Forgive me Strelets if this is not OK, but I discovered a Vintage 1970's Aurora game called Skittles Tack Toe (see link below) which I have bought myself for about $35 each off eBay, one in Brown and one in Union Blue, which will make a nice 1/72 scale Fort Wagner from the movie. If you are a wargamer or dioramist, this just might work for you. I've got mine, just need time now to get your new ACW figures and Artillery off the sprews. Like all of my other promised projects, I need more time. Wayne's fine comments about Fort Fisher in a thread below reminded me about this project. I put a link below because you can look at the Box Art photo with the game piece and also the auctions photos. It's bigger than an Airfix Fort, and is much less expensive, but excellent quality plastic. I don't usually go outside the hobby for forts, but this is a natural for a fort. Those ACW sand forts would be hard to make, and for a small scale set-up, this will work for me. Remember, I already the money and have two. By the way, I plan on putting a Italeri tower in the center riser, and a Confederate or Union flag in the corner riser. Look on Google Images of photos of the movie fort and you can see these. The real-life fort was so irregular in shape, this thing is for me a breath of fresh air. I didn't pay more than $35 including shipping so don't anyone get suckered into Shipping more than $20 plus the game = $35 to your door. Be patient; they come and go on eBay all the time. Hope it helps gamers and collectors of our 1/72 HO scale!


https://www.ebay.com/itm/1972-Aurora-Skittle-Tac-Toe-Complete-Don-Adams-from-Get-Smart-on-Box/133104264735?hash=item1efda1e61f:g:TjMAAOSwMPBdFWc9

Neat idea. Looking at the S&H the guy is asking for makes me think his doctor needs to change his meds. You are right about overcharging for S&H.

Yes, unbelievable, but that seller has 100% positive feedback so he's doing something right! There is another auction for about $34.00 total which wouldn't be unreasonable for me. That's about what I paid for each of my two. Old Airfix Fort Saharas sell for anywhere from $35.00 to upwards over $100.00 plus!

Cheers :thinking_face:

I know I always account for S&H into total cost before I bid or buy as well. The bottom line though is if one thinks they've gotten a bargain I'm not going to bust his or her balloon. Be happy.

Whilst I wouldn't want to criticise your decisions, I looked at the tick tack game and wondered why you'd spend that much on it when cheaper & better alternatives are available.

To build a simple fort, I'd use foam board (medium or high density):
https://www.corelitecomposites.com/corelite-board

If you don't see it, for free, in a builder's waste skip on any building site, you can buy a large sheet for $5. To carve it into shape takes a sharp knife. It is both easy & satisfying to do this.You could add parapets, entrances, and vary the shape with ravelins etc as you desire.

To mount it on a base board (also to be found for nothing or very little) takes some glue.

I'd texture the result with textured paint & then paint it in earth colours with a modicum of flocking. The result would be much cheaper & much more realistic than the game. Minimal modelling skills are needed and you'd get quite a lot of satisfaction from the act of creation.

To each his own, of course.

Thank you Paint dog for taking the time to write such a nice article on your method. That's exactly what I was hoping to stimualate here - sharing of ideas! I enjoyed reading it very much. - GC

Hi Paint dog,

Yep, I agree, I once bought a DVD on how to make accessories and more out of foam using a hot wire technique. But before I started my grand plan, I remembered I really don't have any extra space for wargaming or realistic diorama sized projects once I'm done.

I always enjoy your pictures, especially like the Zulu Wars pictures I can pull up on the net. I posted my hobby philosophy for my personal collection under the Fort Wagner thread below responding to Traveller1865. In the meantime I hope you and your friends keep posting your excellent pictures on the net where we can find them! - GC