The latest issue of Miniature Wargames, issue 500, December 2024 features this scratch built windmill that was built and painted by me. It was commissioned as a celebration of Ian Weekley who built a similar model that was featured in the very first issue of Miniature Wargames, back in 1983. For more information, see this link.
MW issue 500 which is now available to purchase which also includes a free sprue of Wargames Atlantic werewolves.
The model was inspired by the initial article and various illustrations found on the internet as well as images from various books on windmills.
Construction commenced with a simple cardboard box clad in scrap wood (old fruit packing cases) and a cereal box roof. The wooden support or 'post' was constructed from balsawood and textured foam on a cork and DAS modelling clay base. The old mill wheel was cut from 5mm thick plastic card and textured with a scalpel.
The sails were built from wood, card and plastic card while the additional detailing came from either card of scrap wood. The main body of the mill can be turned on the post and the sails revolve on a knitting needle and pen barrel axle.
The finished windmill was painted in less intense colours than I would have usually used as I once read that Ian Weekley preferred muted colours on his wargame terrain. The base has been decorated with static grass and ground foam applied over superglue.
It was a real privileged to be asked to build a model inspired by Ian and I would hope that he would have been pleased with the finished windmill. In addition I would like to thank robh of The Lead Adventure Forum for the help that he supplied in sourcing various articles and images of Ian Weekley's models and articles.
Tony
