Showing posts with label Miniatures. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miniatures. Show all posts

Saturday, January 13, 2018

Review: Maelstrom's Edge

I recently recieved the starter box for Maelstrom's Edge by Spiral Arms Studios. Now, I'm not really interested in getting into a new miniatures game, but I can't say no to free models.

So first off, the artwork is amazing. I'm a sucker for awesome game art, and I love the style this game has. I'm not going to go into the rules because, I already have too many rulesets in my head right now. But perhaps I'll come back later and look at them.

The models themselves are very nice. The sculpts are crisp, and there was very little flash and mould lines. They are in the "heroic" style like those by Games Workshop.

 I really like the Epirian Foundation. They kind of look like the Colonial Marines in Aliens, and they could be a nice alternative to the Imperial Guard. They also have some awesome mechs. They really fit my image of Sci-Fi militaries.

The Karist Enclave are from what I can tell are the "Bad Guys". They have very sleek armour and these crazy looking demon models, which will probably be fun to paint (I haven't cut them off the sprues yet).

The box also comes with a pair of sprues for terrain building which is pretty great, You can use the pieces for any sort of Sci Fi Terrain!

One complaint was that the models didn't come with instructions in the box. I had to go to the website to find the kit instructions.
Another complaint is that the chits are just thin cardboard, but seeing as this is a new game/company it could be a lot worse. But again the art looks amazing.

All in all they are decent models, and I expect that the game will be fun to play.

I'd give the game 3.75 out of 5 stars. But that may change when I look at the rules.

Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Review: Charlie Foxtrot Models


Ruined House 1
"Tabac tobacconists shop" and "Dormer House 2"
So about a month ago, I ordered some buildings from Charlie Foxtrot Models. They are MDF kits, which seem to be a standard in the hobby. One thing that sets the Charlie Foxtrot kits are, in my opinion; they are very characterful. I really like the unique look that each building has, especially the shops. Each building seems like it's own building, unlike other manufacturers. Now, I'm not saying I don't like other manufacturers, but Charlie Foxtrot Models are easily my favourite. They assemble with out headaches, and they for sure paint up nicely.

My first complaint with the kits are is that they didn't come in sprues, but where already punched out. Which isn't a massive complaint, but it was a bit surprising. My last complaint, is that getting the squares used for securing upper floors can be a bit fiddly. But that's probably just my poor craftsmanship.

All in all, I have fallen in love with these kits and will definitely be purchasing more in the future! I encourage everyone to check out the kits.

I would love to see Colin make some kits in 1/72 for the Vietnam War, such as village buildings and bunkers.

Charlie Foxtrot Models gets a 4.75 out of 5 Stars!

Monday, September 25, 2017

Into the Bush (Galen's Vietnam Project)- Tutorial: Jungle Scatter Terrain.

So the Vietnam War has been a fascinating subject to me for a long time. Probably due to hearing stories about the press coverage from my parents who grew up during the war. So when I started Wargaming, naturally I wanted to game the conflict. Over the past year or so, I've begun collecting forces and vehicles. But the most daunting part of gaming Vietnam is probably to model the dense jungle that makes up the Vietnamese Highlands. I've conducted numerous experiments and now I feel confident to share one of the methods I came up with.

Materials:

  • Your prefered terrain basing material
  • Plastic Aquarium/Terrarium Plants
  • Clump Foam
  • Flock/turf 


Step One:
So I decided to use balsa wood for my scatter bases, because I'm limiting my spending to save for a trip to Normandy in 2019. Also it's easy to cut without power tools. In fact you can just use a hobby knife to cut it. I shaped it in an oblong shape, trying to remove any super straight edges. I also sanded down the edges to make a bevel.

Step Two:
I spray painted it with Army Painter "Leather Brown" Primer, so if the flock gets rubbed of it looks like there is dirt.


Step Three:
With PVA glue I flocked around the edge 


Step Four:
Now using a punch to make holes to place my plants in. I like to make them in triangular patterns. Then just with a dab of super glue stick your plants onto the base.


Step Five: 
Keep adding plants around one edge of the base.


Step Six:
Once you have about a third of the perimeter suitably foliage. You may want to go in and put flock/turf among the plants to hide the base. 


Step Seven:
Another way you can hide the base is to use clump foliage to make the plants appear more dense than it really is. This is just up to personal taste. I like the way it looks.


Step Eight: 
Keep adding plants and clump foliage until you are happy with the look. This took me maybe two and a half hours, leaving time for the glue to dry.


Friday, January 20, 2017

"No Tiger Fear"; A Review of Stoessi's Heroes Miniatures

So a while back I posted on Stoessi's Heros Faceboook page about how much I would love to review his models, but I had no money to purchase them. Wonderfully, Thomas Stoesser got in touch with me and we arranged for me to get three models to review for free! But since shipping was an issue I decided to order four models, and then shipping wouldn't be an issue. Due to my incredibly clever idea, I was able to pick up the whole line! Even though Stoessi has been so lovely to deal with, I am going to be honest in this review. It wouldn't be a good review then, would it? Anyways, let's talk miniatures.

So, Stoessi's models are wonderfully detailed and very characterful. Which complies with his motto, or catchphrase, "Adding Character to Your Battlefield".

 I already liked the models, but finally to see them in person has been great. They sculpts are very nice and I hope my painting skills can bring them to life. The models were very easy to clean up with very minimal mold lines.

Donny Dumpf and PFC Miller
Probably my favorite model is "Donny Dumpf". Being an American I think that this model is absolutely hilarious. I can now proclaim while using this model, "MAKE WAR GREAT AGAIN! Back to the way things were in 1918!"

Stoessi's first model(?) was "Otto Hottenrott", a German Late-War Schütze. I would have liked him to have more field gear than just a bread bag and canteen, but that was an easy fix with adding spare parts to flesh out the model.

I'm not going to go in to what I think of all the models here, but they are all wonderful. My full thoughts on them will be during the Step-by-Step articles which I will be writing.

I also got a button that says "No Tiger Fear", and a Bottle Opener that says "We don't have the proper facilities to take you all prisoner. Sorry!"
Very thick tabs

My only true complaint with the models are the incredibly thick tabs that the models come on. I use flat bases like those that come with Warlord Games' kits. After a while of trying to figure out how to remove the models without damaging them, I decided on simply shaving the tabs down.  It's a bit tedious, but it doesn't end up bending the feet. This isn't a comment on the models themselves but it made prepping the models a bit more difficult.

I did accidently snap the rifle stock on "Red Army Sniper, Liudmyla Pavlychenko", during this process, but I just had to reattach it with some glue.

My rating of these would be 4.5 Star General. (For those unaware the highest general is a Five Star General)

Check out Stoessi's Heroes webpage here and his Facebook page here

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Tuesday, November 29, 2016

Tutorial: Elephant Grass/ Bamboo Stalks

So I've had a fascination with the Vietnam War for a long time now, and I've always wanted to game it. But only recently have I begun to build and collect models and terrain for the conflict. One of the things I've been scratching my head at is the infamous Elephant grass. I've seen a lot of references to using grass mats for the grass, but upon looking into this, I've never liked the way it looks. It looks too fake for my tastes (even at tabletop distance). Thus I came up with a scatter terrain idea.


Supplies:

  • A hand broom
  • Washers (I used 50mm)
  • Green stuff
  • Super glue
  • Scissors 
  • X-acto knife

Step One: 
First off, you're going to get your scissors or x-acto knife and cut the bristles off of your broom. You can super glue the bristles first but I've found it doesn't make the nice splayed look that plants have.

Step Two:
Take a bundle of the bristles and wrap green stuff around one end. You can also wrap it around both ends to get more coverage for one bundle.

Step Three:
Now stick your green stuff onto the washers. I always place a tuft over the hole.  Then repeat steps two and three until you are satisfied with the base. You can also supplement the bristle tufts with long grass tufts, but wait until you've painted the bristles.


Step Four: 
Trim the top of your tufts with scissors to get the tops a fringed look.

 Step Five:
Paint your bristles with green paint. I like to mix the the colours in small amounts to create an interesting and realistic look. It looks strange if all your grass is the same colour. I also paint the base.

Step Six:
At this stage I would glue your long grass tufts onto the base. But, I would use them sparingly because they aren't the most sturdy. 


Step Seven: 
Now just flock your base in what ever manner suits you.

One thing i've noticed, that due to not priming the grass, light catches the bristles and give it that sort of translucent look that plants have. I've found that this method will work well with 28mm and 20mm. You could also paint them in different colours for alien planets!

Size comparison of my grass with a 28mm and a 20mm figure.


I just want to say that this is the coolest thing ever.


Saturday, November 12, 2016

Tutorial/Painting Guide: Galen's US Infantry/Airborne

This is the painting guide I have developed for my United States Army forces. Is it completely historically accurate? No. But it's close enough! For those of you that have an issue with non-historical accuracy for miniatures I'd like to direct you to this article on Warlord Games's site.

All paints listed are Vallejo, unless otherwise noted. The base and highlight are divided with "//".

Uniform

  • M41 Jacket: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Khaki 70988
  • M41 Jacket Variation #1: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Khaki Grey 70880
  • M41 Jacket Variation #2: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Highlight Japan Tkcr. 332
  • M43 Jacket/Trousers: Gnarls Green (P3)// Brown Violet 70887
  • HBT Uniform (Dark Shade): Olive Grey 70888// Brown Violet 70887
  • HBT Uniform (Light Shade): Gnarls Green (P3)// Italian Tankcrew 327
  • M1942 Paratrooper Uniform: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Khaki Grey 70880
  • Service Shoe/Jump Boots/Buckle Combat Boots Lower: Walnut Brown (Reaper)// Ruddy Brown (Reaper)
  • Buckle Combat Boots Upper: Walnut Brown (Reaper)// Oiled Leather (Reaper)
Field Gear
  • Web Gear: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Highlight Afrika Korps 340
  • Web Gear Variation #1: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Highlight Ge.II (Feldgrau) 339
  • Web Gear Variation #2: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Khaki 70988
  • Web Gear Transitional: Olive Grey 70888// Japanese Tankcrew 328
  • Web Gear Transitional Variation: Olive Grey 70888// Brown Violet 70887
  • Bayonet Scabbard: Gnarls Green (P3)// Traitor Green (P3)
  • Bayonet Scabbard Variation #1: Rucksack Tan (P3)// Highlight Afrika Korps 340

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Reveiw: Dice Bag Lady Shieldmaidens

So I just received a package from the Dicebag Lady. Inside were a set of eight shieldmaidens for my Viking Army! They got here loads faster than I expected, seeing as they were coming from England, or it's because I actually forgot when I ordered them.

I ordered the Shield Maiden Warriors and the Shield Maiden Fighters. The models are in the standard white metal and are very nice sculpts, though the Warriors appear to be a bit more in the exaggerated/cartoonish style, but I don't mind because I like variety in my armies.
They had very minimal mold lines and were very easy to clean up. But knowing me I'll probably find more as I start to paint them. All in all they are very beautiful models, also very beautiful ladies. I look forward to mixing them into the ranks of my Vikings! I'll be posting pictures as soon as they are painted.

I would have to rank them at a 4.5 out of 5. I'm very impressed, and will most defiantly be ordering more models from her.

She has all sorts of models of realistic females! I had stumbled across the site while searching for shield-maidens, and I've been very impressed with her collection of models. If you are sick of female models with unrealistic/revealing armour, definitely take a visit to the Dicebag Lady!