Botch B | 31 Dec 2016 6:16 a.m. PST |
This is the name of our group SF campaign, for which I am doing some 54mm figures… and here are my first two 'squads', both from the Star Wars genre. They are Bounty Hunters, a mix of repaints of metal and plastic and some more serious conversion.
The second team are Death Troopers fro Rogue One, which I have recently seen and really enjoyed. These are repaints of Hasbro plastic Storm Troopers, with extra bits and new weapons.
A good source of SF weapons, some specifically Star wars and others more generic, is FirestarToys.com. Lots more photos of the figures on Photobucket at link and link |
cloudcaptain | 31 Dec 2016 8:07 p.m. PST |
Nice work! I am tinkering with something similar. Will keep an eye on your blog. Here in the States I get guns here: toywiz.com/brickarms They are frequently on clearance. 40k bits are handy too naturally…being so oversized. |
Botch B | 02 Jan 2017 10:47 a.m. PST |
Cloudcaptain, thanks. So you are doing it in 54mm? Excellent.Yes, I can get Brickarms over here through Firestar. And yes 40K weapons, especially off of vehicles too – and I managed to pick up a few Inquisitor 54mm bits on eBay now and again too. Next up will be some Rebel Alliance Marines and Commandos form the Hasbro Unleashed range – all quite old now and all becoming more and more difficult to find – I always seem to latch on to an idea too late! Would like to hear how you get on. |
cloudcaptain | 03 Jan 2017 9:06 p.m. PST |
Yeah the Imperial Marines were a bit hard to find when the Unleashed range was active. You might be able to repaint Snowtroopers and swap out for a DC15 rifle. Come to think of it the Snow Troopers weren't common around here either. |
Botch B | 04 Jan 2017 12:40 a.m. PST |
What do you use for the DC-15 – do Brickarms actually do one? I must check their listing. I am converting and repainting (and adding Blaster Carbines) to a squad of Alliance Marines 'as they are' in terms of uniforms, and converting the same figures into Commandos, which is primarily a head swap and new weapons. Most of the rest of the figures, as they are distinctive and nicely posed (ie Jedi and named characters) will just be repaints; sometimes just a wash and sometimes a complete new paint job. Can't find a Princess Leia in he slave girl costume though! May have to make one from scratch (not much greenstuff there ;-) ) |
Botch B | 14 Jan 2017 7:59 a.m. PST |
Here is the next batch – extensively converted Hasbro Alliance marines into Commandos. link
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Mako11 | 17 Jan 2017 4:50 a.m. PST |
Those look really great. Do you pin the conversions, and what glue do you use for that? X-Acto razor saw, or just a sharp blade for cutting? Any hints on terrain you are using for the larger figs, and where to get that, or what you are making it from? What combat rules, and/or story-telling/scenario generator are you using for your campaign? Apologies for all the questions, but I've got some of these, and am interested in putting them to use as well. May need to try to make/acquire some suitable spaceships, or ships' boats for the troops to fight around, or over. I think I've got a Boba Fett ship that just might work for these. Perhaps a bit large – made for the 3.75" figs, IIRC, but will probably work just fine as a slightly larger ship for carrying a few crew, and some cargo. |
Mako11 | 17 Jan 2017 6:43 a.m. PST |
Just measured it, and looked the size up on Wookipedia. It's supposed to be about 70 feet long, and just slightly less in width. Turns out the 3.75" Slave I is actually only about half the size it really should be, for the official Star Wars universe, but since the rear ramp height door and overhang ranges from 3" – 4" in height, I think it will work just fine for the 54mm figs. The cockpit looks like it'll fit nicely inside as well. Might have to see if I can fit Boba inside, and perhaps had a bit of interior lighting to better show him off, for takeoffs and flight. The 3.75" model works even better for the smaller, 32mm Clix figs, so I can get double the bang for the buck out of the one I've got on hand. Win-Win! |
Botch B | 17 Jan 2017 11:23 a.m. PST |
Mako 11 – I always pin conversions, and super-glue, usually with an accelerator. Stanley knife – sawing if really hard plastic or metal, but also a disc on a Dremel. I have 3 of the BF 3.75 inch ships which I paln using too – and I go for that scale mostly for 54mm because it is usually much closer to 'right'. Have to go out for a meal so will finish responding later or tomorrow. Thanks for the interest and kind words. |
Botch B | 17 Jan 2017 11:23 a.m. PST |
Mako 11 – I always pin conversions, and super-glue, usually with an accelerator. Stanley knife – sawing if really hard plastic or metal, but also a disc on a Dremel. I have 3 of the BF 3.75 inch ships which I paln using too – and I go for that scale mostly for 54mm because it is usually much closer to 'right'. Have to go out for a meal so will finish responding later or tomorrow. Thanks for the interest and kind words. |
Botch B | 17 Jan 2017 1:16 p.m. PST |
Tried to delete 2nd copy but it wont let me. Rules- our own TODD-STAR (Tales of Derring-Do-Space -Terrors, Aliens & Robots). The campaign will be Narrative Driven – stories and episodes building on previous as we play games and people want to try things. Don't apologise about questions – we love them! |
Mako11 | 17 Jan 2017 6:57 p.m. PST |
Thanks for the info. I appreciate it. I've been thinking about using Mythic's Game Master Emulator for setting up games, along with some home-brew, canned scenarios and forces lists, and/or combining that with Traveller, or some other, free, skirmish rules, like FUBAR, etc.. What do you use for buildings, and/or other structures? Trees, hills, etc., seem pretty easy, but in this scale, I suspect structures can get pretty large, and take up quite a bit of space, if you have more than a couple of those. I've been thinking about various Styrofoam pieces, and/or empty containers as a possible bases for buildings and structures. |
Botch B | 18 Jan 2017 6:04 a.m. PST |
Glad to help. Terrain is a challenge in either of the bigger scales, but even more so in 1/18th, as we have found to our cost in the past. We scratch build from playsets (eg GI Joe, Ninja Turtles etc) and use Styrofoam pieces – anything we could get our hands on. Play people is another good source of buildings etc. 1/32nd is easier, but still a challenge and the same approaches are needed. Here you have Fireman Sam, Postman Pat stuff too. I'm not sure which scale you are contemplating? – both feature in my Photobucket albums, and I usually say which scale the figures are. I have corrected an error there, and the right location for the Star Wars Reel Alliance Commandos conversions is now link Just posted an update on some new conversions on my Blog lifes-a-botch.blogspot.co.uk
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Gone Fishing | 18 Jan 2017 7:29 a.m. PST |
My, but he's a handsome fellow! Come to think of it, he reminds me of somebody… (Superb work!) Daryl |
Botch B | 22 Jan 2017 6:40 a.m. PST |
Some Aliens for the campaign on my Blog athttp://lifes-a-botch.blogspot.co.uk/2017/01/kraken-on-sorry-more-sci-fi-campaign.html
WIP and finished figures in my Sci-Fi Album on Photobucket at link |
billthecat | 08 Feb 2017 10:34 p.m. PST |
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Botch B | 22 Feb 2017 7:09 a.m. PST |
Had our first game! My fearsome Zaurians were USELESS! No, wrong, worse than useless!!! Played two games with them and they were slaughtered in the first and ineffective in the second. There will be no photos! Seriously, there will…after all the other factions deserve some exposure, as they all did so well. |
Botch B | 07 Jun 2017 1:23 a.m. PST |
Well, having calmed down I decided the answer was in fact – MORE Zaurins! Make more, arm them better, take them on the rampage! Photos of 2nd Wave WIP at link -------------------------------------------------------- Into the Kraken Nebula To: United Planets High Command From: UPKrakNebMonFor Command Subject: UPKrakNebMonFor Briefing Document KN-UR-2016-09-19-003 ZAURIAN Vanguard Peace Force ‘Cobra' Overview At tremendous cost in human life, a copy of a Top Secret Zaurian TOE document has been obtained and is appended at Annex A. It outlines the units of what appears to be intended as a stronger exploratory force into the Kraken Nebula by the Zaurian High Command. This is clearly not intended as a second invasion force, rather a reconnaissance in strength, strong enough not to be rebuffed as easily as that sent recently to rescue their POW Grand Gul. Its real purpose is not clear, but knowledge of its makeup allows us to be prepared for its arrival. Details of the weaponry is being actively sought. Code names have been given to various items of equipment to differentiate them as the Zaurian names are untranslatable. Some information may well prove to be incorrect and corrections and amendments will be issued as updates are received. Signed: Commodore P Owens; For Admiral UPKrakNebMonFor Annexe A: ZAURIAN Vanguard Peace Force ‘Cobra' 1. HQ 1.1.1. COMMANDER – Grand Gul Tarkon 1.1.1.1. in XV8 Monitor Enforcer Battlesuit 1.1.1.2. In parade uniform 1.1.2. BODYGUARD 2 x XV8 Monitor Battlesuits 1.1.3. HIGH PRIESTESS/MAGE (on Grav-Disc) 1.1.4. PRIESTESS'S HONOUR GUARD 2 x Priestesses (on Grav-Discs) 2. TROOPS
2.1. 1st IGUANA RANGER SQUAD (Anti-Grav-Disks) 1 x Iguana Ranger Squad Leader 5 x Iguana Rangers 1 x Iguana Ranger Sniper/Marksman 2.2. 2nd IGUANA RANGER SQUAD (Anti-Grav-Disks) 1 x Iguana Ranger Squad Leader 5 x Iguana Rangers 1 x Iguana Ranger Sniper/Marksman 2.3 KOMODO WARRIOR SQUAD ASP 1 x Squad Leader 6 x Fire Warriors 1 x Heavy Weapon Fire Warrior (Plasma Cannon) 2.4 KOMODO WARRIOR SQUAD BOA 1 x Squad leader 6 x Fire Warriors 1 x Heavy Weapon Fire Warrior (Heavy Flamer) 3. ELITE 3.1. DRAKO WARRIOR JUMP SQUAD 1 X Drako Squad Leader XV25 Battlesuit 5 x Drako Warriors XV14 Battlesuits 2 x Heavy Weapon Drako Warriors XV14A Battlesuits 4. SUPPORT & TRANSPORT 4.1. 2 x KRAIT Light Support Skimmers (LSS) Transport/Support for 2.1 4.2. 2 x CAIMAN APCs Transport for 2.2 & 2.3 4.3. 1 x XANIDER Stealth Sentinel Drone Squad Operated by 2.1, numbers and types dependent on mission 4.4. 1 x MAMBA Heavy Attack Drone Under HQ control -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- [1] This is the Zaurian High Command's designation! [URL=http://s654.photobucket.com/user/MikeBlake/media/Sci%20Fi/Zaurian%20%202%20Conversions/zaurian%20commander%20and%20guard%20battlesuits%20wip%202_zpsxkbjgiaw.jpg.html]
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billthecat | 15 Jun 2017 12:55 p.m. PST |
Very inspiring. Thanks for sharing. |
Botch B | 16 Jun 2017 6:26 a.m. PST |
Thanks billthecat, Have the originals Zaurians back now, so I can do some comparison paint schemes on the 2nd Wave… |