Monday 30 April 2012

Sasha II completed...

...and on a temporary base. The material (actually 3d print material) of the torch and gauges is very brittle and fragile and has been repaired a number of times so the 'client' will complete the build when he recieves her to prevent damage in the post. I've suggested he leaves the torch on the floor of the base and puts  something else in her hand (no smut please!)...























































































WIP: Khurasan GAU...

...(Garn Assault Unit) - primed, airbrushed with base colour and a little 'zenithal' lighting (most noticeable on the legs)....and a 15mm trooper for scale.













Tuesday 24 April 2012

Antenociti's Warthog II...

...finished! I will fill the cargo basket at a later stage and I'm still thinking about markings but for all intents and purposes...































































































































































Monday 23 April 2012

WIP: Antenociti's Warthog II...

...with chips! Tasty! Just needs a little dust and grime...































































'Samaritens'...

...the latest Sedition Wars faction from Studio McVey were available at Salute so, of course, I purchased a set and boy are they nice! Four fully-armoured figures (two male, two female, two bare-headed, two with helmets) and an anti-grav (?), remote (?) turret (not to sure if I like this - I'd have preferred another figure). Here are some very poor pics which do not do the figures (sculpted by Kev White?) justice at all...



























































































WIP: Antenociti's 'Spider' tank...

...base camo






















Saturday 21 April 2012

On my way home...

'...from Salute. Picked up several new items - a new faction for Studio McVey's Sedition Wars, the 'Samaritans' (lovely!) and the squad includes an anti-grav (?) turret (not sure about this yet); some of Heresy's new sci-fi troopers (including an officer's upgrade set  - several different arms, two hands with pistols and a couple of heads) which included a couple of heavy weapons I hadn't expected. Again, these look really nice. I couldn't resist restocking a Viper, Warthog II and another set of the neo-Rus troopers from Antenociti either.
I also received a rather nice surprise when introduced to Simon (Pig Iron Productions) who, having learned I was attending and meeting Mark, a mutual aquaintance and forum buddy, brought along some samples of his latest figures as a thankyou for painting and posting his Section troopers. I love this hobby - so many nice, like-minded people!
Highlight of the show for me was a complete surprise - I was immensely impressed by the 10mm (yes 10mm) models of scifi aircraft and vehicles by a new company to me called Hawk. Not only where the differing factions in this war (human and alien I think) beautifully designed and realised but the painting was quite breath-taking. I believe the 'game' is due to be released in July and even if this is not your scale or game of choice I'm sure you'll be impressed. Watch out for them.


Another senior moment...

...this one on the way to Salute - forgot my phone. Aarrghh!  At least I remembered the tickets......er.....

Thursday 19 April 2012

Antenociti's Warthog II...

...built and ready for paint. Nice bit of brass etched clumsily folded by yours truely...















Life's a beach 2...

...but not as exotic and certainly not as hot! Tenby, South Wales, yesterday...

















...part of a three-day trip in a motorhome (first time) hired as a Christmas present from our daughters, Lorna and Georgie. Thanks again girls! X

Saturday 14 April 2012

Antenocit Warthog II...

...just arrived! here's the breakdown of parts












Quite straightforward... Hull, axles x 2, wheels x 4, mudguards x 4, bullbar/winch, brass-etched 'cargo basket', and the weapon (4 parts).  While waiting for washes to dry on the Jet-Bike 'road' bases I put the Warthog II together...the axles have very secure locations in slots in the hull. The only thing to be wary of here is to get them set so the wheels are spaced equally front and back. You also have the option of setting the height of the axles at different levels (there are no set positions you just glue the axle at whatever height suits you) - I've gone for the lowest setting simply because it's the easiest to align correctly. There is also a definite front and back to the axles which I nearly missed. In the picture above they're back to front (the front piston housings are slightly offset). The bull-bar has slots cut into the lower hull and the corresponding tags on the bull-bar fit very snugly and precisely. The four mudguards are simply glued against a ridge on the front and rear of the axles. I think these parts are optional...

...and, yes (someone's bound to ask!) the weapon mount can be hinged by carefully drilling and pinning.
Antenociti's vehicles keep on improving not only in terms of the designs but also in  ease of construction and fitting of parts. Going to be a 'biggy' this one I think and should be available at Salute. Stand in line behind me!

Antenociti Jet-Bike...

...Scouts.









































Thursday 12 April 2012

T-Pea scouts...

...on Jet-Bikes. These will be finished over the weekend but I wanted to see how a photo would look...

Tuesday 10 April 2012

WIP: Defiance Games...

Marine. Had to take a break from painting yesterday for a few hours as we were having a boiler fitted in my attic workspace - not very condusive to sitting in deep concentration with a steady hand - so I started putting together a Defiance Games Marine from the three test-sprues Tony Reidy sent me. Let me state immediately - I like these! Despite the furore (you weren't aware of it? Where have you been!?) that's surrounded the release (well about to be released to be more accurate) of these miniatures I think they have a great deal of potential in terms of conversion (which is why I ordered several sets in the first place) and will look great with (and in) a number of the 28mm sci-fi vehicles I have in my collection. Being plastic there are some issues - lack of undercuts, 'soft detailing - but the material is so easy to manipulate and work with that these are only minor problems for anybody with a little modelling experience and the right tools.
I've put together a head, torso and legs and removed all the mould lines which are inherent to any casting be it metal, resin or plastic. I've then set about refining the detail and improving the undercuts in certain areas.
Here are some comparison pics of a marine OOB and one I've 'enhanced' -  pockets; buttons removed to be replaced at a later stage, flaps and expansion pleat given sharper definition. Body-armour; back of the arms, shoulder pads given undercuts and better definition. Boots; soles defined. Head; peak of cap thinned near ears, 'Colonial Marines' collar added to neck (I tend to do this with most figures that have a seperate head to improve the fit - the head is not permanently attached just blu-tacked - I would normally do this with modelling epoxy but here have drilled out the end of a plasticard tube and filed it down to nearer scale thickness then cut the opening in the front). Belt; most importantly, for me, I've given him an 'arse' by carving away the belt at the rear and then recarving to give an overall smaller waist and better shaped posterior. This also makes the back of the body armour appear bulkier and overhang the waist. A little more cleaning-up then I'll move on to the arms and weapon.