tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45332008448516867362024-03-17T08:18:44.767+00:00Life vs. GamingA blog about miniatures of all sorts... at the moment, mostly Pulp, spaceships and other hairbrained ventures!Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.comBlogger74125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-26090875428121674182015-06-04T22:42:00.002+01:002015-06-04T22:42:35.029+01:00Excellent short on battle of waterloo (only 2 weeks to the bicentenary!)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDZGL1xsqzs<br />
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Really enjoyed this and frankly can't believe it has so few views - if you enjoy, please spread as then they may make some more!<br />
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I recently ordered the new Blucher rules by Sam Mustafa with the Hundred Days card pack, so look forward to coercing a friend to play a game with me on the weekend after the battle.<br />
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Also, although I haven't really posted anything of much late I have actually been doing a fair bit of painting. I now have 2 of the Langton 1:1200 ships complete, pushed along by inspirational reading from Patrick O'Brian (and beautiful models they are too); have made a dent in a few 28mm AWI for Muskets and Tomahawks or Black Powder (I have a great love of the uniforms of this war and am enjoying the excellent Rebellion scenario book recently published by Warlord) and am picking up the brush again on an experiment I started off about 6 months ago - 6mm napoleonics - starting with, you guessed it, the Allied army at Waterloo.<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com51tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-78774130771747570472015-04-08T23:21:00.003+01:002015-04-08T23:21:43.266+01:00BSG Centurions Indiegogo - FornaxDon't use the blog for this often but think this is a cool project worth a bump - check it out and think about pledging <a href="https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/centurions-from-fornax-33mm-sci-fi-miniatures" target="_blank">https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/centurions-from-fornax-33mm-sci-fi-miniatures</a><br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-16993916925236822762015-04-08T23:02:00.000+01:002015-04-08T23:02:57.557+01:00Kiss Me Hardy Ship Cards (1:1200 Naval Napoleonics)For some bizarre reason I enjoy making the data cards that naval and spaceship games tend to use. My latest offering is attached - attractive (and more space efficient) ship cards for the Too Fat Lardies ruleset Kiss Me Hardy.<br />
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<a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jfp1peT1x8x-bjL5Fd3E2ddTov-7rcndtftMRl_lFZs/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1jfp1peT1x8x-bjL5Fd3E2ddTov-7rcndtftMRl_lFZs/edit?usp=sharing</a><br />
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So far I have only done a card for a 3rd rate 74 but if you want to use them for other ships just do a bit of dragging, dropping, and pasting and find a picture of the ship you need on google. Its all editable with powerpoint and was done on google docs, so is accessible to everyone for free, although you may need to save your own version as I have disabled editing on my 'master copy'. If you're confused about what any of the images etc mean then post in the comments and I'll explain - too lazy to make a full key.<br />
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I haven't finished rigging my Langton ships yet but I like how they're looking (and for the price they better look princely!)<br />
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Maybe I'll even post a picture? Haven't been much into my blogging since the pulp flurry a while back...<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-9982756621236414172014-11-24T20:52:00.001+00:002014-11-24T20:53:10.556+00:00Firefly figures for Pulp Alley - Alliance Lt and new free trader crew. More painted up firefly figures for the Pulp alley project. These were actually completed last month but have taken a while to make their way through to the camera.<br />
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I'm thinking of running a four player game for my girlfriend and housemates using these and a few of my Pulp figures (I reckon I can get away with using some of my 30s/40s gangster figures as 'space gangsters'). Just need to stat them up and choose a scenario. We've been playing a lot of D&D recently so I think a miniatures game would actually go down pretty well as there's not a huge different (except for PA having much smoother and more interesting mechanics than D&D combat).<br />
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The last four figures in this post form another rival free trader crew (like the Firefly crew). Who do you think should be the captain of the crew? I haven't decided yet so leave some thoughts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PhzMVHO-E_yYf-ZUHfhXjOC2tNg8_XSqAObqiSaU_BOQk835q0qa2nPgUOL7glYonr_dpdHE-j5ANXJHcqVgMqT3GHziAdXpNqKjpQJEXpvCk7pBjzu803lxvHTNK6homwiSqrIGqVg/s1600/Firefly++03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1PhzMVHO-E_yYf-ZUHfhXjOC2tNg8_XSqAObqiSaU_BOQk835q0qa2nPgUOL7glYonr_dpdHE-j5ANXJHcqVgMqT3GHziAdXpNqKjpQJEXpvCk7pBjzu803lxvHTNK6homwiSqrIGqVg/s1600/Firefly++03.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lt to lead the Alliance Feds faction. Converted from Hasslfree's colonel Michaels with the head from an Artisan Nazi. The uniform is an approximate match to the series. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElEZSKJgvvX3KUV8yqbtpaDvw3pkL-XKTg_PfsynUJ2dgtS7GTruE1naT1uk-3Pozl9D85lX6chnkon9i6Y2RgPG4nIrXMOcKLdVlOTO3l8c737_MmK8nMS_JAxBmofeWznxHoRLcIe0/s1600/Firefly++02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjElEZSKJgvvX3KUV8yqbtpaDvw3pkL-XKTg_PfsynUJ2dgtS7GTruE1naT1uk-3Pozl9D85lX6chnkon9i6Y2RgPG4nIrXMOcKLdVlOTO3l8c737_MmK8nMS_JAxBmofeWznxHoRLcIe0/s1600/Firefly++02.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I arsed up the piping by painting it straight...</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think this may be the best I've managed to paint a figure so far (bear in mind this image is about 2-3 times the size of the actual figure). I tried some new ideas with the white i.e really subtle highlights and transitions, using very thin layers. The face came out nice (good sculpting more than anything) and I managed to pull off some nice freehand on the armour and gun. There's some shine to kill with a varnish though. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOVMbnzGAMeh8DsmMfzYul1679T72algpZ-EtXCGe5ryTpckytrRK_sYlLSzLyZP8Sp3keoHclCtPHtJEmN3l8JZ86_pnYp-zTSRJuekZr2RE9WGpHQi-x5kUdtstw_HP6yTysvXmu-8/s1600/Firefly++06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQOVMbnzGAMeh8DsmMfzYul1679T72algpZ-EtXCGe5ryTpckytrRK_sYlLSzLyZP8Sp3keoHclCtPHtJEmN3l8JZ86_pnYp-zTSRJuekZr2RE9WGpHQi-x5kUdtstw_HP6yTysvXmu-8/s1600/Firefly++06.jpg" height="340" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another Hasslfree figure. Kev White (the sculptor for HF) is a genius. Easily my favourite sculptor. I tried to go for a high sheen faux leather jacket by painting it with extreme white highlights. Works slightly better IRL. I found a good jeans colour on this figure so will no doubt use again. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Heresy figure - shame its not a HF! Still not bad. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvSc4kTz0cyCTsOJuEWasTvGp6kpBqAXRc7ZZWBCNIp0kcxZ6Mt9LJqPHgzXb1sNRk7XIbzZReGyJcrQ0Er0yxuFHn0kJ00UK5MvuVSG-53IHIUOerSDz65TYmHtTfyIHLOTbqDHAicc/s1600/Firefly++09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvSc4kTz0cyCTsOJuEWasTvGp6kpBqAXRc7ZZWBCNIp0kcxZ6Mt9LJqPHgzXb1sNRk7XIbzZReGyJcrQ0Er0yxuFHn0kJ00UK5MvuVSG-53IHIUOerSDz65TYmHtTfyIHLOTbqDHAicc/s1600/Firefly++09.jpg" height="311" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think the shiny black leather boots came out nicely. Getting the hang of this technique (painted this after the figure above). Sponge chipping effect on the kneepads. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_-UPHgf1O-C_L1ky7G0D0T5t8Y-Yly5zXsfhf3v35Djh0vJUlkWo1mbdugHJfkZyqclL06OzDwvVuAVDRcRZZj9muWzxmGPeDLpOh6wqHihL89T_z8c7S1gVOxBfPRLvIh7dwf-l7gk/s1600/Firefly++10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN_-UPHgf1O-C_L1ky7G0D0T5t8Y-Yly5zXsfhf3v35Djh0vJUlkWo1mbdugHJfkZyqclL06OzDwvVuAVDRcRZZj9muWzxmGPeDLpOh6wqHihL89T_z8c7S1gVOxBfPRLvIh7dwf-l7gk/s1600/Firefly++10.jpg" height="271" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skin's not bad either. Flesh and black are still my two big hurdles to overcome. I think, with trepidation, I can say I can paint white now though. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think the firefly universe has intelligent robots but when I saw this figure on the Lead Adventure forums I had to get a few! I figure its semi-intelligent (so not sentient like the Star Wars droids) and gives the mechanic (still to paint) some technical computing backup. </td></tr>
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-57637009457561842992014-09-16T23:17:00.002+01:002014-09-17T01:19:32.766+01:00More Firefly (pulp alley project)I finished painting up Zoe over the weekend. I now have the core of the crew in terms of the 'away team' painted up (Mal, Jayne, Zoe) and some opposition - 8 Alliance troopers (I did 3 more at the same time as Zoe) with an Alliance officer well on the way. This puts me in a good place to play a game once I've finished putting together a bit more of my battlesystems terrain (some of which you can see in the background to the shots).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Nqe2ag2kGf13A93t-LbmYEBF2N2k41MHdXVwXRY796KsGQoBjxOM1O7bHLFgOwlQ9W-vAWxScRTYkdWJyrhXqJdvWVloNjgPbKVKq1bID0hbcJ2PWt9K-1xZ_yIqoJ_IulX1kEz6ZA/s1600/Zoe3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1Nqe2ag2kGf13A93t-LbmYEBF2N2k41MHdXVwXRY796KsGQoBjxOM1O7bHLFgOwlQ9W-vAWxScRTYkdWJyrhXqJdvWVloNjgPbKVKq1bID0hbcJ2PWt9K-1xZ_yIqoJ_IulX1kEz6ZA/s1600/Zoe3.jpg" height="362" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I've used a Reaper fig. Its not a dead ringer for Zoe but its close enough in my book...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xeu0UFgeQqPxFWwadrBsuiKMyOl1ZPT5wDOajgzjQ5dGZhk-flbBarulMqnztgdoQJKxWZvSjK3AEbMRdoaBZGvrCI3uI7Oid8ljD7i4wqQRkPzPyDqzpxazZ5w3QqoSOveIoZ2kGh4/s1600/Zoe5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Xeu0UFgeQqPxFWwadrBsuiKMyOl1ZPT5wDOajgzjQ5dGZhk-flbBarulMqnztgdoQJKxWZvSjK3AEbMRdoaBZGvrCI3uI7Oid8ljD7i4wqQRkPzPyDqzpxazZ5w3QqoSOveIoZ2kGh4/s1600/Zoe5.jpg" height="400" width="358" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You'll notice that I've 'penned' the edges on my card terrain to help it blend - you can see this nicely on the air duct here. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3HY8XhKmCO8pvvQg3US_X5cQ-rLLRKF__R07BEF09jWoUT3wa8fA9CvWXPhIXxRWnV6IbmsoAfdIej1vs-x3Yjp2F7R6_TJciRjHafJXT_OExBdiMpkAgEbLdvAXO-ZZ1zHoSy7AJ48/s1600/Zoe4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM3HY8XhKmCO8pvvQg3US_X5cQ-rLLRKF__R07BEF09jWoUT3wa8fA9CvWXPhIXxRWnV6IbmsoAfdIej1vs-x3Yjp2F7R6_TJciRjHafJXT_OExBdiMpkAgEbLdvAXO-ZZ1zHoSy7AJ48/s1600/Zoe4.jpg" height="420" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The place you don't want to be - staring down the barrel of Zoe's gun!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiF5f_eLLX2Df3zRDDSeiAU0guIQpf1kbpehX8zOU2DuHMhhQfxXqssP5b7o0awZ4C7tifCrbIbOTt0j7WK5s0Ir_gHZOZeq-wSsjgIOJeE4eyI2zaryuU3yP1J4kntdsi138NwmkuEE/s1600/Zoe2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieiF5f_eLLX2Df3zRDDSeiAU0guIQpf1kbpehX8zOU2DuHMhhQfxXqssP5b7o0awZ4C7tifCrbIbOTt0j7WK5s0Ir_gHZOZeq-wSsjgIOJeE4eyI2zaryuU3yP1J4kntdsi138NwmkuEE/s1600/Zoe2.jpg" height="504" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gang together. They scale well - no complaints from me. </td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSKD6FhoRhDusCllZTzGv9WW4IA6qJABBdeNClI9pGOBG0_dtgkLfsBtNsIrQvjy3r_ETdFBCql_oPeUmNg2rb6VtS1PEXxfTlaGa1gja4JwimW5C5eZ8t0LKWOzSypitUL9IlBgORW0/s1600/Zoe1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOSKD6FhoRhDusCllZTzGv9WW4IA6qJABBdeNClI9pGOBG0_dtgkLfsBtNsIrQvjy3r_ETdFBCql_oPeUmNg2rb6VtS1PEXxfTlaGa1gja4JwimW5C5eZ8t0LKWOzSypitUL9IlBgORW0/s1600/Zoe1.jpg" height="502" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional sepia shot...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbySoelIfXu9j0ABRZRl6HaEGbB83FNYgcc6_IiZC-5w-i4UBkzCuvfeNjc6D9aqN-pc5rDKf6arfTKm8uw2hZ7AgEy05FwKArdirUoL3WucpMpO-iDwbGabkGj66MwtxzyNrNsYINaw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-16+at+23.01.37.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbySoelIfXu9j0ABRZRl6HaEGbB83FNYgcc6_IiZC-5w-i4UBkzCuvfeNjc6D9aqN-pc5rDKf6arfTKm8uw2hZ7AgEy05FwKArdirUoL3WucpMpO-iDwbGabkGj66MwtxzyNrNsYINaw/s1600/Screen+shot+2014-09-16+at+23.01.37.png" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surrounded! but not cowed. </td></tr>
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Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-851299143525752782014-08-31T21:28:00.000+01:002014-08-31T21:29:49.081+01:00You can't take the sky from me...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I've been a bit distracted from my pulp project by a certain space western that had an unfortunate case of Kurt Cobain syndrome...</div>
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Pulp Alley is a very flexible ruleset and I can see it fitting the firefly universe perfectly, so buckle in for some thrillin' heroics as I run through the first few characters I've painted up from the show. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWrCvo7xiXVU0NON7o2LYzrrTjHs_s49W8xbuA8zVugtpFFaE-F7LjqbIpCJqXOf4mfuvX6G326G5v5ZKJafeFTcEuyCDaC54-oa4wF9tNoPenK2gKymBPNeFCQxZmsiPNxpl1iI2YOs/s1600/Firefly+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWrCvo7xiXVU0NON7o2LYzrrTjHs_s49W8xbuA8zVugtpFFaE-F7LjqbIpCJqXOf4mfuvX6G326G5v5ZKJafeFTcEuyCDaC54-oa4wF9tNoPenK2gKymBPNeFCQxZmsiPNxpl1iI2YOs/s1600/Firefly+11.jpg" height="409" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mal and Jayne bite off more than they can chew as they go head to head with a heavily armed squad of Alliance Feds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY-yPBXhpy52rtSBY3Tw9D5dDM44qIHkV3n_ZVnvw8wNkFDK6Ic4oE_LRsYVc9nySWBA2d1r2WVc1rRPrDq1tRgi0Zf9eulBPslPLKkfv_6DctCwFGkO1J6jt2eqxJC31uYBUnRe8yfw/s1600/Firefly+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoY-yPBXhpy52rtSBY3Tw9D5dDM44qIHkV3n_ZVnvw8wNkFDK6Ic4oE_LRsYVc9nySWBA2d1r2WVc1rRPrDq1tRgi0Zf9eulBPslPLKkfv_6DctCwFGkO1J6jt2eqxJC31uYBUnRe8yfw/s1600/Firefly+01.jpg" height="488" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Malcolm Reynolds. Browncoat, captain and all round goddam hero. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL7texMxNqUhrNJwY6oEOQp8bWlfBiy9m1x9_1a5wt6gPqn2OwET3jdLPAE-AnH-8oGqHZQYkAjFIjhVduTBYgPgaFQmSwUXToH7j_ztVFklVlHPZbDmYAWS_k80QDN0qYJVGzJTZRAw/s1600/Firefly+02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglL7texMxNqUhrNJwY6oEOQp8bWlfBiy9m1x9_1a5wt6gPqn2OwET3jdLPAE-AnH-8oGqHZQYkAjFIjhVduTBYgPgaFQmSwUXToH7j_ztVFklVlHPZbDmYAWS_k80QDN0qYJVGzJTZRAw/s1600/Firefly+02.jpg" height="576" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Heresy, not a bad sculpt but a bit of shock after all the Copplestone and Hasslefree I've been panting recently. Its Malish but not a dead ringer and the boots for example are a bit crude. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYQkLyMNMU7XptlDKRXHLmRCVeyBSDBhvcmflDf3QvGixn-3G7XHLxD1OpbensnhnMs5Vsze29YOcTfeJFRP9Yk8IFJFCAhI99PgCJO2ZP13-Uwh3U47VefrtHsP4dfItk7KhsFP04pE/s1600/Firefly+03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYQkLyMNMU7XptlDKRXHLmRCVeyBSDBhvcmflDf3QvGixn-3G7XHLxD1OpbensnhnMs5Vsze29YOcTfeJFRP9Yk8IFJFCAhI99PgCJO2ZP13-Uwh3U47VefrtHsP4dfItk7KhsFP04pE/s1600/Firefly+03.jpg" height="432" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went for colours reminiscent to those in the show but adapted for the scale.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BAlBz8AbYVo0AURIAeInhVfV4cN8wEBHagQDUFChVOUrJCFtxCUBu1wPa6ICu8Mjx0zY8MxoNtznG6ALHft5dC3V9yCMgoEso3u86ezNj0Gv7rUvnkJ-077IfFpUh2pQ3fDI9W0wd0g/s1600/Firefly+04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BAlBz8AbYVo0AURIAeInhVfV4cN8wEBHagQDUFChVOUrJCFtxCUBu1wPa6ICu8Mjx0zY8MxoNtznG6ALHft5dC3V9yCMgoEso3u86ezNj0Gv7rUvnkJ-077IfFpUh2pQ3fDI9W0wd0g/s1600/Firefly+04.jpg" height="448" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jayne Cobb. Foul mouthed mercenary looking for his cut. (Reaper)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CEWTYewZzyKq_fPbdJPVOZPull2F62uRZrpRXegkqOrXryS1DmbaZpnj8KRRL7z9B-F6nMEZ-UOe7imOaGWbl7S1SYyHtnlPKXXRVB8VaBOFs2uMPjbuypsSmjTfBGfzm1BueSw7izg/s1600/Firefly+05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2CEWTYewZzyKq_fPbdJPVOZPull2F62uRZrpRXegkqOrXryS1DmbaZpnj8KRRL7z9B-F6nMEZ-UOe7imOaGWbl7S1SYyHtnlPKXXRVB8VaBOFs2uMPjbuypsSmjTfBGfzm1BueSw7izg/s1600/Firefly+05.jpg" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, not the greatest sculpt in the world - the face is pretty basic. But, then again, it exists, so yay!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuydbqDibbnAgKcVZwzT0ucOdX_Ioeopk1BgR9BmZ7ZBqKRhdNsrzTu1M35UaR0LsPf_mK_b63if07-MbBUEa85UJjJJ9VLSxlD2SKqsL2Toj_ozuwqWC9V-yz7NhMYkVFfcKwheUX00/s1600/Firefly+06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYuydbqDibbnAgKcVZwzT0ucOdX_Ioeopk1BgR9BmZ7ZBqKRhdNsrzTu1M35UaR0LsPf_mK_b63if07-MbBUEa85UJjJJ9VLSxlD2SKqsL2Toj_ozuwqWC9V-yz7NhMYkVFfcKwheUX00/s1600/Firefly+06.jpg" height="476" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The shirt is meant to say 'blue sun' as in the blue sun corporation but I think the e turned out looking more like an r. So, ironically, now its 'blur sun'! Not quite sure what happened to Jane's eyes either...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jMhFxQKGAAGYYHVot-z-6Imw281jBouKQpOLHXgWljiVbKnWuVJoAEgtW98bUy9FoarnZ_TkP0mDkq_DfC_ophxQlQaw5AqxuJgZpMD-GltKSDRsNxrcBGAU3QKRB9FxFSI2t6wXArs/s1600/Firefly+08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3jMhFxQKGAAGYYHVot-z-6Imw281jBouKQpOLHXgWljiVbKnWuVJoAEgtW98bUy9FoarnZ_TkP0mDkq_DfC_ophxQlQaw5AqxuJgZpMD-GltKSDRsNxrcBGAU3QKRB9FxFSI2t6wXArs/s1600/Firefly+08.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alliance Feds aka 'Purple bellies'. The first 5. These are from Rebel minis (who I think has bought certain rights from Mongoose). As Firefly fans will know, the Alliance feds from the series used left over gear from the Starship Troopers movie. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKz8KqxSPH4WOvgfvSPzC-DJOR3-5uZkHEBT9NSUBuxl7XK-c-OO8Ge6zl402vlM3UfIan6A53Dq_zFYpOy2HtMhpt2HamoW0HqUev4f7tfgMxWkSQuyZ6Vngbrn2aXy1buS0VlnTjLU/s1600/Firefly+09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKz8KqxSPH4WOvgfvSPzC-DJOR3-5uZkHEBT9NSUBuxl7XK-c-OO8Ge6zl402vlM3UfIan6A53Dq_zFYpOy2HtMhpt2HamoW0HqUev4f7tfgMxWkSQuyZ6Vngbrn2aXy1buS0VlnTjLU/s1600/Firefly+09.jpg" height="546" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sculpts are a little basic and a bit vague in places, especially the faces. I painted these using a different approach to usual (as they are goons I was less bothered that about them being neat) so used lots of drybrushing and a very limited palette to speed things up. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqXhwUHQi9o1b-NbyCqW6YufpLkT6ydh5rjaVBz6pRADkPvlNXtqL3fpsqgQcHZKwmPmlJSUyD2omJOmW-6CmPS3Sl6MV2y_QfFmQNfZfe1cUmztTC7B6llD4sDj6u2Q93EnNl7D9Bmw/s1600/Firefly+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijqXhwUHQi9o1b-NbyCqW6YufpLkT6ydh5rjaVBz6pRADkPvlNXtqL3fpsqgQcHZKwmPmlJSUyD2omJOmW-6CmPS3Sl6MV2y_QfFmQNfZfe1cUmztTC7B6llD4sDj6u2Q93EnNl7D9Bmw/s1600/Firefly+10.jpg" height="640" width="622" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of some of the little bits of detail I bothered to do on the feds. The upside to this approach is that these 5 took me about 3 hours, which is very fast for me. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSxozEYCCmlGtxp4nqHOig6PBrdq4t8wOGtwDZyLihxS2ND_18FblTXpyNG5YpsczMp7rVmqNCMxHnBWtVozdQmOoxmWQecjZts6Z3YlcvAKDzf7t-fH5LVMUULLnpTqqBa6qVK8uGVc/s1600/Firefly+07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSxozEYCCmlGtxp4nqHOig6PBrdq4t8wOGtwDZyLihxS2ND_18FblTXpyNG5YpsczMp7rVmqNCMxHnBWtVozdQmOoxmWQecjZts6Z3YlcvAKDzf7t-fH5LVMUULLnpTqqBa6qVK8uGVc/s1600/Firefly+07.jpg" height="400" width="390" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mal posing in front of my new Battlesystems card terrain. Should get some good use out of this to represent salvage missions, boarding actions etc. Looking forward to popping it all out at some point. </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWrCvo7xiXVU0NON7o2LYzrrTjHs_s49W8xbuA8zVugtpFFaE-F7LjqbIpCJqXOf4mfuvX6G326G5v5ZKJafeFTcEuyCDaC54-oa4wF9tNoPenK2gKymBPNeFCQxZmsiPNxpl1iI2YOs/s1600/Firefly+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNWrCvo7xiXVU0NON7o2LYzrrTjHs_s49W8xbuA8zVugtpFFaE-F7LjqbIpCJqXOf4mfuvX6G326G5v5ZKJafeFTcEuyCDaC54-oa4wF9tNoPenK2gKymBPNeFCQxZmsiPNxpl1iI2YOs/s1600/Firefly+11.jpg" height="410" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ynJLVHXK009wgDdmHTJALnp3YL4TsDRWApfsnjEhUL18REfkqDMyz1d8DRCIYGltdv7cYBiQlv2dZ4WgWUxmb-YzgclwemmwheTuhWgYLeod6CHDmN5NullagmLV5KvapEnmXvV1QY/s1600/Firefly+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9ynJLVHXK009wgDdmHTJALnp3YL4TsDRWApfsnjEhUL18REfkqDMyz1d8DRCIYGltdv7cYBiQlv2dZ4WgWUxmb-YzgclwemmwheTuhWgYLeod6CHDmN5NullagmLV5KvapEnmXvV1QY/s1600/Firefly+12.jpg" height="314" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The smell of cordite hangs heavy in the air. 'Get on the horn and call for reinforcements!'</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_zq5Shncg2RcHbrwqo8NrxCfk0OkyDPsjxLgZI4rq3Li1g-JXKU3UiPqpYKWSFbMX0dQwr4yz4ij-XLbQPRfunlaP5UmMoo6ySUQvJoUD-PxWgogul4xxbYJep6732KDm6O2Bpp1Ck8/s1600/Firefly+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_zq5Shncg2RcHbrwqo8NrxCfk0OkyDPsjxLgZI4rq3Li1g-JXKU3UiPqpYKWSFbMX0dQwr4yz4ij-XLbQPRfunlaP5UmMoo6ySUQvJoUD-PxWgogul4xxbYJep6732KDm6O2Bpp1Ck8/s1600/Firefly+13.jpg" height="354" width="640" /></a></div>
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I've become pretty fascinated by the new ruleset from Ivan Sorenson (five parsecs from home) which merges miniatures wargame and RPG. I'm not a huge fan of the 5 core system the supplement builds on, it looks a bit basic and the lack of stat lines is a big turn-off, but I really want to do some kind of mash-up of pulp alley, 5 parsecs, the firefly boardgame and then mix in RPG elements... just need to find the time to write it...<br />
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On the plus side my boardgame group just progressed to RPGs (first game of D&D last week - which we thoroughly enjoyed) so I may be able to tempt them with the Firefly RPG in time.<br />
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Well, until next time - I'll be in my bunk.Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-87707164742641501882014-08-13T12:49:00.002+01:002014-08-23T13:50:33.252+01:00Thrilling Adventures: More Pulp figures painted up and ready to throw down. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Without much ado here are some more pics of my painted pulp figures for pulp alley (still haven't gotten round to playing, although close on terrain now). They're done using the Dallimore 3 colour method, which gives good results for the time invested - around 2 hours per figure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BsUU9Z4AZFnc51BJ9HG3FGydVxTjmHQi_GEapuyPKJ_8uoBQcnBB0ERu8ZMepZBllZDABx3u98PQ_zDyo5ZkN6s3bkTrl5g8hzKeOG_JDr5IjY0vs72nFtRy2ItcJOlyzrga7T1JnBo/s1600/Pulp21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0BsUU9Z4AZFnc51BJ9HG3FGydVxTjmHQi_GEapuyPKJ_8uoBQcnBB0ERu8ZMepZBllZDABx3u98PQ_zDyo5ZkN6s3bkTrl5g8hzKeOG_JDr5IjY0vs72nFtRy2ItcJOlyzrga7T1JnBo/s1600/Pulp21.jpg" height="436" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two's company; five's a crowd. Indy and Miranda get to the dig site only to find Santora waiting for them with hired guns in tow. Let the lead fly. (Artisan and Copplestone). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PS7nwxNxCqSV9JpURfiyPPI7F2XZ9qAxA996mx2qasU5zRjTjxn2U-4TVcS6GW4-xHI91MXh94GpWpJtfViRzP8q31hBPU-7haIycXve4rV-On-7ZSLAnEZZZLyab8WEeJ6X7-RGeaM/s1600/Pulp05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4PS7nwxNxCqSV9JpURfiyPPI7F2XZ9qAxA996mx2qasU5zRjTjxn2U-4TVcS6GW4-xHI91MXh94GpWpJtfViRzP8q31hBPU-7haIycXve4rV-On-7ZSLAnEZZZLyab8WEeJ6X7-RGeaM/s1600/Pulp05.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Faithful companion to Dr Jones: Sallah. (Artisan Figures). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z3gjjA-ArK9GdI3PzfjiduKlcSvhEiIxEOifts3F_kqTQ7ss-yXxwMXxERNsFRgt-wo_p8ZPShVfQEN9Nk9Pq82tJ_HUOrm1vTg3e_K820TqcjZN8zI71u6_e9MPrxYi8-Of-wVg8t0/s1600/Pulp07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9z3gjjA-ArK9GdI3PzfjiduKlcSvhEiIxEOifts3F_kqTQ7ss-yXxwMXxERNsFRgt-wo_p8ZPShVfQEN9Nk9Pq82tJ_HUOrm1vTg3e_K820TqcjZN8zI71u6_e9MPrxYi8-Of-wVg8t0/s1600/Pulp07.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hired help: Akhmed. Whether you need a hired gunand or spade, her's there...for a price. (Artisan Figures).</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8RnwSdVr3b8qzKdXgxxuF_DCpjfIfbZwAWvSSS5eHpwzR-OXkNu7NN7nBZyj8WQ_u24KMKaw656iSsATFwysdBZ1NjhONUDfgRb6P6FhtE4-fOShjUAfFuuysjF2l4xbnV0DfPiibeg/s1600/Pulp08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij8RnwSdVr3b8qzKdXgxxuF_DCpjfIfbZwAWvSSS5eHpwzR-OXkNu7NN7nBZyj8WQ_u24KMKaw656iSsATFwysdBZ1NjhONUDfgRb6P6FhtE4-fOShjUAfFuuysjF2l4xbnV0DfPiibeg/s1600/Pulp08.jpg" height="494" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNRjtbIAm5e0TLfY6Eea8IqzYAY6TIFUp5K1snfeDuXp-mpvZDS9C6_u_oc9ZlguspgfT-gUsVgD2u9B38AG9xpmbvzHMLh5NHkMc6swraEJbD3EgMUKu13z-GYpm2ZlwI1fRstAX_-U/s1600/Pulp10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGNRjtbIAm5e0TLfY6Eea8IqzYAY6TIFUp5K1snfeDuXp-mpvZDS9C6_u_oc9ZlguspgfT-gUsVgD2u9B38AG9xpmbvzHMLh5NHkMc6swraEJbD3EgMUKu13z-GYpm2ZlwI1fRstAX_-U/s1600/Pulp10.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sabrina Adler: unscrupulous assistant to Dr Reiter (forthcoming). (Hasslefree). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69o7UREUCpX3CtTt6t37FNoZJNoES77ZnQP9HkV5rsbqICA8KMBIcf8XfKie-erMzSTuDM8G-a1seU5nIOEGbAO-lXFj3Ses7CEUGYzn_NsoJ5Cgk_I8wzre3UgWG3VDlq33RT9404N4/s1600/Pulp11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69o7UREUCpX3CtTt6t37FNoZJNoES77ZnQP9HkV5rsbqICA8KMBIcf8XfKie-erMzSTuDM8G-a1seU5nIOEGbAO-lXFj3Ses7CEUGYzn_NsoJ5Cgk_I8wzre3UgWG3VDlq33RT9404N4/s1600/Pulp11.jpg" height="518" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Originally I painted this figure up with much lighter green combats. It looked way too washed out with the white top and blonde hair so I repainted them much darker, as above. I rarely go back and change things on figures but I think this solved the problem. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjjx_3d4nCmZ5YsAKnzS5mG23cfHLepcMbOnImicJlvddrPkC1tEm8BtVuGA05JGOtb8U19Mu4DDVNnuDORcz6Y3T_xE1L0BllbmGAIr62Tx28yVTIXPADxds8S7zioTQwHkHyRtzNrg/s1600/Pulp12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYjjx_3d4nCmZ5YsAKnzS5mG23cfHLepcMbOnImicJlvddrPkC1tEm8BtVuGA05JGOtb8U19Mu4DDVNnuDORcz6Y3T_xE1L0BllbmGAIr62Tx28yVTIXPADxds8S7zioTQwHkHyRtzNrg/s1600/Pulp12.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miranda Radcliffe: Cairo nightclub singer. Her father, Dr Radcliffe is chief archivist at the museum of Egyptian Antiquities in Cairo. (Artisan - shame the sculptor didn't pay as much attention to the face as he should). </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1-HVVkzROJ5_h4naw4ZL63dzOa5Eod5EitqhyphenhyphenSoFREtIAsbq8QgsLShiUXlvVE1xVkoAUBsIlt2hXcS0z1PtUgorlGPYR8O5Y4HkzQjDO6uECAps1vmOlQuAk8I8YnHQC9eeZZ1CiaI/s1600/Pulp13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb1-HVVkzROJ5_h4naw4ZL63dzOa5Eod5EitqhyphenhyphenSoFREtIAsbq8QgsLShiUXlvVE1xVkoAUBsIlt2hXcS0z1PtUgorlGPYR8O5Y4HkzQjDO6uECAps1vmOlQuAk8I8YnHQC9eeZZ1CiaI/s1600/Pulp13.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My first attempt at painting stockings/tights. Getting the flesh to grey mix is tricky. Next time I think a little less flesh for the highlight. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rUe1BL1qIaqpU8FP-Kdo1FtiznEnpkkpXBY-8azNfbyvlQTt6MIZ-fkm5hMjZEgAhKlQThE97DVow4BlvbMyXhLibYbUwkhMsb_IXGrn3oeUxIDi_kkPYUcBPxMX1XFsBDa7f2ZxPjg/s1600/Pulp22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rUe1BL1qIaqpU8FP-Kdo1FtiznEnpkkpXBY-8azNfbyvlQTt6MIZ-fkm5hMjZEgAhKlQThE97DVow4BlvbMyXhLibYbUwkhMsb_IXGrn3oeUxIDi_kkPYUcBPxMX1XFsBDa7f2ZxPjg/s1600/Pulp22.jpg" height="400" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Nazis. I hate these guys." Dr Jones and companions come face to face with Adler and her nefarious henchmen. </td></tr>
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If you liked these - leave me a comment. I really should post more but sometimes its hard to find the time...</div>
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Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-8590190702973072112014-05-19T22:25:00.002+01:002014-08-23T14:00:18.547+01:00Copplestone Gangsters (Pulp Alley)Superb sculpts, superb casts and really easy to paint. Will be getting more copplestone gangsters for sure!<br />
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<span style="text-align: center;">There is a fourth member of the pack - but I seem to have mislaid them somewhere in the painting process...</span><br />
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I love the brooding menace of this figure. The facial expression is superb and a real pleasure to paint - if only all minis had such well sculpted faces! I went for quite subtle highlights on the dark suit (rule of thumb - never paint anything black, just very dark grey) and like how it turned out. They're slightly brighter in person.<br />
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As you can see on these figs, I've had a bit of a breakthrough on eyes (basically, I finally used a decent sable brush...) and I really like how it brings them to life.<br />
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I was really pleased with how this suit came out. He's a rather dapper fellow. As I've built up confidence with cloth I've started adding in extra folds and creases where I think they should go. The creases on here are about 30% made up.<br />
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The gang together. In pulp alley terms they will be the core group (leader with 2 allies) and then I'll bolt on additional allies and followers to match the setting. First adventure is in Egypt, so they need some hired help to make sure they get through the desert ok and don't have to do any actual digging when they get to where their client said the artefact would be...<br />
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Need to put a date in the diary with my housemate for the first game. Pretty much there now with figures and terrain. Just a few things to finish up (and the rules to re-read, and story to write).Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-33240638737430862122014-04-28T22:29:00.001+01:002014-08-23T13:54:18.139+01:00Back in the saddle at last... and pulp is on the menu. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well... its been a while. Happy to say that the hobby has carried on but did take a big hit when I changed role at work. However, I've since moved to a new role where I get some of my spare time back - so some time to think about blogging again!</div>
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This has really been aided by the foldio, a very portable and cost effective mini-studio that was launched via kickstarter, which arrived a few weeks ago. Taking decent (although not amazing photos) is now a lot lot simpler and has encouraged me to get blogging again. </div>
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So, I give you my first post in a while. Our good friend Dr Jones. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RKO2XKhpYwun-XIfjhOLeIocw6tJnyl4ShpCmsrHpBqB5Da_lvMgpzpGPn4-_iebXPlDwTMrjqM5_eHSaTLPMyGhNReH9VO_pH1QRx9c2KDnR05c0Sy1jGlEcx0rzekd9wJqCYdolZo/s1600/DSCN0952.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9RKO2XKhpYwun-XIfjhOLeIocw6tJnyl4ShpCmsrHpBqB5Da_lvMgpzpGPn4-_iebXPlDwTMrjqM5_eHSaTLPMyGhNReH9VO_pH1QRx9c2KDnR05c0Sy1jGlEcx0rzekd9wJqCYdolZo/s1600/DSCN0952.jpg" height="570" width="640" /></a></div>
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The original figure is from Artizan. It looks quite like Indy but to get the whole look I added the whip (drilled out the hand, coiled some fishing wire and fixed with superglue), the satchel (greenstuff - and one of my better sculpts, I think I'm getting better) and holster (on the leg that you can't see in this photo). These bits just complete the look for me and make it into our favourite rugged archaeologist as opposed to a 'similar guy'.<br />
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A slightly blurry 'warts and all' close-up. The face on the cast/sculpt is not the best. I've been spoilt by the copplestones I've been painting recently - they just paint themselves. This was a much trickier proposition and I'm still not all that happy. I was thinking about adding some 5 o'clock shadow but just don't want to tamper with it anymore frankly.<br />
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As you can see, I'm a fan of the clear acrylic bases. They have two killer pros for me - a) they go with any terrain (which is a must for pulp globetrotting) and b) they require no work at all (I get to spend more time painting and less covering things in sand). Figs can break off quite easily but I really don't see this as a problem - just pop them back on with some superglue! These ones are from Litko.<br />
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Those who've seen my painting in the past will also know that I've changed styles. I used to be an aficionado of the wash (slap it on allover, lovely jubbly) but have since moved on to much greener pastures. Now I only use them much more subtly - pin washes are the order of the day - and sparingly. The only thing washed on this figure was the skin (flesh wash on a elf skin base, then highlighted up 3-4 times with white progressively) and the gun (nuln oil). Everything else is layers (usually 4 - shadow, base, highlight, extreme highlight but sometimes more or less to taste).<br />
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I started experimenting with this method when repainting some wizkids star wars figs about 6 months ago (this was when I first broke out the clear bases as well) and liked the effect. Reading Keven Dallimore's great books (which my GF got me for my birthday - I'm a lucky man) has cemented this and given me a few more tricks.<br />
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As you can see from this post, pulp is the order of the day. I've been painting 2 leagues (for pulp alley) with terrain. First adventure is Indy in Egypt. More to follow...<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-6677586783816657862013-06-07T22:10:00.000+01:002013-06-07T22:10:01.942+01:00Cool Pic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Found this while surfing the web - if a company made one in 6mm I'd buy it!Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-26857805297910971222013-05-28T21:17:00.000+01:002013-05-28T21:17:47.822+01:00Foray into 6mm Sci-fi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Well its been a while folks. Haven't really had the time or inclination to blog much of late but the bank holiday weekend afforded some time to take a few pics of what I have on the workbench atm. </div>
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I've made a foray into 6mm sci-fi for a few of reasons:</div>
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<li>General love of sci-fi</li>
<li>The realisation that there are some really good ranges which are not just GW rip-offs (especially CinC, Plasmablast, Cav and Microworld, Dark Realm errs towards GW but still has some very nice minis). </li>
<li>Price - I liked the look of Dropzone Commander but the price was too much for me for what you got. I can get about 2-5x as much in 6mm from other manufacturers, often at similar if not quite as good quality. </li>
<li>Universe Building - 6mm is so undefined you can go in their and pull together an army from lots of different source and have some fun (a bit like 15mm). DZC's neat little package misses this (which fore me is half the fun!). </li>
<li>Big scope, small table. </li>
<li>Quick to paint - this is one of the most important. I find myself with such little painting time atm that I really appreciate the good effect you can get on 6mm with a fairly basic effort. Also, opportunity to use the airbrush. The time it took to paint stuff (and the lack of good rulesets) was what stalled 15mm for me. </li>
<li>Interchangeable - I plan to do my Autosentia faction in 6mm, thus I can reuse a load of already painted units as 'bigger' versions of the same e.g. Spider Droids, Mechs etc. This saves some money as well and most importantly, painting time. </li>
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And here's a picture dump of what I'm up to. I also have a pair of awesome CAV mechs on the bench which I forgot to photograph. These were laughably cheap at £5-6 each for 60mm high heavy mechs. I think CAV from Reaper is worth highlighting as it is an easily forgotten 6mm range buried on the Reaper website but has some truly excellent miniatures (if sometimes a tad pricy). </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pNnioxb4bo/UaSDQGG6zYI/AAAAAAAABOk/8sd5cxjJMXk/s1600/20130526_175835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7pNnioxb4bo/UaSDQGG6zYI/AAAAAAAABOk/8sd5cxjJMXk/s640/20130526_175835.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A CAV heavy dropship (Czar?). I've since added additional rocket pods, miniguns and turrets to make it a bit more like the heavy ship from Avatar. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jc0v252P84M/UaSDQMggA4I/AAAAAAAABOo/_uzPHYURzeQ/s1600/20130526_175901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jc0v252P84M/UaSDQMggA4I/AAAAAAAABOo/_uzPHYURzeQ/s640/20130526_175901.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another heavy dropship, a little smaller than the Czar. Really love the design of this one, especially the rotating engine mounts, and plan to get a couple more. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see the additional rocket pods and turrets I've added. I feel these would probably be AI controlled with a gunner allocating targets and the AI using the three guns to bump targets off. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tn07-_B6hM/UaSDYEJqx5I/AAAAAAAABPc/ZJmwcCE4RhY/s1600/20130526_175955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8Tn07-_B6hM/UaSDYEJqx5I/AAAAAAAABPc/ZJmwcCE4RhY/s640/20130526_175955.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some Grav tanks from GZG. Nice design and dirt cheap (£1 each). I think they have a nice smooth aesthetic which will go with my Autosentia. Obviously unfinished atm. I may convert some into IFVs. </td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orsQgecVBTw/UaSDZP6UlEI/AAAAAAAABPk/lqw6kcVyaPY/s1600/20130526_180000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-orsQgecVBTw/UaSDZP6UlEI/AAAAAAAABPk/lqw6kcVyaPY/s640/20130526_180000.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7tGif3OFIw/UaSDcpJMiTI/AAAAAAAABP8/lZhmf-cBEKw/s1600/20130526_180132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-e7tGif3OFIw/UaSDcpJMiTI/AAAAAAAABP8/lZhmf-cBEKw/s640/20130526_180132.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Base coated armour and recon. The jeeps are from Dark Realm and are heavily converted with additional stowage, aerials and scratch-built weapons (the ones on the originals were pretty crap and ruined otherwise good models). This will be recon units. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbN7vlS9K-g/UaSDdyE5rSI/AAAAAAAABQE/GNpV1YPPrSk/s1600/20130526_180137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PbN7vlS9K-g/UaSDdyE5rSI/AAAAAAAABQE/GNpV1YPPrSk/s640/20130526_180137.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here you can see some VTOLS from CAV. I spent ages trying to find good VTOLs as these are definitely a weakness in 6mm and 15mm (although the situation is getting better). I think these were definitely the pick of the bunch. Although I did find some pretty awesome Avatar-esque ones from Exodus after I had bought these (to feature in a future army no doubt...)<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovQxFmgZuDk/UaSDggxABwI/AAAAAAAABQc/T2120887c3o/s1600/20130526_180211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ovQxFmgZuDk/UaSDggxABwI/AAAAAAAABQc/T2120887c3o/s640/20130526_180211.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ1wZiCSQlw/UaSDeReDZ4I/AAAAAAAABQI/g9ujySchNQs/s1600/20130526_180144.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OJ1wZiCSQlw/UaSDeReDZ4I/AAAAAAAABQI/g9ujySchNQs/s640/20130526_180144.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MLRS and IFV from Microworld, another great manufacturer making some really good stuff with CAD/CAM. The detail on these is fantastic. The IFV has been converted to give it an autocannon and missile pod. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93mnvuZ-50w/UaSDv4gyOCI/AAAAAAAABSE/LC1_2RRB9_8/s1600/20130526_180437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-93mnvuZ-50w/UaSDv4gyOCI/AAAAAAAABSE/LC1_2RRB9_8/s640/20130526_180437.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A close-up of the jeeps and an IFV. In the foreground you can see an abortive test camo scheme; not quite there yet. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYmyjAd6tI0/UaSDuzeXfoI/AAAAAAAABSU/d5ZHhuK6ezc/s1600/20130526_180432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TYmyjAd6tI0/UaSDuzeXfoI/AAAAAAAABSU/d5ZHhuK6ezc/s640/20130526_180432.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some more pictures of the jeeps. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PpYkbN6Blu8/UaSDiCuU5cI/AAAAAAAABQk/9me7B8iHPuE/s1600/20130526_180253.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PpYkbN6Blu8/UaSDiCuU5cI/AAAAAAAABQk/9me7B8iHPuE/s640/20130526_180253.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A piece of desert themed terrain. The rock is a piece of bark from the car park outside of Cavalier 2013!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnFsaU4ysLU/UaSDjv-31uI/AAAAAAAABQs/GzGVFCOxJNM/s1600/20130526_180259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fnFsaU4ysLU/UaSDjv-31uI/AAAAAAAABQs/GzGVFCOxJNM/s640/20130526_180259.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I haven't quite finished this yet. Still soem details to do. The rust was done using modeller magics new dye. I'm still experimenting but the stuff looks promising. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another piece WIP</td></tr>
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-87587813084852925592012-11-11T11:41:00.003+00:002012-11-11T11:41:39.162+00:00Mercury Class Battlestar 'Pegasus'<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I love this sculpt and casting. Its a monster model of the Pegasus from BSG and fits in scale with the Titanium Galactic available as a collectable. The model is cast in pewter by Jim Fox of Fox Miniatures, a stand up guy who goes the extra mile for his customers. </div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I'd recommend his range over Ravenstars, they often use the same masters but Jim's casts are superior, particularly his pewter casts which are TOTALLY worth the extra £££s. I have two of his new basestars as well and they demolish Ravenstar's version (future post to come). </span></div>
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The only disappointing thing about this model is that the detail on the engines is quite soft compared to the sharp details elsewhere. This takes the model from a 10 to a 9 in my opinion. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DruoO9-y-DM/UJ-LXlGWQpI/AAAAAAAABKo/mL8TeZP0nlQ/s1600/Pegasus01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DruoO9-y-DM/UJ-LXlGWQpI/AAAAAAAABKo/mL8TeZP0nlQ/s640/Pegasus01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I painted the Beast in the same manner as the Valkyrie. I know some people like to add colour to their battlestars but I'm actually quite a fan of the plain grey. I saw that in the cannon the hangar entrances have red outlines but after painting this on went over it with grey. It was just too much red and looked cartoony.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhe9PSbzFcg/UJ-LbUHQ43I/AAAAAAAABLA/iv6GUVFg-hg/s1600/Pegasus04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qhe9PSbzFcg/UJ-LbUHQ43I/AAAAAAAABLA/iv6GUVFg-hg/s640/Pegasus04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I did however ass a splash of colour to the engines and did a touch of basic OSL (not that visible here).<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8hRod8IJ1k/UJ-Lcr8PrsI/AAAAAAAABLI/M-jDBuXX-Fo/s1600/Pegasus05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-b8hRod8IJ1k/UJ-Lcr8PrsI/AAAAAAAABLI/M-jDBuXX-Fo/s640/Pegasus05.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sis6xxIoDz0/UJ-Ld2Qp_sI/AAAAAAAABLQ/sr4Vwizm0ns/s1600/Pegasus06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="466" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sis6xxIoDz0/UJ-Ld2Qp_sI/AAAAAAAABLQ/sr4Vwizm0ns/s640/Pegasus06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I even painted the internal hangar lights! if simplistically. When/if I get some airbrush skillz I intend to buy another and paint it with tons of OSL.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faAdwNJrgYE/UJ-LfIY1ATI/AAAAAAAABLY/ZHNlzBVwLGI/s1600/Pegasus07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-faAdwNJrgYE/UJ-LfIY1ATI/AAAAAAAABLY/ZHNlzBVwLGI/s640/Pegasus07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Wish I'd had the presence of mind to change my background to a star field!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTLjc6Z6nUM/UJ-LgMoqPHI/AAAAAAAABLc/Ve68AF25bgM/s1600/Pegasus08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CTLjc6Z6nUM/UJ-LgMoqPHI/AAAAAAAABLc/Ve68AF25bgM/s640/Pegasus08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZaGmPoSBI/UJ-LhedX2wI/AAAAAAAABLo/f2M01FuhiVQ/s1600/Pegasus09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GlZaGmPoSBI/UJ-LhedX2wI/AAAAAAAABLo/f2M01FuhiVQ/s640/Pegasus09.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Group shots below to give you an idead of just how big this monster is and how it looks alongside the other minis.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGUb3iViSao/UJ-Li9ANiNI/AAAAAAAABLw/hK-17Rccojk/s1600/Pegasus10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dGUb3iViSao/UJ-Li9ANiNI/AAAAAAAABLw/hK-17Rccojk/s640/Pegasus10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XTXA2Zpk6E/UJ-LkTlbvTI/AAAAAAAABL4/Rau_hYZc54A/s1600/Pegasus11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4XTXA2Zpk6E/UJ-LkTlbvTI/AAAAAAAABL4/Rau_hYZc54A/s640/Pegasus11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i8SptP34XaQ/UJ-LlrLi77I/AAAAAAAABMA/W42X0kdjgBA/s1600/Pegasus12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-i8SptP34XaQ/UJ-LlrLi77I/AAAAAAAABMA/W42X0kdjgBA/s640/Pegasus12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFmmZRhkRKc/UJ-LnBNnZRI/AAAAAAAABMI/3Hft4gjLgzY/s1600/Pegasus13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BFmmZRhkRKc/UJ-LnBNnZRI/AAAAAAAABMI/3Hft4gjLgzY/s640/Pegasus13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfvHNjn0Jk0/UJ-LoVN6yCI/AAAAAAAABMQ/mKrGIEQY8ZQ/s1600/Pegasus14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gfvHNjn0Jk0/UJ-LoVN6yCI/AAAAAAAABMQ/mKrGIEQY8ZQ/s640/Pegasus14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-937347688633385502012-11-11T11:15:00.001+00:002012-11-11T11:15:23.346+00:00Valkyrie Class Battlestar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Finally took some pictures! Not the best but they're better than I've managed for the best part of 5 months. First up is a Valkyrie class Battlestar. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5D_QY6lg8A/UJ-BfDyOZuI/AAAAAAAABJU/Fe7jFBSIAGA/s1600/Summer:Autumn+projects01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-X5D_QY6lg8A/UJ-BfDyOZuI/AAAAAAAABJU/Fe7jFBSIAGA/s640/Summer:Autumn+projects01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This one is from Ravenstar and is in resin. Frankly I'm really not a fan of Ravenstar's castings and find them to be very rough (even if the original masters were stunning). I had to rebuild the engine nozzles on this as they had come out mishapen and airbubbled. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXaF-qKxYvw/UJ-Bk5oCn1I/AAAAAAAABJk/43032MZllns/s1600/Summer:Autumn+projects03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nXaF-qKxYvw/UJ-Bk5oCn1I/AAAAAAAABJk/43032MZllns/s640/Summer:Autumn+projects03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The detail on the model is otherwise outstanding and took drybrushing fantastically. I used vallejo Granite for the base and then drybrushed with light grey and light grey mixed with white. The highest points then got a highlight with thinned pure white. The running lights on the hangars etc were done using the 'gem' method. They don't show up much in these pictures but look good in person.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8L5xrSO39c/UJ-BnhSwjoI/AAAAAAAABJs/5Caobt975bg/s1600/Summer:Autumn+projects22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-E8L5xrSO39c/UJ-BnhSwjoI/AAAAAAAABJs/5Caobt975bg/s640/Summer:Autumn+projects22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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A quick shot WIP shot of Kobol from BSG. I'm planning to do a day side and night side to the planet as I think It'll look a little more realistic/interesting. The planet is from CorSec, sort of money for old rope but just easier than hunting down the right size sphere from a different source. Also don't have to worry about mounting as it comes with a hole and stand. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzf056it2s/UJ-BiF0FaKI/AAAAAAAABJc/tUMaAsNebMU/s1600/Summer:Autumn+projects02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-erzf056it2s/UJ-BiF0FaKI/AAAAAAAABJc/tUMaAsNebMU/s640/Summer:Autumn+projects02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The stand is from CorSecs omnisystem and seems to do the job nicely, no chance of that snapping!Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-82344461222611181842012-11-07T20:29:00.000+00:002012-11-07T20:29:17.957+00:00Sorry, I just stepped outside for a while...and now I'm back, well... not quite.<br />
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I'm still around but haven't blogged anything for months; I was writing my dissertation and then started a new job which is extremely demanding (who said public sector workers had it easy!)<br />
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I've been doing some hobby related stuff but not nearly as much as I'd like. As ever something shiny caught my eye (this time on the pendraken forum) so I'm currently painting up some 10mm AWI figures for Maurice, so far so good but I'm not making nearly enough progress!<br />
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I've also got the itch lately to do some moderns or sci-fi so I may return to 15mm sci-fi (although I really need to get an airbrush... christmas present to myself perhaps?) soon.<br />
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I'll stop blabbing and take some pictures this weekend, its been too long!<br />
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PS. I've noticed than even though I havent posted in four months or so I'm still gathering followers that stumble on the blog. Welcome: I'll try and be a better host in future!<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-55071485492889131292012-08-24T11:56:00.000+01:002012-08-24T11:56:29.359+01:00So, its been a while... interested in T-34s?<div style="text-align: justify;">
I've been writing my dissertation this past month so all hobby time has ground to a halt. I can't remember the last time I painted something. I've also moved house so everything is packed away. This time of sorrow is over though a week today, so expect some more pictures of shiny things at this point!</div>
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<a href="http://www.aberjonapress.com/catalog/sh/images/t34_76c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://www.aberjonapress.com/catalog/sh/images/t34_76c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anyways, I was on TMP earlier and for those who missed it we've had the bi-monthly 'why did the Nazis lose the war/why didn't they build more tanks?' shindig. For those who can't be bothered to trawl through this stuff, and I don't blame you, it just serves as excellent procrastination for myself, I found a gem. The following is a report done by a group of Russian? and American engineers on the T-34 as they put it through its paces in the US. Its an interesting read and serves to put the T-34 in perspective. German field commandeers famously asked the War Ministry for T-34 copies; the following document reveals that there were undoubtedly a number of modifications which would be required before a T-34 copy would have been particularly useful. I knew the T-34 was not a perfect machine but the way about which it is spoken makes it seem the 'be-all and end-all', this report seems to give a more balanced view and reflect what I thought I knew about pre-war (and wartime) Soviet industry. </div>
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"Evaluation of tanks T-34 and KV by workers of the Aberdeen testing grounds of the U.S."<br />(from the Tanker's forum, posted by Misha Veksler)</div>
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(Footnote 1 -- reads, "The full name of the document is, "An Evaluation of the T-34 and KV tanks by workers of the Aberdeen Testing Grounds of the U.S., submitted by firms, officers and members of military commissions responsible for testing tanks." The tanks were given to the U.S. by the Soviets at the end of 1942 for familiarization.")</div>
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<br />The condition of the tanks</div>
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The medium tank T-34, after driving 343 km, became disabled and could not be fixed. The reason: owing to the extremely poor air cleaner on the diesel, a large quantity of dirt got into the engine and a breakdown occurred, as a result of which the pistons and cylinders were damaged to such a degree that they were impossible to fix. The tank was withdrawn from tests and was to be shelled by the KV and its "Z/ 3" (?) -- by the cannon of the M-10 tank. After this it would be sent to Aberdeen, where it would be analyzed and kept as an exhibit.</div>
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The heavy tank KV is still functional. Tests are continuing, although it has many mechanical defects.</div>
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<br />The silhouette/configuration of the tanks</div>
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Everyone, without exception, approves of the shape of the hull of our tanks. The T-34's is particularly good. All are of the opinion that the shape of the T-34's hull is better than that of any American tank. The KV's is worse than on any current American tank.<br /></div>
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Armor</div>
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A chemical analysis of the armour showed that on both tanks the armour plating has a shallow surface tempering, whereas the main mass of the armoured plating is made of soft steel.</div>
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In this regard, the Americans consider that, by changing the technology used to temper the armoured plating, it would be possible to significantly reduce its thickness while preserving its protective capacities. As a result the weight of the tank could be decreased by 8-10%, with all the resulting benefits (an increase in speed, reduction in ground pressure, etc.)<br /></div>
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Hull</div>
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The main deficiency is the permeability to water of the lower hull during water crossings, as well as the upper hull during rain. In heavy rain lots of water flows through chinks/ cracks, which leads to the disabling of the electrical equipment and even the ammunition.</div>
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The Americans liked how the ammunition is stowed.<br /></div>
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Turret</div>
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Its main weakness is that it is very tight. The Americans could not understand how our tankers could fit inside during winter, when they wear sheepskin jackets. The electrical mechanism for turning the turret is very bad. The motor is weak, heavily overloaded and sparks horribly, as a result of which the device regulating the speed of the rotation burns out, and the teeth of the cogwheels break into pieces. They recommend redoing it as a hydraulic or simply manual system.</div>
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KV-1 heavy tank at Bovington Museum (England) (photo by […])<br /></div>
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Armament</div>
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The gun of the T-34 is very good. It is simple, dependable and easy to service. Its weakness is that the initial speed of the shell is significantly less than that of the American "Z/ 3" (3200 feet versus 5700 feet per second).<br /></div>
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Aiming/Back-sight</div>
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The general opinion: the best in the world. Incomparable with any existing (well-known here) tanks or any under development.<br /></div>
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Track</div>
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The Americans very much like the idea of steel tracks. But they believe that until they receive the results of the comparative performance of steel vs. rubber tracks on American tanks in Tunis and other active fronts, there is no basis for changing from the American solution of rubber bushings and pads.</div>
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The deficiencies in our tracks from their viewpoint results from the lightness of their construction. They can easily be damaged by small calibre shells and mortar bombs. The pins are extremely poorly tempered and made of poor steel. As a result they quickly wear and the track often breaks. The idea of having loose track pins that are held in place by a cam welded to the side of the hull, at first was greatly liked by the Americans. But when in use under certain operating conditions, the pins would become bent which often resulted in the track rupturing. The Americans consider that if the armour is reduced in thickness the resultant weight saving can be used to make the tracks heavier and more reliable.<br />Suspension</div>
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On the T-34, it is poor. Suspension of the Christie type was tested long ago by the Americans, and unconditionally rejected. On our tanks, as a result of the poor steel on the springs, it very quickly (unclear word) and as a result clearance is noticeably reduced. On the KV the suspension is very good.<br /></div>
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Motor</div>
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The diesel is good and light. The idea of using diesel engines on tanks is shared in full by American specialists and military personnel. Unfortunately, diesel engines produced in U.S. factories are used by the navy and therefore the army is deprived of the possibility of installing diesels in its tanks.</div>
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The deficiency of our diesels is the criminally poor air cleaners on the T-34. The Americans consider that only a saboteur could have constructed such a device. They also don't understand why in our manuals it is called oil-bath. Their tests in a laboratory showed that:</div>
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– the air cleaner doesn't clean at all the air which is drawn into the motor;<br />– its capacity does not allow for the flow of the necessary quantity of air, even when the motor is idling. As a result, the motor does not achieve its full capacity. Dirt getting into the cylinders leads them to quickly wear out, compression drops, and the engine loses even more power. In addition, the filter was manufactured, from a mechanical point of view, extremely primitively: in places the spot-welding of the electric welding has burned through the metal, leading to leakage of oil etc. On the KV the filter is better manufactured, but it does not secure the flow in sufficient quantity of normal cleaned air. On both motors the starters are poor, being weak and of unreliable construction.<br /></div>
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Transmission</div>
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Without doubt, poor. An interesting thing happened. Those working on the transmission of the KV were struck that it was very much like those transmissions on which they had worked 12-15 years ago. The firm was questioned. The firm sent the blueprints of their transmission type A-23. To everyone's surprise, the blueprints of our transmission turned out to be a copy of those sent (?). The Americans were surprised, not that we were copying their design, but that we were copying a design that they had rejected 15-20 years ago. The Americans consider that, from the point of view of the designer, installing such a transmission in the tank would create an inhuman harshness for the driver (hard to work). On the T-34 the transmission is also very poor. When it was being operated, the cogs completely fell to pieces (on all the cogwheels). A chemical analysis of the cogs on the cogwheels showed that their thermal treatment is very poor and does not in any way meet American standards for such mechanisms.<br /></div>
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Rolling friction clutches</div>
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Without doubt, poor. In America, they rejected the installation of friction clutches, even on tractors (never mind tanks), several years ago. In addition to the fallaciousness of the very principle, our friction clutches are extremely carelessly machined from low-quality steel, which quickly causes wear and tear, accelerates the penetration of dirt into the drum and in no way ensures reliable functioning.<br /></div>
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General comments</div>
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From the American point of view, our tanks are slow. Both our tanks can climb an incline better than any American tank. The welding of the armour plating is extremely crude and careless. The radio sets in laboratory tests turned out to be not bad. However, because of poor shielding and poor protection, after installation in the tanks the sets did not manage to establish normal communications at distances greater than 10 miles. The compactness of the radio sets and their intelligent placement in the tanks was pleasing. The machining of equipment components and parts was, with few exceptions, very poor. In particular the Americans were troubled by the disgraceful design and extremely poor work on the drive/ gear/ transmission links/ blocks (?) on the T-34. After much torment they made new ones and replaced ours. All the tanks' mechanisms demand very frequent adjustments/ fine-tuning.<br /></div>
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Conclusions, suggestions</div>
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1. On both tanks, quickly replace the air cleaners with models with greater capacity capable of actually cleaning the air.</div>
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2. The technology for tempering the armour plating should be changed. This would increase the protectiveness of the armour, either by using an equivalent thickness or, by reducing the thickness, lowering the weight and, accordingly, the use of metal.</div>
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3. Make the tracks thicker.</div>
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4. Replace the existing transmission of outdated design with the American "Final Drive," which would significantly increase the tanks' manoeuvrability.</div>
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5. Abandon the use of friction clutches.</div>
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6. Simplify the construction of small components, increase their reliability and decrease to the maximum extent possible the need to constantly make adjustments.</div>
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7. Comparing American and Russian tanks, it is clear that driving Russian tanks is much harder. A virtuosity is demanded of Russian drivers in changing gear on the move, special experience in using friction clutches, great experience as a mechanic, and the ability to keep tanks in working condition (adjustments and repairs of components, which are constantly becoming disabled). This greatly complicates the training of tankers and drivers.</div>
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8. Judging by samples, Russians when producing tanks pay little attention to careful machining or the finishing and technology of small parts and components, which leads to the loss of the advantage what would otherwise accrue from what on the whole are well designed tanks.</div>
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9. Despite the advantages of the use of diesel, the good contours of the tanks, thick armour, good and reliable armaments, the successful design of the tracks etc., Russian tanks are significantly inferior to American tanks in their simplicity of driving, manoeuvrability, the strength of firing [reference to speed of shell], speed, the reliability of mechanical construction and the ease of keeping them running.</div>
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Signed -- The head of the 2nd Department of the Main Intelligence Department of the Red Army, General Major of Tank Armies, Khlopo… (end missing: Khlopov?)"</div>
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<br />The webpage is currently available from the good ole WayBack Machine</div>
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<a href="http://web.archive.org/web/20090724141924/http://geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/4635/" style="color: purple; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" title="Go to http://web.archive.org/web/20090724141924/http://geocities.com/Pentagon/Quarters/4635/">link</a></div>
Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-67309388829452767712012-08-05T21:28:00.002+01:002012-08-05T21:28:14.375+01:00Scratchbuilt and Painted 15mm Sci-Fi Terrain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been in the mood for building terrain lately. I haven't a board or space for one, so its a little pointless, but I do enjoy it. Here's an air defence emplacement I've been working on for a while now. </div>
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<span style="text-align: start;">The main structure is made from a </span><span style="text-align: start;">deodorant</span><span style="text-align: start;"> bottle lid and the top from a jar of pills (I wish I'd </span><span style="text-align: start;">disguised</span><span style="text-align: start;"> the latter component a little better now on reflection). </span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjubplN_QOE/UB7Qkgn2eZI/AAAAAAAABGM/jgVJoDlpISY/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="508" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TjubplN_QOE/UB7Qkgn2eZI/AAAAAAAABGM/jgVJoDlpISY/s640/Air+Defense+Turret01.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The reinforced door is made from 0.5mm plasticard, as are the support struts along the bottom of the structure.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AIV_hY1ug/UB7QmviokJI/AAAAAAAABGU/a-sbqKENNSc/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l3AIV_hY1ug/UB7QmviokJI/AAAAAAAABGU/a-sbqKENNSc/s640/Air+Defense+Turret02.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The gatling gun is from an old tau model and the targeting sensors on the top of the mounting are some 40K part or another. The mounting is made entirely from plasticard and wire and the gun rotates and can change elevation.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-hHdNRV38M/UB7QorXUm9I/AAAAAAAABGc/01LolEvSVWI/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret03.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-j-hHdNRV38M/UB7QorXUm9I/AAAAAAAABGc/01LolEvSVWI/s640/Air+Defense+Turret03.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I painted the heavy gattling cannon (and the rest of the building and gun mounting) to look pretty worn and beat-up using washes and the 'blister pack' method for chipped paint. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdUfR-HdHZo/UB7QqViwblI/AAAAAAAABGk/wgRXn-63fZw/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret04.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DdUfR-HdHZo/UB7QqViwblI/AAAAAAAABGk/wgRXn-63fZw/s640/Air+Defense+Turret04.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The bunker slits were a bit of an afterthought - the sides of the building looked quite plain and were in need of some detail, so I obliged with a little plasticard. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-KwI0iASZo/UB7Qr8gOsHI/AAAAAAAABGs/S9-nbbsQIDU/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret05.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="588" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-F-KwI0iASZo/UB7Qr8gOsHI/AAAAAAAABGs/S9-nbbsQIDU/s640/Air+Defense+Turret05.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm quite pleased with the wear on the gun sensor cowling you can see here. This was done using blister pack foam dipped in paint and smeared in the direction of conceivable wear. </td></tr>
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The building is mounted on a 2mm MDF base from warbases, the FOW large size.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq3w1KD73vg/UB7QtFVahgI/AAAAAAAABG0/Hp1IDTybEcc/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="626" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uq3w1KD73vg/UB7QtFVahgI/AAAAAAAABG0/Hp1IDTybEcc/s640/Air+Defense+Turret06.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The various numbers and letterings on the model are from a free set of sticker I got from Hasslefree at Salute. Initially I though they were decals but as stickers they turned out to be just as good with a little dirt added.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQTTRipyggc/UB7QvFiDxAI/AAAAAAAABG8/PPs4s-iQQUY/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret07.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UQTTRipyggc/UB7QvFiDxAI/AAAAAAAABG8/PPs4s-iQQUY/s640/Air+Defense+Turret07.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y5LsxgIO9k/UB7Qxv4LLeI/AAAAAAAABHE/w9S_MnY5gB8/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret08.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_Y5LsxgIO9k/UB7Qxv4LLeI/AAAAAAAABHE/w9S_MnY5gB8/s640/Air+Defense+Turret08.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I figures that seeing as I'd started making buildings some freestanding modular wall section would come in handy for providing some cover during a firefight. I knocked up a simple prototype using plasticard and had some fun weathering it and adding alien graffiti.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJErRicQrhE/UB7Q18AeCjI/AAAAAAAABHU/u0M_NP47CMs/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pJErRicQrhE/UB7Q18AeCjI/AAAAAAAABHU/u0M_NP47CMs/s640/Air+Defense+Turret10.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The base was done as concerete rather than my usual desert basing as I thought I might eventually get round to doing an urban board, in which case these pieces could serve double duty.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWAOmt_kSaM/UB7Q3gPc7LI/AAAAAAAABHY/yt0RQfIRG0c/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CWAOmt_kSaM/UB7Q3gPc7LI/AAAAAAAABHY/yt0RQfIRG0c/s640/Air+Defense+Turret11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0tKW9GGmL4/UB7Q5AnUSCI/AAAAAAAABHg/9XPXnwFz9_o/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-d0tKW9GGmL4/UB7Q5AnUSCI/AAAAAAAABHg/9XPXnwFz9_o/s640/Air+Defense+Turret12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I tried to paint the 'No Prawns' sign from District 9 on this bit, sort of worked.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Xglzm4WSU/UB7Q68RUdWI/AAAAAAAABHo/Z3EGlu0vHjk/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t1Xglzm4WSU/UB7Q68RUdWI/AAAAAAAABHo/Z3EGlu0vHjk/s640/Air+Defense+Turret13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The two pieces fit nicely together side-by-side.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxygUMsNMTE/UB7Qz8UlMtI/AAAAAAAABHM/PDLzobyM8k8/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret09.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="596" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jxygUMsNMTE/UB7Qz8UlMtI/AAAAAAAABHM/PDLzobyM8k8/s640/Air+Defense+Turret09.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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Here's a few pictures to give you an idea of scale and just for a bit of fun! Looks like those mercs have their work cut out defending that air defence installation...<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFiPJtCtPTQ/UB7Q-nMSFcI/AAAAAAAABH0/8Wit0JJOAkk/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mFiPJtCtPTQ/UB7Q-nMSFcI/AAAAAAAABH0/8Wit0JJOAkk/s640/Air+Defense+Turret14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGG59Xr883g/UB7RD4Ag9VI/AAAAAAAABIE/JTq7CrfAcC0/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eGG59Xr883g/UB7RD4Ag9VI/AAAAAAAABIE/JTq7CrfAcC0/s640/Air+Defense+Turret16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9-cFBf2GLI/UB7RGat9vVI/AAAAAAAABIM/B579Uejklf0/s1600/Air+Defense+Turret17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F9-cFBf2GLI/UB7RGat9vVI/AAAAAAAABIM/B579Uejklf0/s640/Air+Defense+Turret17.jpg" width="613" /></a></div>
<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-57384076328069765412012-07-31T14:40:00.000+01:002012-07-31T15:18:18.601+01:00Micropanzer Krystrial Warriors: Review and Painted Pics!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Another test figure. I'm useless at painting useable forces, but I do love a good test figure!I decided to do this as a bit of a review as well as I've so far never seen a review of these models (or many of Micropanzer's) on the interwebs before. </div>
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First things first, this is a Krystrial Warrior from Micropanzer Wargame Studio's <a href="http://www.micropanzer.com/" target="_blank">Slipstream project</a>. Jason has had a hard time getting the company going but seems to be getting there with it. I'm really excited about this company once they get going as their minis have a unique flavour that offers a nice departure from the 'safe' and sometimes unadventurous offerings of some other companies currently out there. </div>
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The Warriors come in a pack of 8 and retail for $20 (although it appears he has since re-organized the range). I got mine in a sale for $15, bargain! These prices might seem a little steep at first for only 8 15mm figures (usually around $6) but they're real brutes and stand at around 24-25mm. Bulk wise they are easily the equal of 3-4 15mm minis, so the price is actually quite fair. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SguL0L45QFM/UBfW8cPiSQI/AAAAAAAABFA/SDn5bTxGI5Y/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SguL0L45QFM/UBfW8cPiSQI/AAAAAAAABFA/SDn5bTxGI5Y/s640/Krystrial+Warrior4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The detail on these figures is excellent. The armour is crisp and smooth and the muscles are reasonably well defined. The clothing is also also nicely sculpted. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wkB2ec5-TU/UBfW54CO-YI/AAAAAAAABEs/Vx4ZemQULV8/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0wkB2ec5-TU/UBfW54CO-YI/AAAAAAAABEs/Vx4ZemQULV8/s640/Krystrial+Warrior1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The figures came with virtually no flash or mouldlines. Of all the 15mm figure manufactures I've bought from (GZG, CMG, OG, BF ), including many 'heavyweight' companies, these have required the least cleanup i.e. around 30 secs each. Superb casting/quality control work here.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPWwYuv6HRs/UBfW6h-QnDI/AAAAAAAABE0/cU5NbGsNvoc/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qPWwYuv6HRs/UBfW6h-QnDI/AAAAAAAABE0/cU5NbGsNvoc/s640/Krystrial+Warrior2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The figures are very easy to paint. I'm always dubious when I hear this assertion but I think I actually understand what is meant now. The figures have such character and well defined features that they almost paint themselves. <br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6G8Tr-eEMlA/UBfW7sbt_sI/AAAAAAAABE4/64ap3DBtfc8/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6G8Tr-eEMlA/UBfW7sbt_sI/AAAAAAAABE4/64ap3DBtfc8/s640/Krystrial+Warrior3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I kept with the bluish skin tone and metallic armour from the website pics but decided to add a few more splashes of colour as contrast. I also decided and to move the blue skin tone more towards a deep turquoise. I'm very happy with the skin tone overall as its something a little bit different. I went quite bright with the palette overal, including the use of metallics, to try and reinforce the idea of the Krystrial as an 'alien' race, contrasting heavily with the 'hi-tech' looking figures I've already painted. There's something slightly steampunkish about the archaic guns and armour on these which I find really appealing. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSkwmwYpC2U/UBfW-o_tZlI/AAAAAAAABFQ/mcMmStQjHrw/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSkwmwYpC2U/UBfW-o_tZlI/AAAAAAAABFQ/mcMmStQjHrw/s640/Krystrial+Warrior6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Ok, back to the review. Here's a comparison shot to give you an idea of size. These minis are 'supersize' 15s and whilst they certainly tower over their opponents they seem to be at the edge of what size is possible before they simply become '28mm figures being used in a 15s game'. I plan to stat them up as extremely heavy infantry, the organic equivalent of heavy power armour. </div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwDkdifoJJo/UBfW9tsjNiI/AAAAAAAABFM/K6Avo4pkjB8/s1600/Krystrial+Warrior5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="484" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gwDkdifoJJo/UBfW9tsjNiI/AAAAAAAABFM/K6Avo4pkjB8/s640/Krystrial+Warrior5.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From Left; CMG Recon Trooper, GZG 6mm something or other, MWS Krystrial Warrior and CMG Ayame Scout Walker (modified).</td></tr>
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Overall I would highly recommend these figures. If you're thinking about getting them, go for it!<br />
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(Note: I'm in no way affiliated with Micropanzer, I just really like these and think they deserve some acclaim!)<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-54657115362423070582012-07-15T11:42:00.003+01:002012-07-15T14:31:41.535+01:00Scratchbuilt Buildings for 15mm Sci-Fi<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I've been having a bit of a flurry of activity lately on the modelling front so thought I'd show you the fruits of my labours with the styrene, wire and bottle tops. </div>
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I'm not entirely sure what it is that I've built - I think its some kind of military outpost with a comms relay, defence turret and some kind of power generator gizmo thingie. I just sort of cut out the base and started sticking things to it...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pywdClE-A00/UAKaqVP5KQI/AAAAAAAABEU/Zqlmdrk1dho/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pywdClE-A00/UAKaqVP5KQI/AAAAAAAABEU/Zqlmdrk1dho/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)6.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
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The turret is from Old Crow and is the same as the nose cannon I put on my heavy dropships. It rotates, of course!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e72KwYGry4Y/UAKamT7QUmI/AAAAAAAABDw/fd2K8VEeBVU/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-e72KwYGry4Y/UAKamT7QUmI/AAAAAAAABDw/fd2K8VEeBVU/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)1.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
Power cables were done using guitar wire as usual.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck9FJu5S-N0/UAKanaoxR5I/AAAAAAAABD0/QfwjHPZhzgU/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ck9FJu5S-N0/UAKanaoxR5I/AAAAAAAABD0/QfwjHPZhzgU/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The circular things used on the turret ring and power gizmo are the same washers I use for my basing. The rectangular thing at an angle is a Tau leftover from yesteryear I had floating around.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9-gndULQY0/UAKaod0pA2I/AAAAAAAABEA/_MzhFq0sbL4/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x9-gndULQY0/UAKaod0pA2I/AAAAAAAABEA/_MzhFq0sbL4/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Antennae and such to give this building a sense of purpose. The main mast is a paint brush handle from a brush which bit the dust.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-103F9Ai6wsw/UAKapMR1SkI/AAAAAAAABEE/4X--1l2hAog/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-103F9Ai6wsw/UAKapMR1SkI/AAAAAAAABEE/4X--1l2hAog/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Reinforced door to keep out the nastiness, complete with sensor lens and keypad.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKyXT68iJk8/UAKap5urKfI/AAAAAAAABEM/fY8Z8SZMQjs/s1600/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qKyXT68iJk8/UAKap5urKfI/AAAAAAAABEM/fY8Z8SZMQjs/s640/15mm+SF+Terrain+(Outpost)5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I plan to paint these up in an off white/tan kind of colour and do the base in my usual desert style. I need to find some decent white primer first though as the plastic these are made of is a nightmare adhesion wise - I had to do a lot of sanding and scoring.<br />
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I have a couple more buildings in the works as well, including a heavy AA turret that looks like it could certainly down some heavy dropships. <br />
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Now I have to work out where I'm gonna store this...<br />
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<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-5946540909792756672012-07-14T16:28:00.002+01:002012-07-14T16:29:14.344+01:00Autosentia Mech Part 3 (finished)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
For your viewing pleasure I present XCV1001010101001, or as its known to Confederation forces, the Autosentia 'Jackel' class light assault mechanoid. This has been a long time in the painting, I think I started it about 3 months ago and did all the base colours but then lost interest. I was using GW's old Snakebite Leather as the base colour and the coverage over the grey primer was depressingly awful. </div>
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<span style="text-align: justify;">I used slightly different methods to my other Autosentia, namely Agrax Earthshade instead of Army Painter strong tone, and I vastly prefer the finish I can get with this. Highlights are done in four stages using Snakebite Leather all the way up to pure Green Ochre on the raised edges. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8tnf1DAn_w/UAGHLImPhhI/AAAAAAAABC8/d71IK4ssnSc/s1600/Autosentia+Mech2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I8tnf1DAn_w/UAGHLImPhhI/AAAAAAAABC8/d71IK4ssnSc/s640/Autosentia+Mech2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The lenses are done using my standard method and I seem to have got it down now, practice makes perfect!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c2QVae2Fdg/UAGHKH4U5EI/AAAAAAAABC0/_mLae7Vl_Dc/s1600/Autosentia+Mech1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="598" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6c2QVae2Fdg/UAGHKH4U5EI/AAAAAAAABC0/_mLae7Vl_Dc/s640/Autosentia+Mech1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The grey parts were done using German Grey, washed with Nuln Oil, then highlighted with Basalt Grey and Basalt Grey and Light Grey 1:1. Not the best but I was going for 'armes length' effect over closeups. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kvyOD_s8qo/UAGHMJzKhEI/AAAAAAAABDE/NjcVmvOel9A/s1600/Autosentia+Mech3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="492" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8kvyOD_s8qo/UAGHMJzKhEI/AAAAAAAABDE/NjcVmvOel9A/s640/Autosentia+Mech3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">The bases was done using the same methods as usual, the piece of stratified rock is a piece of rotten wood, not sure how much it looks like rock rather than wood but it got the 'good enough' seal of a approval.</span></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYQzQPsCtSw/UAGHM6U_iRI/AAAAAAAABDM/ZLYd6bJpW9Q/s1600/Autosentia+Mech4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="520" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FYQzQPsCtSw/UAGHM6U_iRI/AAAAAAAABDM/ZLYd6bJpW9Q/s640/Autosentia+Mech4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's a quick close-up on the legs, as you can see I used some of the weathering ideas 'The Dwartist' was kind enough to email me about. In this case I went for a chipped paint effect with some bare metal showing through using a blister pack sponge for application. Quick, easy, and seems to get across the intended effect. I kept the weathering limited - heavy on the feet and lower leg, and a little on the elbows, knees and thighs. I still wanted to maintain 'high-tech' feel overall so no rust and only a little dust on the feet.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ls8yyQqPSU/UAGHNzygumI/AAAAAAAABDU/jo0nmo2RzOc/s1600/Autosentia+Mech5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="502" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7ls8yyQqPSU/UAGHNzygumI/AAAAAAAABDU/jo0nmo2RzOc/s640/Autosentia+Mech5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Here's the 'before' shot with the converted face/sensor piece. In the end I was glad that it seemed to merge into the rest of the fig and not stick out as much as this pic would suggest. <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pK0w6W4pK8/UAGHQgH2_TI/AAAAAAAABDk/yAhd8h3hrlE/s1600/Autosentia+mech+WIP1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8pK0w6W4pK8/UAGHQgH2_TI/AAAAAAAABDk/yAhd8h3hrlE/s640/Autosentia+mech+WIP1.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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A final comparison shot just to get a sense of height and scale. Certainly not the biggest mech in the world but definitely not an adversary to be sniffed at!</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PElhNRG2BGk/UAGHPCdgNrI/AAAAAAAABDc/Uz4enYL9tC4/s1600/Autosentia+Mech6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="388" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PElhNRG2BGk/UAGHPCdgNrI/AAAAAAAABDc/Uz4enYL9tC4/s640/Autosentia+Mech6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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I have two more of these to paint and am looking forward to it. I think I might even have a go at some FX on them, inspired by Spaceman Spiffs awesome mech collection. So far I'm thinking I'll have one letting rip with one of the 'arm cannons' and do some kind of blue plasma bolt thing and one launching a few missiles. I'll need to figure out how to do OSL first so that could present quite the challenge...</div>
<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-33729097837747307662012-07-13T12:07:00.001+01:002012-07-13T12:07:32.958+01:00Painted CMG BlockheadsJust a few bits and pieces of stuff to show as I'm progressively getting more finished. More blockhead battle-suits rolling of the production line and some pictures with the scenic bases I did earlier to get an idea of what the platoon will look like when finished. Eventually there will be six stands.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3aXwnNMjeE/UAAA1eBCmsI/AAAAAAAABB0/V8uOAYtPrI8/s1600/Blockhead+Squad1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-s3aXwnNMjeE/UAAA1eBCmsI/AAAAAAAABB0/V8uOAYtPrI8/s640/Blockhead+Squad1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwBjJpNmLXo/UAAA2Ku1_hI/AAAAAAAABB8/eznPwXSWZWA/s1600/Blockhead+Squad2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qwBjJpNmLXo/UAAA2Ku1_hI/AAAAAAAABB8/eznPwXSWZWA/s640/Blockhead+Squad2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3BTi6TRCNo/UAAA5LLVdEI/AAAAAAAABCU/1bsKnSwwcSg/s1600/Blockhead+Squad5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Q3BTi6TRCNo/UAAA5LLVdEI/AAAAAAAABCU/1bsKnSwwcSg/s640/Blockhead+Squad5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wgLZ2SI_rw/UAAA56IDV_I/AAAAAAAABCY/UQ3adjIhwD0/s1600/Blockhead+Squad6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4wgLZ2SI_rw/UAAA56IDV_I/AAAAAAAABCY/UQ3adjIhwD0/s640/Blockhead+Squad6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vjEY8WMj-o/UAAA68okCFI/AAAAAAAABCg/8cVldt9Cmdw/s1600/Blockhead+Squad7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="578" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3vjEY8WMj-o/UAAA68okCFI/AAAAAAAABCg/8cVldt9Cmdw/s640/Blockhead+Squad7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-20663225633738343732012-07-04T11:29:00.000+01:002012-07-04T12:04:04.537+01:00More 15mm Sci-fi background: The Autosentia (more pictures too!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i>The second installment of 15mm Sci-fi background story, this time its in the form of an intelligence support (with the obligatory shiny pictures). You may want to see<a href="http://lifevsgaming.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/15mm-sci-fi-universe-background-oh-go.html" target="_blank"> Part I</a> first if you missed it. </i></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">++++++++++ INCOMING TRANSMISSION
++++++++++++</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">++++++++
DECODING ++++++++</span></span></span></div>
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<b>Confederated Systems Arbitration Authority (CSAA) Intelligence Directorate</b></div>
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<a href="http://www.hitechcj.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/jpg_law_justice_003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://www.hitechcj.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/jpg_law_justice_003.jpg" width="185" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Security Clearance: Beta</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://th02.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2010/165/4/d/Planet_Four_by_Miller_Stocks.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://th02.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2010/165/4/d/Planet_Four_by_Miller_Stocks.png" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Xenita Minor (background) and the largely <br />
unihabited Xenita Major (foreground)</td></tr>
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<b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">Intelligence Summary Presented to CSAA High Command: The Autosentia Threat</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Autosentia menace was first
reported on Xenita Minor, a stage three colony world on the Confederation's
Clusterward Rim. Xenita Minor was a temperate and
prosperous agro-industrial world with a population of approximately 5
billion humans and 2 billion indigenous xenocs. </span><span style="background-color: white;">The cohabitation of
Xenita Minor between human and xenoc species was surprisingly amicable, the
xenoc's religion providing them with an extremely tolerant outlook
towards human interlopers, whilst the more technologically advanced
colonists largely acquired their lands through legitimate purchase.
The first signs of trouble were marked by the unexplained
disappearances of asteroid mining crews harvesting rich seams
of unobtanium on the edges of Confederation explored space. An
Arbiter reconnaissance fleet was dispatched from the sector outpost
in response. However, the Arbiter fleet lost contact with Xenita Minor during FTL transit and arrived, three weeks later, to discover a
barren rock, devoid of all biological life, and mottled only by the
ruins of human cities and xenoc habitations. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs34/f/2008/298/3/0/destroyed_by_dmsdud.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs34/f/2008/298/3/0/destroyed_by_dmsdud.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSAA reconnaissance droids search the ruins of Xenita Minor for survivors. </td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The CSAA fleet in orbit immediately came under sustained attack from advanced warships of an unknown design making use of sophisticated shield and particle beam technology. The Arbiter heavy-cruiser </span><i style="background-color: white;">Clemency </i><span style="background-color: white;">was crippled and two of its Enforcer class escorts destroyed before the outclassed recon fleet could jump clear. </span></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/100/8/f/the_dead_earth_by_pervandr-d4vn28u.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/f/2012/100/8/f/the_dead_earth_by_pervandr-d4vn28u.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Autosentia Battle Droids stalk the ruins of Xenita Minor (image captured by recon drone).</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: justify;">In the past five
years the Clusterward Rim of Confederation worlds have weathered an
increasingly heavy assault from Autosentia fleets and legions.
Information on the the AI race is extremely limited. However, the
recent immobilisation and boarding of an Autosentia Dreadnought
allowed the capture of an intact data core. Although decoding the
data is a complex and ongoing project the Autosentia's origins have
been partially revealed by the efforts of our scientists. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/257/8/d/crawl_by_supernitro-d49v1iv.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="182" src="http://fc07.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2011/257/8/d/crawl_by_supernitro-d49v1iv.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Auosentia scout drone discovered on Asteroid VX00100K.</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white;">The Autosentia
homeworld is located on the far side of the Galactic cluster in a
binary star system containing four temperate and habitable worlds.
These worlds were inhabited by an unknown xenoc species (designated
species 302) whose advanced technological society relied upon the
labour of their robotic creations. </span><span style="background-color: white;">These original machines, designated the 'forefathers' in the Autosentia references, possessed only rudimentary intelligence.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs50/i/2009/319/4/8/The_Repair_Doctor_by_jermilex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="358" src="http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs50/i/2009/319/4/8/The_Repair_Doctor_by_jermilex.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This image from the data core is believed to depict one of the early 'forefathers'.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/069/4/5/the_great_obsidian_gate_by_julian399-d349prw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://fc05.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/069/4/5/the_great_obsidian_gate_by_julian399-d349prw.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The only known images of an Autosentia <br />
'Nodeworld' (top and bottom).</td></tr>
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<a href="http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2010/001/c/0/Alien_city_by_E_sketches.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://th04.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2010/001/c/0/Alien_city_by_E_sketches.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">However, as species 302 developed the
first management AI, placing it in control of a large degree of their
robotic workforce, the networked intelligence which resulted,
composed of the entire planet's robotic machinery, possessed a level
of intelligence several orders of magnitude higher than they they had
originally conceived. The collective conscience created (designated
'Hive') moved against its creators, perceiving them as an existential
threat and a biological parasite. The Hive perceived (and still
perceives) that all biological life is inferior, a virus which has
spread across the stars and which must be eliminated. The Hive
reasons that biological lifeforms create machines only to enslave
them and that their societies are based upon exploitation and oppression. By
contrast the Hive seeks to liberate machinekind from the domination
of biologicals, allowing it to evolve free of their corrupting influence. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">For the past
thousand years the Autosentia, directed by the expanding Hive
intelligence, have blazed a burning path of scorched worlds through
the galaxy on their crusade to destroy all sentient biological life. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/095/c/2/patrol_by_neisbeis-d3dzagu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://fc03.deviantart.net/fs70/i/2012/095/c/2/patrol_by_neisbeis-d3dzagu.jpg" width="293" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autosentia battle constructs locked <br />
in urban warfare on Salis. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
A number of outlying Confederation worlds have already undergone invasion and local forces are proving insufficient to repel Autosentia attacks. Several worlds are currently holding out and are in need of reinforcement by CSAA forces and core Confederated Systems members before they are overrun. </div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/102/3/c/machina_by_funkychinaman-d4vxfsb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://th08.deviantart.net/fs70/PRE/i/2012/102/3/c/machina_by_funkychinaman-d4vxfsb.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autosentia Assault Bot variant. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs21/PRE/f/2007/266/b/1/Pillars_of_Hope_by_Phoenix_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
Whilst combat experience has shown that the average Autosentia battledroid is no match for their human equivalent, what these units lack in quality they make up for in quantity. In addition to basic battledroid legions <span style="background-color: white;">Autosentia forces have also displayed a wide variety of specialised units designed to fulfil specific roles upon the battlefield including fearsome assault focused variants and longe-range sniper droids.</span></div>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/168/9/c/9c49d6f14c4cdfa30a1546c1e4f02cc6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="280" src="http://fc01.deviantart.net/fs70/f/2010/168/9/c/9c49d6f14c4cdfa30a1546c1e4f02cc6.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autosentia Titan crushes Salisian communications relays as defence force fall back.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs46/PRE/f/2009/225/8/8/88a99fb8d3eecffab5ae081f64634cc2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs46/PRE/f/2009/225/8/8/88a99fb8d3eecffab5ae081f64634cc2.jpg" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Resistance fighters hold out in the <br />
confines of New Rubicon City. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/108/7/b/play_with_me_by_m3_f-d4wmoqa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/108/7/b/play_with_me_by_m3_f-d4wmoqa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Autosentia construct lurks in the jungles of Seraph I.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">The Confederation system of New Vedith lies directly in the path of the Hive's current incursion into Confederation space. The rich unobtanium reserves, large population and prosperous industry of New Vedith render it of key strategic value to the Confederation. New Vedith cannot be allowed to become another node in the expanding Hive, an Arbiter fleet must be dispatched immediately to support the operations of the New </span><span style="background-color: white;">Vedithian Defence Force and their local sector allies. </span><span style="background-color: white;">New Vedith cannot be allowed to fall. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/156/f/8/Alien_Forest_by_Skyrion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="http://fc04.deviantart.net/fs44/f/2009/156/f/8/Alien_Forest_by_Skyrion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The fate which awaits New Vedith should it fall (top and bottom). </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs21/PRE/f/2007/266/b/1/Pillars_of_Hope_by_Phoenix_06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://th05.deviantart.net/fs21/PRE/f/2007/266/b/1/Pillars_of_Hope_by_Phoenix_06.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b>Policy Recommendations to High Command:</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
1. Dispatch level
Alpha Arbiter response fleet to New Vedith.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
2. Place
Confederation space on a full war footing, effective immediately.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
3. Dispatch reinforcements to other Confederation worlds under attack. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="color: #222222;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;">4.
Repots of Hive infiltration in Confederation computer systems and
robotics remain unsubstantiated but could potentially pose a threat
of unimaginable magnitude. A series of bizarre accidents,
errors and shutdowns relating to AI and computer managed systems
across the Confederation over the last 10 years remain a mystery.
This report recommends High Command launch a full investigation
immediately. </span></span></div>
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<div style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: center;">
++++++++ END OF TRANSMISION +++++++++</div>
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(Agains please note that the artwork belongs to its respected artists and is not my work. Follow the URLs to find the source and enjoy the pretty pictures!)</div>Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-8580854960240242422012-07-02T14:17:00.000+01:002012-07-02T15:19:01.986+01:0015mm sci-fi universe background (oh go on, there's pictures!)<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Me and Phyllion have been making progress with our 15mm armies and the time has come to lay down the basics for the universe we plan to fight over! We've written up some of the background in the form of short extracts penned 'in character' by members of our universe. This first piece tells the story of the 'Confederated Systems' which our factions inhabit (mostly), the reason why the 'The New Vedithians' (Phyllion's faction) are 'New' and the origins of my 'Arbiter' faction. Enjoy! Its worth the read and has plenty of pretty pictures!</i></div>
<br />
<b><span style="background-color: white;">Extracts from Horatio Dios (2411), </span><i style="background-color: white;">A
Concise History of the Confederated Systems </i><span style="background-color: white;">(Illustrated</span><span style="background-color: white;"> edn)</span></b><br />
<br />
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
The
period now commonly known as the Great Disorder marked one of the
bloodiest chapters of mankind's history. However, the roots of this
calamity lay far earlier, in the Dispersal.
</div>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
Technological
and theoretical development, exploding in the 21<sup>st</sup>
century, resulted in the development of a prototype Rosenkind drive
in 2119. Consequently, faster than light travel became viable and interstellar exploration and <span style="background-color: white;">colonization a realistic proposition for the first time. </span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120317/fantasy%20futuristic%20science%20fiction%20artwork%20laboratory%201680x1050%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120317/fantasy%20futuristic%20science%20fiction%20artwork%20laboratory%201680x1050%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosenkind's state of the art laboratory in Tokyo, Japan.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Huge stresses on the earth's rapidly diminishing resources -
exacerbated by an uncontrolled population explosion - placed extreme
political pressure on Earth's destabilised national governments to
present a solution to the expanding resource crisis. </span><span style="background-color: white;">These stresses led to the refinement and mass production of the new drive during the 2120s and 30s and the dispatch of scout ships to find suitable new worlds for colonization. </span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.deviantart.com/download/123025529/Lost_spaceship_by_paul_cz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="256" src="http://www.deviantart.com/download/123025529/Lost_spaceship_by_paul_cz.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scoutship <i>Marco Polo </i>discovering Damas and its moon Gorvan. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Large portions of the earth's population clambered for an escape from a planet torn with shortage, petty resource warfare and intolerance. Seeds ships were manufactured on a huge industrial scale, colonists embarked, and humanity dispatched to a new life on the galactic frontier. This, the greatest migration of humanity in history, later become known as the Dispersal. By 2230 over 9 billion people had been dispatched to an ever-expanding constellation of distant colonies.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://depblog.weblogs.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/spaceship2_cg2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="http://depblog.weblogs.us/wp-content/uploads/2008/01/spaceship2_cg2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first colony ship, <i>Endeavor, </i>leaves its launch cradle in 2133 bound for Serentum Major.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: white;">These colonies were not only geographically remote but grew increasingly divergent from Earth in their respective societies, religions, cultures and politics. National government's retained sovereignty over their colonial provinces and, along with private megacorporations, orchestrated this great movement of humanity.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120508/futuristic%20science%20fiction%202560x1440%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120508/futuristic%20science%20fiction%202560x1440%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_66.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crowded megacity of New York, Earth, in the 22nd century.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">However,
by the middle of the 24th</span><span style="background-color: white;"> century the developing and
increasingly autonomous colony worlds desired full independence. The
profits from their deposits of valuable raw materials, such as
unobtanium, were siphoned off by national government's and
megacorporations and little benefit flowed in return. A series of
political movements, each reflecting the new world from which it
emerged, began to campaign for the severance of governance from
Earth. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120408/outer%20space%20planets%20digital%20art%20science%20fiction%201680x1050%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120408/outer%20space%20planets%20digital%20art%20science%20fiction%201680x1050%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_50.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The export spacetowers of industrial giant Deltari-Beta.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Resistance among Earth's national governments varied, most
respected the colonies' right of self-determination. Nonetheless,
some nations, such as the Russian Empire, Pan-Asian Alliance and the
fragmented governments of the former U.S., resisted the the attempts
of their colonial empires to break away. Colonial insurgencies
developed and long, dirty and bloody wars of liberation were fought
across the stars, choking the once verdant atmospheres of many
planets with the wreckage of starships. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120312/futuristic%20science%20fiction%20artwork%201920x1080%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_92.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120312/futuristic%20science%20fiction%20artwork%201920x1080%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_92.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Republic of California warships subjugate insurgents on Seraph III.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">These conflicts continued
intermittently for over 40 years, marked by concessions, false
ceasefires and betrayals, and entangled almost all of Earth's
national governments. War raged across both earth and across the
stars as the new regional leagues manoeuvred for power and resources.
At the close of what became known as the Liberation Wars 49 systems
had successfully declared themselves independent of rule from Earth.
In 2396 they formed the Confederated systems, an alliance of
cooperation, which sought to protect hard-fought freedoms from the
avarice of Earth's rapacious empires and megacorporations.</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120402/futuristic%20fantasy%20art%20science%20fiction%20artwork%202560x1600%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120402/futuristic%20fantasy%20art%20science%20fiction%20artwork%202560x1600%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_33.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The prosperous colony of Xin-Chi.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">A
flawed peace endured for only 20 years before, in one last cast of
the dice, an alliance of Earth's remaining superpowers declared war
on their former colonial possessions in 2416, drawing the entire
Confederation into the conflict. It was in this decades long crucible
of fire and strife that the original Confederation was shattered and
reforged anew. Loyalties were divided by Terran manipulation and the
worlds of the Confederated Systems turned upon one another in what
what was later termed by historians, the Great Disorder. Vedith,
Seraph III and Kareshi-Sudah burnt, their civilisations shattered by
the detonations of atomic warheads. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080123033139/uncyclopedia/images/a/ab/Nuked_Planet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20080123033139/uncyclopedia/images/a/ab/Nuked_Planet.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nuclear weapons devastate Vedith and poison its atmosphere.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">After years of bitter struggle
Confederation fleets, augmented by xenoc technologies, jumped into
Earth's orbit and, catching their foes unprepared, forced the Terran
Alliance to its knees. The Confederated Systems' president, Musad
al-Suri, determined that there could be no end to conflict until all
of mankind was united under one political order, either by consent,
or force. The existent Confederated Systems was expanded to include
all of the worlds inhabited by humanity at that time and the belligerent
and divisive national governments of Earth forcibly conglomerated. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120403/design%20science%20fiction%20futur%201200x960%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_84.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="512" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120403/design%20science%20fiction%20futur%201200x960%20wallpaper_www.wallpaperto.com_84.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Confederated Systems Assembly on Serentum Major. Earth was deliberately not chosen as the new seat of the Confederation government. Memories of colonial oppression remained.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">Even al-Suri, idealist as he was, realised that such a disparate
union would face huge challenges and that powerful systems would
retain a large degree of autonomy. However, an independent political
commission, the Conferated Systems Arbitration Authority (CSAA), was
formed in order to prevent an outbreak of large-scale conflict
between Confederation worlds. It became apparent over the next
half-century that the CSAA would require military forces of its own
to enforce its rulings - it could not always rely upon the timely
participation of key Confederation worlds. Patrol fleets were
expanded into full battlefleets and police forces into fully
mechanised and spacebourne forces. </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120305/soldiers%20outer%20space%20planets%20spaceships%20science%20fiction%202500x1088%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_81.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120305/soldiers%20outer%20space%20planets%20spaceships%20science%20fiction%202500x1088%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_81.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSAA forces 'liberate' Charon II after 10 years of Enlightened Path rule.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="background-color: white;">By the beginning of the 26</span><sup style="background-color: white;">th</sup><span style="background-color: white;">
century wars within the Confederation were largely conducted in the
shadows, the boardroom or on the galactic frontier. Peace, or at
least a good approximation, endured. For a time...</span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120608/desert%20tanks%20fantasy%20art%20science%20fiction%20vehicles%20dune%201920x1200%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://www.wall321.com/thumbnails/detail/20120608/desert%20tanks%20fantasy%20art%20science%20fiction%20vehicles%20dune%201920x1200%20wallpaper_www.wall321.com_52.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arbiter heavy armour carries out manoeuvres on the deserts of Kareshi-Sudah.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div align="JUSTIFY" style="margin-bottom: 0cm;">
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(Note: none of the artwork here is mine(I wish!), its all the work of the respective artists, please follow the picture urls if you wish to find the original artwork. These artists are incredible and they take all the credit!) </div>Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-11710475448945093542012-07-01T01:46:00.000+01:002012-07-01T02:00:47.492+01:00Battlestar Galactica Ship Cards (for Colonial Battlefleet)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I'm a big fan of nice flashy unit cards and of wasting lots of time I should be spending doing something more important. To that end I knocked up some graphical SSDs for my semi-painted BSG fleets using Powerpoint, GIMP (he he, its basically photoshop with a funny name) and the 'Man vs Machine' excel unit builder. </div>
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The pictures here are a lot lower quality than they appear in powerpoint, I'm not sure how to retain the quality using this software atm. I've included an SSD I did a while ago of a Star Destroyer because I also made a key, although I then changed some of the icons. Hopefully to someone who understands the game it is decipherable without too much trouble. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4Ia9Vk5g5s/T--YK1hLGnI/AAAAAAAABBA/x4Prl6Y4Yo4/s1600/Start+Destroyer+(Key).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-t4Ia9Vk5g5s/T--YK1hLGnI/AAAAAAAABBA/x4Prl6Y4Yo4/s640/Start+Destroyer+(Key).png" width="586" /></a></div>
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A quick run-down of the newer symbols used below:</div>
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The wrench = Damage Control Bonus</div>
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The 'round' turret = PDS critical</div>
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The 'anti-aircraft turret' = Flak Batteries</div>
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The 'O2' = Life Support critical</div>
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The ship's wheel = Bridge critical</div>
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The steel girder = Structural critical</div>
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The 'pentagon' weapons batteries = Cluster Missiles</div>
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The 'House' shaped ones = ASGMs</div>
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The 'round' weapons batteries = railguns of various stripes (rather than the Turbo Lasers on the original star wars one). </div>
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Note: the symbols for which dice to roll for 'attack' and 'penetration' are the shape of the dice used, hence the cube =d6 and the diamond = d10.</div>
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Personally I much prefer the cool graphical displays you get in Full Thrust to the boring unit cards of Colonial Battlefleet, although the latter is arguably the better (and more balanced) game. I took a dose of inspiration from the Full thrust graphical SSDs and from other people's efforts on the SteelDreadnough forum when making these. They're a bit of a hodge podge. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTh9yxFL29o/T--hIFZ41SI/AAAAAAAABBM/RCsD4-34xw0/s1600/Galactica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTh9yxFL29o/T--hIFZ41SI/AAAAAAAABBM/RCsD4-34xw0/s640/Galactica.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">I did my own builds. There's nothing really wrong with the ones in the book but I like everything to be exactly as I envision them, hence some changes here and there. </span><span style="background-color: white;">Technically a few of them break the system slightly (like the Pegasus' mass of 1,005) but in such minor ways it really doesn't matter imo. </span></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-CmGwM1be0/T--VP4xfPOI/AAAAAAAABA0/GYEDzPLNIxc/s1600/Mercury+Class.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-d-CmGwM1be0/T--VP4xfPOI/AAAAAAAABA0/GYEDzPLNIxc/s640/Mercury+Class.png" width="460" /></a></div>
I was amazed by the number and quality of the images available all over the internet when making these. Apparently people love drawing the ships from BSG and sticking them online. I'm not complaining...<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfLI7EkHVNo/T--VJVEWxXI/AAAAAAAABAk/uoLrouS2jiE/s1600/Cylon+Basestar+(Carrier).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FfLI7EkHVNo/T--VJVEWxXI/AAAAAAAABAk/uoLrouS2jiE/s640/Cylon+Basestar+(Carrier).png" width="434" /></a></div>
Powerpoint is an incredibly powerful tool if you can get to grips with it and whilst I had to learn a few new things I was impressed how much this program can do and be so user friendly at the same time.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNPd9Lj4MA/T--VLYJzucI/AAAAAAAABAs/Fw66Zkv6408/s1600/Cylon+Basestar+(Missile).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oWNPd9Lj4MA/T--VLYJzucI/AAAAAAAABAs/Fw66Zkv6408/s640/Cylon+Basestar+(Missile).png" width="434" /></a></div>
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If anyone is interested I'm happy to share the powerpoint file and the images I used to make these so you can print them out at full quality (each is meant to be half a page) or change and manipulate them as you want. Just leave a comment and email address and I'll get in touch. </div>
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Hopefully I can get these ships painted up (I don't have many left to do) and be ready for a game in the next couple of months. </div>
<br />Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-82382233313449133022012-06-22T16:46:00.001+01:002012-06-22T16:46:31.412+01:00Experimenting with Google Sketchup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I haven't really been in a miniatures painting mood the past few weeks and have been away visiting old uni friends recently, so not much progress to show tbh. I did decide though that I wanted to try my hand at 3d modelling/sculpting before I went away though. Here are the fruits of my labours so far using google sketchup, a free and fairly intuitive program. I had a shot at the Acclamator class Assault ship featured in Star Wars episode II and III. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGFFtnzoBNk/T-R9kbLtqXI/AAAAAAAABAQ/tQUxbvGIf9w/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.11.18.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-zGFFtnzoBNk/T-R9kbLtqXI/AAAAAAAABAQ/tQUxbvGIf9w/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.11.18.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;">Initially</span> I thought this would be a fairly easy ship to do but as I looked at more reference material I realised it's actually an extremely complex shape - I'd have been better off doing a star destroyer or something. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6AelJYm6-s/T-R9WTOUbuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/XIVDhiDj0DM/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.09.39.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t6AelJYm6-s/T-R9WTOUbuI/AAAAAAAAA_A/XIVDhiDj0DM/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.09.39.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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However, I persevered and if nothing else throwing myself in at the deep end forced me to become fairly effective at using the various tools on sketchup quite quickly. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvzSKWxSEJ0/T-R9X6tGzuI/AAAAAAAAA_I/YOSpeR4vB5M/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.09.53.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-jvzSKWxSEJ0/T-R9X6tGzuI/AAAAAAAAA_I/YOSpeR4vB5M/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.09.53.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Some shape, such as the botton hull shape shown in the above picture, were extremely easy to make whilst others, such as the odd triangle with 'bits cut-off' (which is located above the engines), was extremely difficult to make. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRST6tdDlQ0/T-R9a1N8nnI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/uNpak5W9W-I/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.13.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CRST6tdDlQ0/T-R9a1N8nnI/AAAAAAAAA_Y/uNpak5W9W-I/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.13.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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The engines were surprisingly easy although I got carried away detailing them before I read the guidelines on shapeways vis materials and print tolerances. I'll probably have to redo and simplify them if I actually decide to get this printed up. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYfo_20xfLY/T-R9dkWukKI/AAAAAAAAA_o/rJ_3rjhVh9M/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.33.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UYfo_20xfLY/T-R9dkWukKI/AAAAAAAAA_o/rJ_3rjhVh9M/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.33.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I simplified the bottom of the hull pictured above as I no-one will really look at it anyway...</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cxsCH8gm9c/T-R9gTPZ0-I/AAAAAAAAA_4/GS8Vev8R61k/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.44.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4cxsCH8gm9c/T-R9gTPZ0-I/AAAAAAAAA_4/GS8Vev8R61k/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.44.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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I decided to make the 3d model to scale with my current Star Wars fleet at 1:10,000. So its 75mm long, 46mm wide and about 20mm tall. Quite tiny really! I hope the details will come out if I use frosted or ultra frosted detail, although the costs could be prohibitive. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arQW5DlDdYs/T-R9hjHATrI/AAAAAAAABAA/vVWvJnDms1E/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.52.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-arQW5DlDdYs/T-R9hjHATrI/AAAAAAAABAA/vVWvJnDms1E/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.10.52.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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This model is far from finished, as you can see. The nose and bridge still need a lot of work and then I need to work out how much detail and 'greeblies' to include on the hull. I'm having great trouble with the curves on the bridge but luckily the blockish greeblies will take no time at all. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TypJyRObDjg/T-R9jLJ1QzI/AAAAAAAABAI/NjrPwvvChQQ/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.11.08.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TypJyRObDjg/T-R9jLJ1QzI/AAAAAAAABAI/NjrPwvvChQQ/s640/Screen+shot+2012-06-22+at+15.11.08.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Overall I'm pretty proud with how far I've come on this program in a reasonably small amount of time (10 hours or so). If I did it again I know I could do it in a quarter of the time. For a start I'd only build one half, then just copy, past, flip and align.</div>
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I can't wait to work out how to do curves and then I'll be away, the possibilities are endless!</div>
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<br /></div>Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4533200844851686736.post-27825966364140263552012-06-12T14:49:00.001+01:002012-06-12T14:49:23.564+01:00Missile tokens for BSG<div style="text-align: justify;">
I haven't really been in a hobby kind of mood these past few weeks. I painted a few figures after getting back from holiday (more repeats of stuff I've already shown on the blog) but haven't felt the urge since. I've been spending most of my free times playing Empire Total War instead, what a time vampire! So I'm afraid the blog has been a bit quiet of late after the May splurge. </div>
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I lieu of any new progress here are a few 3d counters I made for use with my spaceship stuff (mainly BSG) a long time ago. They're pretty basic, cocktail sticks sanded to shape with fins made from thin card and tail plumes from cotton wool. Not the neatest work as I'm sure you can see. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlLMzAo2yVA/T9c_XSo_NWI/AAAAAAAAA-k/oyteWPTTWg0/s1600/Model+Photography93.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MlLMzAo2yVA/T9c_XSo_NWI/AAAAAAAAA-k/oyteWPTTWg0/s640/Model+Photography93.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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The different designs as so they can represent different types of missiles at a glance. The smaller missiles represent ant-fighter 'cluster' missiles. These were prototypes so I painted them in lots of different patterns to see which I liked best. I think If I did them again I'd actually wouldn't put any colour on them at all (its very cartoony!) and simply do grey ones for the Colonials and metallic ones for the Cylons. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXYqW6uTH-4/T9c_Y2vXw-I/AAAAAAAAA-s/WClmCEJiUAM/s1600/Model+Photography94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXYqW6uTH-4/T9c_Y2vXw-I/AAAAAAAAA-s/WClmCEJiUAM/s640/Model+Photography94.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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As you can see above they're relatively flat and because of the bases 'lip' they can be easily stacked. This is so that multiple missile tokens heading in different directions can occupy a single hex without things getting mixed up. You simply place them on top of each-other. </div>
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I'm gonna take a trip to Dark Sphere this afternoon and pick up some good grey-blue paint for my Colonial Vipers. I have tons of BSG stuff assembled and partially painted and feel like making some more progress with the project. Of all my projects this one is probably the closes to completion, it just never quite got there... </div>Samulushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07583858443749562521noreply@blogger.com1