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Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: shredder on March 14, 2012, 03:36:38 PM

Title: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 14, 2012, 03:36:38 PM
A fellow forum member found my post on another site and suggested I should post here too.

We currently stock a lot of the original Grenadier range of miniatures. This covers the Future Skirmish and Fantasy Warriors ranges in 28mm, but I suspect it's the Future Skirmish you guys would be interested in ;-)

http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/#/FutureSkirmish (http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/#/FutureSkirmish)

There are currently 117 figures in this range but we have plans to increase it by releasing new figures as some of the groups only have 5 or so miniatures in them (but then the 5 piece rock band is fine with only 5 figures ;-) Our first project is to increase the "Robots" range. This currently contains 5 robot figures that were inspired by the Terminator films. You can view draft concept artwork here for the new figures …

http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames (http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames)

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me posting this here and I hope it is useful to some of you.

Cheers

Gary
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: v_lazy_dragon on March 14, 2012, 04:13:37 PM
Interesting idea Gary - I'll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out on the new releases front, as I do love those old figures and it'd be good to see the range supported!
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 14, 2012, 04:50:06 PM
Interesting idea Gary - I'll keep my fingers crossed that it all works out on the new releases front, as I do love those old figures and it'd be good to see the range supported!

Ye, we hope it will work out as planned. I've had some suggestions about other models to bring out, more troopers would you believe :-) It would be good to have all groups to the same size as the trooper range (there are currently 36 of these) but we'll see.

G
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Earther on March 14, 2012, 04:55:12 PM
Who's likely to be doing the sculpting?
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 14, 2012, 05:08:48 PM
Who's likely to be doing the sculpting?

I'm trying out a guy who has done some work for a mate of mine. We'll see how it goes but he says he's good at matching other people's styles.

Gary
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Hendrid on March 14, 2012, 06:08:06 PM
Some great figures there. Good to know their available.

Good to know your thinking of expanding things.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Simlasa on March 14, 2012, 06:15:38 PM
I like that line too. They stand out because the guys don't look like they're all on steroids and their weapons aren't the size of small ponies.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: The Dozing Dragon on March 14, 2012, 06:27:51 PM
Some of my fave minis in that line. If you get a sculptor who can match that would be great - nothing too over the top and keep it 'real'  ;)
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Golgotha on March 14, 2012, 07:24:02 PM
Many old Grenadier Miniatures are also available from Mirliton see http://www.mirliton.it/, great to see another source.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Predatorpt on March 15, 2012, 03:01:42 AM
Sorry for the question, but what's the difference between these figures, the EM4 and Copplestone ones?  :o Aren't they all the same?
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: The Dozing Dragon on March 15, 2012, 08:01:55 AM
They are the same. When Grenadier fell the rights went various ways I believe.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Captain Blood on March 15, 2012, 08:45:02 AM
Yes, that's at least three companies now producing the same miniatures. Quite unusual in the wargames world. Presumably whoever bought or inherited the rights to the old Grenadier line is happy to take royalties from whoever is willing to pay them... Perhaps based on geographic 'territories' of manufacture... (Although certainly both the EM4 and Mirliton versions of the Fantasy figure lines were on sale at Salute last year, not very far from one another!)

The current Copplestone Future Wars line are not the same figures, although in many cases they are based on the same designs. Basically, when Mark went solo with Copplestone Castings, his first venture was to 'reimagine' most of the figures he did for the Grenadier near future range. Most (but not all), of his CC FW figures have some recognisable ancestor in the original Grenadier range. This does of course provide a huge range of broadly compatible figures, although the ex-Grenadier versions are somewhat more stylised and willowy... The CC FW line is a little stockier and more wargames-figure-like... For one thing, they're not on slottas.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Dr.Falkenhayn on March 15, 2012, 08:52:49 AM
Mirliton.it has the most complete Selection-incl several Vehicles,the Warbots etc.Mirliton sells the Future Warriors in Packs (5 Minis per Pack usualy)
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 15, 2012, 09:22:30 AM
Sorry for the question, but what's the difference between these figures, the EM4 and Copplestone ones?  :o Aren't they all the same?

Yep, same minis. The way it was explained to me is that Grenadier were casting in the UK & US (UK company owned though), so there were copies of everything over the pond. When Grenadier went pop, the US guys sold their stuff to Mirliton ... although it's debatable if they actually had the right to do this (Hmmmmm). Doug (I think he owned Grenadier) took rights to all the UK stuff as the bank had no interest in them and now sells them through eM4. I live about 5 miles from him ;-)

There is a load of stuff (fantasy and historical) that has been in a shed for 20 years, we are working together to get this back into circulation.

In the meantime, I am looking to expand the Future Skirmish range.

Anyway, now you know as much as me :-)



I've got final concept art in for most of the new robot figures now if you are interested...
http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames (http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames)

G
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: RubberRonnie on March 15, 2012, 09:24:26 AM
Shredder - the page links from your main page don't appear to be working, I keep getting 404's.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Steve F on March 15, 2012, 09:25:55 AM
Yep, same minis.

Not quite.  The Copplestone Castings ones are reworkings by Mark Copplestone of some of his earlier sculpts, with new additions.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 15, 2012, 09:31:08 AM
Not quite.  The Copplestone Castings ones are reworkings by Mark Copplestone of some of his earlier sculpts, with new additions.

Aha, sorry, I meant The Mirliton, eM4 and us ;-)

G
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 15, 2012, 09:31:30 AM
Shredder - the page links from your main page don't appear to be working, I keep getting 404's.

Which link is that mate?

G
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Predatorpt on March 15, 2012, 01:07:07 PM
Thanks for all the replies, hehe. I'll keep an eye out for the new releases, specially more troopers  :-*
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: revford on March 15, 2012, 02:55:44 PM
Good luck with this, it will be nice to have a few new variants for the Robots.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: supervike on March 15, 2012, 03:49:30 PM
I happily own several of those future wars minis, and welcome seeing more.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 15, 2012, 05:01:21 PM
A fellow forum member found my post on another site and suggested I should post here too.

We currently stock a lot of the original Grenadier range of miniatures. This covers the Future Skirmish and Fantasy Warriors ranges in 28mm, but I suspect it's the Future Skirmish you guys would be interested in ;-)

http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/#/FutureSkirmish (http://www.forlornhopegames.co.uk/#/FutureSkirmish)

There are currently 117 figures in this range but we have plans to increase it by releasing new figures as some of the groups only have 5 or so miniatures in them (but then the 5 piece rock band is fine with only 5 figures ;-) Our first project is to increase the "Robots" range. This currently contains 5 robot figures that were inspired by the Terminator films. You can view draft concept artwork here for the new figures …

http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames (http://www.facebook.com/ForlornHopeGames)

Anyway, I hope you don't mind me posting this here and I hope it is useful to some of you.

Cheers

Gary

I did! :D Good to see you posting Gary.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 15, 2012, 05:49:45 PM
Mirliton.it has the most complete Selection-incl several Vehicles,the Warbots etc.Mirliton sells the Future Warriors in Packs (5 Minis per Pack usualy)

And charges a considerable amount more per figure that EM-4 it has to be said. Remember that Doug does have other moulds for other of the Grenadier ranges so more of the original ranges could still see the light of day.

Gary, I like most of the concept art, but, the spec ops and the flamer, (to me) don't seem to fit, as they are a little over stylised, I'd look to an integral flamer, (rather than what looks like human kit) or to the flamers used on the bikers/NBC troops (no back pack integral fuel canister). Spec ops: again seems like an model that appears too human, maybe play with the targetter unit/enlarged eye sensor or something like that, but the fins on the head aren't for me.

I sent you through some ideas for the other ranges, which I think that people would also find of use.

Of course this all hinges on a suitable sculptor so would be good to know when that's been sorted.

Cheers

Ther Commander
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 15, 2012, 08:07:16 PM
Concept Art:

(http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/427604_403739152973866_389605241053924_1853181_2105629297_n.jpg)

(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/419160_403739189640529_389605241053924_1853183_1703667028_n.jpg)

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/s720x720/417598_403739269640521_760746211_n.jpg)

(http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/420570_403739356307179_389605241053924_1853186_1822605950_n.jpg)

(http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/420995_403739299640518_389605241053924_1853185_1511231944_n.jpg)


Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: meninobesta on March 15, 2012, 08:50:30 PM
(http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s720x720/419160_403739189640529_389605241053924_1853183_1703667028_n.jpg)

I like the overall concept and I know this is fiction, therefore one is entitled to us his imagination

But, although the pose seems quite realistic, I could not imagine a killer robot like that advancing with care
my sci-fi references are very poor but I cannot recall a stromtrooper (i always see them as robots), a terminator, a scylon (is tis the correct spelling?) or a dalek (now I'm being silly) walking like that

but besides this I like the look of them :)
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 15, 2012, 10:53:57 PM
I do have to agree, hence my comments on the too human weapons and poses, have variety by all means, but remember the source: relentless, dominating robotic killers. Pose 1 and 4 are my favourite.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Predatorpt on March 16, 2012, 01:07:57 AM
And in that concept shot there's also another problem (as least for me) - gripping the gun by the magazine. Is it changing the magazine?  ???
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Michka on March 16, 2012, 02:58:39 AM
I really like it when robot troops have human elements to them. I think the whole idea of making human shaped robots, but having them not be human, is counter-productive. If you want a robot with integral weaponry, why not just make a tank shaped robot? On the other hand a robot that can use any weapon available makes sense to me. It may not be realistic, but do we really want realistic science fiction? I don't. That's why I like Star Wars and Doctor Who and G.I. Joe.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 16, 2012, 10:08:50 AM
Some good comments guys, thanks a lot.

The rationale behind the use of "human" weaponry is that this is standard model robot with interchangeable weaponry. Personally I really like the new Cylons (not that new anymore) with the integral weapons in their arms and would love to follow that route with each weapon/role having a different make up. Why only 3 arms? why legs? why tall and thin?

But the aim is to fit in with the existing range, so they are standard robots with weapons.

I take what you are saying about pose 2. Why am I sneaking around? If I die there are 500 to take my place.Ye good arguement. Maybe he's going to be advancing on a downed enemy and is about to stomp all over him :-)

I like the pose and think I'll keep him in.
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 16, 2012, 10:10:24 AM
And in that concept shot there's also another problem (as least for me) - gripping the gun by the magazine. Is it changing the magazine?  ???

Well spotted. I'll kick the artist ;-)

Gary
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 16, 2012, 09:36:37 PM
I really like it when robot troops have human elements to them. I think the whole idea of making human shaped robots, but having them not be human, is counter-productive. If you want a robot with integral weaponry, why not just make a tank shaped robot? On the other hand a robot that can use any weapon available makes sense to me. It may not be realistic, but do we really want realistic science fiction? I don't. That's why I like Star Wars and Doctor Who and G.I. Joe.

It depends on your canon to be honest, I always see these are not terminators, who would not be sneaking around in dynamic poses, if these are your trade federation bots then yup see where you're going. Re integrated weapons, my point, rather clumsily made, was I don't 'buy' the flamer backpack (as none of the original figs with flame units had those backpacks) but would go for a flamer with an integrated fuel canister.

I also do like the idea of some level of integration of weapons, but also appreciate the flexibility that comes with being programmed to shoot anything at anyone! :D


Cheers
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Michka on March 17, 2012, 04:28:46 AM
Re integrated weapons, my point, rather clumsily made, was I don't 'buy' the flamer backpack (as none of the original figs with flame units had those backpacks) but would go for a flamer with an integrated fuel canister.

Now I see what you mean. I agree about the fuel container back pack. It does seem a bit too retro for robots with 40 megawatt plasma weapons. I'm still not sold on weapons mounted inside the robots, but I think that's my bias against the new Battlestar. I'm just an old school kind of guy.
Title: Final pose
Post by: shredder on March 19, 2012, 04:44:59 PM
Here's the last pose. There was some discussion about whether to have a standard head or one of the variants shown. The idea was that this guy would have upgraded comms / sensors and these would be built into his head. However we will be going with the standard head.

(http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/486616_406814099333038_389605241053924_1864175_176024289_n.jpg)
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Commander Vyper on March 19, 2012, 07:31:58 PM
Nice Gary, Coms re: spotter I take it too? Otherwise ditch the dish and barrett this guy up...sniper school! :D
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: Predatorpt on March 20, 2012, 01:23:31 AM
I can be the only one, but I really like some of the comms heads  o_o
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 20, 2012, 09:56:15 AM
I can be the only one, but I really like some of the comms heads  o_o

Me too, but we thought we'd ditch them as the feedback was more negative than positive.

G
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: manatic on March 20, 2012, 10:47:54 PM
Any possibility of making a sprue of extra heads? They'd be very, very useful in both adding variety to your killer robot hordes and in turning your humans into battered infiltrator killer droids like this one:

(http://images.wikia.com/terminator/images/a/ac/Terminator3-09.jpg)
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 21, 2012, 08:22:24 AM
Any possibility of making a sprue of extra heads? They'd be very, very useful in both adding variety to your killer robot hordes and in turning your humans into battered infiltrator killer droids like this one:

(http://images.wikia.com/terminator/images/a/ac/Terminator3-09.jpg)

That's a damn fine idea.

One of my ideas is to make some of the models multi-part (ie variety of weapon arms, and heads, bits such as backpacks etc).

Gary
Title: Re: Original Grenadier Miniatures
Post by: shredder on March 21, 2012, 05:01:05 PM
We've carried out a review of the prices on the shop (I've been meaning to do this for a while) and have reduced the price of figures to Europe to £1.60 for standard infantry. Remember, this includes postage so come on over and buy some stuff.

Gary