Tarzan, Jane, Korak, and Cheetah, sort of, question

[FifteensAway]

So, I have three figures I will be using in my Heia Safari (Slightly Cracked Colonials) set up to represent Tarzan, Jane, and their son Korak.  And, now, having ordered in more chimps, I'll have three spare chimps from Airfix (by way of Hatt) that I will match up with each of them.  The question is what would be a good third animal to match with each of the three humans to get to a trio of trios?  And, if not an animal, what else might make a good third element for each - my standard being to base in groups of three.  And, yes, I've thought of the option of the three humans on one base and the three chimps on one base.  But I want to explore this other option first.

Thoughts and ideas welcomed.  Thanks!

[beefcake]

My first thought would be an elephant, but three of them might be a stretch.

[dadlamassu]

If based on the books then I'd go for any grouping of N'kima (companion monkey), Jad-Bal-Ja (Companion golden fur/black maned lion), Numa (lions) Mangani ("anthropoid" apes), Gorgos (African Buffalo).  There is no "Cheetah" (chimpanzee) in the books that I remember.  Tantor (elephants) featutre frequently as do the faithfull Waziri warriors.

[Cacique Caribe]

Waziris for sure.  They were always willing to follow Tarzan to the ends of the earth, if he would only let them:

http://www.erbzine.com/mag37/3740.html

By the way, make sure to include La in your project.  To me Tarzan’s constant run ins with the denizens of ancient Opar are some of the most exciting reads and the least reflected in film or other media:


http://pencilink.blogspot.com/2008/10/tarzan-of-apes-156-russ-manning-art.html

http://www.erbzine.com/mag17/1763.html
http://bronzeagebabies.blogspot.com/2013/12/fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la.html

[matakishi]

My Tarzan project:

Tarzan


Korak


Jane


La of Opar


More on the project page:
https://www.matakishi.net/tarzan.html

[FifteensAway]

I'm sure La must be her last name and after a great deal of dedicated research I've discovered her first name is Ooh-La.   

Of course, putting her on the stand with Tarzan would cause all sorts of problems between he and Jane so that is out.  But maybe La can be 'in' if I can find the right figure and sidekicks to make three to a stand.  Don't fancy the ugly apes of Opar, though.

For now, I'm leaning toward a Waziri for each of them.  OldGlory25s in their Blue Moon 15/18 mm Darkest Africa have a pack of African warriors that I think will do the trick - though they come thirty to a pack.  I guess that means adding a couple of units of Waziri to have T-man's back from time to time.

My critter count is now at 876 (plus spares for captures or conversions to dead) for Africa.  Ordered what was supposed to be 48 onagas to paint as zebras and 12 more to paint as onagas and then inadvertently ordered four more that were going to be captives or converted to dead but ended up getting a bit over 100 (4 packs of 25 with a couple packs with a spare figure or three), apparently 'on the house'!  So, now I will add 96 zebras to the 48 I already have for a total of 144 in the herds as opposed to the 96 I was shooting for.  Also just received 20 more chimps and 25 flamingos.

This means I really need to up my Wildebeest herd since they were the most numerous herd animal for my 'area of operations'.  Time to consider another custom sculpting order - if the budget will allow.

Yes, for me, it is a bit of an obsession.  No, not seeking any therapy - unless you count painting them up for the table.   

[Barry S]

FifteensAway,

This is my version of La and Beastmen


La is from the Martian Empires range by Black Hat Miniatures and the beastmen are 15mm Copplestone Pict warriors.

Could you please tell me where you got your chimpanzees and flamingos from?
I am nowhere near as obsessed as you, but I do enjoy adding the odd critter here and there to my collection animals to my collections.

Have you found any miniatures suitable for 15mm Vultures in your travels?
I have only found a couple in a set of HO/OO birds - http://www.langleymodels.co.uk/acatalog/Online_Catalogue_OO_Zoo_Animals__enclosures_and_Circus__43.html
and a skeletal model of a vulture included in an undead command pack from Alternative Armies.
 

[FifteensAway]

Barry,

The chimps and flamingoes are both from HO ranges by Preiser.  The chimps are a bit small for my tastes but must serve until something better comes along.  The flamingoes look like they will do just fine.  By the way, a friend with a 3D printer provided my baboons, three poses, two pretty similar.  It has taken a long time to accumulate all those critters and I'm hoping this year to get them all painted - most except for the newest additions are primed and ready except the African Cape Buffalo. 

Best source is Irregular Miniatures, many animals from there - using the pronghorn antelopes for a few species of gazelles.  Zebras are the onagers from Museum Miniatures; also using there goats for some 'close enough' ibex animals.  Peter Pig in the Africa range has crocs.  Minifigs has a naked elephant.  Splintered Light have lions (don't have) and ostriches (do have).  The old Airfix Tarzan set most recently offered by Hatt as there jungle set has more crocs, small elephants, a chimp, a cheetah.  For my wildebeest I'm using both the African cattle from Irregular and the Zulu cattle from Stone Mountain miniatures.  The cape buffalo can be acquired from Highlander Studios (do a search on their website) or, if in the USA, from me.  HS has a rider in his sets, my sets include a lion kill.  Also check out craft store bins for suitable creatures and the Tube animals, their smaller tubes have some useful items such as okapi and smaller giraffe to work with the adult size from Irregular.  I've managed to have a variety of poses in many - by no means all - of my various herds and other critters.  Oh, and some of my stuff come from bead shops, small beads in the shape of animals.

Takes a diligent eye and an open mind to build what I've done.  Thanks for the tip on the La figure.  Will have to check her out.

[miltiades]

Fantastic project Matakishi. Very nice painted figures!

[miltiades]

FifteensAway,

This is my version of La and Beastmen

very nice!

[Barry S]

Thanks FifteensAway.

I am actually watching some Preiser chimps and flamingos, so it's good to know they will fit in and plan on buying some of Highlander Studios African Cape Buffalo when I have some spare cash.

I also keep an eye out for beads and charms/pendants.   

Thanks Militades.

[FifteensAway]

Tallied the spares: 8 zebra, 4 baboon, 4 chimp, 2 cape buffalo, 1 young hippo, 1 flamingo, 3 chimps = 23

876+23= 899!

I wonder if I've forgotten just 1 somewhere? 

Doesn't count the four dead cape buffalo, though, so actually already over the 900 mark then.  Of the spares, probably just some of the zebras will be converted to 'kill' models.  The rest will be live captures.

Will I make it to 1200?  Should I even try?  I expect to surpass 1000 by adding 96 more wildebeest if I commission them to be sculpted.  Time will tell.

[FifteensAway]

Barry S., can you identify the current owner's of Black Hat pack I'd need to order to get your La figure?  I've not been able to discern it.  Thank if you can, no worries if you cannot.  There are other options.

[Barry S]

FifteensAway -

Sorry, I forgot that the range changed hands... The current owner of the Martian Empires Range is Fighting 15's and the link below should take you to the pack with the miniature I used for La.

https://www.fighting15sshop.co.uk/emp602---martian-empires-characters-16056-p.asp

[FifteensAway]

Barry, thanks for the link to the Martian princess figure - I'll like order her and her companions up.  She is a pretty cool figure (and once upon a time one of the very few female figures in 15 mm!).