The Honourable Lead Boiler suit Co. - Birmingham

I was working in central Birmingham earlier today and found time to visit the Parabelleum modelling shop Vyse Street where I spent a very enjoyable hour discussing all things wargaming and miniature related with Mark and later Richard.

I also picked up some paints, Milliput and a bargain batch of second-hand magazines - thank you Mark.

For anyone who visits Birmingham, I would suggest s visit to The Jewelery Quarter and Parabelleum, Vyse Street is a must.

http://www.hlbs.co.uk/index.php

Richard was kind enough to give me a sneak preview of some of the miniatures and equipment he is working on. Whenever I get too 'cocky' and think my modelling or sculpting skill is good, a visit to these two 'ACE' sculptors and painters soon brings me back down to earth. (Usually with a bump!)

While discussing sculpting the conversation moved on to Kneadite or Milliput? Mark and Richard use a cocktail of both; Mark 50-50 and Richard 33-66 Kneadite (green stuff) and basic Milliput. I intend using both mixtures to assess the benefits of both and to see if these 'super cocktails' of sculpting epoxy can turn me in to a fantastic sculptor like Mark and Richard!

Tony

Flash Gordon - Giant Rats

Every Flash Gordon story that I have ever read has a 'giant something' - giant lobsters, giant lizard, giant dogs etc. These two additions are Tomb or Crypt Rats from Reaper Miniatures. They are mounted on to 40mm round bases and painted with acrylic paints. I would expect to add to these with large rats or a rat swarm at some stage.

Tony

Flintloque - Miniatures Wanted

I am looking for the old blister pack Ork Grenadier Guards 54020.

In particular the two figures with Grenadier Guard caps/shakos, not the bare headed miniature.

I can either buy or swap.

Can anyone help?

Tony
PS. Any Flintloque collector looking for a specific miniature can still contact me as I have a huge box of un-painted Flintloque blister (some limited editions).

Flash Gordon - Blue Crystalman

I am afraid I have no idea what this creature was or what game system it came from. I bought it some years ago on a visit to Dublin, Ireland for one Euro. It is a plastic miniature from HeroClix or a similar game and was connected to a plastic clix base. I removed the figure when I bought it and did not keep a record of who manufactured it or what it is called - sorry.

I do know that the figure has been elevated by up to 10mm and the base was then re-sculpted with 'Milliput' and 'green stuff'. The miniature was re-painted as if evolving from the earth and painted blue as I had just finished reading Witch Queen of Mongo by Alex Raymond, in which Blue Crystalmen appear.

The growths from the figures back and head could be twigs - as if a 'Dryad', but I painted them as crystals using acrylic dark blue over a black undercoat, highlighted with blue and later light blue.

The miniature is mounted on a 40mm round base and is 60mm tall.

Tony

Flash Gordon - Gorillapoid

The Gorillapoid (I think that's right - the Buster Crabbe, cinema 'cliff hanger' series has an Orangapoid) is based on a toy gorilla with a resin horn and some 'green stuff re-modelling to the face (to make it look a little more fierce). The model is re-painted, but this is more of a touch-up rather than a complete re-paint.

The model stands over 80mm tall (base of knuckles to top of horn). This second photo shows the Gorillapoid next to a 40mm Ming Guard figure for scale.


Tony
PS. If anyone can come up with a better name - please feel free to post your suggestions.

Flames of Herakleitos by Bob Lock

I am pleased to support this author, who is also from my home city, (or town as I will always think of it) Swansea - Bob Lock.

This is his first published book although he has had other work printed in anthologies. I read the book last year on a long flight to Thailand and thought it a riveting good read, part Fantasy, part Sci-Fi.

More information at;

http://bob-lock.blogspot.com/2007/01/flames-of-herakleitos-website.html

Archibald

Just a bit of fun! I picked up this miniature at the Games Expo, Birmingham in 2007 and mounted and painted it as an adventurer for my daughter.


Mounted on a 60mm round wooden wheel with the ground work built up from sand, cork and a 'bargain bin find' of a treasure chest.

The figure is painted with acrylic paints over a black undercoat and varnished with matte acrylic artists varnish. The base is painted as a Caribbean beach with ground foam vegetation. While the name plaque is a piece of card cut to size with two plastic rivets, the script is from a Games Workshop transfer sheet.

The figure is called Archibald and stands 46mm tall. Great fun!

Tony