Tactics Table

[John Grant]

This is my table, which I use to reenact various battles with regiments, etc.
I actually use it almost exclusively for displaying/presenting "battle maps."

It is a table for gardeners, sand (from a gravel pit), and dominoes to represent the parties.

I have already reenacted battles from Little Big Horn (Indian Wars), Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, etc. Now the scene shown is from Marye's Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg. I get my ideas from books, the internet, etc.

 

[Sheltowee]

Nice. Do you ever move/shape the sand to simulate topography?

 

[John Grant]

Yes, I sometimes try it out, for example when I need to recreate a river or a hill.
I also use small model trees when I want to recreate a forest, but what I can't do is recreate buildings.

 

[Pat Answer]

This is on the elaborate end of things:

…but really all you need is some cardboard, a pair of scissors, glue or tape, and construction paper. (And a little patience if you need things small… LOL) Before I switched to maps I would take a thin strip of cardboard and fold it in three places to make a square or rectangle. Tape it together, fold a small piece of construction paper in half over the top, with glue or tape on the sides connected to the square = instant farmhouse.
I have also raided Monopoly games for the green houses and red buildings - but one could get in trouble if one forgets to put them back.

 

[John Grant]

Good idea!

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

This is my table, which I use to reenact various battles with regiments, etc.
I actually use it almost exclusively for displaying/presenting "battle maps."

It is a table for gardeners, sand (from a gravel pit), and dominoes to represent the parties.

I have already reenacted battles from Little Big Horn (Indian Wars), Pickett's Charge at Gettysburg, etc. Now the scene shown is from Marye's Heights during the Battle of Fredericksburg. I get my ideas from books, the internet, etc.

View attachment 556623
View attachment 556624

I like your idea.

 

[13 IL Cav & 64 GA Inf]

Yes, I sometimes try it out, for example when I need to recreate a river or a hill.
I also use small model trees when I want to recreate a forest, but what I can't do is recreate buildings.

Good!

 

[Library Lady]

Would any of the various model railroading scales be suitable for your table? I'm most familiar with my Dad's and brother's HO scale layouts. There are many types of buildings you can get in that scale, including ones with a more "historical" look.

 

[John Grant]

Thank you for your inquiry. HO scale is too large for the tabletop; N scale would be more suitable.

I have three Bachmann Civil War HO scale trains, but unfortunately, I don't have enough space to make a nice diorama out of them.