Monday, 15 June 2026

"Dwelling Underground In Deserted Cave Systems..."

"...These leathery predators using echolocation to track and target prey."
This 100mm tall resin cast model of a Giant Bat is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as MINI 1064 from their Beasts and Vermin range. Sculpted by Pedro Navarro, the miniature comes in three pieces, and has an impressive wingspan of 90mm. I had hope to initially include it as part of my contribution to the "Monster May(hem)" monthly challenge over on "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging" blog. But now it'll form part of my third monthly randomly-selected drawer-based challenge - as that's where it was headed back to before my dice roll.

Super-glued onto a plastic xxmm circular base, I first tackled the monster's rocky base by treating it to an undercoat of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey, a shade of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey. The flying mammal itself was then primed using plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being doused in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and being thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

"Fantasy Flight Games" WIPs - This Wookie Warrior Leader just needs some additional washes

I also used this opportunity to patiently 'pick out' the Giant Bat's body with a highlight of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, as this would make its pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black face, ears and feet stand out just that little bit more. Furthermore, I carefully dolloped a couple of spots of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson over the creature's pupils to make it look a bit more vampiric - which is what I plan to use the brute for.

In addition I decided that the figure needed its large brown wings to be 'broken up' just a little more, so slowly traced out its claws with a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Unfortunately, the "Games Workshop" Shade went all blotchy on these areas (again), so I ultimately decided to make amends by dry-brushing some extra White Star by "Two Thin Coats" across the claws. To be honest I've experiencing this issue with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade quite often these days, and despite buying new pots the problem still seems to surface. Resultantly, I'm not a fan of the new formula at all and plan to move on to an alternative.

"Dragoon Miniatures" WIPs - Krillin, Chiaotzu and Piccolo

Alongside this right handful of a model, I have also managed to get some time working on the Wookie Warrior Leader I recently purchased whilst visiting "Retrocave" in Poole. Manufactured by "Fantasy Flight Games" and now apparently Out Of Production (OOP), this fur-covered figure has a lot more detail on him than the other members of his squad I've pigmented, so is taking a bit longer to get tabletop ready than I first anticipated.

Lastly, I've been binge-watching the early episodes of Japanese anime television series "Dragon Ball Z" and understandably got myself in the mood to game some Manga-style martial arts. Luckily, I stumbled upon "Dragoon Miniatures" Patreon, so have downloaded a fair few of their early STL (Standard Triangle Language) files as they cover the characters I'm currently familiar with. Unfortunately, their pre-supports haven't proved a great match for the suction taking place inside my resin vat, so these three models - Piccolo, Krillin and the tiny Chiaotzu, are the first combatants I plan to work on as they're the only ones to survive my initial print...

12 comments:

  1. Great looking bat, but I'm waiting for Dragon Ball minis!!

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    1. Thanks Michal. I've done a second batch of Dragon Ball Z minis now - but Goku has failed again sadly, despite me placing some extra supports around him. Once I've got a few of the current figures I've printed I'll try again.

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  2. Good looking minis mate, the Bat is particularly impressive.
    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. The Bat is enormous, and having already dropped and broken him whilst painting him. I'm super-pleased to have got him finally finished so I can put him in a tray for when I need him.

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  3. The Bat and Wookiee are smashing Simon! I like the white talon-y things, a good contrast!

    DBZ.... nope. Never could get into that anime, just too goofy. (Says the bloke who absolutely love One Punch man LOL) Interested to see how you paint up these classic characters tho mate.

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    1. Thanks Dai. The Wookie leader is now done and should be posted up this week as a result. I thought the white talon-y things broke the wings up too, which is why I went for them - otherwise I felt it was all too brown and black tbh.

      DBZ is certainly an acquired taste, and some episodes are so tedious that its hard to watch - I can't count how many hours I spent watching Goku fight Frieza and absolutely nothing progressed story wise. I think Season 2 has been the best one so far, with Krillion off in outer space.

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  4. I really do love that Bat Simon. He is going to have to be added to my Silver Bayonet wish list.

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    1. Cheers Michael. I've seen some really cool colour choices for the Giant Bat, so I look forward to seeing yours. Once I start playing Silver Bayonet again he should appear in a few AARs.

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  5. Gotta agree with the chaps above, lovin the giant Bat!!!

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    1. Thanks Ray. It should definitely prove more intimidating that the old LotR figures we used to depict the Vampire in last year's games. LOL!!

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  6. You've covered the breakage on the bat really well Simon, hopefully he survives longer on the battlefield ! LOL Great progress on the Wookie, and Dragon Ball Z characters

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    1. Cheers Dave. I hope the Bat survives a little longer too, LOL!!. The final Wookie is now finished, and I'm just focusing on some Crooked Dice - which I need to also complete for this month's drawer challenge.

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