Bullshott Returns to Mars - steam powered skiff crew photo added

[Bullshott]

They weren't getting released any time soon as Nick was going to wait until some other sculpts were done etc, however I pointed out that Cubs had shown them and people were asking...

Can't promise but they should be coming out pretty soon.

 

I hope so - this would mean i could field a unit or two at the next big Mars game 

[Bullshott]

Whereas trade between the cities of Mars is conducted along the canals, this is of no relevance to those settlements in the mountains or deep in the desert wastelands. Although some trade is conducted by the flyers of the city merchant guilds, such aerial traders are few due to the hostile attentions of the Sky Martians and their role tends to normally be limited to the transport fof high value goods and materials. The lifeline of the landlocked settlements is therefore provide by the caravans of the trader clans.

The most common caravans are fairly small; comprising a leader with a core of traders/drovers (usually all from the same family), some jezail-armed guards and a herd of pack beasts. On occasion these small caravans will band together for protection in numbers when crossing areas known to be raided by Sky Martians. Also, on set dates in the Martian year, these caravans meet at oasis for their famous Great Meets.

This picture shows a group of traders from the clan Raas-Al-Khanoot. All wear the purple robes of their clan and the silver neck band of the trader clans. Because the desert communities rely on these clans to provide a lifeline, the wearing of the neck band has been decreed to the trader clans under Martian law as a mark of respect that indicates the wearer may enter or leave any settlement or city unhindered, providing that break no laws while in that place.



The traders are conversions from out of production Black Scorpion Aliens. The following photo shows a trader compared with a Sky Martian warrior, a Sky Martian priest (converted from a Salute freebie Lord of the Nazgul) and an Artizan human. Note the more pot-bellied appearance of the land-based trader when compared with the athletic build of the Sky Martians.

[Ray Rivers]

Love the traders!

 

[Mason]

Those conversions are inspired, Dave.
'Genius Idea of the Month'
 

[OSHIROmodels]

Turned out nice them Dave 

cheers

James

[lobo]

Superb

[Malamute]

Turned out nice them Dave 

cheers

James

Yep, they're great.

[Dr DeAth]

Top marks. They look like a very dubious bunch.

[Chairface]

Wonderful project!

[Bullshott]

I had a constructive day yesterday, so thought I would post what I'm working on. This is the state so far of my Martian trading skiff, converted to steam for use by Earthers. It needs a bit of tidying up and detailing added. Otherwise, it will soon be ready for a touch of paint.

The skiff is based around parts from Ironclad's Martian skiff, which is a nice model but too short for my uses - this is my solution

The armament (2 x Vickers-Maxim 1 pdr pom-poms on AA mounts to deter Sky Martian raiders) and crew figures will all be attached by magnets (a number of magnets are hidden in convenient places under the deck). This will allow me to change weapon configurations and also stop crew figures from falling off when the nef is on a flying stand.

[Ironclad Paul]

That looks fantastic!  a real work of art and if the finished article is anything like the figures above it will be a thing of beauty.(as they are fab too)   very stylish design with careful thought involved. My personal leanings are to add propellers and control surfaces but they are not for everyone and can be fragile and make it harder to store. It is SF after all and propulsion and control can be as mysterious as you want.
Cracking work though and inspiring !   

[Bullshott]

My personal leanings are to add propellers and control surfaces but they are not for everyone and can be fragile and make it harder to store.

Thanks for the comments. Propeller and rudders will be added once I've tidied up the construction of the hull.

[Duke Donald]

The skiff is looking great!

[Malamute]

Nice one Dave, I guess she should be finished in time for her maiden voyage at Salute?

[Bullshott]

Nice one Dave, I guess she should be finished in time for her maiden voyage at Salute?

That's the general idea