1:144 Scale Tower House By Nell Corkin

Actually small castles, tower houses were originally built for defensive purposes along border regions in the British Isles. Many are still inhabited.

This one would have been built in the 15th Century. Originally, a wooden ladder would have led to the second floor doorway, and could have been removed in times of danger. The staircase, a ground floor doorway (on right side, off camera) and the half-timber solar would have been added in later, more peaceful times.

The tower was made from 1/16" birch plywood, with over 3500 stones cut from .015" x .125" strip stryene and applied individually, then textured with acrylic gesso. The slight variations achieved by this approch give the wall surface a slightly uneve - and therefore more realistic - appearance than would be achieved by using sheet materials. The windows are etched brass; the door was scratch built from N scale strip basswood.

The half-timber solar was made from 1?32" birch plywood, with acrylic gesso to simulate plaster; the timbers are stained N scale basswood 2x8 strips.

Shingles on both parts of the building are textured paper.

Landscaping was done with Woodland Scenics and Plastruct materials and natural stones.

Height to top of tower roof: 4 7/8"