Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Westfalia Chris on December 11, 2010, 08:09:33 PM
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Hi all,
inspired by the, well, inspiring work AndyM did on his fish-shaped submarines for his Captain Nemo project (check here (http://) and here (http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=23236.0) if you haven't seen them yet), I decided I "needed" a break from those bloody assignments (read, waste two hours I should really use for more important work) and build a little fish sub for myself.
It combines some design elements from the Atlantean submersible from the 1960 movie "Atlantis, Continent of the Lost" and the Terrorfish from Stingray. Still work in progress, and I hope to paint it tomorrow.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_1.jpg)
A close-up of the stabiliser and bulleye mount (onto which I will mount either clear or translucent green plastic lenses), port side:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_2.jpg)
And the orichalcum-powered waterjet drive (port nozzles):
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_3.jpg)
A bit hard to see, but the reinforcement rods on the tail segments all have little rivets embossed on them, for which I used a tracing wheel I got at my local Hobbycraft. Nifty little tool, even if it requires quite some care to stop it slipping off the guiding steel ruler.
As for the paint scheme, I want to go for brass overall, with verdigris weathering - not overall, but in the nooks and crannies and around the larger rivets.
I'm also thinking of doing some Atlanteans to go with it, although I'm unsure if I should go for the "Pseudogreek" variety (for which I would probably use GW LotR plastic elves with some weapon swaps, and maybe minor sculpting on the helmet crests), of the Fish People aspect (a bit like the Aquaphibians from Stingray) - does anybody know of decent fish people minis, preferably similar in style to the Creature From the Black Lagoon and DEFINITELY NOT the "degenerated freak", aka Deep Ones of Innsmouth, variety?
I already got the Four A Miniatures "Creature", which is marvellous, but there's only a single pose, although I am seriously considering getting a handful and re-posing the arms and legs on some. Only problem is they'd probably look a bit too feral to operate submarines.
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speechless...what a great creation!
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Bloody marvellous :-* :-* :-* :-* :-*
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Lovely stuff Chris :-* :-* :-*
Any chance of a pic with a figure for scale?
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the mad master scratch builder does it again
absolutely brilliant
dodge
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Lovely stuff Chris :-* :-* :-*
Any chance of a pic with a figure for scale?
Here you go, with a 30mm-ish denizen of the deep (not mine, part of a commission) and a Foundry Darkest Africa figure in dire need of re-painting:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_4.jpg)
Overall length is about 9 inches/23cm, hull width between 1.5 and 2 inches, about 4-5 inches (10-12cm) with the front stabilizer fins. I'll mount it on a "floating" base, any may be going to my local garden centre to get some aquarium plants for it, although I'm not quite sure if I should go for a "sunken ruins" look or "flora and fauna of the deep blue sea" look.
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Absolutely brilliant. :-*
Go with the sea bed flora and fauna. :)
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Certainly giving Andy some competition. Can't wait to see this painted. It's beautiful.
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Certainly giving Andy some competition.
It's not a competition, its a homage! Beautifully done.
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Bloody 'eck Chris ! That's brilliant :) Looking forward to the brushwork 8) 8)
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Lovely, Chris!
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i like it! fish, oh hoy!
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Bloody brillant! :o
I mentioned it on my thread, but did you check this out?
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FichtenFoo-FishSub-02.jpg (http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FichtenFoo-FishSub-02.jpg)
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Lovely Chris :)
You and Andy will be able to have a wonderful undersea game together ;)
Jules Verne would be proud.
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Brilliant! :-*
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Excellent.
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Bloody brillant! :o
I mentioned it on my thread, but did you check this out?
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FichtenFoo-FishSub-02.jpg (http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/FichtenFoo-FishSub-02.jpg)
I occasionally visit FichtenFoo's site (had it bookmarked for quite some time now), and had seen the early stages of it - not the finished one, though. It's a lovely piece, and that paddlewheel on the base is pure genius.
In breaks, I'm currently painting mine:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_5.jpg)
The basecoat is a mix of a VGC Dark Green, a little VMC Black, and VMC Foundation White, with a squirt of satin gloss varnish for extra strength. The reason that I chose green as a base is that once I finish the brass stages, any missed spots will blend in with the verdigris weathering (I hope).
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_6.jpg)
The next stage is a covering stage of a mix of VGC Hammered Copper, some VMC German Grey, and some VMC Black.
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:-*
Fantastic build. Looking really awesome!
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Looks great :-*
I love how this site acts as a constant source of inspiration for everyone who comes here. I am certainly inspired to build mechanical fish, even if I can't compete on a quality level lol
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Looking good! Earlier in the thread you mentioned using a clear plastic or green lens for the eyes. I've seen pappa midnight do this on his buildings, but what about either taking a photo of one of your miniatures or getting a picture from the Internet. Print it off. Cut it out and place it behind the lens to look like a sub driver or interior of the boat?
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Looking good! Earlier in the thread you mentioned using a clear plastic or green lens for the eyes. I've seen pappa midnight do this on his buildings, but what about either taking a photo of one of your miniatures or getting a picture from the Internet. Print it off. Cut it out and place it behind the lens to look like a sub driver or interior of the boat?
I intend to do the very thing, although I am not sure if I shouldn't, rather than using a photo, paint some "menacing schemes", so that the crew could be anything one imagines. Also, I don't have any of the figures at hand which I want to use (for either scenario, Pseudogreek or Fish People), and that limits my choices somewhat. I think I'll try a hand-painted thing first, and if that doesn't look good, I'll go for the photo option.
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Good Gods! I'll take two please!
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Absolutely stunning Chris! :-* :-* :-*
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Next steps in painting:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_7a.jpg)
A "wet drybrushing" with VGC Hammered Copper, broken with just a bit of Black.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_7b.jpg)
Another drybrush stage, this time a 66-33 mix of VGC Brassy Brass and Hammered Copper.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_7c.jpg)
Final drybrush stage of 66-33 VGC Brassy Brass and RAC Aluminium.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_7d.jpg)
And then on to weathering, with a thin wash of dark green to the crevices and around the rivets, followed by a thicker glaze of a mix of Dark Green and Foundation White. I also painted in the "schemes" behind the portholes. Not looking like much now, and I will wait with my final decision after test-fitting the lenses.
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:-*
Magic!
The build is just so cool I can't wait to see the project completely painted up.
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Thats really beautyful! :-*
Love the impression of a person standing inside behind the fake glass!
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That's looking wonderful Chris, the paint job has really brought it together :-* :-*
(I've wasted hours on the Fitchenfoo site :D )
cheers
James
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Thats really beautyful! :-*
Love the impression of a person standing inside behind the fake glass!
I'm not yet truly happy with it, but I hope the tinted lenses will make it suitably obscure so the overall effect works out.
(I've wasted hours on the Fitchenfoo site :D)
Haven't we all... the bloke is so talented, makes you sick to your stomach. lol Seriously, I absolutely love his use and execution of weathering techniques.
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Actually, looking at the image again, it does look a little like Vader...
cheers
James
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I think the impression behind the glass will look great.
Great paint job so far.
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really cool! i look forward to seeing the glasswork:)
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So, painting is basically finished (although I may add some shading or weathering at spots if I find it misses some), and three pics (starboard, port and ventral) until I get the base done and can do some proper photos from all angles.
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_8a.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_8b.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/AMPHATLANTEAN_FISH_SUB_8c.jpg)
As for figures to go with it, I still cannot quite decide on which stylistic road to follow. I'm currently leaning to mixing "Warlords of Atlantis" with "Atlantis, Continent of the Lost" and some "Stargate" elements, which is supposed having a bunch of captured slave soldiers (shipwrecked sailors, using a variety of pirate minis) and a handful of pseudogreek Hoplite-ish figures with deathray crystal lances (and maybe a larger deathray crystal cannon on a four-wheeled carriage). No proper idea for divers, though, although I am considering getting some more Greeks with Corinthian Helmets, modify the helmets with putty, and paint the bodies with some scale (as in "fish scales) effect to resemble a boiler suit.
Comments and opinions very welcome. This project opportunity has me intrigued, but I'd like to have a proper concept before diving deeper into it.
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Wow,Chris this is a great piece.You should have seen about getting it made in resin.I am sure Ian at Fenris could have helped with it.
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Wow,Chris this is a great piece.You should have seen about getting it made in resin.I am sure Ian at Fenris could have helped with it.
I certainly wouldn't mind doing a second, better one to be used as a master, but I positively do not have the time and resources to get this done and distribute it properly. That said, if anybody would be interested in making/distributing it, I'd be happy to talk about it.
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Great stuff Chris. :-*
Looking forward to seeing the crew in due course.
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Very nice. And a heck of a lot cheaper than Fitchenfoo's submersible.
Here it is if you want to see. Check out his patina technique. Awesome. He just finished it.
http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/completed-%c2%bb-the-fantastical-fish-shaped-submersible/ (http://fichtenfoo.net/blog/completed-%c2%bb-the-fantastical-fish-shaped-submersible/)
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Beautiful creation, Chris!
:-*
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Looks like a movie prop!
Terrific work... :-*
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Nice finish Chris!
I could only think of one other reply.....
(http://i681.photobucket.com/albums/vv179/andym2105/3a64b408.jpg)
Bring on BLAM 2011!! ;)
P.s it was either this or a giant can opener!! :D
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I am thinking we should have a special 'Project Gallery' in Workbench for projects like these... I always meant 'How to..." to be very technique oriented but we now have quite a few glam projects combining inspired ideas with stellar execution. What do you people think? Am I overdoing things here?
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I am thinking we should have a special 'Project Gallery' in Workbench for projects like these... I always meant 'How to..." to be very technique oriented but we now have quite a few glam projects combining inspired ideas with stellar execution. What do you people think? Am I overdoing things here?
I'm not 100% sure I get your gist - do you mean those occasions when several people work more or less independently on related stuff, or actual cooperative projects like the wonderful Sudan table by the Kielians, or just "pretty things projects", which may be unrelated?
Generally, having a section for really good examples might be an interesting approach and certainly worth a try, although I'm afraid it might create an "us and them" separation, and to my mind, we had some bad run-ins (re: LPL) with that. Not that I would want to miss the opportunity to collect great projects somewhere, that is.
@AndyM: You know that means war, you deep-fried Mars bar of ingenuity, you! lol Now where were those design sketches for a sperm whale ramship... or a brass Narwhal with a spar torpedo?!?
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@AndyM: You know that means war, you deep-fried Mars bar of ingenuity, you! lol Now where were those design sketches for a sperm whale ramship... or a brass Narwhal with a spar torpedo?!?
BLAM 2011 will be a perfect time to see the underwater clash of the Titans! :)
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BLAM 2011 will be a perfect time to see the underwater clash of the Titans! :)
Provided I'm still in the UK then (or can make the trip over), it's a deal!
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What about just one thread to combine them. What I'm thinking of is for example if anybody else is coming to BLAM2011 we could have a participation game. Make and bring your own sub/under water vehicle. The thread could be peoples progress for their game entry.
I would happly help (or do it myself if no one else wants to!) make up terrain for an underwater game, if someone else did the rules?
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What about just one thread to combine them. What I'm thinking of is for example if anybody else is coming to BLAM2011 we could have a participation game. Make and bring your own sub/under water vehicle. The thread could be peoples progress for their game entry.
I would happly help (or do it myself if no one else wants to!) make up terrain for an underwater game, if someone else did the rules?
I certainly would not mind writing up a set of rules to use with it - that way, I can contribute even if I cannot make it to BLAM. Maybe we should start a "preliminary planning" thread, or, if you want to keep it secret for surprise's sake, we could set up a mailing list for those interested in contributing. Or we could commit to it and start a BLAM "Battle for Templemere"* project thread, with links to the various modelling threads. Having it all in one thread is obviously more compact, but the actual thread will be huge. Not that that must be a bad thing.
Anyway, defining some core parameters (what level of game, what elements, and stuff) certainly won't hurt doing early.
*Title obviously provisional!
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I could make whatever thread you like sticky here on the VSF board, if that helps?
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Cheers nick. I don't know if there'd be enough interest though. It's only myself and chris so far.
Chris- I've only ever played VSF with Gaslight rules. Last years VSF game seen people bring a unit and Dave divided them up for even sides. It's either that or we could have basic rules for set weapons and whatever people can fit on their models they can use? You probably find that dodgy/lucky dice rolls or people unexpectedly teaming up during a game might even the odds?
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Cheers nick. I don't know if there'd be enough interest though. It's only myself and chris so far.
I'm interested :D
To be honest I don't think I will be able to build anything (I lack the required skills), but I do have four Sheltrum deep sea divers awaiting painting, so can add them to the mix. :)
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I'm interested :D
Yea! :)
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Count me in ;D ;D ;D
cheers
James
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Sounds great! I'll start a project thread outlining what we want to do, and the Mighty Mullet could kindly make it stick. lol ;)
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I could make whatever thread you like sticky here on the VSF board, if that helps?
Sorry, I forgot it's actually posted here on VSF. We've had so much great stuff posted here Workbench lately that I did not notice.
Anyway, my point is that there are obviously a few projects which are above average and very inspiring to a degree where I think it is a shame if they sink into the morass of temporal posts. Perhaps projects should sit on the theme specific boards while technique oriented should end up in 'How to...' (if they are suitably new, unique, illustrative, instructive etc.).
I *am* over doing things, ain't I?
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Sorry, I forgot it's actually posted here on VSF. We've had so much great stuff posted here Workbench lately that I did not notice.
Anyway, my point is that there are obviously a few projects which are above average and very inspiring to a degree where I think it is a shame if they sink into the morass of temporal posts. Perhaps projects should sit on the theme specific boards while technique oriented should end up in 'How to...' (if they are suitably new, unique, illustrative, instructive etc.).
I *am* over doing things, ain't I?
Not necessarily so, old Swede. I think the choice what to include should be left with the Workbench Supremo. Alternatively, if you could be bothered to do so, you could do a "Best of LAF" closed thread were you post links to those projects which you consider worthy. The Workbench would be best for that, I think, because it is the one board most relevant to ALL periods/settings.
Maybe raise the issue on the moderator board and see what the good Prof has to say.
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the Mighty Mullet
Haven't had one of those for a long time..... ;)
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Maybe raise the issue on the moderator board and see what the good Prof has to say.
You're right?
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what the good Prof has to say.
good Prof doesn't mind the individual initiative of the mods :)
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good Prof doesn't mind the individual initiative of the mods :)
That's what you keep saying *in public*...
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I will start to make a fish submarine! Not promising it'll ever get finished mind...
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I will start to make a fish submarine! Not promising it'll ever get finished mind...
No doubt useful for patrolling the canals of New Venice on Mars lol
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No doubt useful for patrolling the canals of New Venice on Mars lol
Ooh, good idea ::) :D
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First figures, two Atlanteans in armoured diving suits:
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/ATLANTEANS_1.jpg)
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/ATLANTEANS_2.jpg)
And the Four A Miniatures "Creature":
(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg236/Christian_S_1979/Modelling%20and%20Miniatures/Victoriana%20Miscellanea/CREATURE_C_400.jpg)
The Atlanteans are made from the new Games Workshop Dark Eldar Cabalite Warriors box. Plastic, and quite easy to modify. Not as versatile as I first thought, but still a good basis, and some design elements are very "aquatic". I just added some rivets and "gills/fins" from plasticard at some points, and painted it in various levels of brass with VMC Verdigris Glaze weathering.
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Very nice conversions :-*
They are working good for Atlanteans, hope to see more
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Lovely stuff Chris!
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Indeed. You've really made them look aquatic.
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Those Atlanteans look great. That idea may be being poached somewhat. Might see what can be done with the wyches combined with the standard warriors. I'm sure I can pick a sprue or two up from friends.
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They certainly look the part Chris :-* Excellent stuff :)
cheers
James
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Ooh, just looked at the Helions. Imagine them riding Manta Rays, with some weapon swaps etc...
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They certainly look the part Chris :-* Excellent stuff :)
cheers
James
I second that!
Great stuff :-*
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oh, just looked at the Helions. Imagine them riding Manta Rays, with some weapon swaps etc...
Another use for the nice, albeit pricey GW chaos demons that look like skates!
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The dark eldars minis are greats! I take the idea for my secrets VSF project. ;)