter's type wood glue. I find that chisel shaped blades or a box cutter work best for cutting pieces out of the sprue.
The Hussar
Each model piece has 2 or 3 tabs holding it in the sprue. I nick the back of the connecting tabs first, then cut all the way through on the front. Remember to be very careful when handling the blade and cut away from yourself. You can in fact remove pieces from the sprue by simply twisting them out- but this may cause the wood to split, and I don't recommend it.
After cutting the pieces, lightly sand the pieces then test fit them. Set the saddle pieces and the carbine aside. We'll assemble the rider first.
You will note that the model comes with different arm and hat options, so noodle around with the pieces and see what you like best.
Take the Pelisse ( back) and glue it to the body, lining up the edges with your finger. I use the shoulder as the guide. When this is dry enough glue on the sword arm of your choice. If you with so create an "elite" Hussar, glue on the fur busby style shako. lastly, glue on the plume to the shako or busby.
 |
| Officer and trumpeter of the 7th Hussars. Note positions of swords. |
The Horse
Horses comprise of 4 basic parts: the body, two head pieces and the base. There is also a Skull and Crown (tm) coin which can be used as an objective or "reinforcements" coin during the game. You can also gamble with it, or make an eye patch... you get the idea.
Just like the hussar, test fit all the pieces, lightly sand, and then glue together.
Using a wood glue attach the head pieces lining up with the center section. I prefer the "yellow" carpenters glue. I put my glue in one of those "school kid" sized squeezy bottles for easy handling.
Basing
When fitting the horse to the base Test fitting is recommended before glue is added, as there are sometimes subtle differences in the thickness of the plywood. If necessary, sand the tab on the horse before gluing it into the slot of the base (see gluing, above). On larger models like the horse I'll use a couple of paint pots to brace it up in an upright position while it dries.
Pro Tip: I
often base coat my horses before attaching saddles. I may even paint the
saddles first as well. It's entirely up to you.
Saddle Up!
This may be the trickiest part of all the Wooden Wars models- really!
I find at this point it helps to take your rider and place him (no glue) in the saddle, adjusting it for best fit.
Ready to Charge!
That's all there is to it! Sit back and bask in your glory. Now you can think about painting your hussar, or just send him straight out to capture the enemies flag, or the captain's daughter.
 |
| Elite squadron of 5th Hussars |
The same assembly rules apply with officers and ADC models. The big difference is the left hand is usually glued on the rider after sitting him in the saddle to insure it is not glued too low.
I haven't yet seen Wooden Wars in the Event List for Pacificon 2014. I hope you are planning on leading some battles?
ReplyDeleteKalanar- Thanks very much for asking- unfortunately due to life schedules, I was unable to commit to any games at Pacificon. This is the first time near a decade since I have not run a game. I am still hoping to be at the convention, and may do a pick up game or two if space can be found.
ReplyDeleteI will also have some new things for sale at the convention, Wooden Battle ships, and some other concept pieces that may make it to the regular line up.
More on these as the date gets closer.
Cheers,
Thomas