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Miniatures Adventure => Fantasy Adventures => Frostgrave => Topic started by: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 11:07:38 AM

Title: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 11:07:38 AM

Looking through various scenarios to figure out what we will need to build versus what we have/can proxy and I am a bit stumped by sky gondolas.

Any one have examples they want to share of what they use or their recommended suggestions?

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Mad Lord Snapcase on August 08, 2021, 11:21:14 AM

My recce-balloons for my Back of Beyond game in Jhamjarhistan any good?

https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130009.135 (https://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=130009.135)

(https://i.imgur.com/0QdIHfD.jpg)

These are Lee Scoresby airships from The Golden Compass.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: gamer Mac on August 08, 2021, 11:24:25 AM

Cab yoou explain them a bit more?
Not sure what they are.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 12:08:04 PM

Mad Lord Snapcase, those are very cool… but not quite what I am after for this project. I can however see those in other projects. Great work there!

The best example I have found via google is this…

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3176751

But I am not familiar with 3d printing.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Chief Lackey Rich on August 08, 2021, 02:04:51 PM

So, a flying boat?  Sometimes the simple approach is best.  Take a flight base of your choice and attach it to an actual gondola like this one from TTC's Carnevale range:

(https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0965/1274/products/Gondola_83f890f9-4def-4794-9342-07dd4e97fdb3.png?v=1588079783)

The underside will be flat, but adding a bit of detail shouldn't be hard and it won't show on the table anyway unless you have very, very tall flight posts or very, very short players - or some weirdo does mirrored bases like an old-timey pervert trying for upskirt peeps on his dance partner using mirror-toed shoes.

Adding some landing gear (maybe like helicopter skids?) would emphasize the flying fantasy boat aspect, while leaving it flat bottomed and having a removable base would let you use it as a regular gondola, which is handy for Ghost Archipelago and the like.

The Evil Empire used to make an elf eagle-drawn flying boat/chariot thing called a Lothern Skycutter, but it went OOP a while back.  You probably don't want the eagles anyway, and I do see several listings for fuselage bits online, so maybe some potential there too.

Me, I'd go with a regular gondola though.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 06:42:01 PM

See, that is why I asked on here. I completely overlooked the obvious. That should do the trick nicely and be dual purpose if required at a later date.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Chief Lackey Rich on August 08, 2021, 08:26:03 PM

There may be other gondolas out there on the market, I didn't really do a search since I knew the TTC one existed.  Probably worth shopping around, there's probably some historical range that includes one as well.  I know some of the RPG ranges include some small craft, although generally more longboat/rowboat styled.  There's a D&D Kraken box from (I think) Wizkids that includes a small boat, and Reaper makes at least one, for ex.

Carnevale has gondoliers (armed with bladed with bladed oars, no less) if you want some fighting crewmen.

Come to think of it, porting Ghost Archipelago/Frostgrave/Rangers to fantasy Venice would be an interesting project. 

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: snitcythedog on August 08, 2021, 08:41:18 PM

Quote from: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 12:08:04 PM

But I am not familiar with 3d printing.

Well it is a process of computer controlled printing of a plastic or resin model.   lol

I think the TT Combat terrain would fit the bill.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on August 08, 2021, 09:17:26 PM

I have one of the Reaper row boats but it is too small for 4 minis and not the aesthetic I am after. The TT Combat gondola should do the trick, it should be big enough, fancy enough and easy to source.

But I would still like to see what other folks have used.

And we did consider a Venice-grave but decided against it.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: snitcythedog on August 08, 2021, 11:02:08 PM

Arcane scenery has a canal boat that might fit the bill if dressed up.  It would hold the number of minis that you are looking to hold.
https://arcanesceneryandmodels.co.uk/shop/narrowboat-and-buttyboat-g104-laser-cut-mdf-28m/ (https://arcanesceneryandmodels.co.uk/shop/narrowboat-and-buttyboat-g104-laser-cut-mdf-28m/)

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on October 21, 2021, 02:50:12 PM

For cost efficiency we are going to try the small Elven boats that come in the Elven Docks set from TT Combat. Perhaps the Elven ship will end up in that frozen river scenario in Thaw of the Lich Lord.

https://ttcombat.com/products/elven-docks

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: pancakeonions on October 21, 2021, 04:29:56 PM

I have and love the Icons of the Realms: Eberron Premium Set - Skycoach.  It's a beautiful model, and can handle a good gaggle of minis.  It's not cheap (edit: but I just learned there's a less expensive, unpainted version), but also comes with a gang-plank, ladder, and some single-figure flight stands (they handle a 25mm base, to give you an idea of how big the Skycoach is):

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71ffwl2oHjL._AC_SL1500_.jpg)

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: pancakeonions on October 21, 2021, 04:30:57 PM

Here's a shot of the Skycoach with minis:

(https://wizkids.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/dndeberronskycoach-8-434941-zjKTJ2Zh.jpg)

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: pancakeonions on October 21, 2021, 04:34:09 PM

Someone on Amazon is also selling this wood, laser-cut Skycoach (linked here)  (https://www.amazon.com/Eberron-Elemental-Pathfinder-Warhammer-Tabletop/dp/B081HYQG3C/ref=asc_df_B081HYQG3C/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=385177066989&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10594248058974526078&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061254&hvtargid=pla-852203360372&psc=1&tag=&ref=&adgrpid=81510837594&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvadid=385177066989&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=10594248058974526078&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9061254&hvtargid=pla-852203360372)that looks a little bigger - it's pretty neat if you don't mind the model style.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on October 21, 2021, 04:49:55 PM

I like the skycoach model, both the Wizkids one and the MDF one but Mrs. GG is not a fan of either and cost is something of an issue when you are looking at 2 to 4 of these. They are larger than what the rules say but I do not think that is too much of an issue…. that said I suppose it depends on how dense your terrain is on the table.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Chief Lackey Rich on October 21, 2021, 05:14:47 PM

Quote from: Grumpy Gnome on October 21, 2021, 02:50:12 PM

For cost efficiency we are going to try the small Elven boats that come in the Elven Docks set from TT Combat. Perhaps the Elven ship will end up in that frozen river scenario in Thaw of the Lich Lord.

https://ttcombat.com/products/elven-docks

I don't know if the frame layout for the mdf would allow it, but did you try asking TTC if they'd sell you just the small boats, or whatever chunk of that set their parts are on?  They might be willing to do that for you if you needed more than one set of them, assuming it's even feasible.  Worst they're going to do is say no.

Title: Re: Suggestions for sky gondola models?
Post by: Grumpy Gnome on October 22, 2021, 04:48:04 AM

I had not considered doing that. A bit late for the first pair as I already bought a set here in Germany but I may do that for the second pair.

Unfortunately with shipping being the way it is these days it may be less expensive in the long run to just get a set already over here in Germany. I can use extra docks and while I do not need another Elven ship I had considered kitbashing two Elven ships together to make one bigger ship for that scenario in Thaw of the Lich Lord.