Wednesday 26 December 2018

"Quarks, Destroy Them!"

"Quarks. Destroy the alien vessel."
This 39mm-tall metal miniature of Probationer Toba is sold by “Warlord Games” and can be bought as part of their "The Dominators" five-figure boxed set. Determined to refuel his spaceship, the cold-blooded killer mercilessly rounded up "slave workers from the planet’s pacifist inhabitants" so he could fire "rockets into the molten core of Dulkis", and made his television debut in the August 1968 BBC story "The Dominators".

Initially undercoated with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, Navigator Rago's second-in-command had his frilly costume painted in Black Green and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The area was then dry-brushed using some (lighter) "Vallejo" Heavy Green before being treated to a second splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The alien invader's bulky armour was subsequently shaded using "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.
"You cannot stop us. No-one can."
With the first of my two Dominators completed, I was also able to successfully paint one of the Nottingham-based company's 40mm tall metal Cybermen miniatures from their "Nightmares In Silver" Cybermen Collector's Set 1966-2013. Sculpted to replicate the Doctor's old enemies during Derrick Sherwin's 1968 serial "The Invasion", this 'Planet 14' version of the silver giants has since been submitted to the Ninth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), and brought me five points closer to my five hundred point target tally.

This particular piece was actually a much appreciated gift from "Warlord Games" during my most recent visit to their Headquarters in Lenton Business Centre, and was originally primed with "Vallejo" Black, before receiving two layers of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and a wash of Nuln Oil. Tobias Vaughn's emotionless ally was later dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker, and had its eyes, mouth and central chest unit panels 'picked out' with a mixture of "Vallejo" Black and a generous dollop or two of some OOP "Citadel" Badab Black.
"The Time Warrior" WIPs - Linx the Sontaran and the robber baron, Irongron
Sticking with the AHPC I have additionally started work on the "Doctor Who: Into The Time Vortex" miniature of Commander Linx. This classic looking Sontaran warrior "was forced to make an emergency landing on Earth while on reconnaissance when his ship was attacked by a squadron of Rutan fighters" and will therefore be entered into the competition for its first Fortnightly Themed Event ('Reconnaissance') before next weekend's submission deadline.

As "The Time Warrior" boxed set also comes with a model of Irongron, "a robber baron and leader of a local bandit gang", I thought I might as well also try and paint the Wessex castle-owner too. On the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop the unique Human Warrior is actually able to "join any faction... as a friendly character... during the game" due to his Agent special trait, so in the future I hope to field him alongside Jingo Linx and a Sontaran Patrol...

16 comments:

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    1. Thanks Phil. It would be nice to get "The Dominators" boxed set finished before the end of the year.

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  2. Great work on the dominator model and cyberman, great start on the other models as well

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    1. Thanks Dave, slowly clearing some space for the New Year :-)

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  3. I think I dislike the Quarks so much because they remind me of guys in puffer suits and pants, which is an appalling fashion statement.
    On the other hand, the other figures in this post look remarkably cool, so three out of four isn't bad, is it?

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    1. I certainly recall being bewildered by the Dominator's costumes when I first saw the TV story, Bryan, but have never disliked their attire - unlike those of the toga-wearing Dulcians. I was also completely oblivious to their dark green and cream colour scheme until I saw the "Warlord Games" paint-jobs - and think they are a terrific palette personally. But to each their own :-)

      I was absolutely delighted to be given the additional "Invasion" Cyberman as it now means I can field the pair I own using the the 'Cybermen & Cybermats' (2) Recruitment card from the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" tabletop game, so expect them to pop up in a Batrep at some point, as I hope Linx and Irongron will too.

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  4. That's good metalwork on the cybermen!

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    1. Cheers Fran. Simply dry-brushing obviously but the mini's sculpt seems born for it.

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  5. Good stuff Simon, though I have to agree with Bryan regarding the Dominators costumes. I am shocked that they have produced an Irongron figure, though very nice he looks.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I've no problems with people disliking the Dominator costumes, but I like them; especially now they're in colour :-)

      Ooh... Could you finally be tempted to make the leap into "Warlord Games" range and pick up "The Time Warrior" boxed set?

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  6. Nicely done with the latest additions. :)

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    1. Cheers Leon. It'll be good to get the Dominators boxed set finished.

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  7. Dr Who is back! I really like that Dominator. It looks a little odd, but I still think it looks great, especially with your paint job. Top notch. Your cyberman is great, your metallic painting technique is so good!! The other wips look nice, can't wait to see the finished products.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. I really do like the Dominator's colour scheme, and "The Invasion" Cyberman was a nice simple metallic palette too. Hope to have Linx finished soon, and perhaps Irongron; albeit the Robber Baron isn't crucial to my AHPC Fortnightly Themed Round entry.

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