Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Medieval Adventures => Topic started by: Captain Blood on January 23, 2011, 02:05:02 PM
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Joop van Hoogstraten, mercenary captain of Flanders and his His (un)trusty lieutenant, Brandt the Batavian Bastard. Joop is built straight from the parts on the new Mercs command frame, although I used a dab of polystyrene solvent and a pin to convert one of the standard pixie-hatted heads to a bouffant hairdo. And added a ‘tache with a fragment of melted sprue.
Brandt the Batavian Bastard is a slightly more meaty conversion – pairing the half-armoured legs cut from one body, to the short coat-wearing torso of another. The puff-sleeved command arms from the Mercs command frame complete the coat, and make for a suitably vicious-looking sword-and-dagger man. The head is from the WOTR command frame.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/577_23_01_11_2_32_42_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/577_23_01_11_2_32_42_3.jpg)
Tambourist. Straight from the parts in the Mercs box, with the addition of a sword and buckler from the WOTR box. I used the body with the short doublet and prominent codpiece, so he looks like a bit of a pansy as he skips along banging his little drum… ::)
Standard bearer. Straight from the parts in the Mercs box, although I deliberately used one of the ‘other ranks’ heads as a contrast to richly-clothed body. The trick to making these figures zing, is often to do the unexpected. I’d love to tell you the flag is historical, but I just made up something that fitted the colour scheme. (Although that is indeed the Lion Rampant of Flanders to one side). Hand painted on tomato puree-tube foil.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/577_23_01_11_2_32_42_4.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_34_23_0.jpg)
Handgunner. Straight from the parts in the Mercs box. Kept simple.
Crossbowman. Straight from the parts in the Mercs box. Loving this helmet - the deep kettle hat with eye slits.
Pikeman. Straight from the parts in the Mercs box. Again, great new helmet - a spiral-fluted kettle hat.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_34_23_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_34_23_2.jpg)
The advancing man-at-arms wielding a poleaxe is from the metal range. His continental helmet and tall boots didn’t suggest a knight in the English style, so I lumped him in with with the mercenaries. There are probably a couple of others who will be joining him. I’m afraid one or two of the metal figures look slightly crude alongside the plastics.
And one of the new command bodies – another slight conversion this, changing a gauntleted hand to create that distinctive ‘come on!’ Tim Henman fist pump. I’ve used a full encased sallet from the WOTR box command frame.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_34_23_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_34_23_4.jpg)
Billman with glaive. A slight conversion using a pair of billman’s arms from the WOTR box with a glaive head substituted for the original. Truthfully, as I feared, these optional polearm heads don’t join too well onto any of the available shafts. This one snapped off twice during painting, so I added a reinforcing band of dissolved sprue. Nice to have the choice of all those alternative weapon heads, but I can’t see many of them surviving ‘in-game’ handling. The point of connection is so miniscule that the joint is intrinsically weak as a kitten.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_35_33_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_35_34_2.jpg)
That said, I’ve used another glaive head on this figure as well, which is one of the Merc command bodies matched with the armoured pikeman’s arms. The T-opening barbute is one of my favourite helmets from the new box. And the assortment of bucklers and targes is also very welcome.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_35_34_3.jpg)
I can’t pretend that I’m impressed with 6 pairs of marching pike arms though… Was there really no way to squeeze a couple of attacking pike arms onto the sprue? I’m not a fan of ‘march attack’ poses, so maybe it’s just me, but it feels like a bit of a wasted opportunity. Although yes, there are conversion possibilities using the bill arms from the WOTR box.
And finally, my favourite. This is the best head in the new box, the sallet with plume and scarf atop the part-armoured, brigantine-clad standard body, with armoured arms from the Mercs command frame - with a slight conversion to add a buckler to the left hand. I just love the whole set of this figure. The picture of a flamboyant medieval mercenary, lean, mean and magnificent.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/8/577_23_01_11_2_35_33_0.jpg)
Overall, a big thumbs-up for the set. Annoying about all those marching pike arms, and truthfully some of the new elements are not quite so exquisite as in the original WOTR box. One or two of the new hands and arms are just a wee bit blobby, and I think the legs on the new command bodies might be a mite too short. But these are minor niggles. As a whole, taken together with the original set, these open up whole new vistas of build and conversion possibilities.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/577_23_01_11_2_32_41_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/7/577_23_01_11_2_32_41_1.jpg)
I have another dozen made up and ready for painting and these are going to be… Scots mercenaries. Pike mainly. Marching obviously.
But first, onto the scurriers… ;)
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"Miserable Fat Belgian Bastards!" lol
Just kidding. Marvellous work en detail, and the overall impression is great, too.
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I really look forward to the Captain Blood days on LAF. That's all I have to say, really.
Apart from: Have you thought of doing Star Wars 1471? You could use some of the more armoured characters as Stormtroopers.
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Stunning as always Richard :-* :-* :-*
And using solvented sprue for sculpting with :o Genius :D
cheers
James
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Beautiful, each one an individual work of art, as a group simply stunning. :-*
And as for sculpting with solvent glue...madness, but also genius lol
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Brilliant work as always Richard, the brushwork just keeps getting better and better. One very minor point, the Lion would be facing the pole on both sides of the banner, but it's all right I won't tell anyone.
Pat
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As an actual Fleming, I can only applaud this project. And to your ususal high standard too. 8) :-* :-*
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Fantastic work all round Captain :-*
"a fragment of melted sprue.", words like nectar to my ears. Although this proves that you are of a certain age lol
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:o 8) o_o :-*
Ok I've run out of icons to express how totally smashing those are.
James
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Bloody marvellous work Sir (as always)
You have certainly got into your subject but which one is Ian?
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Stunning stuff Richard!
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Another of your marvelous medieval groups, absolutely fantastic eyecandy. As Plynkes said already, Richard, I'm also really looking forward to the next LPL ... ;D
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Late-Medieval Imperial Stormtroopers if they're post Charles Le Hardi... love them! I think I prefer these to your previous offerings and that is saying something!
:D
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Apart from: Have you thought of doing Star Wars 1471? You could use some of the more armoured characters as Stormtroopers.
...and there's my tinnitus acting up again... :-[
Beauties, Richard, you really know how to make a miniature sizzle.
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That is darn nice, thumbs up from Flanders :-*
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Bravo Richard! Lovely brushwork on the Perries.
Helen
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Oustanding..... :-*
So not only did you paint the lion, you painted it twice! :o
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:-*
Awesome minis!
They are all great but I like the officer with the gold trim the best!
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Stunning stuff as always. Love your "bright" painting style. :)
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I usually disapprove of black and yellow, thinking the result is too evocative of a bumble bee, but these look great!
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Thanks. Much appreciated.
Especially from the Flanders jury. Sorry for abusing your flag like that... ::)
I really look forward to the Captain Blood days on LAF. That's all I have to say, really.
Plynkes. That is the nicest thing you've ever said to me :)
On reflection, I think it may be the only nice thing you've ever said to me... ::) lol
Apart from: Have you thought of doing Star Wars 1471? You could use some of the more armoured characters as Stormtroopers.
Why, are we all doing Star Wars all of a sudden or something? I can't say I'd noticed... ::) ;)
One very minor point, the Lion would be facing the pole on both sides of the banner, but it's all right I won't tell anyone.
Pat
8)
This, Pat, is what happens when you make things up all the time... One day I'll look at a book, really I will ;)
So not only did you paint the lion, you painted it twice! :o
Yes, and not quite the same on either side unfortunately >:(
Cheers.
Richard
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Just brilliant :-*
I'd say these are some of your best work to date 8)
www.gallopingmajorwargames.com
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My dearest Captain,
the day was dull and dark in Beeston of Nottinghamshire... when YOU BLEW MY MIND!
o_o
A-ma-zing!
The richness of colour is spectacular! I adore that flag!
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As an actual Fleming, I can only applaud this project. And to your ususal high standard too. 8) :-* :-*
I'm with you, but - speaking as a Fleming too - I have to disagree with the name "Joop" which is typical Dutch, not Flemish.
I don't know any one over here that is Flemish and called Joop.
A minor thing that could be set right (e.g. call him "Jan"). This artwork deserves the best, including namegiving!
Rudi
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Stunning as always Captain...
We've decided on a Club theme this year of WOTR and I've been slowly putting together the first box of plastics rather dejectedly in the knowledge that they won't even cone close to looking half as good as yours...
Oooooh misery...
Any tips you can sling my way, your boys reek of authenticity?
Best as always, Goat.
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Like a classic 3 minute rock'n'roll song they are perfection in and of themselves ;)
So good I'm gobsmacked twice 8)
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Very pretty Cap'n, look forward to seeing the Scots.
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Excellent work.
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I'm with you, but - speaking as a Fleming too - I have to disagree with the name "Joop" which is typical Dutch, not Flemish.
I don't know any one over here that is Flemish and called Joop.
A minor thing that could be set right (e.g. call him "Jan"). This artwork deserves the best, including namegiving!
Rudi
Jan would be definately a very good name for any tough man!
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Absolutely breathtaking! The look of the armour is fantastic!!! :-* :-* :-*
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I'd like to say "utter crap" just for balance. ;) Honestly I think it might be some of your best work yet. I find deep yellow like that the most difficult color to pull off and you have managed it brilliantly. I love the metal too. Please keep it coming!
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Yes.
Just yes.
I'd already decided that a box of these must be mine, and now I'm rethinking that decision because they'll look like crap compared to these.
Stunning stuff Cap'n. :-*