Here are a few more videos from my little outing to Bovington's Tankfest 2012, once again sorry about the quality of the camera work, much room for improvement (and a tripod...).
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Monday, 30 July 2012
New Website - Bartertown UK
This is definately one for UK readers, an old friend of the blog has just opened up Bartertown UK.
I'm sure alot of you will be familiar with Bartertown, a web forum where hobbyiests can sell and trade their spare models and bits. The downside with the forum from the perspective of someone from the UK is much of the trade and framework takes place stateside, so involving higher shipping costs and that slight element of risk on trading overseas. Bartertown UK has been set up to provide another option in agreement with the owners of Bartertown itself, encourgaing users to post on both forums where appropriate.
It's early days for Bartertown UK, but dont let that put you off, its free, so what have you got to lose when compaired to the outragous expense of selling on ebay? I'm gonna get some posts up there myself shortly infact!
Go take a look!
I'm sure alot of you will be familiar with Bartertown, a web forum where hobbyiests can sell and trade their spare models and bits. The downside with the forum from the perspective of someone from the UK is much of the trade and framework takes place stateside, so involving higher shipping costs and that slight element of risk on trading overseas. Bartertown UK has been set up to provide another option in agreement with the owners of Bartertown itself, encourgaing users to post on both forums where appropriate.
It's early days for Bartertown UK, but dont let that put you off, its free, so what have you got to lose when compaired to the outragous expense of selling on ebay? I'm gonna get some posts up there myself shortly infact!
Go take a look!
http://www.bartertownuk.com
Saturday, 28 July 2012
So here's a simple question...
What non-GW paints do you use?
I'll be brutually honest why I'm interested, I've got a number of potential distributors lined up at Curious Constructs now, and I'm looking into stocking hobby supplies. Now of course there are the obvious choices to be made there, but initially I'm probably looking into stocking just one paint range alongside other stuff and want to make sure that is the one you use.
What do you get out it aside from my thanks?
Well a source for cheaper paint and hobby supplies hopefully!
I'll be brutually honest why I'm interested, I've got a number of potential distributors lined up at Curious Constructs now, and I'm looking into stocking hobby supplies. Now of course there are the obvious choices to be made there, but initially I'm probably looking into stocking just one paint range alongside other stuff and want to make sure that is the one you use.
What do you get out it aside from my thanks?
Well a source for cheaper paint and hobby supplies hopefully!
Wednesday, 4 July 2012
REVIEW - Terrain by Lucky Punk Miniatures
This post has been a long time coming, and even then its not complete, that I'll explain later!
A little while back I was sent a sample of some of the 28mm terrain produced by Lucky Punk Miniatures to have a look at, and I have to say, I love it. The range is currently reasonably small, and largely, and happily, composed largely of Rourkes Drift type defensive pieces, as well as a few other oddities which might appeal - there is more on the way, and from what I gather Lucky Punk is very open to suggestions if you've got a good idea! I'm also going to add at this stage that Chris also offers a painting service on the terrain (which might be good for you, if like me your not so focused on terrain)!
The sample I was sent included the following, all of these pictures are straight out of the box.
As you can see, all the terrain is cast in resin, as such you do get a few bubbles as you'd probably expect though I'd say that in terms of quality the pieces are as good as you'd have got from many of the old Forgeworld terrain pieces. I've not found anything which you could not either ignore completely, or which could not easily be dealt with entirely with a little sanding and/or filling. Indeed as the majority are so minor I did'nt feel the need while preparing mine to do any additional work to them.
The modelling which has gone into the terrain is excellent, there is plenty of detail, including surface textures on the sandbags / mealie bags. I'd also add that to me the look is realistic, bags and boxes have been intelligently placed within the walls giving a robust and authentic looking structure, they fold and droop in all the right places too, so the bags look full and weighty.
The next point I'm gonna address is alternatives, there is'nt as far as I'm aware a great deal of similar ready made terrain out there, urban barricades are of course relatively common, but for armies like Praetorian Imperial Guard, or for Steampunk or Colonial gaming do look a little out of place! The one alternative I am familiar with is the Rourkes Drift terrain produced by Warlord which I raved about at its point of release. Now while I dont own any of that terrain, or specifically the bits which are comparable to Lucky Punk Miniatures, having examined it quite closely at a recent convention I have to say I dont think theres anything in terms of visual appeal which really seperates them. What does seperate them is the cost. Lucky Punk terrain comes in at about a third less per barricade then the nearest Warlord Games alternative. That does'nt leave much of a contest in my book.
So then, why is this review not quite complete? Well I hit a slight snag with painting!
As I mentioned I am not honestly inclined towards painting terrain, so I look for a short cut. For these pieces I settled on a light undercoat, then basecoating them with Dheneb Stone for the Sandbags, Khemri Brown for the Crates, Adeptus Grey for the stone work. I then elected to try a product I've not used before, Army Painter Strong Tone Quick Shade - followed by a coat of Matt Varnish. As you can see this simple technique produces a quick and effective result on the terrain, this I think speaks well of the detail!
However... as you may well be aware its been a bit wet here lately and disasterously I got caught out by a shower. My other sample barricades and the emplacement have had their Strong Tone finishes ruined so I'm now stripping them before starting again... arggh! I'll update the review with the other pieces as soon as I've had a chance to sort them out, however for the meantime thats no excuse not to go and take a look at the rest of Lucky Punk Miniatures range at http://luckypunkminiatures.blogspot.com!
A little while back I was sent a sample of some of the 28mm terrain produced by Lucky Punk Miniatures to have a look at, and I have to say, I love it. The range is currently reasonably small, and largely, and happily, composed largely of Rourkes Drift type defensive pieces, as well as a few other oddities which might appeal - there is more on the way, and from what I gather Lucky Punk is very open to suggestions if you've got a good idea! I'm also going to add at this stage that Chris also offers a painting service on the terrain (which might be good for you, if like me your not so focused on terrain)!
The sample I was sent included the following, all of these pictures are straight out of the box.
 |
| Sandbag Emplacement |
 |
| Stone Krall Walling |
 |
| Sandbag & Crate Barricades |
 |
| Crate Barricades |
 |
| Sandbag / Mealie Bag Barricade |
 |
| Crates |
As you can see, all the terrain is cast in resin, as such you do get a few bubbles as you'd probably expect though I'd say that in terms of quality the pieces are as good as you'd have got from many of the old Forgeworld terrain pieces. I've not found anything which you could not either ignore completely, or which could not easily be dealt with entirely with a little sanding and/or filling. Indeed as the majority are so minor I did'nt feel the need while preparing mine to do any additional work to them.
The modelling which has gone into the terrain is excellent, there is plenty of detail, including surface textures on the sandbags / mealie bags. I'd also add that to me the look is realistic, bags and boxes have been intelligently placed within the walls giving a robust and authentic looking structure, they fold and droop in all the right places too, so the bags look full and weighty.
The next point I'm gonna address is alternatives, there is'nt as far as I'm aware a great deal of similar ready made terrain out there, urban barricades are of course relatively common, but for armies like Praetorian Imperial Guard, or for Steampunk or Colonial gaming do look a little out of place! The one alternative I am familiar with is the Rourkes Drift terrain produced by Warlord which I raved about at its point of release. Now while I dont own any of that terrain, or specifically the bits which are comparable to Lucky Punk Miniatures, having examined it quite closely at a recent convention I have to say I dont think theres anything in terms of visual appeal which really seperates them. What does seperate them is the cost. Lucky Punk terrain comes in at about a third less per barricade then the nearest Warlord Games alternative. That does'nt leave much of a contest in my book.
So then, why is this review not quite complete? Well I hit a slight snag with painting!
As I mentioned I am not honestly inclined towards painting terrain, so I look for a short cut. For these pieces I settled on a light undercoat, then basecoating them with Dheneb Stone for the Sandbags, Khemri Brown for the Crates, Adeptus Grey for the stone work. I then elected to try a product I've not used before, Army Painter Strong Tone Quick Shade - followed by a coat of Matt Varnish. As you can see this simple technique produces a quick and effective result on the terrain, this I think speaks well of the detail!
However... as you may well be aware its been a bit wet here lately and disasterously I got caught out by a shower. My other sample barricades and the emplacement have had their Strong Tone finishes ruined so I'm now stripping them before starting again... arggh! I'll update the review with the other pieces as soon as I've had a chance to sort them out, however for the meantime thats no excuse not to go and take a look at the rest of Lucky Punk Miniatures range at http://luckypunkminiatures.blogspot.com!
Monday, 2 July 2012
Bovington Tankfest 2012 Part 1 - Mark IV & Churchill
My lovely wife sent me and two friends to Bovington Tank Museums Tankfest 2012 over the past weekend, as a belated birthday present. The weather was excellent as it turned out, indeed I've gone a little lobster like, but I shot a fair bit of film. I'm not the most gifted camera man, and lacked a tripod (damn), but thought I'd share what I did film. I think I'll try an go again next year and maybe borrow a better video camera and tripod from work!
6th Edition? Who needs 6th Edition when you've got tanks?
First up, the replica WW1 Mark IV Tank, built for the film Warhorse and now held by the museum, and one of my personal favourites, the Churchill.
6th Edition? Who needs 6th Edition when you've got tanks?
First up, the replica WW1 Mark IV Tank, built for the film Warhorse and now held by the museum, and one of my personal favourites, the Churchill.
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