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| Time Robbers WIPs - Randall, Robin Hood and Wally have all been appropriately undercoated |
The first of my impulse purchases at "Salute 2016", these incredibly characterful 28mm white metal "Time Robbers" are made by "Northumbrian Tin Soldier", and proved an irresistible temptation on account of them being based upon the band of dwarves from the 1981 motion picture "Time Bandits".
This "fantastic new range" currently includes all six of the diminutive treasure-hunters, as well as John Cleese's incarnation of Robin Hood from the film, and can either be bought singluarly or in a group (as I did). Somewhat disappointingly though, despite these models' excellent detail I have found them to be somewhat larger than advertised. Indeed, the heroic green-garbed outlaw actually stands a formidable 40mm in height, so unfortunately they won't easily fit with the vast majority of my 28mm-scale collection as hoped...
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| Time bandits WIPs - Plenty of work left to do these instantly recognisable sculpts |
The Time Robbers Set is not however the only range which "Northumbrian Tin Soldier" produce, as Martin Buck has "wonderfully sculpted" a load of similarly-sized goblins, faeries, imps, gnomes and other assorted creatures as part of the company's dark fantasy Nightfolk miniatures catalogue.
As a result I'm hoping to paint up Randall, Figit, Og, Strutter, Wally and Vermin reasonably quickly, and then hopefully begin collecting some of the sword-wielding teddy bears and heavily-armoured big-eared gnomes which the manufacturers currently produce; alongside any new figures for which they cast their Time Robbers range.
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| Robo Hunter WIPs - Having undercoated and washed Hoagy with Black shade, the robot now needs dry-brushing |
In an effort to reduce Sam Slade's height, I did actually attempt to remove the (pre-slotta) metal model from his incredibly thick base, and inadvertently ended up costing the "cigar-smoking bounty hunter of robots" his entire left foot; which snapped away at the ankle. Fortunately, having removed the same limb from a "Heroclix" A.I.M. Agent I had going spare, I was able to pin a replacement plastic foot onto my Robo Hunter and then fashion it into a similar shape using some grey-stuff...
Nice save on the foot. The time Bandits look good, shame Robin is so big - would make a nice statue thought - time to have superheroes save Nottingham
ReplyDeleteThanks Martin. I was absolutely gutted when I realised the foot had broken off - as you can imagine. Still I don't think you'd know if I hadn't said anything. Good call on the Robin Hood as a statue - hadn't thought of that one. Though at £3.75 he'll be a pricey one :-)
DeleteAll of these figures look great, even if you do think they are over-sized. I have Sam Slade and Hoagy and I don't mind their height. These are such quirky figures I was wondering what rules you might use for gaming with them? Might I suggest Chibi World, perhaps?
ReplyDeleteTheir (great) size certainly won't be stopping me from using them Bryan, and "Chibi World" sounds like an absolutely cracking suggestion ;-) I was hoping to use Sam & Hoagy with my "Mongoose Publishing" Judge Dredd minis, hence my disappointment he's so much bigger. However if I just use him fighting robots etc then size doesn't really come into it.
DeleteI used to LOVE reading Robo Hunter back in the 80's! I'll have to look about to see if there's a US distributor for that pair online.
ReplyDeleteTime Bandits was a cool flick - wonder if they'll branch off into Baron Munchousen as well?
Good pick ups mate.
Both Sam and Hoagy are certainly well-sculpted and look the part Dai. Like you I used to love reading "Robo Hunter" - hence my desire to buy 'em when I saw them at "Salute". I don't though own any of the other "Wargames Foundry" minis, hence me not realising just how big they were when compared to other 28mm models.
DeleteShame that the Time Bandits are so big! I love that film and the minis look fab
ReplyDeleteThe Time Robbers size is a bit disappointing Andy. But hopefully the range will expand so there's plenty of opposition for them, and fingers crossed the Nightfolk range will prove compatible in size too.
DeleteSHame I could not make Salute this year as you are one of the bloggers I would like to meet. Good loot though I will look forward to how it all paints up.
ReplyDeleteThanks Clint, and I was bitterly disappointed you weren't there too. Though I know you prefer the smaller shows. Perhaps next year? Plenty more loot to come but I thought I'd do it in instalments as I based and undercoat my stuff up :-)
DeleteOh noooo! I really didn't need to see the Time Robbers, one of my favourite films from my youth and I'm going to have to have these! Good to see you posting, I was getting a bit worried.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha. Good to see I'm tempting you for a change, Michael :-) The Time Robbers were my first "Salute 2016" purchase whilst I waited alongside the horrific "Guild Ball" pre-order queue for a friend.
DeleteThanks for the concern. Merely away for the week and because of "Salute" I had no time to prepare some beforehand postings for the period - as I normally do.
Good to hear you are well and yes, I am now £30 poorer as a result of this post! :D
DeleteSplendid news Sir Awdry :-) Hopefully you won't be disappointed and it'll encourage "Northumbrian Tin Soldier" to add some more to the range. A Kevin is a must surely?
DeleteAbsolutely and then Agamemnon and the Minotaur?
DeleteEvil and some Henchmen would be good too. I'd even buy a resin boat ;-)
DeleteThis could get expensive! :)
DeleteWell I was thinking of killing two birds with one stone, and pledging on the "Blood & Plunder" kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/firelockgames/blood-and-plunder ;-)
DeleteI had seen these but trying, with every ounce of strength, to resist! It is a shame Black Scorpion have stopped making this: http://www.dakkadakka.com/dakkaforum/posts/list/425011.page?userfilterid=24567
DeleteOh that's very nice indeed Michael. I actually stopped getting "Black Scorpion" when they moved over to resin (as I much prefer painting metal). But still have several of their Pirate metals tucked away safe somewhere. Clearly "Time Bandits" is inspiring you ;-)
DeleteNice stuff Simon, funny that your figures are oversized as the Yeti's I got from Copplestone actually turned out to be a bit smaller than I'd originally hoped. They do look fun though, looking forward to seeing those finished, I too used to read Robohunter as a child.
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Cheers Roger. I actually dug out my "Copplestone Castingss" Yeti when my "Frostgrave" version arrived, so I could paint all three... I too was struck by how much smaller they were, so put them away again. I was always disappointed that "Wizkids" Indyclix range didn't catch on as I hoped to see some Sam Slade stuff in a second wave, as they'd done Judge Dredd, Strontium Dog and Nemesis the Warlock in the first.
DeleteBeing more of a fan of the Indie comics to the big two of DC and Marvel, I was gutted that Wizkids' Indyclix wasn't more popular. I had loads of ideas for a second set. And yes, Vampirella was at the top of my list!
DeleteAbsolutely Bryan. I thought Indyclix was a cracking opportunity to really bring out a number of superheroes which I liked. Such as Spawn, Savage Dragon and Marshal Law to name but a few others. Vampirella would have been awesome... Was Zombie Tramp not around then as well ;-)
DeleteGood calls on all your suggestions, Simon. No, Zombie Tramp was not around back then, otherwise I would have mentioned her. Just thinking, given the huge cast of characters in Girl Genius that would be worth at least a full set of its own.
DeleteIndeed Bryan. I'm just grateful that "Horrorclix" did thrive and as a result we got Hellboy's universe, as well as Alien & Predator as well. Plus more zombies than you can shake a stick at :-)
DeleteAs a complete aside those "Heroclix" minis you wanted have arrived from across the Pond. I'm just waiting on a second package containing the alternative Spider-Man sculpt you liked to turn up and then I'll parcel them up for you. Looking forward to seeing them painted :-)
Interesting that the two of you should have launched into this conversation about Costumed heroes and villain's you can't get miniatures for.... Jez and myself were discussing the self same thing at salute. We might have something up our sleeves you gentlemen might find interesting at the end of this month, I'll leave it at that for now.
DeleteCheers Roger
What!?! You can't leave such a teasing comment as that on my blog, Roger ;-)
DeleteWhat Simon said. You utter tease, Roger! End of the month? That's like a week away! No, no, no, no! That's cruel!
DeleteI wonder which blogger Roger learnt that particular trait from, Bryan ;-)
DeleteAhhh well, it was really Jez's suggestion and I don't want to steal his thunder as it were, but I'm sure he'll jump into this thread at some point....
DeleteOkay Roger. I'll play the waiting game...
DeleteNo need to wait, as details are now up on blog. I miscounted the weeks in April,so it was planned for release this week, even though it's not actually the end of the month.
DeleteSeen it, joined it and already planning for it, Jez. Great idea :-)
DeleteThe Time Robbers look like fun sculpts despite the size issue. :)
ReplyDeleteIndeed they do, Pulp Citizen. Hopefully I'll have some better WIPs to post of them soon...
DeleteLovely figs. Shame about the size.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, Gordon. But hopefully a little tempting?
DeleteI was tempted by these, as the likenesses are spot on, but if they're not dwarf-sized for 28mm, I may have to reconsider. Might have to go for Studio Miniatures Grail Knights instead...
ReplyDeleteI think I would still have bought these even if I'd realised just how big they were Jez. It is though a shame they're not true 28mm in scale. but if they're the start of a "Time bandits" range, they'll be well worth investing in, imho.
DeleteGreat swag Simon! Both are excellent additions to the collection.
ReplyDeleteCheers Bob. Glad you approve :-)
DeleteThat's a nice haul Simon!
ReplyDeleteThanks Fran. Just the first few but ones I thought people would most want to see. It was good to meet you at "Salute" as well, even if I don't think you knew who I was ;-)
DeleteLooking forward to seeing the Time Bandits complete . They look like an interesting bunch to paint
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave. They are wonderfully animated imho, and if the range continues I think they'll be tremendously successful. I certainly intend to buy any subsequent additions to it :-)
DeleteScale creep aside, the Time Bandit dwarves look really cool, Simon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Finch. I entirely agree, and being a bit larger gives me a bit more room for my awkward brushwork, which is always a bonus.
Delete