Blake's Seven - "The Way Back" - WIP - Part One

Recently I’ve been watching (and just listening) to the first season of the British television science fiction series “Blake’s Seven”, and as always seems to be the case, it has got me in the mood to take on the might of the dastardly Federation and strike a blow for freedom. I’ve actually been close to doing such a project a few times in the past, looking at either converting some of splendid space ship crew by “Heresy Miniatures” or even dropping a couple of scales for some colonist conversions via “Ground Zero Games”. In the end though I’ve gone with these Freedom Fighter models by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”, and in doing so had a slight ‘light bulb’ moment. Why not get back into their excellent “7TV” rule set at the same time; especially as a Blake’s Seven expansion is available as a free PDF from the site here: http://www.crooked-dice.co.uk/wp/the-blakes-7-miniatures-game

 

As I was thus returning to both “Crooked Dice Miniatures” and “7TV” I could think of nothing more fitting than a small venture based upon the first episode of Terry Nation’s brainchild, which was entitled “The Way Back”. I still have a few other painting projects on the go at the moment, including the completion of a couple of Painting Challenges and a rather large World War One endeavour. But hopefully this one will actually take off over the next few weeks and result in not only a dozen or so posts, but a few battle reports as well.

I’ve had some real fun with a few of “Wizkids” “Heroclix” models over the past couple of weeks. I’ve still got some work to do on the Rocket Racoon, though I’m a bit undecided as to whether to simply leave his costume plain brown. But the Catwoman model from the early DC Comics Batman Alpha set is essentially finished. I have seen some versions of this pre-painted plastic figure with the cat-suit’s zipper painted silver and many more with the goggle’s eyepieces painted yellow or gold. But the model is a little bit too fiddly for my skills to do such tiny details justice and I like it the way it is.

Pendraken Miniatures Russian World War Two T70b Light Tanks

Unfortunately these three T70b Russian Light Tanks by “Pendraken Miniatures” have taken rather a long time to finally complete, despite having been extremely simple to paint. Indeed the 10mm metal models were just undercoated with “Citadel” Knarloc Green, before being washed with Thraka Green and then dry-brushed with more Knarloc Green. Each set of tracks were initially painted Abaddon Black before being picked out with Boltgun Metal and washed with Nuln Oil. The red stars are from the 144th selection of PNDC6 Russian Stars; a decal set purchasable from “Pendraken Miniatures”.

 

I have a few more of these lovely armour miniatures painted and based, and plan to return to my old copy of “Blitzkrieg Commander” by “Specialist Military Publishing” this weekend…

In addition I’ve finished painting my Groot “Heroclix” figure, so this lovely plastic model now just needs basing before I can get it on the table. Whilst my Rocket Racoon is also progressing, having undercoated all his fur and then washed it with a “Citadel” Nuln Oil wash. I’m hoping to finish him over the weekend.

Painting Challenge: Week Thirteen - 28mm Heroclix Miniatures

The subject of my final week’s Painting Challenge are six 28mm plastic models by “Wizkids” from their pre-painted “Heroclix” range. Five of the miniatures are copies of the Thug figure from the Marvel Infinity Challenge set. I actually painted an identical figure back in February and plan to use this as the basis for these guys’ paint scheme. The sixth model is Catwoman from the DC Hypertime set.

Sticking with the “Heroclix” theme, I’ve already started applying some coats of paint to Groot and Rocket Racoon from the Guardians of the Galaxy starter set. Although the model of the Monarch of Planet X is based upon the character’s design for the film, I much prefer the darker brown colour scheme used in the comic books, so have gone with a “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna undercoat as opposed to the silver birch grey of the pre-paint. I am aware that there are two (seemingly far larger) Groot “Heroclix” figures on the market which are based upon the Flora Colossus who debuted in Issue Thirteen of “Tales To Astonish”; including one wearing his Guardians uniform. But due to their prices (on Ebay at least) I doubt I’ll be picking either up until I next make a bulk order from the United States.

WW1 Egyptian Expeditionary Force - WIP - Part Two

I’m slowly progressing the painting of my World War One Egyptian Expeditionary Force but been slightly delayed working out a satisfactory ‘factory process’ for painting the numerous “Pendraken Miniatures” the project will entail. Sticking with my previously posted test models from code ME1 Imperial Infantry I’ve finally decided to simply separate the soldiers’ rifles, jacket, leggings and areas of flesh with a coat of black and then pick out the relevant areas with either “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone or Heavy Grey.

As (yet another) distraction I’ve also based up a couple of 28mm plastic miniatures from the “Heroclix” “Guardians of the Galaxy” six figure starter set. To be honest the majority of these models suffer with appalling sculpting and dreadfully thick paintjobs, but Rocket Racoon and Groot appear to be the best of the bunch.

Comic Capers Within a Universe of Mystery, Horror, Alien invasions and Super-Heroes

I thought a bit of self-publicity for a Cartoon Strip Blog I've started wouldn't go amiss. Especially as when I'm not painting or gaming, I spend my hobby time drawing these comic capers.

Please have a look: Mooretoons

"...A Darned Fine Judge"

This 28mm metal model of Judge Giant (Senior) was sculpted as part of the October 2012 "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" kickstarter by “Mongoose Games” and can be purchased as code JD20007 from "Warlord Games".

 

Based upon the original Judge Giant who first appeared in the comic “2000 A.D.” in 1977 and then later died in the 1981 adventure “Block Mania”, this model has unfortunately spent the past couple of months languishing on one of my shelves, waiting to be properly based. As opposed to some of the other Judge miniatures I’ve painted from this range, this figure was relatively simple to finish. The only real issue being the sculpting of his helmet’s red trim, which seemed to almost disappear around the back of Giant’s head, and thus took a few attempts to ‘nail’ using “Vallejo” Heavy Red.

Recently inspired by yet another re-watching of the 1998 film “The Mask of Zorro”, I’ve picked up this masked bandit model from “Boot Hill Miniatures”, along with a Mexican Sergeant and Captain. I have some mounted versions of the same figures waiting in the wings as well, but for now I hope to just paint up a small collection of foot figures for some skirmish games.

WW1 Egyptian Expeditionary Force - WIP - Part One

I’ve been considering a foray into World War One wargaming for some time, and recently have had this particular itch further irritated by both “Battlefront Miniatures” announcement of doing “The Great War” for “Flames Of War” in 15mm, and the numerous programmes dominating the television currently in celebration(?) of the centenary of the war’s start.

A recent excursion to the Bovington Wargames Show finally settled the matter as I found myself so thoroughly inspired by the impressive “Trench Experience” and the “Warhorse To Horsepower” display that upon impulse I bought the “Osprey Publishing” Campaign book “Megiddo 1918 – The last great cavalry victory”.

Having consumed Bryan Perrett's text and Ed Dovey's illustrations I have ordered a sizable number of 10mm miniatures from “Pendraken Miniatures” Middle East Range. The first of these models are from code ME1 Imperial Infantry and will hopefully be painted up as part of my Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Somewhat disconcertingly I have found a number of contradictory sources as to the colour of the main British uniform fighting in Gaza at this time, but having been inspired by the painting scheme used by “King And Country” on their toy soldiers, have gone for “Vallejo” Stone Grey helmets and shorts with Heavy Grey shirts and stockings. As a result I’ve simply undercoated these test models with Stone Grey, washed them with “Citadel” Devlan Mud, and then given the soldiers a drybrush with more “Vallejo” Stone grey in order to bring out the detail.

Sticking with the theme of 10mm “Pendraken Miniatures” I’ve finally started progressing these three T70b Russian Light Tanks models from the Middlesbrough based manufacturer's Code SV16. Having finished washing and drybrushing the armour, I’ve just got to pick out the metal tank tracks, apply some decals and base them.

In addition I have finally finished painting my “Mongoose Publishing” Judge Giant 28mm model from my "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game" Kickstarter pledge.