Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Back of Beyond => Topic started by: Sir Rodney Ffing on 28 April 2017, 03:46:04 PM
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I would be interested in thoughts on this please. Specifically in relation to 1/56 scale resin and metal armoured cars, is it a good idea to base the model to protect the wheels, or do without? (a base that is, not wheels)
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In my opinion, adding a base for a vehicle is a good idea. It protects the wheels (as you mention) but in addition I think it looks best when figures and vehicles are both based to get a better match in height.
I am very inconsistent in my own approach though! I use plenty of unbased vehicles in my games, so my advice is to be taken with a grain or more of salt :)
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I'll second the base idea. The only vehicles I might use without a base are Corgi and Solido diecasts as these are much sturdier
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I always base armoured cars,and add an additional pin to the underside. It gives a little more strength and take some of the stress of the wheels.
Mark.
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I don't know about basing them. It looks funny when they are in any terrain at all (going up a hill for example).
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I am firmly in the no bases for vehicles camp.
Bases look great in photos and on the shelf. But in games moving in and over terrain they tend to look awkward.
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No bases. For much the same reasons as Dr Zombie. Plus, they just don't need them to stand up :)
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I use bases to indicate that a vehicle is static and /or is only capable of travel on certain terrain. I never glue them on because I prefer the look of unbased vehicles.
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In all honesty I'd have to agree there are times I find based vehicles visually uncomfortable (including my own) on a table. The majority of my vehicles have only a very small amount of boarder extending either side.(normally around 3-5mm) and are finished in exactly the same colour scheme as my figures and scenery pieces. For me this works comfortably,(99% of the time).
There are occasions when I wish I hadn't based them. Then I just remind myself just how much damage and unnecessary wear they were subjected to before I based them.
As they're subject to alot more handling than most ( including shows and trade stands before I get them back.)
As I've an urban setting in the process
of being cobbled together. My usual basing would look totally out of place. Which leaves me contemplating not basing the vehicles for this project. But being left with nagging doubts over wear and tear.
So for me ,and the majority of my projects the pro's still out weigh the con's when it comes to basing vehicles.
However there is a compromise that works reasonably well for gaming ,(but not for the level of abuse my stuff gets.)
Make a base and have shallow recesses / ruts, for the wheel to fit in . Don't glue the vehicle on . Treat the base as a movement tray. Then you can remove it when ever you need too.
SABOT posted faster than I can one finger type. (was just about to refer his thread and his take on the use of bases.)
Mark.
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I mostly base my vehicles as it strengthens the models and prevents damage. It also keeps everything in "scale" but I try to have the vehicle cove as much as the base as possible. If I can only find a base for those Indiana Jones plastic tanks I came across at a yard sale.
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Great timing of this thread!
I just finished the basecoat/wash/highlight of my first AC.
The wheels were royal pains to get secured and I'm worried they may get damaged.
That movement tray idea sounds good.
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You guys play to rough.
The only thing I usually worry about breaking is stuff like antennas and a base won't help me there.
If I get too excited making wroom-wroom noises and a wheel breaks the break is usually in a hidden from plain view spot where only a dab of superglue is needed to fix it again. And not a repaint.
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Maybe if you want to base your a/c's you could buy some clear acrylic plastic and use that so the terrain shows through? I've seen guys basing figures this way...
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I use really minimal bases for most of my vehicles, mostly to protect the wheels during storage and play.
(http://www.warbard.ca/files/AC_1_15May2012.jpg)
They're mostly thin styrene and Milliput, and cut just barely big enough to reach out to all the wheels.
Bit of talking about my vehicle basing, from back in 2012: http://www.warbard.ca/2012/05/10/armstrong-whitworth-armoured-car-part-three/ (http://www.warbard.ca/2012/05/10/armstrong-whitworth-armoured-car-part-three/)
I find it really helps keep the vehicles intact, especially the more fragile resin-and-metal vehicles like Copplestone or Company B.
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I always base my vehicles. it brings the vehicle back to the right scale with based miniatures so it doesn't look too short.
plus it gives a nice area to play around with and really finish the model
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Thanks to all for your comments. I have a bias against basing vehicles, which is probably a hangover from my 20mm WW2 days, but metal tracks glued along their entire length have to be a lot more durable than the wheel assembly of the Copplestone armoured cars. So, despite my reservations, I think I will have to bite the bullet and base the blighters.
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Oh that's just charming,
Like my basing ideas but not my armoured cars. Well you'd better post pictures of your efforts after that!
(All joking aside it would be nice to see what you come up with.)
Mark.
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lol
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Really, for me, it depends. On whether the AC has spindly wheels.
For example, I did not base any of my Rolls Royce A/Cs, nor my Canadian Gun Carriage A/C, or Belgium A/C, or any of my RSW A/Cs. However, I did base all of my very small Ford Model T desert patrol cars as well as the armoured ones, as they were very delicate, etc.
That said, my WW1 anti-aircraft truck platform (available from 1st Corps) is based.
For motorcycles, these are all based (available from 1st Corps).
IMHO, some things just look "right" or "need" to be based. Though not so for tanks. :-)
Regards,
Bob
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SEE Sir Rodney,
Bob has impeccable taste.
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SEE Sir Rodney,
Bob has impeccable taste.
But I was agreeing with you, slightly reluctantly I admit, but agreeing nonetheless! :'(
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Taw's only in jest( forum Emojis.don't respond when I ineptly use my windows phone. It'll let me use these 😀 but not the forum versions. So the intended humour is often lost.)
Back on topic I did originally contemplate the issue (to base or not to base). The first Rolls Royce (chained wheels),Minerva,ft17,and Whippet.all had cast on wheels/tracks,and were made from shock resistant resins. But this styling couldn't be effectively transferred to other vehicles.
So I now style with the premise that it will get broken,and try to build a level of easy repair into them.
I really do enjoy seeing other peoples work it inspires me to build more. As the range is a labour of love( it's not commissioned . 1st corps are kind enough to leave it entirely upto me.)
So please do post some pictures of what you come up with.
All the best.
Mark.
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Mark - thanks for your comments, which were very much appreciated. I like the idea of the non attached base and will experiment with it. I can imagine though that, despite me having explained that the models are loose on the base, one of my chums would manage to pick one up as if it were attached and lob the car half way across the room. He would only do it once that game, but fast forward until next time and I am confident it would happen again >:(
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As Wizelizard said, I based my Mark IVs but on the smallest base possible. This was to enable me to fix steel paper to the underside so it could be magnetically firmly held in place in it's box went being transported. It doesn't detract too much when going over obstacles.
(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r660/Armchairsaxon/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20026_zpsd8xdf5lm.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Armchairsaxon/media/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20026_zpsd8xdf5lm.jpg.html)
(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r660/Armchairsaxon/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20012_zps1wvftcd2.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Armchairsaxon/media/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20012_zps1wvftcd2.jpg.html)
(http://i1360.photobucket.com/albums/r660/Armchairsaxon/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20011_zpsea0m0bjc.jpg) (http://s1360.photobucket.com/user/Armchairsaxon/media/05%20Sept%2015%20WW1%20011_zpsea0m0bjc.jpg.html)
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No. Based vehicles look odd, particularly when your base doesn't match the terrain. Never had a problem with damage to wheels
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Yes...
based vehicles do not look odd, at least if you do not overdo the dimension of the base. Plus they help a lot to protect your stuff, in storage, display, and gaming. Extremely important for wheels. Also with quite tall infantry bases (now it appears 2mm thick is the standard, but I have seen taller plinths... it keep everyone on the same plane. lol
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I think based vehicles just look more...finished
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I base my vehicles all on the same size base - that way they are the same size for storage purposes - which makes life a lot easier!!