Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Pulp => Topic started by: DFlynSqrl on February 08, 2012, 02:34:23 AM

Title: Expedition to Z
Post by: DFlynSqrl on February 08, 2012, 02:34:23 AM
I was recently reading about the adventures of Col. Percy Fawcett and his search for the lost city of "Z".  After he disappeared quite a few folks went in search of his expedition and this mysterious city.  Sounded like a fun Pulp idea to me, so I dug around in my lead pile and found some usable minis (only been sitting there a couple of years... ahem).  They were pretty fun to paint too!  Next up will be some pack mules.

The Team
(http://dflynsqrl.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/Expedition.JPG)

Expedition Leader, Col. Dabney "Highsocks" Bale
(http://dflynsqrl.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/ColonelBale.JPG)

Mr. Donald Parker
(http://dflynsqrl.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/MrParker.JPG)

Mr. Archibald "Archie" Defoe
(http://dflynsqrl.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/MrDefoe.JPG)

Mr. Arjan Van Der Vaart and Guide
(http://dflynsqrl.tripod.com/webonmediacontents/MrVanDerVaart.JPG)
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: Cultist #3 on February 08, 2012, 02:57:37 AM
Very nicely done sir, I am a particular fan Col. "High socks"  :D

and the basing on these is splendid!
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: Doomsdave on February 08, 2012, 04:05:38 AM
Excellent work all-around.  Very evocative.  Nice work on the map especially.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: carlos marighela on February 08, 2012, 07:20:54 AM
Nice work, I'm  reading the David Grann book at the moment. If you want an amusing read and some variation to your plot line, involving get past the battle lines of a civil war, then pick up Peter (brother of Ian) Fleming's Amazon Adventure. Cracking read.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: carlos marighela on February 08, 2012, 07:22:53 AM
I'm tempted to do something along these lines myself and so, in a different medium, is Brad Pitt apparently. His production company optioned the Gran book.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: DFlynSqrl on February 08, 2012, 11:39:50 PM
Thanks gentlemen I appreciate it.

@Carlos, I have the Gann book, which I haven't read yet, and also "Exploration Fawcett" that's supposed to be a collection of his manuscripts organized by his son, Brian.  You've definitely got me interested in "Amazon Adventure" I'll have to pick that up soon.  Thanks for the recommendation.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: Marine0846 on February 09, 2012, 01:45:47 AM
Brad Pitt you say, what role will he play? ;)
Fine looking figures.
I look forward to their adventures.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: carlos marighela on February 09, 2012, 03:14:13 AM
Judging by his last film, old Brad might just settle for a dengue carrying mosquito or perhaps a tapir.

Brian Fawcett was known, perhaps unsurprisingly, for romantacizing his father's deeds and possible fate. The Grann book actually accessed some new information.

If you are interested in the general topic, there was a book out a couple of years ago about Teddy Roosevelt's trip into the Amazon basin in 1912, forget the title. Almost killed him. One can only guess at the awful privations of such trips. The climate is bad enough. I've been to the Amazon, only as far up it as Manaus and environs but the humidity is f&#king unbelievable. Even in Belém at the mouth it's really oppressive. I've been to visit friends in northern Goiás and it's the opposite stifling heat and bone dry. Magnificent country though.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: starkadder on February 09, 2012, 04:42:12 AM
Peter (brother of Ian) Fleming's Amazon Adventure. Cracking read.

I agree completely, Carlos, although I know it as Brazilian Adventure. It's a corker. Strangely enough I read it again only a few months back when the "Z" stuff hit the papers again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Adventure (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Adventure)

Why not just make it a contemporary Lope de Aguirre story?
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: magokiron on February 09, 2012, 04:45:05 AM
Gorgeous miniatures!

Your PJ really do them justice.

Thanks for sharing.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: carlos marighela on February 09, 2012, 08:48:01 AM
Quite right, it's Brazilian Adventure. Sorry, I'm convalescing from something horrible collected from my offspring, so I'm not fully compos menntis at the moment. Upside is that I did get around to painting half a dozen Portuguese today.

I like the Aguirre idea, finding a suitably demonic looking Klaus Kinski look-alike is the issue for me.  :) Actually just about any of the conquistadores make for a good yarn. Pizarro is a bit too gruesome for my tastes, I'll admit. Francisco de Orellana's tale is every bit as captivating and just as disastrous as Aguirre's.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: starkadder on February 09, 2012, 09:01:10 AM
Quite right, it's Brazilian Adventure. Sorry, I'm convalescing from something horrible collected from my offspring, so I'm not fully compos menntis at the moment. Upside is that I did get around to painting half a dozen Portuguese today.

I like the Aguirre idea, finding a suitably demonic looking Klaus Kinski look-alike is the issue for me.  :) Actually just about any of the conquistadores make for a good yarn. Pizarro is a bit too gruesome for my tastes, I'll admit. Francisco de Orellana's tale is every bit as captivating and just as disastrous as Aguirre's.

A most forgivable error. On the conquistador front, I was always amazed by Cabeza de Vaca's saga.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: aliensurfer on February 10, 2012, 12:57:17 PM
I love the names - deliberately based on current players at the mighty (Tottenham Hotspur) Spurs? - Bale, Defoe, Van De Vaart.... :D
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: DFlynSqrl on February 10, 2012, 02:03:17 PM
I love the names - deliberately based on current players at the mighty (Tottenham Hotspur) Spurs? - Bale, Defoe, Van De Vaart.... :D

Guilty!  Nice catch Sir!
COYS!
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: Mason on February 10, 2012, 02:10:20 PM
Nic ework!

I love the socks!

Now all you need is a Director of Operations and his pet Bulldog!

Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: aggro84 on February 10, 2012, 03:43:44 PM
What a neat project.
Nice miniatures from your lead pile. The paint jobs look great.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: Traveler Man on February 10, 2012, 05:36:42 PM
Excellent work sir! I really like the bases.  :-*
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: DFlynSqrl on February 11, 2012, 12:02:00 AM
Thanks folks for all the kind words.
Title: Re: Expedition to Z
Post by: warrenpeace on April 20, 2012, 10:16:23 PM
Just finished reading "The Lost City of Z" by David Grann in the wee hours of the morning. Fabulous little book. Very inspirational. Really makes me want to paint explorers, Amazonian Indians, and conquistadores. Will need a huge mass of vegetation and tall trees, along with many nasty little creatures for the protagonists to deal with.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lost_City_of_Z_(book)

David Grann talking about the book on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzw9IIhzvW4


I still remember "Aguirre: Wrath of God" as one of the most unpleasant movies that I have ever seen. Perhaps Brad Pitt could make a movie in which he plays both Lope de Aguirre (in flashbacks in time) and Col. Percy Fawcett. Trailer from the 1972 movie:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4nW5dlAMDMs&feature=related


This also reminds me of the Peter Benchley TV series Amazon. Not great, but was well worth the time to watch it.