Practical Modeling  Miniature Building Authority's Town Church Gamemasters and diorama makers in search of a versatile, well-crafted HO/25mm-scale church may find that their prayers have been answered by a very attractive model manufactured by the Miniature Building Authority. Part of MBA's Eurovillage Series of buildings, the superbly detailed, pre-painted Town Church is typical of the village churches that are spread across Western Europe and known as Romanesque on the continent and Norman across the channel in England. Cast from solid resin, it could hardly be any sturdier if it actually were made of the stone it is intended to depict. MBA's Town Church is a scale 38 feet wide, 65 feet long, and 65 feet high. --Original photo courtesy Miniature Building Authority Dimensions of the church are 7.6 inches wide, 13 inches long, and 13 inches high-which, assuming a scale of 1 inch to 5 game feet, comes out to an impressive 38 feet wide, 65 feet long, and 65 feet high. Features include a bell tower with a platform large enough to accommodate one or two 25/28mm miniatures, a small vestry with an outer door at the rear of the church, and a roof that can be removed, leaving the interior of the church open for game play or additional modeling. The three sharply-arched windows that appear on each side of the church are open, giving them the greatest amount of flexibility for wargaming. This can also allow model-makers of even limited ability to customize the church for various scenarios by adding "stained glass" windows of paper or cellophane. A detail of the church's tower, as seen with another building in the foreground. --Original photo courtesy Miniature Building Authority While the primary use of this model is likely to be in fantasy and medieval settings, the Town Church would be at home in many time periods and milieus. For example, World War II buffs might appreciate that it is quite similar to many of the village churches that dot the Normandy coastline within sight of the D-Day landing beaches, and reminiscent of the church wherein was fought the final battle in The Eagle Has Landed. And when not being used for gaming, it could also be used as the centerpiece of various seasonal dioramas (e.g., Halloween or Christmas displays). The Town Church being used in a World War II scenario. --Original photo courtesy Miniature Building Authority If we have one criticism of this piece-and, admittedly, it is a small one-it is that the double front doors seem a bit smallish (we are, of course, viewing them next to our own hulking Orc miniatures). This may not be a problem at all for many people of course, and the more industrious who do have a problem with this could easily remedy it with a little paint or by crafting and inserting a semi-circular, wood-colored extension into the space above the door, increasing its effective height by about a third. Finally, those who are ordained (and it is tough to come to cons anymore without meeting at least a few gamers who are), whether it be online or through some other venue, may find that this piece is just classy enough to qualify for consecration and use as an in-home chapel. And, with its removable roof and ample space within, it could also serve as a small reliquary or storage space for personal artifacts. For more information about this model, contact the Miniature Building Authority, P.O. Box 3311, Lilburn, GA 30047; (404) 932-3106; www.miniaturebuilding.com.