"You Will Ferry Us To The Wheel."

"We will assemble your laser defence rays."

This 38mm tall metal Cyberman miniature is produced by “Warlord Games” and can be purchased as part of their "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to resemble one of the Doctor's "most persistent enemies" at the time when their "now iconic ‘frozen teardrop’ shapes in the corner of their eyes were [first] introduced", this figure depicts the "emotionless space-faring cyborgs" during David Whitaker's 1968 television serial "The Wheel in Space".

The model was initially undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before receiving two layers of Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. The entire model was then dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, and the Cyberman's eyes and shoulder-tubing were 'picked out' with Abaddon Black. As a final touch the silver giant's chest-piece light was painted "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre, darkened with an application of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and then brightened back up with a tiny dab of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre.

Sea Devil WIPs - The 'Aquatic Silurian' has had its belt, weapon and limbs painted and washed

With another of my "Nightmares In Silver" completed, I have momentarily turned my attention away from the adversaries of the Second Doctor, and instead firmly set my sights upon one the Third Doctor's best-remembered foes instead; the Sea Devils. Previously I've tried painting all six of my "Aquatic Silurians" in a single batch, but have subsequently selected just a single miniature with which to use as a pilot piece.  

This change of tact, along with "Warlord Games" intimation that they might be developing a couple of boxed sets based upon Patrick Troughton's Sixth Season serial "The Mind Robber" and Tom Baker's wonderfully Holmesian tale "The Talons of Weng-Chiang", has certainly inspired me to get the model close to completion, and Malcolm Hulke's creation now simply needs a bit more dry-brushing/shading before being finished. In fact, considering that the Nottingham-based manufacturer has also recently released pictures of some painted Movellans, my finishing the remaining five Sea Devils has become something of a priority... 

"G.I. Joe" WIPs - Major Bludd, Sergeant Slaughter and Destro

Progress on my latest mini-project, a handful of metal miniatures based upon the "line of action figures produced and owned by the toy company Hasbro" called "G.I. Joe", is going very well, and resultantly, I have managed to add both the evil Cobra Command's Destro and Major Bludd to my painting queue. As with the character of Sergeant Slaughter, I actually know very little about these two terrorist members of the Cobra Organisation except that the metal mask-wearing weapons manufacturer is the leader of the Iron Grenadiers and founder of M.A.R.S. Industries, whilst the poetical Australian is simply a paid mercenary.

I have started painting Major Bludd in the brown/black palette used for his original 1983 action figure. But am now reconsidering this colour scheme, and may well replace it for the reddish brown and blue-armour look 'favoured' by "Marvel Comics" when they were publishing the comic book adventures of "G.I. Joe" in the Eighties. Indeed, I think such 'outlandish' attire may well better-suit Sebastian by making the miniature stand-out that bit more on a battlefield presumably populated by so many other black and brown pigmented models...