Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Future Wars => Topic started by: Silent Invader on 28 January 2016, 07:38:08 PM
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Inspired by the X-Wing musings of Elk101 and Olicana, I've only gone and bought some X-Wing models.
Actually, I've often fancied a small scale vehicle oriented project and space offers the advantage of building some craggy asteroid base terrain. I'm not actually a Star Wars enthusiast and don't fancy the X-Wings Miniature Game as is, so I'm drafting my own rules for a counter/card free table.
Anyways, the first couple of models arrived and given the sweeping turns offered by the movement templates, I want to be able to angle them in flight.
I contemplated magnets and then it suddenly occurred to me ....
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_28_01_16_8_18_37_2.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_28_01_16_8_18_37_1.jpeg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_28_01_16_8_18_37_0.jpeg)
I've only mocked this up for the mo, as a few holes need a bit of drilling out etc but it seems to work. The linkages are actually an arm and a hand from a LEGO mini figure.
I'll actually be painting the stands black so have ordered black arms/hands.
I have a couple of bigger fighters arriving next week so will be able to test if this still works with more weight.
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Nice idea! 8)
Keen to read your rules once you get to them :)
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It'd be nice to get some of those flexible steel braided cords...small and preferably black (dislike clear mounts). I can't describe the material I'm talking about, but something like this?
(http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB1PL4dHVXXXXaaXXXXq6xXFXXXC/USB-Extension-Cable-30cm-Male-to-Female-Stainless-Steel-Hose-360-Fold-Any-Angle-Bend-Flexible.jpg)
(http://g03.a.alicdn.com/kf/HTB14odPIFXXXXavaXXXq6xXFXXXy/Free-shipping-Extended-Length-Replacement-79-Inch-Stainless-Steel-Interlock-Handheld-font-b-Shower-b-font.jpg)
Kind of flexible steel cable you find on small things like bed-reading lamps, etc. Would accomplish the same thing a bit easier?
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Nice idea but size/weight would probably be a problem. These things are really tiny. The rods are only a couple of mm thick.
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Yeah, that's why I was wondering if that style cable is even available in tiny diameters. My guess is not so much...maybe something to consider for larger ships though.
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The Lego arm is a nice idea*. I'd paint it up grey and a bit worn - and perhaps add a bit of scrap to it - to make it look like debris in space.
*Seriously - I'm teaching a unit on Innovation and Design at Uni, and am thinking of using this as an example! :D
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Thanks :D
Debris in space is a good idea. Has also made me wonder about gluing on some crumbled cork to look like its own personal mini asteroid.
I'll hold off on that though until the black arms and hands arrive and I can see what they look like. Last night though, I did paint the stand black, using Vallejo primer. Before doing that I cut off the nub that connects to the ship and fitted 2mm dia Neo magnets to either side. The paint serves a dual purpose as it provides a non-slip surface that stops the ships from rotating on the magnets when at the most jauntiest of angles.
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That is a pretty damn clever idea there, mate.
8) 8)
And: Welcome to the Dark Side....
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Ooh that's a smart little addition Steve!
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSPktXxAsPQoVlrdf3ewFtaul_jq6oVvZQMM2BNp91oM95ntrE4XfnYFhQB)
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That is a pretty damn clever idea there, mate.
8) 8)
And: Welcome to the Dark Side....
:D
Not a big project, basically just 6 ships and a set of acrylic templates .... I'll probably add another 8 ships idc......(as implied by Matt's cartoon! lol)...
It's not Star Wars (or even X-wing) btw, so my fleets won't make any sense!!!
Fleet 1
E Wing
A Wing
Z95 Headhunter
Fleet 2
Kihraxz
TIE Advanced
M3A Interceptor
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Has also made me wonder about gluing on some crumbled cork to look like its own personal mini asteroid.
Of course, you could put it on at a right angle, and leave it loose to the crosspiece. You can then spin it to look like a tumbling rock... lol
Okay, I'm lucky I find me so funny, as no one else will. ;)
Doug
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Of course, you could put it on at a right angle, and leave it loose to the crosspiece. You can then spin it to look like a tumbling rock... lol
Okay, I'm lucky I find me so funny, as no one else will. ;)
Doug
I laughed!
I spent some time today looking at scratchbuilds and there's great and realistic work out there: I was particularly taken with LEDs illuminating motors and a ship's bridge you could see into with crew inside.
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The Lego arm is a nice idea*. I'd paint it up grey and a bit worn - and perhaps add a bit of scrap to it - to make it look like debris in space.
*Seriously - I'm teaching a unit on Innovation and Design at Uni, and am thinking of using this as an example! :D
The arm is a brilliant idea, although I didn't know you could buy them separately. Where do you get them? I have bought the clear cylindrical "peg" pieces and radar dishes to mount grav tanks, submarines and 1:600 aircraft though.
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I laughed!
I spent some time today looking at scratchbuilds and there's great and realistic work out there: I was particularly taken with LEDs illuminating motors and a ship's bridge you could see into with crew inside.
"...mistakes were definitely made!"
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Regarding the Lego bits, there are breakers on eBay who sell them. A Baggie of 10 pairs of black arms arrived today and the hands should be here on Monday, then I'll be able to do the final test and assembly. :D
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I spent some time today looking at scratchbuilds and there's great and realistic work out there: I was particularly taken with LEDs illuminating motors and a ship's bridge you could see into with crew inside.
Welcome to the proper Dark Side >:D
cheers
James
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lol
I'm really - and I mean REALLY! - looking forward to getting on with some scratchbuilds with a view to being able to play the game (as in my rules, not X-Wing) in semi darkness ;)
Today - in between painting my GOT terrain - I'm making asteroids. Starting small!
Btw, i have some itty-bitty people for little scenarios:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_31_01_16_11_59_44.jpeg)
EDIT: My Kihraxz and Z95HH arrived today, the latter looks fine but the cockpit of the Kihraxz would be very tight.
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Chicken nuggets in space!
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_02_02_16_11_47_53_0.jpeg)
Just the usual foam on an EM4 base (tho I doubled the height) with added sand
I kind of want to paint them brown but expect I'll go a mid grey.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_02_02_16_11_47_53_1.jpeg)
BTW: I'm toying with changes to the 'flying angle arms' as I've now magnetised the fighters, which works rather well.
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Now I'm hungry :P
Those look good :)
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Very promising :)
cheers
James
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Following with interest. :D
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Thanks! :D
Btw I've binned the Lego arms for the jaunty angle connection as I've found a not quite so simple but much sleeker way to do it. More tomorrow. ;)
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Doesn't have anything to do with that spindle-arm on the X-wing does it? I know I'd seen stuff like this on Wings of War planes.
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Doesn't have anything to do with that spindle-arm on the X-wing does it? I know I'd seen stuff like this on Wings of War planes.
Erm, not sure what you mean by the spindle arm....
Basically, what Ive done is a relatively simple substitute for cup and ball magnet connectors. It looks much nicer than the Lego parts as it's less clunky. It'll make more sense with pictures but in essence the top of the stand is fitted with a stack of two tiny magnets with a nut that sits around them to create a chalice effect, which is the socket. A stack of two magnets is then fitted to the nub of the fighter, creating a plug that will hold inside the socket between angles of 0 (vertical) to 45 degrees, or attach to the exterior of the nut at 90 degrees. It'll make more sense with pictures! :D
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Chicken nuggets in space!
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_02_02_16_11_47_53_0.jpeg)
Just the usual foam on an EM4 base (tho I doubled the height) with added sand
I kind of want to paint them brown but expect I'll go a mid grey.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_02_02_16_11_47_53_1.jpeg)
BTW: I'm toying with changes to the 'flying angle arms' as I've now magnetised the fighters, which works rather well.
So the asteroids are just sprayed chunks of that foam? More effective than I would have thought, and practical too.
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So the asteroids are just sprayed chunks of that foam? More effective than I would have thought, and practical too.
There's also the added sand that you can see, they're not painted in either of those photos :)
Basically
- stuck two sponges together with UHU
- pinched to shape
- punch hole and insert hot glue for stand (previously modded to desired height)
- paint with dilute exterior grade EvoStik wood glue
- sprinkle on sand
- when dry, repeat glue and sand
- when dry, paint with acrylics
NB: spraying sponge can also firm it up but for health reasons I don't :)
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NB: spraying sponge can also firm it up but for health reasons I don't :)
I nearly spat out my fish and chips reading that lol lol
cheers
James
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lol
Basically, what Ive done is a relatively simple substitute for cup and ball magnet connectors. It looks much nicer than the Lego parts as it's less clunky. It'll make more sense with pictures but in essence the top of the stand is fitted with a stack of two tiny magnets with a nut that sits around them to create a chalice effect, which is the socket. A stack of two magnets is then fitted to the nub of the fighter, creating a plug that will hold inside the socket between angles of 0 (vertical) to 45 degrees, or attach to the exterior of the nut at 90 degrees. It'll make more sense with pictures! :D
Anyone want to buy some black Lego arms and hands, now surplus? lol
I've finally settled on a method that is more expensive and a lot more fiddly but which gives I think a tidier approach.
As outlined in the quote, it uses 4 of 2mm dia by 1mm depth rare earth magnets and a small nut, who's dimensions I don't know (might be a 3mm thread?).
Btw, I painted the stands black using Vallejo Undercoat, which gives a nice finish. As I won't be using the cards, I etched the firing lines then painted them in with VMC Bloody Red (which matches my Cogotwo template set ...... ;))
So at the standard gaming angle:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_03_02_16_5_50_10_4.jpeg)
At various jaunty angles:
NB: of this sample, only the Kihraxz won't stay aligned at 90 degrees: the wings are too heavy and it flips in towards the stalk)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_03_02_16_5_50_10_3.jpeg)
A close up showing a connection pre-paint:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_03_02_16_5_50_09_2.jpeg)
The parts disconnected: on the fighter's nubbin, 1 magnet sits inside the stalk then the other on top of it; on the stand's stalk, there's also one inside and one on top with the nut then sitting around the higher of these two
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_03_02_16_5_50_09_1.jpeg)
Ps:
As I'm not actually going to play X-Wing with my fighters, I don't need the pack of cards, dials, etc: where's the best place to sell them on? Ideas, anyone? Thanks
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Very clever 8)
cheers
James
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I thank thee :D
Asteroids completed:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_04_02_16_1_17_55_0.jpeg)
So to recap I now have finished
5 asteroids
6 fighters
- A Wing
- E Wing
- TIE Advanced
- Kihraxz
- Z-95 Headhunter
- M3A Interceptor
Which seems like enough for a 3 on 3 test game.
Slowly building in the background is the basics of an asteroid base to accompany the asteroid belt, though I have yet to decide how it will be fitted out
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_04_02_16_1_17_55_1.jpeg)
It'll probably have a landing pad for fighters, docking boom for a shuttle, maintence building, control tower, generator, habitation block, comms unit, laser cannon emplacements, probably some sort of torpedo weapon unit .....,
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The asteroids are great. :-*
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Yeah those asteroids really work well. I'll bet you finish your base before I finish mine!
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Thanks chaps :)
I'll bet you finish your base before I finish mine!
Bet I don't!
If you'll excuse the late-night fat-finger phone-screen drawing and writing, I have given done thought to what might go where .....
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/24/2031_05_02_16_8_52_42.jpeg)
.... though I am far from committed . :D
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.... though I am far from committed . :D
Well, you should be....!
;D ;)
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Well, you should be....!
;D ;)
lol lol
Couple of suggestions, keep the power station as far away from other stuff as you feasibly can (maybe buried in the yellow bit to the top right) and put the docking gantry gun over the top of it instead of to the side. Missiles might be better on top of either the control tower or the hanger.
cheers
James
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Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul, Paul....... I am watching you..... ;)
Couple of suggestions, keep the power station as far away from other stuff as you feasibly can (maybe buried in the yellow bit to the top right) and put the docking gantry gun over the top of it instead of to the side. Missiles might be better on top of either the control tower or the hanger.
Excellent suggestions James, thank you kindly. I'm thinking that each element might have its own stats, and resulting consequences if targeted, etc. 8)
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Each section having stats would work much better. You'll need a shield generator as well ;)
cheers
James
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Sorry for belated reply but that's appreciated James. I shall adjust accordingly.
On other matters ...
My Most Wanted box arrived today (£21 including delivery - a result as prices just seem to have gone up across the board presumably because retailers are about to get freshly priced stock?).
Of all the ships I've got, the Y Wing (and also the Kihraxz) appear out of scale as they seemingly have much smaller cockpits. I really like both ships but it annoys me so I'm tempted to make a mod or two to bring them more into line.
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Most Wanted is a nice set. I've seen it on eBay for £50! If you're after a Hound's Tooth for your Scum the best place I found was Wordery for £23.
I have managed to go two weeks without buying a new ship.
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I have managed to go two weeks without buying a new ship.
lol lol lol
I've been getting the Micro Machines sets from Tescos and Sainsburys and consequently saving myself a fortune ;)
cheers
James
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I have managed to go two weeks without buying a new ship.
I must be doing well as I have gone even longer AND played a couple of games on Sunday and have another tomorrow,
I think that I am over the addiction........ ::)
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lol lol lol
I've been getting the Micro Machines sets from Tescos and Sainsburys and consequently saving myself a fortune ;)
cheers
James
I picked up a pack of those for the the boy with the idea that if he has his own he won't touch mine (yeah, I know, it probably makes him more likely!). Someone sat on the TIE and broke it.
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Oh dear :D
Well I'm set for the time being with 11 ships plus I'll get the Misthunter when it comes out.
I also contemplated a Shuttle but I think I'll throw one together from bitz.
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Oh dear :D
Well I'm set for the time being with 11 ships plus I'll get the Misthunter when it comes out.
I also contemplated a Shuttle but I think I'll throw one together from bitz.
Having watched a chunk of Star Wars Rebels prior to it being removed from Sky I rather fancy picking up the Ghost. The shuttle does look great. I'm not sure my skills stretch to making my own though.
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You guys are doing a great job on those bases and asteroids. :)
If you think you are addict to x-wings what can i say:
Millenium Falcon
Slave 1
5 old X-wings
6 old Tie fighters
2 Tie bombers
2 Tieinterceptors
3 A-wings
2 B-wings
1 E-wing
2 Y-wings
6 Z-95
2 new X-wings
And coming up soon a base too. o_o
Yeahh!! I know, i´m addictive... :?
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:o
Do you play them all?
(I can't deny, I keep looking at the itty-bitty ickle cute ships in my cabinet!!!)
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Easyer to tell what i havent played with:
Millenium falcon
Slave one
new x-wings
Tie bombers
The rest i already tried.
I did exagerated on the ships but i do like the game and the miniatures.
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That's quite a collection. There's a real collectability about them. Having different ships means you don't get stuck playing the same list all the time!
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Indeed. And it gives lots of possibilities for diferent scenarios. :)
Though the investment also increases. :?