Thursday 16 November 2017

"Those Who March With Us Will Certainly Face Abuse..."

"...Misunderstanding, bitter animosity, and possibly the ferocity of struggle and of danger."
These two 28mm metal miniatures of Sir Oswald Moseley's bodyguards can be bought, along with their British Union of Facists leader, as Code 403012203 from the "Warlord Games" German Army range, and are "modelled upon Mussolini's fascist party." Costing an additional 13 points per man, the Blackshirts' rules can be found within the "Bolt Action" book "Campaign: Sea Lion", and accompany the former "Conservative MP for Harrow" everywhere on the battlefield.

Initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the para-militarists were highlighted with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and later washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The bruisers' belt buckles were painted using a combination of Ironbreaker and (more) Nuln Oil, whilst their hair was 'picked out' using either "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade or "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.
Judoon Ghost WIPs - The Fisher King's minion has been washed and dry-brushed
Finally, one thug's club was pigmented with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and his companion's knuckleduster was given a lick of "Vallejo" Brass. Both of these areas were then treated to a wash of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

To be honest, despite the straightforward palette, I found both of these miniatures quite a struggle to finish on account of their faces, and particularly their small eyes. I know that some hobbyists prefer to avoid painting pupils by simply applying a dark wash into a sculpt's facial recesses, and I've never been so tempted to follow such a technique as I was with these two chaps. In the end though, having found it impossible to pinpoint two spots of white for each eye, I settled for just the one and hope they don't appear too cross-eyed as a result.
Snakeskin Harvest Marker WIPs - The dead "Guild Ball" player can be used as an alternative sculpt on the pitch 
Sticking with "Warlord Games", I've been asked to pen an article for their "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" website as to how I went about converting my two Judoon ghosts to accompany their towering Fisher King miniature on the tabletop. As a result, I've spent a bit of time progressing the final figure's paint-job, and thus hope to have the undead extra-terrestrial mercenary finished and ready for posting by next week.

Perhaps somewhat surprisingly, I've also found myself momentarily drawn back to "Guild Ball" by "Steamforged Games Limited". The company recently released "The Dark Harvest" boxed set as a seasonal special edition to celebrate Halloween, and as soon as I saw it contained deceased versions of the players who have so far been killed whilst playing the medieval sports game, I knew I had to paint them up...

41 comments:

  1. Now you certainly wouldn't argue with either of these chaps! Fabulous job Simon.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Michael. They should look okay on the tabletop imho.

      Delete
  2. I gave up on doing eyes years ago, you know when you're beaten ! The Marty Feldman look was never very appealing. You've done a very effective job of painting them.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Phil. These too certainly tested my eye-painting patience to be sure!!

      Delete
  3. Great work on the bodyguard Simon, congrats on the article, tombstone is off to a great start

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dave. I've yet to write the actual article for "Warlord Games", but as you can probably imagine, a lot of it will be taken from my postings here on "Fantorical".

      Delete
  4. A nice eclectic mix of figures, which does seem to be a feature of your blog. Variety is good, mate.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Bryan. Variety is always good in my books when it comes to the hobby.

      Delete
  5. Nice looking Blackshirts Simon, I`m still highly tempted by all this. Can you tell me what Operation Sealion part 2 (the second book) is like. Its only a small 60 odd page add on and wonder if its worth its £12:99 price tag? I`m very torn Simon: Early "what if" WG Bolt Action, or the 1938 Very British Civil War which Sally 4th sell in its entirety. Both are pulling at me considerably and I`m almost preparing to write my Christmas wish list to reflect this... but which direction to take, that`s the thing?

    http://wargamesbuildings.co.uk/epages/950003459.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950003459/Categories/1938_A_Very_British_Civil_War

    I really love those Snakeskin Harvest Marker WIPs you`ve done too. And well done with your continued WG Exterminate alliance. Nice stuff Simon :-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Steve. I don't yet own "Operation Gigant" I'm afraid, though I'll be giving it a close look tomorrow if its at "Warfare" in Reading :-) I'll be going "Warlord Games" way as I can fit the minis into "Konflikt 47" too ;-)

      Expect a few "Guild Ball" grave markers making an appearance over the coming weeks, and lots of synergy with "Warlord Games"/"Doctor Who: Exterminate!"

      Delete
    2. hope you have a lovely time at Warfare :)

      Delete
    3. Cheers Hils, I did :-) And picked up "Operation Gigant" from the "Warlord Games" stall - it probably is a little underwhelming for the £13 price tag compared to some of the other "Bolt Action" books, but does cover some interesting formations such as the IRA and cricket clubs.

      Delete
    4. The cricket club pulls me in haha, looks jolly spiffing stuff. But yeah that price tag is steep (could they not have just added those extra pages to the initial book *sighs*). Early IRA would be nice to factor in, and especially allying with the Germans like they did, would make for some pretty intense games. I dunno, I`m just not sure if the pre war VBCW wouldnt be more unusual.. on our door steps as it were, and mostly in civilian clothing too. Aaaah choices choices.

      How was Warfare?

      Delete
    5. Thanks for the thoughts, Steve. I think the majority of "Warlord Games" fantasy Sea Lion invasion is still very much steeped in plausible units, and its only in "Operation Gigant" that it seems to get a little tongue-in-cheek with the civvy clothing etc (which "WG" do sell now as a boxed set). I think if you like more tongue-in-cheek stuff then "VBCW" is the better route. As I think I've mentioned before, I like "WG" because I can use for "Konflikt '47" too, as the Home Guard reactivate a few Tommy robots to hold off Moseley and his vampiric German allies ;-)

      "Warfare" was great, bought a fair bit and ordered more upon returning home. For the next few months (until "Salute") I'm planning on not buying anything else and doing a (partially-painted) Pledge where I'm only going to paint what I own. Not sure I'll be able to keep it, but we'll see ;-)

      Delete
  6. It is always a joy to come to your blog and see what is being posted up in the latest article. Your ability to constantly switch between ranges and genres is quite dazzling and certainly keeps me updated to new and different types of minis. Despite the difficulties with the Blackshirts they look pretty good from the photos and I am sure they are even better in real life. Congratulations on being asked by Warlord Games to do a piece on your ghostly Judoon, a great idea of making the Fisher King and his abilities come to life (or unlife) on the tabletop. Well done. Lastly it is lovely to see Guild Ball back on the blog. As you know I have a soft spot for this game and think the minis are some of the best on the market at the moment so the appearance of one of the grave markers was nice to see. Hopefully this will give you the impetus to complete your Union and Engineer teams as you stated back in May (Yes, it was that long ago!) with the prospect of another batrep, perhaps using the Season 3 rules. Your last game report was so well written with pieces of the back story woven in to make it a tapestry of game-play and insight to the universe. Hopefully this will attract some Guildball fans to your blog who can then experience the wonderful diversity of the miniature gaming world that you post up as no two posts are ever the same! Great reading as always, keep it up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gasp! Such a lengthy comment, Undercoat, and many thanks for following too!! I fear many more BUF minis may be on the horizon following "Warlord Games" Black Friday deals announcement. Plus I've a few more Judoon to finish off before the Fisher King can be confronted :-)

      "Guild Ball" should be popping up a few times over the next couple of months as I try and get back into the medieval fantasy sports game and looks towards another BatRep or two. The first one, posted back in May, certainly seems to have caught on this month, with plenty of additional hits ;-)

      Delete
  7. For the Who article, are you getting paid for every word written or by every line used? ;)

    [that is, definitely, a joke. no need to say anything on such arrangements]

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm being paid in lead, Roy, or rather pewter ;-)

      Delete
  8. I like all of these minis, what a fab offering today Simon. I’m steering clear of guild ball at the mo, but it’s getting harder to resist by the day!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Andy. Think of "Guild Ball" as a sort of "Bushido" but with a football, and you won;t be far wrong ;-)

      Delete
  9. Great stuff Simon! Congrats on the article :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Ivor. The article's still a WIP presently, but be assured I'll be posting a link once its up :-)

      Delete
  10. ANther wonderful selection of the weird and the wonderful, but the thugs have come out great despite your 'eye' reservations (I really don't see the point) and the 'ghosts' seem to be becoming quite your focus atm (not surprising given the remit above).

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Joe. There will certainly be plenty of Judoon and other "Doctor Who" minis on show over the next few weeks as I try and play catch-up throughout December.

      Delete
  11. Congratulations on being asked to pen an article for WG. Your enthuusiam for their range shines through in all your posts about them. You must have quite a collection by now.

    The blackshirts look as they should and that particular pack has been tempting me. I've resisted so far, as it might start the ball rolling in a direction I'm not yet ready to take.

    I'm curious to know what effect the tombstones have in play, as at the moment, all I can think of is as scenery.

    You've probably already left, but I'll keep my eyes peeled for you at Warfare, as I'm on my way there now.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks ever so much Jez. I have a few more BUF en route, so they'll inevitably end up on the tabletop at some point soon.

      The tombstones can actually be used as players in "Guild Ball"; odd I know, but its gives me a quick addition to my Union team :-)

      I've only just come back from "Warfare", but didn't see you. Great show imho, with lots of new shines bought for 2018 projects.

      Delete
  12. More cracking additions mate. Nice WIP pieces as well they are coming along nicely.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cheers Simon. The Judoon ghost is finished and will be posted next week, and the Gravemarker shouldn't be too far behind.

      Delete
  13. British Union of Facists, where WILL this hobby end. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The "Campaign: Gigant" book really does help bring Operation Sea Lion to life, Dave. So expect plenty of "VBCW" resistance to the BUF to emerge next year.

      Delete
    2. **Gigant" book really does help bring Operation Sea Lion to life**

      Aah, that`s good to know. One for the `under the Christmas tree` list then :)

      Delete
  14. I`m sure Fascist has more than one `s` in it lol.

    ReplyDelete
  15. {{o expect plenty of "VBCW" resistance to the BUF to emerge next year.}}

    Just reading that, makes me think sticking with BA is the route to go, its so totally a-l-m-s-t VBCW anyway isn't it, only perhaps with even more options

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I've not ever played "VBCW", Steve, but have always enjoyed the BatReps I've read online as Posties, Morris Dancers, Facists, Communists and cricketers battle it out over the local pub and surrounding fields. I don't see any reason at all why "Bolt Action" can't replicate that, especially with all the weapons and vehicles it now covers.

      Delete
  16. Knowing how you like to stick with fewer, wiser subject choices Steve, I`d stay with Bolt Action and use "Sealion" and "Campaign Gigant" and simply use early war BA to get your "VBCW" fix, should you need to. Makes good solid sense, right?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're spot on imho Dave, and I'll certainly be going down that route - I just hope "Warlord Games" release the cricket club minis they use in "Campaign Gigant" - very "VBCW" and just the sort of pip pip British to tackle Moseley's goons.

      Delete
    2. If you like, sloppyjalopy have good figs for a homeguard cricket squad.

      http://sloppyjalopy.com/products.php?cat=28mm%20Figures&catid=16

      Delete
    3. Great link, Dai... you fiend ;-)

      Delete
  17. The fascist bodyguards turned out well (I fell odd typing that phrase!) - well done mate. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Leon. The eyes still bother me, but they'll look alright on the tabletop, and I have a few more en route :-)

      Delete