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Quite while ago, I created a thread in Blogs detailing an evolving project to display my meagre collection in my window. Having recently looked through my photos, I decided it might be an idea to showcase the evolution of this idea (and chronicle the progress of the madness that fuels it !)

It began, as do most forms of insanity, with but a simple notion - having just moved into a much smaller place, space was limited, so I decided that my wide window-sill would be a good storage shelf for my small collection :

13 May 2009 - innocent beginings. (The early construction of the next pic can be seen lurking in the background to the left.)

Deciding this looked quite dull, and having added a Land Raider and Predator to my collection, I threw together a small piece of terrain :

17 May 2009 - the seed of madness is planted !

The arrival of an Assault Squad, Bike Squad and Assault Terminators saw the addition of another layer the to construction not too long later :

26 June 2009 - The seed germinates as the madness reaches for depth.

The discovery of the Orks and Imperial Guard models in my storage boxes prompted another expansion :

12 August 2009 - Those roots are boring deeper !

By December, the addition of another Predator and two Tactical Squads required further building work, resulting in an underground "Loading Bay" :

6 December 2009 - It begins to dawn on me that this might not end !

Over the next few months, the release of the Space Wolves codex brings about the creation of the Ice Wolves, and the need for more storage space. Wanting to branch out from "cave" scenery, I build the prototype of a "Reactor Room" (left window pane) and experiment with solar powered garden lights.

July 2010 - the madness delves deeper and wider !

July 2010 - the warning lights go on !

A re-design of the Reactor Room, prompted by the release of the Blood Angels codex and my creation of the Blood Wraiths, saw the construction jump up a little more. The Imperial Guard and Ork battle was moved to a newly built section (bottom right), and the lighting expanded to match :


August 2010 - will this never end ? Probably not - at least, not until I run out of window !

A small incursion of Nids Gaunts infested a lower level not long after. The Adepts soon threw up a Sanctum and Basilica (which promptly got shot to hell) and the Iron Wraiths discovered some Stark Tech - all of which needed accomodation built, which leads us to the present day.

3 Feb 2011 - Madness ? THIS IS DAKKA ! ( My doctor tells me to give up hope and accept I'll be building this stuff for life )

So, that's the tour of my madness to date. Comments welcomed - encouraged, in fact. And yes, as this continues to expand I plan to put it in here.
All images, and some detailing the sections as WIPs, are in the gallery, so get in there and vote.
Thanks for reading, (I know it's a lot),
Reaper6

PS - for those interested in statistics, this monster currently covers 18.5 square feet of my window's surface area (the display measures 65" wide by 41" tall) and occupies slightly under 15.5 cubic feet (sitting on a 10" sill)

How do the colors hold up in the sunlight?

I remember this

I'm with malfred - how have the colours done?

Im smiling like a buffoon right now, brilliant stuff lol.
What do the neighbours think of it?

malfred & SilverMK2 : I remember you guys raising that point in the original thread . Before replying, I pulled one of the original Tac marines from photo 1, Telion - who joined the window about a year later, and a Blood Wraith I put in the display about a month ago.
So far, the only fading issue seems to be the static grass (as I expected). The paintwork has actually held up rather well. To illustrate this, I'll post the assessment pic and one taken when Telion was "freshly done" so you can judge for yourselves. Dates should be visible on the images.





Ratius : Thanks dude, glad you approve .
When I first moved in this place was a B&B, with my window looking out onto the car park. Back then most guests would stop and look and, if I met them, comment positively on it. Since then, the business has closed and become privately rented rooms. The other tenants often look to see if I've changed anything (one views it as his personal challenge to spot any changes) and, from what they've said, their visitors often enjoy looking too. It seems my little effort promotes interest in the hobby, and at least 1 person has resumed painting since seeing my small display.

[edited to include Tac Squad]

Fantastic. I love how you can trace the expansion, module by module, army by army, in a nice little narrative.

I tested paints over the course of a year to see if they fade in direct sunlight. I still have not got all the sticky tape off my window but the results can be found here:
http://www.dakkadakka.com/wiki/en/Do_Miniature_Paints_Fade

Pleased to say that only the washes have any change in colour, and even then it is only very slight.

Lego : Just read the article - good read in a "budget mad-scientist" way. Glad to see our independant results tallying - even if my approach was less scientific (albeit more dramatic !) .
At least your window suffered in the name of science, whilst mine is being abused for the sake of... insanity ?

You're fething crazy. I fully expect this display to spread over the walls of your house. Cool stuff

Lol he only has this room so the other residents might complain if he knocks down some walls.
Fellow brother of the Holy Pie I played a game with the pie guard on Thurs and got trounced by the haters of pie the bugs it was an enjoyable game tho.

oadie : Sorry dude, must have missed your reply somehow - Thanks, I thought the narration might make the evolution of the idea a better read.

The Dreadnote : Yes, I am crazy (i even said so in the OP) and when I eventually move the insanity is definately gonna spread further.

sonofruss : Comiserations on your loss to the Paragons of the Unholy Appetite, brother. Any chance of a batrep, or more Pie Guard pics sometime ?

If you can get a couple of big sheets of clear plastic to cover the windows it'd stop the colours fading. Plastic blocks UV light pretty effectively.
But yeah this is great! I got back into the hobby when my local library had a little display of models set up to promote gaming nights there so I can relate to the guy who got inspired by your stuff.

epic

jackanory : Thanks for the plastic tip, I'll probably do that at some point in the future (I quite like the faded static grass, makes the bases look a little more arid).

supagigashoota : Thanks dude. Funny you should use the word "epic" - I'm thinking of including some epic armageddon minis to create a "forced perspective" look at a later date.

Waow! I must admit that in all it's crazyness i am beeing consumed by it! What are the chances to get this mental ilness to forever paint Mini's?

And love that you have made a timeline really awesome

Thanks, ZanZag. Be warned, if you already paint then you are at risk of developing this madness