Saturday 16 May 2020

"My Javelin Was Forged From Purest Plandanium!"

"I would trust it in battle 'gainst Galactus himself!"
This 28mm scale plastic model of Javelin is produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 019a from their Marvel “Heroclix” Avengers Infinity range. "Famous for his spear throwing skills", Darin would help his fellow Spaceknights defeat the herald Terrax during Galactus' attempt to consume the planet Galador, and was created by Bill Mantlo and Sal Buscema for "Marvel Comics" January 1982 issue of "Rom".

The (First Generation) Spaceknight was initially cut from his 'clicky' base and permanently attached to a 25mm circular base using some super-glue and a little green-stuff so as to better position the model's pose. Owing to my dislike of sculpted energy beams, I then applied my cutters to the end of his plandanium hand-weapon and nonchalantly snipped off the model's translucent yellow weapon discharge.
"Fantasy Flight Games" WIPs - Two Fleet Troopers and their Commanding Officer
Unfortunately, this then made me realise just how close to the dart-shooting staff's end, Darin's left hand actually was, and how silly the figure looked without the aforementioned sculpted beam being in place. As a result I decided to significantly add to the length of the Spaceknight's javelin, courtesy of a spare "Gale Force Nine" piece I had left over after assembling the vehicles from the "Tanks" World War II skirmish game.

The tank gun was drilled out and pinned into place using a small piece of metal wire. I then primed the entire ensemble "Citadel" Abaddon Black and applied two layers of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue. The miniature was subsequently shaded using "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue. Finally, I carefully applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the inside of the Spaceknight's visor so as to significantly darken its interior.
"Star Wars" WIPs - A Heavy Weapons Fleet Trooper, a Commander, and a DH-17 blaster pistol-carrying comrade
I may well purchase a second Javelin model in the future, as despite much preferring the all-blue metallic colour scheme of Darin's original Galadorian Spaceknight armour, I am aware that this palette later changed to a green and silver one when his successor (Darin the Younger) took up the mantle. To make the figure stand out even more on the tabletop, as well as save myself the pain of hollowing out and pinning another tank gun in place, I might even simply just paint the javelin's energy blast too.

With the latest addition to my "Wizkids" Galadorian fighting force complete, I have been making some progress on my "Star Wars: Legion" Fleet Troopers by "Fantasy Flight Games". I'm currently trying to batch paint the five-man squad, so have slowly been working my way up each model, starting with their boots.

12 comments:

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    1. Thanks very much, Simon. So much for a simple paint-job as I initially planned. LOL!!!

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  2. Good fix on the Javelin, wouldn't have guessed unless you mentioned it.

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    1. Cheers Michael. I just thought Darin looked silly with his hand holding the very end of his javelin.

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  3. Still love the colour you have used on Darin, and a great fix on his javelin too, I don't like figures with blasts and things coming out of their weapons/hands either.

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Thanks Roger. I do like that "Vallejo" metallic blue too. Glad you like the conversion. I think it looks a lot better personally.

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  4. Darin looks great and I’m eager to see how these rebel troops are going to come out

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    1. Cheers Dai. I'm looking forward to getting the Fleet Troopers done too, as I've a few more of them to add to my collection.

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  5. The metallic blue effect looks really great. That is a fantastic little paint you have used there. Nice conversion work too.
    The Rebel Fleet Troopers are coming along nicely, lovely looking models.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. I'm rather pleased with how Darin's javelin conversion turned out. Should have the Fleet Troopers finished soon - I hope :-)

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  6. I like the very dynamic pose of the "Javelin" sculpt, but it's a pity his weapon appears somewhat less than overhwleming !
    "Batch painting" figures ? I didn;t think you did that !
    I do like the trooopers though and not just beacuse I knew what they were !

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    1. Cheers Joe. The javelin is meant to fire micro-darts at Darin's opponents, and withstood the blade of Terrax's battleaxe. But compared to Rom's neutraliser I wholly take your point. Hopefully the batch painting will succeed...

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