"Across The Dead Earth" - WIP - Part Four

Cod Wars WIPs - I've repainted their boots a darker brown and started their blue slacks

Having recently finished my 'Queenie and her Peelers' State gang for the post-apocalyptic skirmish wargame “Across The Dead Earth” by "Dead Earth Games", I have spent some time basing, undercoating and painting some of the other models from "West Wind Productions" which I plan to use with the rules. These models are from the "Empire Of The Dead" boxed set EOTD-15 Nemo And The Crew Of The Nautilus and will be the humble beginnings of a rival force based upon Captain Clarence Birdseye and his Icelanders; a group of salty seadogs holed up in a frozen food supermarket located close to the Thames docklands.

More "EotD" WIPs - Two more seadogs for Captain Birdseye and an alternative Queenie

Since starting work on the 'advertising mascot' and his cronies, I've subsequently based another two of the models from his boxed set, and a second figure of Queen Victoria. This particular model doesn't carry the formidable rail-gun Andy Cooper has sculpted the other version with. But I thought Her Majesty might make a nice objective marker or something nonetheless.

Long Dead WIPs - A green wash over a "Vallejo" Heavy Warmgrey undercoat

Lastly, inspired by the "AtDE" expansion "From Sea To Poisoned Sea" and "the terrifying Sollus - the soulless and unknowing dead" I have also started to test paint some of the miniatures from the boxed set EOTD-05 Victorian Zombies. For now I just wanted to see how some old 'out of production' pots of "Citadel" Thrakka Green worked as an undead flesh shade over a pink undercoat... clearly the wash needs to be watered down somewhat.

"We Are Not Amused."

"We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not exist."

Back in November last year I started a rather popular series of postings dedicated to the post-apocalyptic skirmish wargame “Across The Dead Earth” by "Dead Earth Games". Inspired by both some great Battle Reports by the likes of Simon over on his "Brummie's Wargaming Blog" and the ever friendly “Across The Dead Earth Gaming Group” Facebook page, I managed to construct a handful of 28mm scale wooden Commercial Style Buildings by "Wargame-Model-Mods" and paint up some London Bobbies from the "Empire Of The Dead" range by “West Wind Productions” to use as a State-based gang. Unfortunately since then things have gone somewhat quiet. Until now…

This 28mm character model of Queen Victoria is (also) by “West Wind Productions” and is code COTD-08 Queen Vic Gun. The model was initially undercoated with “Citadel” Abaddon Black before her ‘Gatling gun’ was painted using Boltgun Metal and “Vallejo” Gold. These areas were then washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade respectively. Her Majesty’s blue sash was painted with “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Asurmen Blue. For the Monarch’s white bonnet, I washed the area with “Vallejo” Pale Grey before dry-brushing more White across the highly-detailed lace material. To help highlight the Queen’s splendid dress frills I dry-brushed these areas with Heavy Charcoal before applying a final wash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil over the entire garment.

Cod Wars WIPs - Having been based these salty sea-dogs will predominantly be painted brown, blue and cream 

‘Queenie’ is going to be the leader of my ‘Peelers’, a no-nonsense hard-nosed State gang, who have been inspired by some of the costumes they found having raided a derelict Madame Tussauds and long abandoned Black Museum.

As opposition I’ve started painting a few of the models from the “West Wind Productions” boxed set EOTD-15 Nemo And The Crew Of The Nautilus. I’ve actually got the other character version of Nemo as part of “The Empire Of The Dead Kickstarter”, so thought this model of him would be suitable to represent that feared seadog of the pre-Nuclear Age dinner table, Captain Clarence Birdseye; a local merchant who holds court in a dilapidated "Iceland" supermarket. This particular gang will vie for control of the profitable trade around the Thames docklands.

More Werewolf WIPs - These fanged fiends simply need their claws washed with a brown shade to be finished

I’m also just finishing off the basing of these three 40mm metal werewolves by “SLAP Miniatures”. After these are flocked with static grass I just have two more to complete and I'll be able to table a suitably-sized were-gang for my “DC Comics” super-villainess the Hyena.

Empire Of The Dead - London Bobbies

These three metal 28mm miniatures are part of the eight figures Andy Cooper has sculpted for the “Westwind Productions” boxed set EOTD-07 London Bobbies. Although these figures are part of the miniature manufacturer’s steampunk “Empire Of The Dead” range, I plan use them as a State gang for the post apocalyptic skirmish ruleset “Across The Dead Earth”. 

The Victorian Policemen were reasonably simple to paint and were all initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and then given two healthy washes of the “Citadel” Shade Nuln Oil. As I wanted something to ‘break up’ the monotony of their all dark blue colour scheme, I was delighted to see some the Bobbies had been painted with pure black capes on their box’s rear illustration. As a result I just applied a couple of coats of Abaddon Black to my miniatures’ cloaks. I then picked out their silver belt buckles, custodian crests and fastening chains with a combination of Boltgun Metal and more Nuln Oil. Their truncheons were painted with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and a wash of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

I’m very close to finishing the eight “Pulp Figures” I intend to make my next submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I’ve really enjoyed painting most of these Boys In Blue by Bob Murch. Though the odd figure has given me a bit of a headache from time to time, and my painting of the eyes on one of the models definitely still irks. Most of the models now only need another coat of “Vallejo” Blue Shade and the odd police cap badge or brass button to be finished.

Next week’s themed entry for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is Rider(s) and Mount(s). I’ve actually four models which I plan to start work on with a view to this theme, and whichever gets the most attention in the coming few days will be the one I’ll eventually submit as my entry. This means I’ll be doing a lot of painting but probably for little output by the end of next week, so in order to ensure I still paint my target five models per week I will also be working on a number of single miniatures which should be ‘quick wins’ as they’re predominantly metallic.

These three “Heroclix” models are Cyborg, Jocasta and Ultron. I have already cut them from their "Wizkids" 'clicky-bases', re-based them, undercoated them black, and managed to apply the first drybrushed layer of “Citadel” Boltgun Metal on to two of them. The Cyborg model is a lot bigger than the others and as a result has been placed upon a 40mm round base.

"Across The Dead Earth" - WIP - Part Three

I’ve spent the past couple of days beavering away at some more of my 28mm scale wooden Commercial Style Buildings by “Wargame-Model-Mods”. These models are going to help populate the 3x3 table I plan to play “Across The Dead Earth” on. As I want a good mixture of single level structures and single-storey buildings I’ve started to build a small three-walled little ruin, a longer ‘office-like’ construction and another taller assembly but without the buttresses my earlier two creations had.

All are currently being treated to a coat of “Vallejo” Black Lava textured paint. A previous posting as to how I fully paint these buildings can be found here: http://fantorical.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/wargame-model-mods-wip-part-two.html

I’m also (hopefully) close to finishing the five “West Wind Productions” models I will be using as my State gang. These “Empire Of The Dead” 28mm miniatures are excellent sculpts by Andy Cooper but I sometimes wish he didn’t pay so much attention to their detail. The black and white duty armbands are annoyingly difficult to paint and many a time I’ve wished my police officers weren’t on duty as a result. Still all the black-blue uniforms are finished, as are their truncheons and hands. A couple have even had their faces and custodians finished, so just require some flesh highlights and then the metal on their chains and helmet badges picked out.

‘Queenie’ is also coming along well with all the colours now blocked in on her light machinegun. I’ve just got to properly paint in her white lace-work and grey hair, and then wash these areas with black Shade before giving her a regal stare.

Empire Of The Dead - London Bobby

This metal 28mm miniature is one of the eight figures found within the boxed set EOTD-07 London Bobbies by “West Wind Productions”. The model is my fifth and final submission for the Mo’vember 2014 challenge Dick Garrison is running over on his blog “Rantings From Under The Wargames Table”. It’s also the first of five models I’m currently painting from the miniature manufacturer’s “Empire Of The Dead” range to use as a State gang for the post apocalyptic skirmish ruleset “Across The Dead Earth”.

The Victorian Policeman was reasonably simple to paint once I had decided upon how I was going to paint his famous dark blue uniform. As a result he was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and then given two healthy washes of the “Citadel” Shade Nuln Oil. The copper’s cape was just painted Abaddon Black. Whilst I picked out his silver belt buckle, custodian crest and fastening chains with a combination of Boltgun Metal and more Nuln Oil. His truncheon was painted with “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and a wash of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

As something of a diversion I’ve been pottering away on this rather tall “Heroclix” model of Frankenstein’s Monster. I’m actually using this figure as a test subject to see whether I can simply use the pre-paint as the undercoat and just block in my colours on top of it; as opposed to applying at least another layer of paint over the models as I currently do. Despite being a 28mm scale model it is actually larger than the 40mm “Graven Images” version I painted up as part of Zomtober earlier this year: http://fantorical.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/look-its-moving-its-alive-its-alive.html

In addition I’m also basing and preparing even more of the “Wizkids” miniatures for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I’m hoping to submit the Joker model as the Comedy subject for one of the bonus rounds. 

"Across The Dead Earth" - WIP - Part Two

I’ve finally finished two of the many 28mm scale wooden Commercial Style Buildings by “Wargame-Model-Mods” I plan to construct in order to play “Across The Death Earth” by “Dead Earth Games”. As the rule set is based in a post-apocalyptic environment and designed as a skirmish game I want to be able to populate a 3x3 table with as much ‘cover’ as possible. 

A previous posting as to how I paint these buildings can be found here: http://fantorical.blogspot.co.uk/2014/03/wargame-model-mods-wip-part-two.html

 
In addition I am slowly painting up the five “West Wind Productions” models I plan to use as the start of my State gang. All the figures are from their “Empire Of The Dead” range and I’ve now finished most of the blue undercoat on the British bobbies, and even started double-washing them with black shade. I am slightly struggling with the finer detail of their black and white sleeve markings, but think I have worked out an approach using a black ink wash prior to some black and white line work, that is both reasonably quick and produces a neat result. I’ve also managed to get some areas painted on my Queen ‘Queenie’ Victoria gang leader model, having painted her blue sash and the majority of her light machinegun.

"Across The Dead Earth" - WIP - Part One

For the past few weeks I’ve been reading with great envy a number of blog postings regarding the post-apocalyptic skirmish wargame “Across The Death Earth” by “Dead Earth Games”. I’m not entirely sure why I never opted in for the kickstarter but battle reports such as ‘Capture The Convoy’ on Simon Quinton’s “Brummie’s Wargaming Blog” made me determined to grab a copy of the rules just as soon as they were on general release. A couple of weeks ago this finally happened and I immediately ordered a copy their excellent rulebook. After a very quick turnaround it arrived and for the past few days, in between some other painting projects, I’ve been pouring through Rich Chappell’s extremely well-written ‘survival manual’ trying to work out what scenery and miniatures I need to get gaming in a world set “three generations on from The Last War”.

There's a very good review of the "Across The Death Earth" kickstarter and its models on "The Spiderweb Of History" blog here:
http://historyspiderweb.blogspot.co.uk/2014/10/well-done-to.html

Back in March of this year I picked up a bag of 28mm scale wooden Commercial Style Buildings by “Wargame-Model-Mods”. Over three posts I constructed one of the larger buildings, textured it, painted it and based it… and then placed the remaining nine structures on a shelf for another day… Readers of the “Across The Dead Earth” scenery postings on both “Brummie’s Wargaming Blog” and “Brains And Guts” will know that these buildings are precisely what I need to create some fun-packed post-apocalyptic battles, so I’ve taken down three of “W-M-M” models and started painting them up so I’ll at least have a handful of structures to fight around during my first battle report.

As you can see these will be nothing actually fancy, just simply single-storey and ground floor ruins. But they should provide plenty of cover and vantage points to start with. If you fancy high-rise mayhem then I’d urge you to visit Lord Siwoc’s posting “Post Apoc Terrain Buildings” and see just what you can do with “W-M-M” buildings: http://lordsiwoc.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/post-apoc-terrain-buildings.html

Likewise Simon Quinton is doing a fantastic job on a scratch built piece of terrain on his blog here: http://brummieswargamingblog.blogspot.co.uk/2014/11/post-apoc-terrain-piece.html

In addition I have been rummaging through my lead mountain trying to find some suitable miniatures for a couple of gangs. Now “Dead Earth Games” do produce some great models themselves, sculpted by one of my favourite sculptors Andrew May (of “Meridian Miniatures”). But I currently own a fair few unpainted figures so have really been trying and resist the urge to get any new models for the past few weeks; especially as they’ll be plenty of time for that next month.

Having read up about The State an idea occurred to me, and as a result I’ve dug out some London Bobbies miniatures from the “Empire Of The Dead” range by “West Wind Productions”. I actually started painting three of these back in July, but quickly put them back in a drawer when my attention wandered to something else. However I’ve now added a fourth flatfoot to the group as well as model of Queen Victoria with a gun, who’ll act as the group’s leader. The narrative goes that this particular gang considers itself to rule the Dead Earth in the former United Kingdom. So having raided Madame Tussauds my leader has donned some royal attire, and garbed her trusty gang members with some apparel from the Black Museum of New Scotland Yard. Thus ‘Queenie and her Peelers’ has been borne.

As I hope to use the campaign rules to build up this gang, they’re actually a rather low-costing group for now. Indeed with the exception of Queenie and her Light Machinegun, and her pistol-carrying sergeant, the others are all only armed with wooden truncheons (clubs). But as they all see their leader as the reigning sovereign, I’ve awarded each gang member the General Trait of Loyal. I’m hoping in future to perhaps build a second similarly influenced gang from The State and escalate the situation into a bizarre English Civil War campaign. 

For now however I just want to get the buildings finished and the miniatures painted. Having pondered how to actually create the bluish black colour Victorian Policemen are typically painted, I’ve decided to simply give the models a deep blue undercoat and then apply a couple of washes of black ink. The copper’s cloaks themselves will be black, and that should give me plenty of dark colours upon which I can pick out silver buttons and belt buckles.For those especially interested in “Across The Death Earth” then a link to their webstore can be found here: http://www.deadearth.co.uk

Simon Quinton’s “Capture The Convoy” battle report is here:
http://brummieswargamingblog.blogsport.co.uk/2014/11/capture-convoy-across-dead-earth-game.html