Turnip40 - using 40mm figures with the Turnip28 background

Some time ago, I posted details of a scratch built enormous turnip piece of terrain that I had built for the game Turnip28. For more information, see this link. Since then I have searched through my collection of 40mm figures and built this group of Turnip40 characters.

The first uses the body from a 40 HLBS figure of a Napoleonic rifleman and the helmet and crossbow from a 40mm LOTR figure mounted on to a square base and painted in the typical 'grim dark' style associated with Turnip28.

Figure number two uses the body from an old Flashing Blades 40mm Napoleonic Rifleman miniature and a scratch built head or mask. Again painted in the Turnip28 style including static grass tufts.

Mini number three is a real missmatch of bits and pieces. The legs from a Napoleonic cavalryman, body from a 40mm spartan, arms from a 40mm LOTR figure and the turban from a Horror Clix figure. The sword was from my spares box and the painting was just as dark as the earlier models. Of note is the real snails shell glued to his back!

The groups leader is a cross kitted mini using a ACW body, legs from a 40mm LOTR mini and head from the same figure. The spear was from my spares box and once again I have used a real snails shell as a backpack.

Finally we have a 40mm Foundry ACW body and arms with a scratch built carrot head and modified gun. This was great fun to paint as I used a real carrot as inspiration for the head and the belt decoration.

I'm not expecting to convert or paint up many more Turnip40 minis, but who knows - they were great fun to convert and paint.

Tony

Miniature Wargames issue 482

The latest issue of Miniature Wargames (issue 482 - June 2023) has a short article written by me showing how I converted a couple of pound shop bargains in to living space ships (see front cover top right).

The article was never meant as a full tutorial - more of a quick fix.

For more information, you can pick up your own copy of MW from WHSmiths.

Tony

Some book gifts from Sue

Earlier this week, Sue found these three books for me. The first is a booklet on the Welsh Highland Railway and the second is a tourist information brochure about Carcassonne - a real find.....

The final book and its a real tome is this book about early aviation that is just full of both photographs and illustrations that just scream out to be modelled.

Thank you Sue XXX

Tony

Another second hand magazine haul

Yesterday afternoon after a quiet pub lunch, Sue and I drove to Pershore for a relaxing walk and browse around the shops. I was especially lucky with these magazine finds which were picked up in two separate charity shops for just 50p each.

The first three are aeroplane magazines, which I enjoy reading while sitting in the summerhouse and drinking tea with biscuits. Two Flypast magazines and Aeroplane all from 2022.

The second group is selection of railway modelling magazines - BRM, Railway Modeller and one of my favourites, Garden Rail. There is always something of interest in these magazines and once again, I'll leave them in the summerhouse to browse on sunny days.

The final magazine or pamphlet is R100 and R101 - a selection of articles first published in 'The DIRIGIBLE' a magazine produced by the Airship Heritage Trust. This was a real find and something that I have not been able to find out much about. Even so, I look forward to reading about these iconic airships.

A close up of the magazine cover.

Tony

Armoured Satyr for Typhon

After finishing the large Cyclops I searched through my collection of miniatures for another Typhon or Greek Mythology figure and came across this Satyr. The figure has been sat on my to-do shelf for some time and I no longer remember where I bought it from or any details as to who made the mini.

I do know that I have heavily modified the sculpt as the original stood much taller on longer legs which I both shortened and re-sculpted. Apart from that the figure is pretty much stock.

The paint scheme is very rough and ready, but I feel it is in keeping with the Greek Satyr backstory. I have used lots of washes and very little colour which is different from most of my Greek or Typhon collection.

The figure is cast in tough resin and is mounted on a pre-decimalisation penny with the groundwork built up from Milliput. The final image shows the Satyr alongside one of the Spartan Games Hoplites - the Satyr is just over 42mm tall (head to toe).

Tony

Building Wargame Terrain - a very special anniversary

It has been ten year since I self published my first Dampfpanzerwagon Guide No. 1 - Building Wargame Terrain. The book was released in May 2013 after about six months work, producing the tutorials and arranging for the book to be published. The first print run ran out very quickly and two subsequent reprints meant that this guide was the most produced of the three guides written and published by me.

I think of it as a great success, but also believe that knowing what I know now, I would have done it slightly differently - possibly a Kickstarter!

I don't think that this book will be reprinted - at least not in this format. The two following Dampfpanzerwagon Guides - More Wargame Terrain and Models for Wargamers have both been reprinted, but have not been as successful as the first book. All three are now out-of-print.

I sometimes see this and other books or guides written by me come up for sale on ebay and can even report that I have seen some of them for sale in secondhand book stores - now there's a recommendation.....

Thanks to everyone who supported me with this project.

I can't help looking back and not quite believing that it has been ten years. Since then I have produced two books for Pen & Sword as well as hundreds of magazine articles that are mainly, but not exclusively wargaming based.

I wonder what the next ten years has in store?

Tony

Cyclops update - finished

The Del Prado Cyclops all varnished, based and finished. The model was bought in Italy, when on a short city break to Lucca and cost just 5 Euros. I've re-based and re-painted the miniature as well as doing some remedial sculpting, adding skulls and general tidying up. the Cyclops is just over 80mm tall and will be a great addition to my Typhon or Greek mythology collection of 40mm Hoplites that I have been collecting for some years. For more information, see the Typhon label.

The final image shows the painted Cyclops alongside one of the 40mm Miniatures from the out of production range once sold by Spartan Games. I am very pleased with the 'sickly' purple and blotchy skin tones, something that sets this model apart from my otherwise 'clean' Typhon figures.

I am now looking through my 'lead mountain' for suitable minis I can add to this project and will keep the Blog updated with any developments.

Tony