Making 15mm Armatures

Okay I am getting better at this and each time I learn a new trick. I have tried different ways to make armatures for my 15mm stuff. I found a new way to make them that is easy and quick. I learned about it on another Blog. However I'll be darn if I can remember Who it was or where it was to give them the credit. The creeping hazards of getting older.

I'm using 24 gage wire.

My first step is to make a loop  this will be the arms of the Armature and then twist it upon it self. I have to guess as to how much I will be needed to make the arms.

Next I cut a short piece of wire and  and it will be placed into the loop of  wire. As you see here on the Left.

Using a pear of flat nose pliers I hold on to the neck of the loop and the little short wire together 

I than twist all three together using my other hand. giving it three twists. As you can see here on the Right.

You can now adjust the short wire to give your armature as to about where you want the top of the head to be. and snip off the extra wire at the bottom. I know guys that part  of this even makes me cringe almost every time.

The figure for comparison is from GZG

I then give the twisted section a bit of Super Glue so that the short wire now cannot fall out or move. here you can see I have the armature ready to go mounted on a rubber stopper with a film of Scotch Tape as to prevent putties from sticking to the stopper.

It took me only a few minute to make these and to take pictures as well. 

I took me much longer the write up this article then to make those armatures. Once you get the hang of it you can make an army of these in no time. Well these guys are ready go and ready for sculpts.

Surviving in the Cryptozoology World

 I have been bitten by the history of Cryptozoology. I have been reading about all of the strange sightings from around the world of varies unknown creatures. However I have been digging deeper into the History of Cryptozoology of the United States and of North America in general. Which gives a large range of ideas as far as gaming can go.

I have been looking for a set of rules that can work for such a gaming idea. And as luck would have it I did. I found a couple of rule systems that can work. One is "Cryptoworld". Another rule system is "Monster of the Week".

 Cryptoworld. Seems to be a nice set of simple rules. There are two books the first is the core rules. The second book has a few additional rules, with a section to allow one to make and play out being one of the Cryptids. Again they are nice and simple to play with out to much problem understanding the rules. So they are easy to get younger people to understand play.  

Monster of the Week. Also has two books of rules out as well. The first book has different character types to play. However the rules only allows one of each type of character in anyone game. There are enough characters in the first book to allow for a good size party to play. There are rules for magic and spells in the game. The second book add additional characters to the game and expanse on the rules. These rules allow you to play out such shows as Supernatural, Sanctuary, Grimm and possibly  Wearhouse 13. 

In addition there are a lot of supplements and scenarios for "Monster of the Week"  at Drivethru RPG https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?keywords=monster+of+the+week&x=0&y=0&author=&artist=&pfrom=&pto= 

The next step is finding figures for Cryptos. Finding things like Vampires, Werewolves, Mummies and few other creatures in 15mm is easy, there are a lot of options out there from many manufactures of 15mm. However things like Wendigo, Bigfoot, Skunk Ape, Woods Demon to include many others there are none to found, so one has to make their your own.

I broke out the Green Stuff and away I went. Here are some of my results with some background add to each Cryptid. (The figure comparing size to sculptures is from GZG) 

Bigfoot. A large Creature seen in many areas across North America. Many think it is an escaped ape however it has been reported to be over seven feet tall and with claims of being ten feet tall! all reports state that it was walking upright on two legs. There is a report of Miners and Loggers being trapped in their cabin by groups of these creatures. Throwing large rocks and small logs at the cabins. These events lasted a couple of days.

Skunk Ape; A Creature much like a Bigfoot only slightly smaller. Has been seen in many state in the very southeastern areas of the US. Many reports are in the state of Florida, but again there are sightings in many other areas. Some of these sighting coincide with the missing of small animals like pets and small livestock such as goats, sheep, and calves.

Ape Man; A Creature seen in a many areas across North America. many reports describe the apeman to be much small version than a Bigfoot. Standing at about six feet tall. Some of these sighting as well have coincide with the missing of small animals like pets and small livestock such as goats and sheep.

Wendigo; A Creature seen across North America. Folklore say it an evil spirit that has takes over a human that has committed to cannibalism transforming them into a hideously thin creature so ravage and thin with hunger that it has chewed it's own lips off. and because of the this hunger it will never meet it's fill. It has been reported to be the blamed for many missing deep forest and back county backpackers and campers.

Goatman; There are reports of a Goatman to be half human and half goat. Unlike the mythical character Pan. The Goatman has a goat's head and face. A better description would be the head of a goat the upper body of a man and the waist and below of a goat and rather big and tall. The Goatman has been reported in Texas, Oklahoma, Missouri and even in Maryland. The reports of the Goatman in Maryland state that he chases vehicles with an Axe! Around Beltville Maryland area.

Pukwudgie; Native Americans legends have talked about these tiny people has to playing tricks, stealing children and starting fires with a snap of the finger. They are reported to use magic. They are known to become invisible or change themselves into half porcupine half troll creatures. For the most part they look like tiny people with large noses, big ears with grey skin. As to how dangerous they can be is legends have it, that the Pukwudgie will try to lure one to their deaths, by tricking one to come into the wood in order to push them off of cliffs or by using poison arrows. All in order to capture and control ones soul!

This is a start to my idea thus far. Now do I want to play this out as in the shows like "Supernatural" or "Sanctuary"? Or maybe something on the lines of "Wearhouse 13" where all the cursed items have turned people into all of those creatures? Or just maybe a little combination of all three. Where there can be a little of all things, Witches with some magic, and cursed items that have other curses to them rather than turning folks into creatures. Saving some creatures while having to dispatch others. As that of "Grimm", good and bad creatures/people. 

My Sculpting Continues

 I am still continuing to work on my figure sculpting. I have two more figures to add to the crew and two more that I am working on. I picked up a couple more rubber stoppers, as to have four more sets of figure  armatures ready to start on the other half of this crew.

The starting crew will consist on of;

 A Captain. 

First Officer.

Two Science Members of different Science backgrounds. 

Two Medical Members one Doctor, one Medic.

Two Engineers of different Engineering backgrounds.

One Security Officer.

Two Ship's Security Members. (No Red Shirts will be issued) 😆

One Communications Member.

This is to get things going and to be able to start gaming with on the table. Of course backgrounds for each character need to be written up and stats made. But it will be a good size team to start. I may think of adding more members later.

So Here is the two newest members;

GZG Figure for Scale

Hopefully I can get around to finish their bases and painting them soon. I still need to make their ship or at lease some kind of a floor plan.

My Current Crew

Working a little at a time painting figures on and off  I came up with a small crew for gaming "Five Parsecs From Home, Salvage Crew". It's a mix bag of folks that I believe are going to do well in the game.

Game set up;

Combining two sets of rule or at lease the ideas of the two. Pinnacle Entertainment as a supplement set to rules "The Last Parsec: Jump Corp Guide to Interstellar Salvage" which can be found at https://www.drivethrurpg.com/ . The rules a subset of rules for "Last Parsec Core Rules" the supplement is about recovering massive ships adrift in deep dark space from massive battles long ago, dealing with a wide range of problems and hazard of salvaging such ships, to recovering survivors, running into killer robots already dismantling ships, to Slavers Ships, some hauling great riches some hazardous cargo.

With the rules from Nordic Weasel "Five Parsecs from Home Salvage Crew" a set of solo rules

Background Story;

The crew of the "Celestial Queen" all together.

 

The Great Galaxy War had just dwindled to an end, pretty much all sides basically ran out of rocks to throw at each other. All the boundary lines that all sides are using are the same lines that were of the Front Battle Lines.

The war was quick and massive, no one really knew what the reason for such a massive war was for. The little folks, the ones who actually did all the fighting for many of the government didn't know why, they were all just pushed into service as were any and all ships were pressed into service. Old ships pulled from old mothball fleets to salvage yards were quickly patched together just barely able to operate, refitted with some updated equipment, weapons and crew, rushed in to battle with the off chance they would get a few punches in. This same action was done on all sides for none of the governments thought that the time and cost of constructing new ships wasn't warranted for the battles were quick and fast and ever moving, loss of ship on all side were so great that the time for newer ships was just not possible if you were going to win.

Ships in these massive battle that were to greatly damaged or a drift were left behind as those that survived moved on to the next bigger battle, no recovery or rescue ships were dispatched to retrieve such ships, for many just could not spare ships for this task for all were needed in the ever shifting front lines. Space battles moved so quickly and so far apart with each side so desperate to win that many battles generally ended up with just one or two ships limping away just trying to save themselves little alone other ships in distress. It is plausible that many crew left behind on those ships may have died from failing life support or have been adrift so long they may have died from starvation, other ships may have drift into the gravitational pull of a planet or sun maybe even an asteroid and were destroyed on impact. Some in the battle areas may have drifted into each other causing further damage coming to their demised as metal on metal crushed upon each other, there could be ships out there working together pulling their resources just to survive making one large drifting habitat.

The new sectors and boundaries are setting up their governments many are launching their own search and rescue efforts for any and all ships, outposts and other facilities from all sides and to salvage as much of a those resources that they can of what is left, for resources are very very low, if none at all in some areas. Many civilian centers that would process or manufacture products of all kinds were destroyed or severely damaged. Special Offices are set up to sift through all the military orders to find official orders for ships and facilities to locate their last whereabouts. Not only were there ships sitting out there but there are other facilities out there as well observation outpost, communication  stations, supply depots to include medical stations as well, many at this point may be in dire straights at this time if not disfunctional, serverely damaged or destroyed. To add to the problem these facilities could be anywhere on asteroid, moons, planets of all kinds to even being their own station floating out there somewhere.

These ships, these SRSS (Search Rescue Salvage Ships) are set up roughly to render little medical aid and quarters if needed and to salvage as much of the ship as possible, if they can tow it back to their spaceport they will. If they can't tow it then they will leave a marking buoy to find it later on there return to salvage more of the ship till they can tow the rest home.

Now this may sound all fine and well, but with each ship or derelict encountered are new hazards such as crews still able to fight with their last and final punch maintaining the idea that they will be boarded and destroyed. Depending as to where ships are found such as planets or asteroids others could as well find new unknown creatures that has taken up residence in their new found homes. many other hazards could be engine sitting at a critical stage like a floating bomb from the crew last ditch effort to strike back, even weapons and booby traps could be laying about always standing sentry, may even be another salvage crew working it for the same government or another that are very much not willing to share in their spoils. Pirates and mercenaries as well working for anyone that willing to pay the right price. 

This is the one such ship the "Celestial Queen" and her crew, out of the many out there doing what they can to recover anyone, everyone and everything. They are working out from a small space port and mining facility called "Styler's Point" on a very large planet named "Saharamanji".   

Armed Civilians Review

This is going to be my first real write up about figures and hopefully real useful information for those of interest, so bare with me.

Armed Civilians from Old Glory UK http://www.oldgloryuk.com/ under the 15mm modern range.

Photo from Old Glory UK

Okay so I inquired around about these guys and no one seemed to be able to give me much on any details about them, so I ordered a set to see how they are for myself. I thought that they would become very useful in many gaming areas.

Cost; 11 British Pounds,  about $24 in US Dollars in all which included the shipping cost, for fifty figures (50), a nice deal there.

Shipping; Ten days from order to delivery, from the UK to the Midwest of the US. Nice and fast

Poses; Ten different poses, and it is a mix in the numbers of each that you may receive,

• five (5) poses with AKs,
• one (1) pose with rifle with sight,
• one (1) pose with LMG,
• one (1) pose with RPG,
• one (1) pose with shoulder fire ground to air missile launcher
• one (1) pose throwing Molotov Cocktail

Molding; Very little to no flash at all some lite molding lines but very easy to clean up, bottom of the bases may need some lite filing or sanding. The details are nice as well just hard to see in the photos

Comparison to other figures.

OG UK,   Splinter Light,   OG UK,   GZG,   OG UK



Game uses;
Post Apocalyptic Survivors/Gangs
Zombie Survivors
Insurgents
Street Gangs
Modern Pirates
Militias (from most anywhere around the world)

Future plans; Some head swaps and weapon swaps for a greater look in diversity. Will be getting heads for swapping out from Peter Pig http://www.peterpig.co.uk/ under Heads and Odds and weapons from MJ Miniatures http://mjfigures.co.uk/ in the 15mm range accessories. Green Stuff for adding pouches, nap sacks, bandoleers and bed rolls. These will be a later post so keep watching for them. .

Finial Note; I am very pleased with them and can't wait to get around to them and get them into the games
I would recommend them for anyone interested in gaming in the areas I have mentioned above.

I hope anyone interested in them will find my findings helpful

Traveller's Nobles Ideas in 15mm Figures

Playing Nobles characters in Traveller can be great fun, but finding that right figure for the character can be hard to do. I would like for you to check out two different sites that I feel may have the answers to your need.

First up is The Ion Age site at http://www.theionage.com/  they have a range of figures the Prydain Army range many of the figures have helmets comparable to the old school Imperial Marines, a few have capes on which have a nice feel as a noble in battle armor, which would be great for those feudal battles between noble houses. It's just a couple pictures of what they have there, they have both male and female figures. I highly recommend them the detail on them is really great for their size. (picture courtesy of The Ion Age)

Up next is 15mm.co.uk site at http://www.15mm.co.uk/index.html here again they have in their Laserburn range, yet here again I feel the ones in capes would make great nobles, just a little more casual dress for cruising on ship or adventures they have both male and female figures the detail is nice and the range is large and the have a vehicle that sits well as an air raft. Just a few pictures of what they have. (pictures courtesy of 15mm.co.uk)

So there you go, this my opinion as to figures for use as Nobles for your Traveller gaming, so again check out both of these great sites

New Miniature Arrivals

RAFM recently had a 35% off sale and I, like may others got in on this sale. Of course I jumped all over the 15mm Sci-fi range, I  just got them a few days ago. I feel shipping was rather quick due to the size of my order and the nature of the sale.

So here's what I received (all images are from RAFM's site)

War Hounds of Sirius

Car Leonis Warriors

Dracos Warriors





Space Vixens

Space Pirates



Guerillas

Space Crew

Support Staff

Insolani Squad

Now I did order more the just one of  some and just one of others. After some time of looking at them closely I really like the style and see that I have to do very little clean up before painting, I know I'm going to enjoy them very much, and I would recommend them for others as well, I can't wait for things to start slowing down as work goes, so that I can get right down to painting them.... and get around to gaming with them!

If your a Traveller fan and need or want miniatures for your Traveller world then RAFM is the site to go to. http://www.rafm.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=SFNT&Store_Code=RAF

"Mail Call"

Guess what came in the mail today!

That's right my Mega Minis "Small War-bots" from Mega Minis http://freeboardgamesnow.com/ they look great (some assembly required) and my plans are slowly moving forward, I believe I will use these as heavy combat robots for 15mm "Heavy Combat Support Battle Buddy" they will carry the bigger weapons systems the real "Door Knockers" so to speak. Now I have to come up with a paint scheme and a means of adding weapons too them.