Taurox Update

Well, just a quick update today.  I am swamped with casting for Mad Robot so all I can do right now is share what I recently received in the mail...

It's the new 6-wheel conversion kit for the Taurox.  It is made and sold by Blood and Skulls Industry and it looks perfect for what I want to do with it.

My plan is to do 2 Tauroxes; the first will be a standard size "gun-truck", opened topped, using Ork Trukk Wheels instead of the treads.  Those wheels give a very custom look to the vehicle and I think they look cool.  I will be using a set of my upcoming Predator Personalities heads for the crew on this one.

The second Taurox will feature the 6-wheel conversion kit, shown above, and will also involve extending the back of the vehicle to hang over the rear wheel.  This version will also be open topped and will serve to be more of a standard troop transport.


Well, that's it for now.  More progress and pics in the next weeks, once I get out from under all this casting work.


The war goes on,
Hessler

Mecha Front - A Game of Robots

Throwing a shout-out to my friend Jon Paulson and his new game...Mecha Front.  Do you like massive robots blasting away at each other across a war-torn battlefield?  Then Mecha Front is for you!  I did some play testing and it is awesome.

Check it out HERE!

Born Again...

Hello, true believers.  I have climbed out of my pine box, broken through the topsoil, and clawed my way back to return to the blogosphere, a man with a mission.

Please excuse my 2 year absence, I've been busy running a minis company called Mad Robot Miniatures.  If you haven't checked it out...you should. 

With the new 40K IG codex releasing...and failing...I have rekindled the hobby flames and have started, in earnest, to jump back in with both feet.  I will be getting back to where I left off, doing conversions and one-offs and such.

Just spent a lovely evening putting together one of the new DaNamian Jungle Fighters kits by Mad Robot.  These will be releasing in about 3 weeks or so.

A small way of jumping back in but, worry not, I have 2 boxes of Scions and a Tauros that are just begging to be ripped apart and improved upon.

I hope you'll come back next time and rejoin me on this journey.


The war goes on,
Hessler

Merc Update 6/18

Right, so I've sorted out a new camera, which gives me a chance to show of my latest purchase...

They're the British Commandos from Warlord Games.  I'd seen these figures when they released and I instantly thought "old school Stormtroopers".  After taking a closer look at these, I think I may have found a new source for bits and upgrades!  Fitst off, the size matched up quite nicely with 40k, more with ForgeWorld than the Cadian plastics.  Here's a compasrison:

I also was happy that some FW Elysian bits I have, went on great with the body.

The glorious discovery of this kit is the options it offers to hobbyists.  All the heads are separate from the berets, but there are also camo'd Para helmets and a more standard "Dougboy" helmet.  With all the sprues that come in one box you'd have enough helmets/berets for multiple squads.

Also included on each sprue are loads of kit...especially these awesome backpacks!

The weapons that are included don't match up well at all, I wasn't that surprised given the well known proportional differences of various 28mm companies.

So, I think I've found a good source of alternative figures to start my Merc Force.  I may try my hand at some additional green-stuff sculpting to Sci-Fi them up a bit.

I hope to have some faster updates as these start to come together.  I am still toying with using Elysian heads on these...I'll save those thoughts for my next update.


The war goes on,
Hessler

28mm Greatcoats from Mad Robot Miniatures

Just wanted to announce that Mad Robot Miniatures is now taking pre-orders on it's first 28mm offering...The Sadoukadi Greatcoats!

That's right, I was unable to come up with a better name so I stuck with it.  The figures are super detailed and cast in white metal.  As soon as I get some masters in hand I'll get them assembled and painted.  Should be next week, hopefully.

Be sure to check out all the details HERE.

The war goes on,

Hessler

Mechanized Mercs

I've decided to go with the orange/white color combo for my mercenary force.  Here's a reminder of the color scheme...

I got frustrated as I contemplated doing a size-able force of FW Elysian models.  Why?  Because a great deal of the poses look rather silly, to be honest.  Before going that route, I decided to try a pack of the new Corporation Rangers from Mantic.  Although I wasn't greatly impressed by the previews I saw, I decided to give them a chance.

I shouldn't have bothered...the models are awkwardly posed, very strange.  The legs are too long for the body and the head is too squat.  What follows is a comparison pic, low quality because of my phone.  The old camera gave out so it's the phone for now.

From the left:  Mantic, Altered-Mantic, Mantic, DKoK, Cadian

Funny enough, the issues with the Mantic Corp. Rangers were eased with the addition of an Elysian Head and arms.  In my opinion, it totally changed the feel of the model and made it worth my attention.  Here is a side comparison to illustrate some of the Mantic shortcomings.

Another negative for me is the general soft details, especially compared to the FW Elysian.  I suppose I should expect there to be that kind of difference, I just hoped they would work out better.

So...I guess it's time to re-consider my rejection of the Elysian models, maybe I'll try toying with some Cadians.

Anyways, thanks for reading.  Feel free to offer up any experiences you've had with these Mantic figures.  I'm anxious to see what others think of them.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Elysian HQ part 2

I've moved on to my 2nd paint scheme, meant to fall somewhere between Star Wars and Mass Effect.  Starting from the White base, I took Citadel Fortress Grey and diluted heavily with Vallejo Glaze Medium.  I gave the figure a good once over and after drying, it served well to shadow the white without darkening in too much.

Armor was based with Citadel Solaris Orange and followed up with a watered down coat of Foundry Orange(B).  The Visor was given watered down layers of Foundry Vivid Blue(A) and Sky Blue(B).  Boots and belts got a few watery coats of Citadel Chardon Granite and a wash of Badab Black.

Next, hoses and a few details were painted with Citadel Boltgun Metal and given a wash of Badab Black.

All in all, I'm happy how this turned out.  It was an idea I've had brewing in my head for a while and I think it translated well into reality.  There are some more opportunities for some washing or shading but I think it stands as completed for now.

I've also been considering a grav sled of some kind, something that gives a quick drop ability on the battlefield, similar to the way that US Navy SEAL use their small boats.  I'm thinking I will borrow from the design and concept in the Star Wars universe.  In particular, the skiff that is seen circling around Jabba the Hut's Barge in Return Of The Jedi.

Any thoughts on this direction?

The war goes on,
Hessler

Drop Troops HQ

Switching gears from DKoK, I got caught up in my Elysian minis and went with them over the weekend.  I've decided to use these as the base of a small, mobile mercenary company that will utilize grav vehicles and involve some scratch building.

So, I've decided to start some test color schemes on my Elysian HQ to see which fits in best to my theme.  I started by prepping the main figures and priming them, followed by a basic flesh coat of Reaper Tanned Flesh:

Using a Cadian torso, I was able to squeeze a 6th figure into the mix and I began blocking in the colors of my first test scheme:

Anticipating some washes, I went with a Vallejo Pale Sand on the uniform and Vallejo Military Green on the armor.  My "go to" paint for boots and belts is usually Wargames Foundry Deep Leather and that's what I went with here.

I applied a wash of Citadel Black to the boots and armor and, wanting something warmer than straight brown, washed the uniform with Citadel Sepia. I also blocked in the visor with Citadel Foundation Orange.

Overall, I'm rather pleased with the way it's looking.  A bit generic perhaps but it stands as one of my color possibilities, nevertheless.

On to the next and I think I'll start working on a design for a grav skimmer/APC.  As always, comments and criticisms are welcomed.

The war goes on,

Hessler

DKoK Resurrection

Long time, no post...busy times, they are.  After toying with the first color choice for my DKoK command squad, I've found a better idea, courtesy of Imperial Armour Volume Five - The Siege of Vraks.  Here's what I've decided to go with:

I'll interpret that color to be a dark blue and I'll choose a light olive green for the kit instead of the tan that is shown.  Here's a Grenadier from the same regiment:

Stay tuned for some more regular updates.  I'll also be doing some tag team painting on my Elysians as well. 

Here's a pic I found in my quest for interesting DKoK color schemes.  I do believe this is a pre-Forgeworld example a Krieg trooper, taken from the Codex: Armageddon..  Ahh...simpler times.

Anyways, thanks for checking this out.  I'll be getting into painting again now that things have stopped being so crazy over at Mad Robot Miniatures.



The war goes on,
Hessler

Cool Idea for Basing

Here's a video from Anvil Industries that is worth checking out.  I think he may have something here...

DKoK Update 11/06

After a few weeks of procrastinating and trial and error, I finally finished a full test Krieg Guardsman from the HQ Squad.  I've decided to try and avoid using black on any figure I paint from now on, instead relying on various darker shades of grey and charcoal.  Just a personal choice but I find black to be unmanageable.  Once it's there, there's not much you can do to it or with it.

Here's a pic...

The picture's a little shadow heavy but I'll post better shots once the squad is complete.

As usual, C&C are welcomed.

The war goes on,
Hessler

New Projects

Man, after being away for too long, I have finally come to a point where I can start doing some hobby projects again.  Here's some pics of what arrived in the mail this afternoon:

I finally took the plunge and ordered a command set from both Death Korps of Krieg and the Elysian Drop Troops.  Here's a breakdown of what was in each kit:

While I can't promise I'll be building entire armies of these guys, I thought it was an appropriate way to get back into the hobby I have missed for so long.  Next step will be assembly and deciding on paint schemes.  I also plan to post some definitive comparison photos between the various IG lines I have.


In my absence I became fascinated with 15mm sci fi figures.  I purchased some recently from Ground Zero Games and here is a quick pic of what I've accomplished so far.  More on that to come in the future.

Anyways, great to be back and hopefully some folks will still tune in and tell me  what they think.  I look forward to hearing from you.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Check This Out

Hello, fellow bloggers, gamers and hobbyists.  It's been a while since I posted something and that is a damn shame.  But things are in a state of flux right now and I have to keep most of my life packed up in boxes for the foreseeable future.

In my absence, I have become intimately involved with Mad Robot Miniatures and I have jumped on board with their efforts to release some kick-ass resin miniatures.  The process has been consuming, to say the least.

I would like to point out 2 nice places to visit if your are interested in resin miniatures, molding, and casting.  Number 1 would be Mad Robot Miniatures, we are almost finished with design work on our Greatcoats and you can follow our progress there.

Number 2 is a great forum called Resin Addict.  This is a cool gathering place for people interested in discussing and learning more about making molds and resin casts.  They welcome all skill levels.  It serves as a great source of information if you have any questions and the members are knowledgable and very friendly.

Anyways, thanks for reading this and I hope the summer provides hours of blood and mayhem!

The wars goes on,
Hessler

Mad Robot Miniatures

I've been asked by my friend over at Mad Robot Miniatures to make a shameless plug since FTW is no longer accepting new members.  These guys are just getting their feet wet in the community and they are anxious to do some good things.

Their primary focus will be custom bits for 28-30mm sci-fi miniatures.  They are also planning their own line of miniatures in the same scale.  They are open to feedback from anyone who is interested.  They will not be throwing a sales pitch anytime soon, this is NOT an advertisement.  Right now they just want to know what people think.

That's about it...please check them out and see if your interested.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Grey Knights Incoming

Sometimes a man just can't help himself.  Feel the...uncontrollable...urge...to kill...daemons...

Can You Sculpt?

Without giving too much away, I am putting out a call to any sculptors who might be interested in working on some 28mm "heroic" scale projects.  Here's what I would need from you to start with...

• Clear, viewable examples of your work
• A willingness to be part of a long-term endeavor
• Flexibility to work with & interpret directions from "non-sculptors"

People in the U.S. are better suited to this but, at this point, it's not required.

If you are interested, please respond in the comments below or email me HERE.

Cheers,
Hessler

A Brief Change

So I log on today to find that my blog template has been altered and Blogger's new editor will not let me post the background image I had.  There's got to be a better way...

Pardon the changes while I figure it out.

Hessler

It's Been Too Long...

Hello friends and fellow bloggers.  It's been way too long since I have posted something but I have been focusing on other things for a few months and painting has taken the back seat.  I certainly haven't lost my passion for the hobby but my condo is going up for sale in a month or two and I have been busting my tush to get it cleaned up, straightened up and ready to show to potential buyers.  Hopefully someone will be interested...I'm not holding my breath.

I appreciate those who still check out the blog every day and I am lurking in the shadows, enjoying all the great work everyone else is doing.  I will soon be at a point where I can unpack a few Space Marines (yes, it's ALL packed up right now) and continue work on my Screaming Eagles chapter.  I also re-discovered some IG creations that I have never shared here that I will continue work on as well.

Here's a few snaps to wet the appetite...

The war goes on,
Hessler

Space Marine Update

I managed to finally finish my SM Sgt. today.  I swapped out the head with one from the Space Wolves Wolf Pack kit.  I have really started to make painting a more involved process and I am putting different highlighting and shading techniques into practice.  I'm not there 100% yet  but I am close to what I want these guys to look like.  I am still deciding if weathering will add or detract from the look of the mini.  What do you guys think?

Comments, constructive criticisms are welcomed as always.

The war goes on,
Hessler

Alas, Parting Is Such Sweet Sorrow...

In a nutshell, I am never going to put my IG on a table to play a game.  As I've said before, I am in this hobby for the hobby, not the game.  That being said, I will be putting a large part of my Imperial Guard force up for sale on Ebay in a few weeks.  I guess I'm putting this up here just to let folks know to watch for it, in case they're interested.  More info to follow.

The war goes on,

Hessler