Wednesday 27 August 2014

"...A Darned Fine Judge"

This 28mm metal model of Judge Giant (Senior) was sculpted as part of the October 2012 "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" kickstarter by “Mongoose Games” and can be purchased as code JD20007 from "Warlord Games".
 
Based upon the original Judge Giant who first appeared in the comic “2000 A.D.” in 1977 and then later died in the 1981 adventure “Block Mania”, this model has unfortunately spent the past couple of months languishing on one of my shelves, waiting to be properly based. As opposed to some of the other Judge miniatures I’ve painted from this range, this figure was relatively simple to finish. The only real issue being the sculpting of his helmet’s red trim, which seemed to almost disappear around the back of Giant’s head, and thus took a few attempts to ‘nail’ using “Vallejo” Heavy Red.

Recently inspired by yet another re-watching of the 1998 film “The Mask of Zorro”, I’ve picked up this masked bandit model from “Boot Hill Miniatures”, along with a Mexican Sergeant and Captain. I have some mounted versions of the same figures waiting in the wings as well, but for now I hope to just paint up a small collection of foot figures for some skirmish games.

Monday 4 August 2014

WW1 Egyptian Expeditionary Force - WIP - Part One

I’ve been considering a foray into World War One wargaming for some time, and recently have had this particular itch further irritated by both “Battlefront Miniatures” announcement of doing “The Great War” for “Flames Of War” in 15mm, and the numerous programmes dominating the television currently in celebration(?) of the centenary of the war’s start.
A recent excursion to the Bovington Wargames Show finally settled the matter as I found myself so thoroughly inspired by the impressive “Trench Experience” and the “Warhorse To Horsepower” display that upon impulse I bought the “Osprey Publishing” Campaign book “Megiddo 1918 – The last great cavalry victory”.

Having consumed Bryan Perrett's text and Ed Dovey's illustrations I have ordered a sizable number of 10mm miniatures from “Pendraken Miniatures” Middle East Range. The first of these models are from code ME1 Imperial Infantry and will hopefully be painted up as part of my Egyptian Expeditionary Force.

Somewhat disconcertingly I have found a number of contradictory sources as to the colour of the main British uniform fighting in Gaza at this time, but having been inspired by the painting scheme used by “King And Country” on their toy soldiers, have gone for “Vallejo” Stone Grey helmets and shorts with Heavy Grey shirts and stockings. As a result I’ve simply undercoated these test models with Stone Grey, washed them with “Citadel” Devlan Mud, and then given the soldiers a drybrush with more “Vallejo” Stone grey in order to bring out the detail.

Sticking with the theme of 10mm “Pendraken Miniatures” I’ve finally started progressing these three T70b Russian Light Tanks models from the Middlesbrough based manufacturer's Code SV16. Having finished washing and drybrushing the armour, I’ve just got to pick out the metal tank tracks, apply some decals and base them.

In addition I have finally finished painting my “Mongoose Publishing” Judge Giant 28mm model from my "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game" Kickstarter pledge.