Monday 14 May 2018

"You Are Inferior."

"Man will be reborn as Cyberman, but you will perish under maximum deletion."
This 43mm tall metal miniature of a Cybus Industries metallic exoskeleton is from a private collection and thus not commercially available. Fortunately though, I was lucky enough to be sent a quartet of the "monotonous cybernetic creatures" as a fabulous gift by Simon Quinton of "Brummie's Wargaming Blog", and have painted this particular model up as a Cyber-Leader.

Prior to priming, the three piece figure had his arms pinned to his shoulders using some wire, and was subsequently super-glued upon a normal 25mm circular plastic base. To be honest it actually took me quite a while to decide which stand to use for the 'upgraded human', as I wasn't sure with which ranges/genres the unique sculpt would fit in with.
"Burrows & Badgers" WIPs - The Sparrow Warrior Angus Quickbeak and a Green Lizard
In fact, at one point I even considered placing him on the larger-sized lipped bases I use for my "Frostgrave" miniatures and using him as some sort of a magic-born metallic construct. Ultimately however, I decided to go with a base which would let me potentially use the figure as a Cyber-giant alongside my "Black Tree Design" "Doctor Who" models, as well as the majority of my "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and "Heroclix" models. In addition I wouldn't be at all surprised if the towering silver giant didn't make an appearance in my long-delayed "Expedition To Barrier Peaks" "Dungeons & Dragons" campaign as a futuristic robot enforcer...   

The Cyberman was initially undercoated with a base-coat of "Vallejo" Black Surface Primer and later given a double layer of "Citadel" Ironbreaker. It was then washed with Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker. As a final touch, I picked out the automaton's famous head handlebars with some "Vallejo" Black in order to 'designate' it as a Cyber-leader, and darkened its joints with an application of "Citadel" Badab Black.
Chigoe Beta WIP - The Viridian extra-terrestrial has been assembled, based and under-coated
Moving across to this month's themed mini-project, I have been busy trying to progress both a Sparrow Warrior and a Green Lizard for my "Burrows And Badgers" warband. Both of these "Oathsworn Miniatures" are absolutely packed full of detail, and are proving great fun to paint with all their tiny weapons, pouches, armour plates and straps. Sadly, those anticipating a tartan apparel for Angus Quickbeak will be sorely disappointed as I plan to simply pigment his raiment red as opposed to any complicated criss-crossed pattern.

I'm also slowly assembling, basing and priming the Viridian Clade models I want to paint in earnest next month as part of a "Wild West Exodus" push. This plastic Chigoe Beta comes as a rather fiddly thirteen piece kit, and required me to print out its assembly instructions from off the "Warcradle Studios" website in order to ensure I had put it together correctly...

30 comments:

  1. Looking good but the wild west exodus, is that not cowboys rather than flying space thingumybobs? Love the owl

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    1. Thanks Phil. "Wild West Exodus" contains loads of different genres, including the Watchers; which are the aliens in the game. The Viridian Clade can be supported with a posse of Greys too - which I've bought as a future expansion.

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  2. That large cyber leader looks great. Your painting of metals is just so good. The sparrow warrior is excellent! I have been reading Redwall and the "Sparas" in that are so characterful that this mini reminds me of them. That lizard looks great too, wonderful model. Can't wait to see them done! That WWX Chigoe looks amazing. I can't wait to see that painted too! So much goodness, great read once again.

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    1. Cheers Undercoat. Currently I've got a nice mix of projects on the go, with the "Burrows & Badgers" proving a particular joy to paint.

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  3. Great work on the cybermen Simon on a wonderful gift, nice progress on the sparrow and lizard and interested in seeing the progress of your Viridian clade

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    1. Thanks Dave. If I can get the rest of the Viridian Clade based then they'll be my main aim for next month's mini-project, so you shouldn't have to wait too long before the aliens are painted.

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  4. Looking good mate. Nice to see them painted up :)

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    1. Cheers Simon. I should have the other three finished for a group shot next week :-)

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    2. Awesome shall look forward to it!

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    3. Well, they're all completed now, so I just need to varnish and flock them before posting :-)

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  5. Three excellent figures, Simon. The Cyberman, in particular, is my favourite, even if he is over-scaled. He's just too good a sculpt not to use.

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    1. "Sorry, that should have read four excellent figures. I like them all. :-)" - Many thanks Bryan. The Cyber-leader is a corking mini imho, as are the others.

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  6. Exaggerated detail on the Cyber leader actually makes him stand out all the more I think. I like him very much.

    That WWE alien looks very hi-tech for a western theme'd game?

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    1. Thanks Dai. The aliens in "WWE" apparently form part of a band called The Watchers, so they're meant to be lurking in the shadows. There's loads of tech in the game though, and its not just the aliens which have it.

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  7. Maybee when I see Burrows and Badgers being played I will come around but for now I shall pass on it. The Cyberman looks good though. Big thumbs up.

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    1. Cheers Clint. I’m hoping to get some BatReps posted just as soon as I’ve finished painting my warband - so perhaps they’ll tempt you.

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  8. That Cyberman is an outstanding figure and although he appears huge, I'm sure he could be usable (it wold be a shame not to ).
    (*Currently wearing two sweaters and an overcoat to enable me to read this post)

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    1. Many thanks indeed, Joe. Glad you like the Cyber-leader. Plenty more "Burrows & Badgers" to come too, to warm you up ;-)

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  9. At a distance, the Cyberman sculpt looks a little cartoony, but zooming in on the picture does show that it hs a wealth of detail. I'd say it matches quite well with the style of some of the better Black Tree sculpts, so whilst not 'official' it's still a good representation of this race. Ceryainly better than the DW Micro Universe version, which was a little slim for my tastes. You're very lucky to have been gifted these.

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    1. Cheers Jez. I was rather gobsmacked by Simon's generosity when they arrived 'out the blue'. :-)

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  10. That cyber man looks so good!

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  11. Hat is a rather nice sculpt of the "wrong trousers" type cyberman Simon, I would have been pleased to receive one of those myself (even if it is a nu-who fig), nicely painted too.

    I'm a little disappointed that you are not going to add tartan to you sparrow, but as someone who has been painting checks myself this week, I can understand your reluctance.

    The Virirdian is a nice model though very complicated, and a little fragile looking too, I'm interested to see what it looks like once finished though.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. I'm looking forward to finishing off the other three Cybermen, and putting them together as a group of four silver sentinels or some such for "D&D" ;-)

      I'm afraid I'm at the stage now where I just want minis painted to a game-ready standard, and that tends to mean avoiding tartan etc.

      The plastic "WWE" minis are a little fragile tbh, but they should paint up fine, and the Viridians' black and white colour scheme looks great imho.

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  12. That's a lovely looking Cyberman sculpts, nicely done Sir.

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  13. Excellent looking stuff across the board Simon, but I'll be focusing on your B&B mini's from here on in - yes, you've been instrumental in me caving in and getting a copy of the rules :-)

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    1. Cheers Greg. Good to know I’ve tempted you into something, especially as the “Burrows & Badgers” stuff has so captivated my imagination.

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  14. Great looking cyberman, the sparrow and friend look interesting,I know what you mean about tartan,it its what's putting me off my Montrose army, Highlanders, loads of tartan!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain. I'm afraid a red undercoat with black wash is about as close to tartan as I'm currently going to get, especially on so small a mini as the Sparrow Warrior. Good luck with your Montrose Army :-)

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