Redoubt

[architect]

A redoubt is an independent fortification without bastions that supports a larger fortification. This type of structure was used in European and North American forts.

One example is a pair of redoubts built by the British at Fort Niagara in 1764. Small cannon mounted on the upper level could fire grape shot at advancing Indian warriors who lacked cannon. These strong points housed soldiers, stored weapons and powder, and provided a last point of defense. This was needed as the original earthen fort walls with wooden palisades, originally built by the French, were extremely large and continually prone to erosion.

Images of the Fort Niagara Redoubts:
http://k41.pbase.com/g3/18/621218/2/558 ... edoubt.jpg
http://i.pbase.com/g3/18/621218/2/55140 ... tario1.jpg

Redoubts are transitional structures from medieval to colonial fortifications. This tradition would continue in blockhouses built for various western forts on the great lakes and great plains. As long as the opponent lacked heavy artillery, this type of tower was effective.

The lower walls of my moc of the South Redoubt needed to be tapered to match the original building. I accomplished this by using snot construction and studs turned on their sides. Certain details such as windows, wooden shutters on upper level, and the brick chimney were not completed in time for the BrickWorld display, but I hope to complete these as well.

Please let me know what you think. Thanks!



Deeplinks:

http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Benja ... oubt01.jpg
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Benja ... oubt02.jpg
http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/Benja ... oubt03.jpg

[principe azul]

Wow-looks great! I really like how you tapered the walls and I love that door design.

[castlebuilder100]

Wow that's awesome. I love the SNOT tapering.

[Voran_the_Scholar]

In my exhausted and sleepy state, intelligible words fail me...It is amazing. From the images, it looks like the roof can lift off. An interior, I hope? The shape is really nice. You pulled the tapering off quite nicely too. Well done.

God bless.

Tom

[architect]

Unfortunately there is not an interior. Due to the way the snot walls are constructed, it can not hinge open. I could remove the top level and build the second floor barracks. Personally, I prefer buildings that hinge in half over floors that lift off. I may add this in the future.

Ben

[Kairyai]

I like it!!! It looks a lot like a Civil War post or fort. I hope ypu get the way you really want in the future.

[Heir of Black Falcon]

Ben,

Very interesting. The development of the fortification is an interesting subject. I have some in a book I have on fortifications somewhere that shows a few interesting round ones.

The MOC is very nice. I like the clever sideway use of the bricks. The large roof over it also fits in very well with the slope and shape of the rest of the fortification. Nice work

I can see how adding hinges would be an issue. Could you use the socket and pin bricks?

R

[architect]

Ben,

Very interesting. The development of the fortification is an interesting subject. I have some in a book I have on fortifications somewhere that shows a few interesting round ones.

Did they have roofs? Were they independent structures? The Spanish often built round martello towers for their cannon.

The MOC is very nice. I like the clever sideway use of the bricks. The large roof over it also fits in very well with the slope and shape of the rest of the fortification. Nice work

Thank you.

I can see how adding hinges would be an issue. Could you use the socket and pin bricks?

This is a possible solution. I would end up with a jagged "saw tooth" edge on both sides of the moc. This feature could end up being visible when the moc is closed.

[Spongey]

Wow, this is great. It's not often that we see a MOC from you architect, but when we do it sure is cool. I love the SNOT tapering. Architect is definitely a fitting name for you; very few builders have your level of structural expertise.

[phred]

Great work architect
I like how closely this MOC matches the real thing.

This was great to see at Brickworld.
I took a couple of close up pics.

the doorway and on the top

[Heir of Black Falcon]

Ben,

They were independent structures more or less. Several miles from the next fortification at least but part of their defensive system. I do not think they had roofs in the picture but they may be below the wall line in places or just have been lost over time. The pictures though were of how they are now. At least two of the three I was thinking of had earthworks around the stone tower. I think two were built in Europe as almost initial places of defence for older fortifications or towns. Redoubts depending on how and who uses the term seem almost the same as a number of medieval structures of defence so they might have been a very old fortification by the colonial era. Seems they could be of dirt, brick or stone. Some of the Redoubts I know in the US are rather huge and basically forts but then it becomes a terminology argument what is what or if one can be both while the other is not.

If I can find a scanner at work I will copy the pictures out for you. AS long as it is for educational purposes I think that should be fine.

R

[DaleDVM]

It was great to see this in person at Brickworld. The building technique is brilliant. Thanks for showing me how you pulled it off Ben.

[Heir of Black Falcon]

Ben,

I PMed you not to hijack the topic away from your cool MOC!

R

[Aharown]

Ben,

Very interesting. The development of the fortification is an interesting subject. I have some in a book I have on fortifications somewhere that shows a few interesting round ones.

Did they have roofs? Were they independent structures? The Spanish often built round martello towers for their cannon.

Hi Ben,

The Canadian ones have roofs, because of the cold and snow in the winter.

There's a history of Martello towers here, (with pictures of Martello towers in Quebec City & Kingston)

There's a related article here, about one of the Martello towers in Kingston.

I also found a couple of articles with pictures (including interior shots) of Matello towers in Fort Henry in Kingston:here and here

I hope this helps!

Aaron

Edit: Apparently the roofs were originally removable, and used just for the winter (it gets hot in the summer in Canada, too - 60°C swings between summer & winter are not uncommon!)

Now the roofs are permanent, for ease of upkeep.

PS - Nice MOC, too, BTW!

[architect]

Thank you for the links. Removable roofs for both seasons make sense. I am surprised that these towers were still being built in the 1840's.

Ben