Tripods and Triplanes

 Having been given the book, 'The last days of the Thunder Child' for Christmas, I was inspired to look for a model of the Martian tripods to build.

Instead I stumbled across the Wings of Glory expansion, Tripods and Triplanes... looks like I will be returning to gaming, because this was delivered earlier this week...

Just a light trim please!

To quote Al Pacino, "Just when I thought I was out, they drag me back in."

After over 5 years out of the hobby, I am definitely back in! I have now completed a dozen old west gun fighters and my first building.

I have decided to opt for a more Hollywood style of Old west and spent some time trawling the net for terrain manufactures. In the end, I selected Empires at War.

The pictures below show the results.

I chose the pre painted kit option. The kit came as 4 sprues, although most of the parts had become jolted free in transit. Those pieces still in the sprues popped out easily with very little pressure from a sharp blade.

I used regular school PVA glue and some lightweight modelling clamps. The fits were all good and snug, resulting in a sturdy model.

Empires at War recommend dry brushing the finished model, which is my next step.

My only dilemma now, to base or not to base?
Any thoughts guys?

28mm Artizan Old West

So after a break of over 5 years, I have completed my first figures.
The minis are from Artizan's Old West range. They are described as 'Goth gun fighters'.  I as able to dig out enough useable Citadel and Vallejo paints that hadn't expired to get the job done.

Next on the table are three Texas Rangers.

I'm Alive! (rolled a 6 on a D6 save roll!)

Wow! It's been almost five years since I posted on my blog!
I was finding balancing hobbies really difficult back then and was committing most of my spare time to Archery. I actually got quite good at it and won a trophy and a few medals!!

Sadly, due to ongoing knee and shoulder problems (resulting in surgery) and pressures from work and family commitments, this has also been put on hiatus.

I spend most of my limited spare time now helping to run a ladies football club in Redditch. This all came about after my youngest daughter started playing for one of their junior teams.









However, since being put into isolation due to the Covid outbreak I have once again picked up a paint brush! When I was actively gaming I really enjoyed Old West Skirmish games, so I now have a dozen Artizan 28mm old west figures on my rather dusty paint tray. I will post some pics once they are complete.

Stay Safe

Mark

All things must pass...

As George Harrison once sang... All things must pass...

It is with a measure of sadness that I announce my retirement from war gaming. Over the years I have made some great friends and enjoyed their company (if not their dice rolling!). Hopefully I will still be welcome to make the occasional guest appearance a Wyvern Wargamers Club.

I have found less and less time for hobbies over the last 18 months, so something had to give.

I will be selling off my collection over the next few months on Ebay, however if there is anything I have posted on here that you are interested in, drop me a line.

All the best, and don't forget ... anything but a one.

Mark

28mm scratch built Mosque for World War Two North Africa

The latest addition to my World War 2North African/ Tunisian village, is a small mosque. When designing the building I decided not to include a minaret tower, reasoning that a mosque in a small village wouldn't have one.

The frame of the building was made using foam board attached to an MDF base using grab adhesive. This was then covered with sharp sand and painted with B&Q Soft Almond interior paint.

The door was made from a scrap piece of MDF and the windows were made with plastic 'granny grid'. Both of these were painted and highlighted in blue.

The dome was made from a Polystyrene ball from Hobby Craft. It was cut in half, glued to an MDF roof. I then covered the dome in fine surface filler that was sanded down to a smooth finish once dry. I decided not to paint the dome gold, but in the same blue as the doors of all the building in the village to match.

The base was then completed by gluing sharp sand that was painted, washed and highlighted in Citadel paints. To finish it off I added foliage scatter for weeds and self adhesive grass tufts.

Next on the table is another house, this time made from cork tiles!

More 28mm scratch built North African (Tunisian) buildings for WW2

 Following my last post, here are the latest scratch built additions to my World War Two North African village.

First up is a well - very easy to make, a donut of Miliput attached to a piece of MDF , followed by three sharpened pieces of wooden cooking skewer glued together and o the base using a impact adhesive. This was all covered in sharp sand and painted as per my last blog entry.

The LRDG officer standing by the well comes from Artizan Miniatures.

Next up is another single story dwelling, made exactly the same as those featured in my last entry. The only difference being the sheltered porch. This was simply made using pieces of wooden cooking skewers. The material used to make the covering came from an old pair of my wife's tights, which I painted with Citadel Tallarn Sand.

This picture shows the other addition, shutters for the window, which I made from thin MDF. This was scored and painted in my usual style.

The Afrika Korp soldiers patrolling by are also from Artizan.

Next on the paint table, a small mosque.

28mm sctratch built Tunisian or North African buildings for WW2

 That's right folks, the summer holidays are here, so I reappear on the painting scene.

I have been working on a 28mm World War Two North Africa project on and off for a while now. The pictures below are of five scratch built buildings.

The buildings are made from foam board and MDF. The buildings were clad in a mixture of PVA glue and sharp sand (remember basetex?) which I applied using a plastic spatula. The base itself was covered in watered down PVA and scattered with sharp sand.

The roofs and doors were all made from thin MDF which I then scored with a pointed file to create individual planks.

The paint scheme is based upon the Tunisian village of Sidi Bou, where every building is painted white and all the doors and shutters painted blue. I used a combination of Citadel, Vallejo and B&Q tester paints.

To complete the models I added clump foliage to represent a kitchen garden on two models and weeds. I also used dry grass spots to represent weeds.

Next on the table are a few more buildings and a well.

U.S Special Forces Zombie Hunters

I know, I know it's been an age since I last updated my blog... sadly work and the recent loss of my father has seriously curtailed my painting!

Well come half term, come the painting frenzy!

Those of you who are familiar with the book World War Z, will appreciate the inspiration for my latest offering. In the book the U.S start dropping 4 man spec ops teams into the grey zones to search for survivors and organise resistance.

I opted for four figures from Hasslefree Miniatures. Their figures aren't cheap, but they are beautifully sculpted and paint up a treat. As ever I used a mix of Vallejo and Citadel paints and washes.

 



 

 The uniforms are based on the current US military digital camouflage, which I created using a half dry brushing, half dabbing method that I think has worked.

Next on the paint table - North Africa adobe buildings.

More 28mm infected/ zombies - Dara O'Briain in drag zombie!

Below are pictures of the last three Pig iron miniatures off the paint tray. As per my last post, the figures are based on Micro Art Studio bases and have been painted with a mix of Vallejo and Citadel paints and washes.

Now, I can't be the only gamer who's mind starts to wander when he's painting... but is it me, or does the female zombie in the yellow blouse look like comedian Daro O'Briain in drag?

 

Next on the paint table are four US Special forces troops and an attempt at digital camouflage!

28mm infected/ Zombies

 The problem with following blogs is that you always see more goodies that you must have!  Pig Iron Miniatures new 'infected' were a must have. When I saw the pictures on their blog they reminded me straight away of the infected dark seekers from the movie 'I am legend'.

When the figures arrived I was delighted with the quality of casting and the details on the figures. I was however surprised to find that they had 'posts' on the end of their feet, meaning I would have to use resin bases.

A quick ebay search led me to Micro Art Studios. They provide a super range of detailed resin bases and gaming accessories. I bought 2 packs of their 25mm urban bases, they ship 5 bases selected from the 12 below.

To attach the figures I used a Dremel to drill two holes. I then used superglue to fix them in place.

As for painting, I used a selection of Citadel and Vallejo paints and washes. I used Citadel rotting flesh from their old range for the flesh (I suppose they have an equivalent now).

The pictures below show the completed figures.

OK this picture is the same as the first, but I left the flash on and it created a nice sinister effect... I'll give you three to start running!

Next on the paint table, three more infected and four special forces figures from Hasslefree miniatures.

Zombie apocalypse survivors

Last year I focused what little time I had for painting on WW2 North Africa... this year my intention is to focus on zombies!

So here is the first instalment. Hasslefree miniatures (www.hfminis.co.uk), in my humble opinion, produce some of the best sculpted figures on the market... OK they're a bit pricey, but they paint up well!

All of the figures were painted using a mix of Citadel and Vallejo paints, washes and varnishes.

The figures are a mix of one, two, three and four piece minis, offering a good range of poses. M last lot of survivors made up a family... this group are all 'youths' according to HF. Who better to survive the zombie apocalypse than 'the ASBO five'?

Both of the figures above were single piece castings. The miniature on the right comes from a set that resemble Scooby Doo and Mystery Inc (although for legal reasons they cannot use that title).

The figures above are slightly smaller in stature than HF's adult figures, giving them a youthful feel. The figure on the right came with separate arms, with options for a shotgun or a pistol.

OK, so clearly it's Kick Ass, HF clearly can't use the name (Actually they do a good range of TV and Film inspired characters). The mini comes with an alternative head, minus the mask and the arms are separate allowing a range of poses.

Next on the table, skips, recycling bins and barriers from Fenris Games.

Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)

You can tell that it's almost the end of term... I've found time to paint!
At long last I have completed the six LRDG that I started back in October half term! The results of which are below:



 With the end of term looming I should get a bit of paint time in between all the festive madness!

Next on the table are a small group of Post apocalyptic survivors from Hasslefree Miniatures and a small village worth of scratch built adobe buildings for North Africa.

 

28mm Artizan Long Range Desert Group (LRDG)

At long last I have been able to put the DAK to one side and start on the British. Ever since I started war gaming I have had a hankering for putting together figures from the unit my maternal grandfather went on to serve with, the Long Range Desert Group.

 

Artizan Miniatures produce a small range of LRDG/SAS and desert commando figures. I started three of the LRDG packs. The figures were all well cast and in dynamic poses.

 

In order to differentiate them from the DAK I chose a lighter palette. The base colours for the uniforms are Vallejo Iraqi Sand and Vallejo English Uniform.

 

 

 

 All the webbing details were picked out with a 50/50 mixture of the two base colours.

 

This first group of LRDG are wearing a more standard uniform than those normally associated with the unit, but are historically accurate.

Next on the paint tray are six more LRDG, but with much more varied uniforms.