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Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Sinewgrab on 27 May 2015, 06:47:34 AM

Title: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 27 May 2015, 06:47:34 AM
So, I am asking for help from y'all - do you guys have suggestions for small sci-fi craft, figure 2 to 10 person craft, for either surface travel or surface to space.  I have a few, but mainly I am looking for reasonable cost to expand my sets without getting all crazy.

I know of:

GW Valkyrie
Avengers Quinjet toy (which is as large as I would want to go).
Forge World Arvus Lighter (which I love the look of, but just outright cannot afford once shipping to the US is figured in.  :( )

Can you guys help fill this out?  Toys, models kits, etc?  In an ideal world, maybe we can get this sticky'ed if we get a good list going?
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Predatorpt on 27 May 2015, 12:56:43 PM
Hmm, let's see:

GI JOE Cobra Gunship
(http://generalsjoes.com/wp-content/gallery/ac-toys-gunship-and-suv/01.jpg)

There's even a good thread in here, on how to convert it (with suggestions for more crafts):

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=20614.0

And here's some other thread about small crafts/dropships

http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=71240.0

Hope it helps
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Momotaro on 27 May 2015, 03:42:27 PM
Revell Star Wars Republic Assault Shuttle.  Scale is 1:100 so glue the boarding ramp shut and paint over the canopy!  Big hunk of plastic and comes ready painted.  The cockpit still looks a squeeze, but I can live with that.
 
GW Tau Devilfish transport.  Decent sized model and things like the hatches are in the right scale.

Daemonscape do a couple of resin shuttles and a dropship.  A little on the small side.  Company is UK based.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Ballardian on 27 May 2015, 03:53:52 PM
Old Crow Models (oldcrowmodels.co.uk) do a couple of decent, though smallish (proper 28mm) aircraft, which were pretty reasonably priced (20 pounds or so) & Mantic have a dropship/gunship due out faily soon, which, knowing them, should also be fairly cheap.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Vanvlak on 27 May 2015, 03:56:34 PM
Scratchbuild  :D
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: The_Beast on 27 May 2015, 04:43:38 PM
Scratchbuild  :D

One in every crowd...  lol

A look at the GI Joe and Old Crow samples do suggest using a 'copter model, especially 1/35, is an excellent way to start. Yes, they are 'too big', but if you cover/modify the doors and other details, you can go far.

If you can deal with laser-cut wood, have you looked at some of the recent 'Old Mech Guy' posts?

Doug
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Anna Elizabeth on 27 May 2015, 05:25:35 PM
Look at 1/48 and 1/32 scale helicopters to modify. Many of them are similar in hull shape to expensive SF dropship kits, and you could paint over canopies, or replace in gaming scale as you like. :)
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 28 May 2015, 06:17:42 AM
I had forgotten the Tau - I have that army, so I will have to go look at that and the Eldar while I am at it.  I use Dark Eldar skiffs for Martian Victorian Sci Fi, so those are out.  I'll have to look at Daemonscape -  and the suggestions about conversions is useful, but Vanvlak can go hang.  ;)

Part of what I am looking for is stuff I *don't* have to build myself.  I have enough of those projects.  What else do we have that is affordable?
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Mad Mecha Guy on 28 May 2015, 12:20:38 PM
Crossover Miniatures are doing a Kickstarter: U.F.O. Squad: Alien Invasion Minis and Skirmish Rules

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/211492152/ufo-squad-alien-invasion-minis-and-skirmish-rules (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/211492152/ufo-squad-alien-invasion-minis-and-skirmish-rules)

In this Kickstarter is the Huron Shuttle, is part of the higher pledges but if you ask he may sell you one.  The cargo bay is accessible through section that is removable.   It will hold around 10-12 troopers.

Regards

MMG.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Malebolgia on 28 May 2015, 12:27:33 PM
I have a Tau Devilfish with the front fins removed (they look silly IMO). Instead I have attached two small resin Battlestar Galactica ships as front thrusters. Looks good as a futuristic VTOL IMO.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Constable Bertrand on 28 May 2015, 12:52:18 PM
With the new star wars coming out for Christmas surely there will be some new cool toys before christmas, and surely there will be a host of not star wars toys out there in the discount stores... :D
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: The_Beast on 28 May 2015, 01:47:11 PM
What else do we have that is affordable?

You can ask that and accept GW suggestions?  lol

Just teasing; a change of 'flavor' in GW, and the old can be quite 'cheerful.' And, of course, all my 'copter models were clearance items, my GI Joe from thrift stores, garage sales, or someone dumping parts.

Lastly, can't argue with you being busy enough already. Will cogitate further...

Doug
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 29 May 2015, 02:21:06 AM
You can ask that and accept GW suggestions?  lol

Just teasing; a change of 'flavor' in GW, and the old can be quite 'cheerful.' And, of course, all my 'copter models were clearance items, my GI Joe from thrift stores, garage sales, or someone dumping parts.

Lastly, can't argue with you being busy enough already. Will cogitate further...

Doug

I have either:
a) already owned from more reasonable times.
or b) Am willing to look on ebay and Bartertown for older models people are trying to dump, especially when editions change and people rage-quit.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Inso on 29 May 2015, 06:13:39 PM
Scotia Grendel has the Corvus:

http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=217_218_42&products_id=2735

...and a couple of hover tanks:

http://www.scotiagrendel.com/Products/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=217_218_59_66&sort=20a&page=4
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Momotaro on 29 May 2015, 06:41:19 PM
If you're looking at a budget, I recommend disposable plastic wine/champagne/cocktail glasses for flight stands.  You want the ones where the stem separates near the cup, not at the base - look closely at pictures.  Ebay has loads.  Very solid and cheap too.

Magnet on the top of the stem and base of the model:

(http://i34.photobucket.com/albums/d102/momotaro119/AnvilIndustries/20150513_143806_zpsatpwdzrk.jpg) (http://s34.photobucket.com/user/momotaro119/media/AnvilIndustries/20150513_143806_zpsatpwdzrk.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: JollyBob on 29 May 2015, 07:39:42 PM
For my money you'd be hard pressed to do better than the old GZG range, now available  from Daemonscape:

http://daemonscape.com/contents/en-uk/d5.html

I've had quite a few kits off them recently and they are always crisply cast, very reasonably priced and have a really quick turnaround considering they are cast to order.

Very highly recommended  :)
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 30 May 2015, 02:02:58 AM
The wine glass idea is brill - and I have a bunch of old GZG land vehicles, so I'll have to take a gander at the ships.  What the heck are the craft in the wine glass pic beside the Tau ship?
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: BlackWidowPilot on 30 May 2015, 06:29:33 AM
"Scratch Build?! Guff! Kitbash I say, starting with an empty bargaining size shampoo bottle and go from there... 8)
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Connectamabob on 30 May 2015, 10:39:08 AM
What Vanvlak and BlackWidowPilot said.

I'm a big fan of Mark Stevens' (https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfreak/collections/72157621780033836/) method, which basically amounts to blocking out rough shapes with bottles and dollar store rubbish, then blending it all together with Bondo. His finished models look amazing (https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfreak/sets/72157602534937560/), but his WIP photos have a very high "Hey... I can do that!" factor.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Momotaro on 30 May 2015, 11:15:26 AM
What the heck are the craft in the wine glass pic beside the Tau ship?

Old Crow fighters.  He makes this version with guns and another without.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 30 May 2015, 03:32:53 PM
Old Crow fighters.  He makes this version with guns and another without.

THank you!  I love the look of those.

"Scratch Build?! Guff! Kitbash I say, starting with an empty bargaining size shampoo bottle and go from there... 8)

I tend to scratchbuild my Aeronefs for VSF, and I would rather use nearly finished ship for this project - as I am better with blocky shapes than rounded ones, and besides, I need to be able to get lazy with at least one genre, right?
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Cory on 30 May 2015, 10:50:34 PM
While in Target today I noticed the Imaginext wonder woman jet - looks like it might make a good basis for a small shuttle with a repaint.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 31 May 2015, 06:04:56 AM
So, any way to get those Old Crow vessels?  His site is still 'on hiatus'.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: HerbyF on 31 May 2015, 10:19:42 AM
I might have some stuff kicking around my place you can have. You'll have to get in touch next time you are going to be up this way.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Etranger on 31 May 2015, 11:06:47 AM
So, any way to get those Old Crow vessels?  His site is still 'on hiatus'.

Send him an email to the one on the site. I understand that he still makes small batches.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Hat Guy on 31 May 2015, 12:27:32 PM
I have a "Guardians of the Galaxy" movie toy of Rocket's Ship, it looks perfect for a 28mm fighter or one-man shuttle, just needs some plasticard on the wings to bulk them out a little.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Sinewgrab on 31 May 2015, 03:35:37 PM
I might have some stuff kicking around my place you can have. You'll have to get in touch next time you are going to be up this way.

I'll do that, lad.

Send him an email to the one on the site. I understand that he still makes small batches.

That is good to know.

And toys are a great place to look - but you have to see them know, and I don'y have children, which mean I miss a lot of these.  That Warbird is a good one, though.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: The_Beast on 03 June 2015, 01:44:08 PM
The Animal Planet toys are a bit expensive to pick up new, but if I ever see the Deep Sea Sub in a thrift shop...

(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51sPDdd6O7L.jpg)

Scale may be wrong, but I actually think it'd work with relatively little bashing as a 15mm dropship.

You KNOW I swing by TRU, now and then, just hoping for a clearance.

Doug
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: eilif on 03 June 2015, 06:30:54 PM
Here's some that I have.

Robogear has two good options for $8-15 each
Condor
(http://www.tehnolog.ru/images/product/robogear/condor_soder.jpg)

Hornet
(http://www.tehnolog.ru/images/product/robogear/hornet_soder.jpg)

If you're interested in helicopters, Dust Tactics "SSU" faction has attack, transport and crane versions of this copter. 
(http://www.gf9-dnd.com/images/Products/Dustspotlight/DT048z.jpg)
Each is Basically the same copters with different weapons loadouts and different lower fuselage pieces. They are nominally about $40 each, but you can regularly find them ad DEEP discounts because of the hulabaloo that DUST is going through.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: snitcythedog on 05 June 2015, 11:11:09 PM
Spartan games has a drop ship that is pretty big.  It is laser cut MDF so it is relatively cheap for the size.  Budgets being what they are relatively cheap is usually pretty relative.  http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SGSS13 (http://shop.spartangames.co.uk/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=SGSS13)
(http://www.radaddel.de/media/catalog/product/cache/2/image/9df78eab33525d08d6e5fb8d27136e95/i/m/image_15705.jpg)
I have ordered from them in the past and they stuff is pretty good.  Hope that gives you some eye candy.
Snitchy sends.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: Steve F on 06 June 2015, 07:21:54 AM
Ooh, that is nice.  I had no idea Spartan made spaceships in this scale.
Title: Re: Small Craft Listing - help?
Post by: BlackWidowPilot on 06 June 2015, 07:26:30 AM
What Vanvlak and BlackWidowPilot said.

I'm a big fan of Mark Stevens' (https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfreak/collections/72157621780033836/) method, which basically amounts to blocking out rough shapes with bottles and dollar store rubbish, then blending it all together with Bondo. His finished models look amazing (https://www.flickr.com/photos/makfreak/sets/72157602534937560/), but his WIP photos have a very high "Hey... I can do that!" factor.

I know this music: