Tuesday 2 June 2015

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight Five - 2mm Land Ironclads By “Brigade Models”

Great British WIPs - All the ironclads have been undercoated brown ready for washing with brown ink
This fortnight’s personal painting challenge is another simple one in that all I have to do is paint something from my 2mm, or to be more precise 1/1200th collection of models.

Many years ago I actually painted up a small Great British Fleet from the "Aeronef" range of flying steampunk ships made by "Brigade Games". As a result I was sorely tempted to just paint up the German Fleet which accompanied my British cruisers in the company's British Verses German Starter Pack. But as I scrambled around looking for them I discovered I'd subsequently bought a load of models from the Kent-based manufacturer's Land Ironclads range as well.
More Ironclad WIPs - The German Army will be painted with a light grey colour scheme
Many of these '"huge fighting machines" had already been based and undercoated. But there was still some work to be done to get them prepared for the painting table, such as flocking their bases with sand and grit. In addition the "Citadel" Dark Flesh and Devlan Mud combination I'd originally painted the Great British Army in was long since out of production. So I have repainted all of these ironclads with a "Vallejo" equivalent.

The German Army's three-car land train had clearly taken a bit of a knock whilst in storage and lost one of its masts. To be honest I wasn't actually bothered by this as these delicate details look out of place upon such formidable engines of destruction. I've therefore simply grey-stuffed over the hole and will file it down smooth once it has dried, ready for its undercoat.
PzLdZg Gustavus WIP - The land train's engine car has had its mast removed, whilst the infantry car's one remains
For now I plan to just simply dry-brush these vehicles with their base colour and then pick out their machine guns and cannons with silver. I won't be highlighting their decking or painting in minute details such as their company insignias. I might though, if things go smoothly enough, order some more of the bigger battalion sets, and perhaps a few dozen stands of 2mm infantry...

10 comments:

  1. I'd be tempted to add some colour to these beasties. Either go with a camouflage pattern (WW 1 German tanks might be a starting point), or go for the clean "black hull, white uppers, mustard masts" lines of a Victorian (pre dreadnought) warship. But that's just me...

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    1. Hi C6, I did consider your second suggestion as that's precisely how I painted my "Aeronef" ships. But they took an eternity to pick out, and I just wanted something simple on the table tbh. I've a few test pieces to have a go with first and I'll post them. I hope with the metal guns etc then they'll actually be a bit more broken up then these initial undercoats suggest anyway. There are though, as you say, some very nice tank camo patterns out there from both world wars.

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  2. Eclectic as always Bk! Far too small for me dude. Good luck.

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    1. Cheers Bob. Didn't think this would be your thing. But that's why I like doing this challenge for a while as it clears out some of the cobwebs from mini drawers :-)

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  3. Sorry, but I have to agree with Bob. They are far too small for me as well. Still, I am interested to see how they develop.

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    1. Thanks Bryan. These should be just a very quick and simple painting diversion, and I appreciate probably not your cup of tea.

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  4. There pretty cool looking miniatures mate. I don't game with stuff this small any more but used to have some great games with it back in the school games club.

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    1. Cheers Simon. I rather like them and hopefully once washed, dry-brushed and based they'll appeal a little more. Certainly on the tabletop they should look good.

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  5. Very cool stuff Simon, I do like a bit of VSF, we'll draw you to the dark side of Dystopian Wars yet!!

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I was actually half-thinking of doing some of my "Spartan Games" stuff for this fortnight's challenge. But then found these little beauties. I really like them, and think they'll prove great fun once finished. All those 2mm infantry - which "Irregular Games" do a variety of too :-)

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