Happy Anniversary

Today sees the fifth anniversary of this Blog. It was started on 28th of February 2008.

Thanks to all my followers and each and everyone who has stopped by over this long period. You are all most welcome. Please keep commenting.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - finished

Photos One and Two - show the gloss varnished figure. I have used Ronseal Toughcoat Gloss.

Photos Three to Eight - Show the finished miniature, matt varnished with Galleria matt varnish and then flocked with static grass over uPVA glue

Another Flash Gordon miniature to add to my 40mm Flash figure collection. I admit that the painting could have been better, but I am very pleased with the final result.

The figure stands 45mm tall (base of feet to top of head), slightly taller than my usual 40mm models, but still acceptable. I also think that the armoured Ground Zero Games Appleseed Landmate works well as a 40mm space suit.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - part six

These images show the figure prior to varnishing and flocking. The base has been fully painted and detailed, my usual FG colour scheme of Dark Brown groundwork with a Grey rock area for the mini to stand. 

I have used some GW washes around the face and hair as well as the base.

I think this is the best position to photograph this particular miniature from, it gives a better impression of the converted figure although now that it is nearing completion, I think the GZG Appleseed Landmate with its feet sculpted in front of one another is a more natural sculpt.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - part five

At long last - some paint!

Photo One - A simple Black undercoat.

Photo Two - The base Dark Blue, from GW, drybrushed on with a large brush.

Photo Three - The Blue has been refined and highlighted, while the White areas have been built up over a Light Grey (Skull White over Stonewall Grey).

Photo Four - The White has been further highlighted and I have added some Red detailing, Blood Red over Scab Red with some Hot Orange highlights.

Photo Five - The Flesh area painted in. The Flesh was built up from Snakebite Leather, the Red areas Blood Red over Scab Red and the gun is Metallic Silver over Chaos Black.

Still lots to do, but in one painting session, most of the coloured areas are now nearing completion.

I think the Hi-Viz Blue and White are less military than some of the colour schemes I have seen for this miniature (see earlier post). The inspiration came from a very old White Dwarf, a Traveler scenario with space suit clad heroes searching through a derelict hulk.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - update

Just a quick post.

The unidentified robot has been identified - thank you GJD of Glue in the Carpet. It is an out-of-production Ground Zero Games Appleseed Landmate, for more information go to this Blog post.

Other images can be found by doing a Google search, for example and here.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - part four

Moving on, I have added some more Green Stuff around the neck area, re-sculpted the feet, extending them forward and giving them a slight 'toe out' stance. I have added more plastic card and plastic rod detail to the suit and finally sprinkled sieved stones and fine sand over the base. The miniature is now ready for undercoating. I just have to decide on a colour scheme.

Tony

Almark Focus On booklets.

Earlier today Sue and I decided that we would have the morning in Worcester. The weather over the last few weeks has been so bad that we have not wanted to go out. However with bright, glorious sunshine and cloudless skies, today was the perfect opportunity to go window shopping, plus we needed to pick up some supermarket food.

As I was chatting away to the guys at Games Workshop, Sue was browsing the shelves at the local Oxfam book store and picked up this pair of Almark Focus-On booklets. At just £1.99 each Sue thought she would pick up both for me.

When we met up again, I was overjoyed to see these as I have been watching Modelling Techniques No. 3 on e-bay, currently going for £8.99 plus postage!

Both booklets have new-to-me illustrations and photos so I will enjoy reading through them later this evening.

Both booklets are card bound with 36 colour and black &white illustrations, very much in the style of early Military Modeler/Battle.

No. 1 Painting and Detailing Military Miniatures and No. 3 Dioramas & Scenic Settings
written by Bryan Fosten & Roy Dilley
were published by Almark Publications in 1977
ISBN no. are;
0 85524 281 7 for Painting and detailing.....
0 85524 293 0 for Dioramas and.....
Both has a publishers price of £1.50 each.

Thank you Sue.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - part three

Progress continues. It is rare for me to detail how I build up my 40mm Flash Gordon bases, I prefer to just state that I have used cork and Milliput. With this model I took lots of work-in-progress shots so though I would use them.

Photo One - I mounted the metal robot casting onto a piece of 1mm thick plastic card to raise it up on the premium 40mm plastic (lipped) base. I have used superglue and accelerator. 

Photos Two, Three and Four - Broken cork (from a wine cork) was first sliced and then broken up before being glued into place at the front and then the back of the miniature.

Photos Five and Six - The groundwork was then built up with Milliput (Fine White) keeping the broken edges of the cork free. I use a spear-shaped sculpting tool, keeping it moist to avoid 'pulling' the Milliput.

Photo Seven - The feet of this particular robot were rather short or club-footed. I have built up the soles of the feet with more Milliput. At a later date I will build up the foot to extend forward.

You can also see that I used Green Stuff to blend in the neck of the Sky Elf to the chest of the robot.

I have used slips and slivers of plastic card and plastic rod to add surface detail to the armoured suit. these were superglued into place.

This months On-line build has been moving forward at a 'snails pace'. I am never-the-less confident that I will be able to finish it before the end of March.

More to come.

Tony

S.P.Q.ORC - Pax Bochemannica - Maveryc Games

There are lots of rumors and hearsay that Maveryc Games have closed, see here and here.

I have spoken to or e-mailed a number of fellow enthusiasts and Bloggers for any information, but so far nothing clear.

I was lucky enough to be involved in the initial game testing and have painted up some sample miniatures on this Blog. (see Pax Bochemannica Label) In addition I have built some themed gaming terrain and even written articles and scenarios for the game. I have no idea what will now happen with these articles or scenarios.

My own Pax Bochemannica boxed set is sitting (very patiently) on my to-do shelf, waiting for me to base and paint the 20 limited edition miniatures. But this news is very sad - if true.

I will post details either here or on the two links detailed above once I have any meaningful information.

Good luck and Best Wishes to all concerned.

Tony

Carne's Bowl - A Flintloque tale for Valentines Day

A very special Flintloque themed tale for Valentines Day 2013. Published on Barking Irons Online and part of the White Liar series of short stories - Carne's Bowl was written by me and edited by Craig Andrews.

Details can be found here.

Based on an old Cornish Folk Tale/Legend. The Giant Bolster.

I hope that you like it.

Tony

These are a few of my Favorite Things

My 1000th Blog post! I thought I would indulge myself, so here are a few of my favorite things.....

Flash Gordon from Graven Images, sculpted by Jim Bowen. The first of my 40mm Flash Gordon miniatures and my favorite single mini.

In second place was Ming from the same collection, a tough call as Artimis in third is also a great figure.

I have a metal Artimis, and like so many projects. I will get around to painting her one day.

OK, I'm indulging myself again. The Princess Julianna Regiment is my favorite miniature group, it was sculpted by me and is sold by Alternative Armies as a Limited Edition Unit. The regiment is named after my niece who passed away some years ago.

The Revenent Elves from Foundry came a very close second. With Zomie Smith's Quar coming third.

Now for a surprise. My favorite game - is it Flintloque, Aeronef, or even Pax Bochemannica? No - it is without doubt Early or Old School Warhammer Fantasy Battles. This is the game and edition that I have my fondest memories of playing and therefore it takes first place.

Oh Boy, now I'm on a role. If I could have just one gaming magazine it would be another GW publication - White Dwarf. I have written on a number of occasions that I do not like the later editions, but I just cannot get rid of my 'Golden Age' WD's.

While I am on my Pro-Games Workshop soapbox. If I was to choose a single paint manufacturer it would be Vallejo Game Color, with GW/Citadel Metallics, the old black-topped pots, not the newest version coming an equal first.

My favorite brushes are Rosemary & Co series 401 - the sable mix and I prefer the long handles.

My favorite Forum is The Notables - the official Flintloque Yahoo site and my favorite Blogs (the ones I visit most frequently) are Bleaseworld - Steve Blease's general Blog (he has others), Big Lee's Miniature Adventure and Joe Videki's painting Blog/Web page.

My all time favorite airplane model could easily be a Spitfire, a Vulcan, the Phantom F4 or the BAC Lightning - but just for the sheer Wow, I would choose this Ju 87 Stuka. The artwork is just mind blowing and one day I will get around to building it.

Now for a bit of fun. My favorite sweet. It just has to be Jelly Belly jelly beans.

And if I was ever lucky enough to win the lottery, as well as a more practical family car, I would just love a Morgan three wheeler.

My 1000th post, I hope you enjoyed reading about just some of my favorite things.

Tony

The 999th Post

That's right - the 999th post on this Blog, just one away from that Grand total (pun intended). So what do I post? More Flash Gordon More Terrain Building, A Painting Article or a look-back at the last four years of Blogging?

No my 999th post is a warning, actually a story of what happened to me yesterday afternoon, while returning home from an appointment in Bromsgrove, Worcs.

As Sue and I were approaching Webb's Garden Centre, just off the M5. I decided that I needed some diesel and pulled into what I remember as a BP garage. The garage has changed ownership and is now a Shell station, no problems - just no Nectar points!

Having put just £20.00 in the tank, Sue waved to me saying that I had just filled up with 4 Star, "Don't be stupid, why would I have done such a silly thing."

While paying I asked the clerk, "Petrol, or Diesel?"

"Petrol, Sir." Was the reply........

Two hours later, the tank drained, a bill from the AA for £216.00 and then (to add insult to injury another fuel bill - as you should fill your tank after such an accident - to stop petrol vapours in the fuel tank) another £55.00.

Nearly £300.00 spent on a simple mistake.

And in case you are wondering, yes I am feeling sick!

So no modelling, no painting, no post full of images, just a warning. Be careful when filling your car the next time you are at the petrol station.

If the same should happen to you - DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES START THE ENGINE!

Tony

Terrainthralls

Browsing some older links I came across this collection of terrain making tutorials, which although not new are still worth sharing.

Check out Terrainthralls for some fantastic creations.

Tony

(A short post - but one that I am more than happy to pass-on and browse, while looking for inspiration - some fantastic tutorials.)

The West Midlands Military Show 2013 - Alumwell

The West Midlands Military Show (WMMS) will be held at the Aldersley Leisure Village, Aldersley Road, Wolverhampton WV6 9NW on Sunday 10th of March 2013 - which is just one month away.

This is my local gaming show and I regularly visit, spending time catching up with friends and gamers from all around the Midlands. The show, which is celebrating it's 36th anniversary has been a regular pull for most of the time I have lived in Worcester. For full details go to this link.

Last year as well as meeting up with so many friendly faces, I was accompanied by my Wife, Sue who also spent time walking around the show with me.

Due to other, more pressing bookings, I will not be attending SALUTE 2013, and Alumwell will be my main 2013 show. I look forward to meeting up with Bloggers and Gamers at the show.

Drop me a short note if you are planning on attending.

Tony

Flash Gordon in a Power Suit - part two

Progress is painfully slow as the cold weather curtails visits to the shed-at-the-bottom-of-the-garden. 

Photo One - To the left is the unidentified robot, standing about 42mm from sole of the feet to top of shoulders. It did have a rivet-shaped head, but I cut this off and then lost the images!

On the right is a Sky Elf from Wargames Foundry - part of their Elf Revenant range - REV 400 Aurelion in Silence Stronger. I have a couple of these metal castings as I bought them at a wargame show some years ago with the intention to model some additional Hawkmen. The figures wings have already been used on this project.

Details of the original miniature can be found here.

Photo Two - The Sky Elf head has been removed then pinned and glued to the robot body. I have also pinned and glued the armoured left arm in place. Looking for all the world like a Marine from Space? I think the conversion is working well so far.

My next task is to mount the figure on a 40mm roll-topped plastic base and build up the groundwork.

More to follow.

Tony

IPMS Scale Model World 2012 part six

Another load of images, this time Armour.

I have started with this cut-away Saladin Armoured Car, a model that has featured in the modelling press before, but what a fantastic model. 

For Les, if you are reading this -  sit back and enjoy, then start planning for 2013.

Tony