Well a few things you might want to look at do you plan on animating. do you want to render it in real time or do you want to do a series of stills. How do you feel about spending some time learning the software because you have to do that nothing is instant. plan on taking some time think of which aspect you wan lot learn first. Good free stuff Wings is nice and free you can make low poly models. Look into games based on the civil war and see if you can import DEM files pr do mods might be a interesting tool.

The wit of a misplaced ex-patriot.
I cheated on my metaphysics exam by looking into the soul of the person next to me.