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| "We must destroy life on earth completely, every living being." |
This 40mm tall metal Cyberman miniature is manufactured by “Warlord Games” and form's part of the Nottingham-based company's "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to replicate the Doctor's old enemies during Derrick Sherwin's 1968 television serial "The Invasion", this 'Planet 14' version of the silver giants saw the costume department add some "ear muff type shapes to the sides of their helmets and one-piece silver wet suits to their bodies."
Initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, the figure subsequently received two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. It was then dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, before having its eyes, mouth and central chest unit panels 'picked out' with Abaddon Black.
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| Zygon Leader & Elite WIPs - The models have all been primed and washed |
Sticking with my collection of "Into The Time Vortex" miniatures, I have recently started planning out some significant reinforcements for my "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" Zygon faction. Most notably this involves somehow 'converting' three of the metal models in order to 'earmark' them as the Zygon Leader and two Zygon Elites on the battlefield.
'Catching wind' of this endeavour "Warlord Games" very generously dispatched a quartet of their Zygon models to my doorstop for free, and having spotted some of the Scatter Shrooms sold by "Wargames Terrain Workshop" I hatched a plan which would fortunately no longer require my hack-sawing up any of the figures.
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| Wendigo WIPs - The "Minor Entity" has been primed, washed and bloodied |
Instead, having taken inspiration from the fungi-inspired Zygon technology which captures plenty of screen-time during the 1975 adventure "Doctor Who And The Terror of The Zygons", I have simply super-glued a few of Dave Stone's resin pieces onto the miniatures' bases. Indeed, the leader of the "metamorphic humanoids" is literally surrounded by all manner of mushrooms, in order to generate the impression of the 'warlord' walking through the flora of Zygor.
Finally, I have been progressing the first of my models for "Dracula's America" by "North Star Military Figures". In game-terms, the Wendigo "can be summoned by Skinwalker Tribes Arcanists only", but I actually plan on using him (and perhaps a couple more) to proxy a Night Terror encounter in "Shadows Of Brimstone" by "Flying Frog Productions".
Very nice, Simon. I particularly like the use of the fungi to indicate your Zygon Elite - simple yet effective.
ReplyDeleteAs for that Wendigo...he's an odd-looking beastie. I've seen several versions of this creature and still haven't found one that feels right to me, but the fact that we have a choice is still a good thing.
Thanks Jez, I think Dave's Mushrooms make a simple yet effective distinctive base for my Zygon specialists. The Wendigo is indeed a weird beast, and definitely a far cry from the "Marvel Comics" snowy-white creature I always imagine when I hear the name.
DeleteGreat work on the cyberman Simon, the zygons are progressing nicely and clever use of the fungi. Interesting colour scheme on the Wendigo, like Jez not sure on the model, but it would be a very boring world if we all liked the same thing
ReplyDeleteCheers Dave, and thanks for showing me the Mushrooms at Bovington; which is where I hatched the idea in the first place!!
DeleteI like them all. Warlord Games are being very generous to you. They were to me when I placed some big orders for Judge Dredd stuff. They are a great company to do business with.
ReplyDeleteI love the fungi that Dave sent you. They fit in so well.
I can certainly see the "Dracula's America" figures being useful in "Shadows of Brimstone" especially if you're using them as "counts as" figures. It saves coming up with new stats for them.
Thanks Bryan. I've done a few tabletop standard painting guides for "Into The Time Vortex", but even so, "Warlord Games" have been superb in their gifts and generosity imho.
DeleteThe Mushrooms are excellent and I certainly think they fit the Zygons rather well. Hopefully once painted, with a green wash added in places, they'll really bring the specialist Zygons to life.
I do like quite a few of the "Shadows Of Brimstone" minis from the boxed set, but many seem very hard to source and when they do appear, the cost a prince's ransom. I'd much rather source Mark Copplestone sculpts, especially if its a new range and they need support to get it going :-)
nice productive work. Always happy to see more.
ReplyDeleteCheers Clint. Always happy to oblige.
DeleteApart from re-positioning arms and legs on those Zygons, I can't see much else you could convert on those models - though I've never seen the tv shows, so don't know what they can and can't do, use or hold, or even dress. Looking at the figures shown, the most ambitious conversion I could envision would be a kneeling Zygon with re-positioned arms (additional sculpting work as needed on hands and feet).
ReplyDeleteI don't know what you were planning, but I reckon you've had the better idea using those fungi.
I wonder what the actors experiences were, dressing up in all that 'early' cybermen rig? Sounds horrendous to me, but then I can't stand close-fitting clothes.
Mushrooms was definitely the better idea, Roy, as its saved me lots of work, and possibly heartache. I'd have thought 'Hot' would best sum up an actor's experience of the early Cyberman rig, but here's an interesting link to a modern-day cyberman's issues: http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/film-tv/unsung-actors-behind-doctor-whos-6316372
DeleteYeah, 14 hour working days, where your not allowed to sit down sounds fun. I think I'll give that job application a miss.
Delete"I think I'll give that job application a miss" - Indeedy :-)
DeleteI`m actually rather impressed by the Wendigo WIPs. I can easily envisage many forms for these mythological beasties, and have seen quite a few rendering in horror films ("Nomads" comes to mind) and in RPG games, and I`ve always seen merit in them all... but these ones of yours Simon, do speak to me, and sort of sum up the Wyandot people (especially Huron and the other Iroquois Confederacy) and all that last of the Mohican colonial ethos.
ReplyDeleteThe Wendigo for "Dracula's America" is certainly very Native American in origin, Steve, so you're spot on with your thoughts.
Deletesweeeet, phewwww.. our knowledge of history and mythology is useful for something after all hehe.
DeleteNice work yet again dude. I can't help but think of the Turd people from Flesh Gordon whenever I see Zygon's :(
ReplyDeleteCheers Simon... I think ;-)
DeleteO goodness... I hadn't thought of that film in decades! Yes, definitely look like the turd people! ^_^
DeleteFortunately, I've never seen it, and from the sound of things, that's probably a good thing!! :-)
DeleteIt was gawd awful now I think about it from an adult perspective, but as a teen with raging hormones and an underdeveloped sense of humour it was fantastic. Ha!
DeleteVery nicely done Sir!
ReplyDeleteThanks Michael!
DeleteAll good stuff Simon, sorry I'm running out of things to say about your cybermen, but rest assured they are nice. I too am not sure about the Wendigo, I don't think Mark has ever done a bad sculpt, but I would have liked him a bit more impressive looking.
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
Cheers Roger. I think a few of Mark's sculpts for "Dracula's America" are a little... underwhelming personally. But as I've said before, I'm not a fan of all the "Frostgrave" sculpts either.
DeleteCybermen, Zygons and the Wendigo, what's not to like ?
ReplyDeleteI do like seeing the Cybermen, not having realised that there were so many variations on them! The Zygons are amusing but look very alien , whilst the Wendigo is quite possible my favourite as I have come across the critter in another table-top rpg.
Thanks Joe. I do like to try and mix things up a bit, but with so many "Doctor Who" minis currently on the painting table and radar, its hard not to go all "Into The Time Vortex". The Wendigo is certainly an interesting mini imho :-)
DeleteCybermen, Zygons and Wendigos - o my.
ReplyDelete(I'll fetch my coat.)
((Smashing stuff mate, like usual.))
Ha ha Hah! Nice one, Dai :-)
DeleteNicely done. I'm not keen on the sculpting of the wendigo figure mind you
ReplyDeleteCheers Phil. The Wendigo does seem to be a somewhat contentious sculpt.
Deletei like the fungi on the bases of the Zygon Simon, lovely addition. I'm gonna buck the trend and say I actually like the Wendigo (although in my head I keep calling it Fandango accompanied by a few other lyrics....) I don't have a clue what I would use it for but it has quite a distinct look!
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Andy. I'm warming to the Wendigo; it was so weird looking though that I had to paint it.
DeleteAnother excellent addition to your Cyberman ranks with this version. Great stuff. :)
ReplyDeleteCheers Leon. Nearly at the end now... ;-)
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