Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Thunderchicken on July 02, 2010, 12:33:20 PM
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I'm trying to put together the British Airbourne Brigade. Basically their role is to reconnoitre ahead of any substantial landing and form a beach head. They can also be used for lightning raids. Their form of transport is by adapted nefs capable of reaching high altitude to make use of speed and rapid stomach churning descents onto their targets.
With all this in mind I want the Airbourne Brigade to be wearing masks and be something slightly out of the ordinary. I decided on the West Wind gas mask heads with adrian helmets but as they are relatively small I struggled to find comaptible figures to stick them on. My first thought was to stick them on the Redoubt, Ironclad or Black Pyramid Home Service Brits but its not a good match. Then I noticed I've got some Redoubt colonials (they are smaller than the Home Service figs) and hey presto, good match.
The only thing is, now I've painted the first figure the seed of doubt is growing rapidly at the back of my mind and is about to go into full bloom! I'm thinking the final result (rifle aside) looks too modern for VSF; maybe steampunk or even pulp!
I could do with your feedback and advice on any alternatives if you think its not doing it for you.
Anyway, enough guff and here's a pic. I painted the helmets to make them look leather rather than metal. Sorry the pic is slightly out of focus, the camera is in a mood and will not obey its master:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/1254_02_07_10_1_30_30.jpg)
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Far from an expert ::) on the subject but I like it. :) 8)
What are the factors that put you on edge for the miniature?
Gracias,
Glenn
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Its hard to put my finger on it Glenn, something is bugging me about it but I'm not sure what. I just get the feeling it may look out of place in a VSF environment.
Then again opinion may convince me there's nothing to worry about and to get the units painted up! ;)
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It might be the fact that the mask and helmet are the same colour, not sure at all but I guess its something easy to experiment with.
Right now the two very different colours of drab helmet and bright uniform somewhat group the helmet and mask together into a single unit I think.
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Gone to far? With VSF? Surely that is a contradiction in terms. :)
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Paint the helmet black leather to blend with the boots, perhaps because its brown it sticks out more?
Maybe file off the ridge along the top of the Adrian helmet to make it look less recogniseable?
He's fine though, perhaps you are being over critical, just go ahead and paint all ten, now there's a good fellow. ;)
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Yeah looks okay to m i agree with the comment about the mask and helmet blending in a little. The rest is just a case of get on with it now ;)
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Somehow, the dark helmet and mask look too WW1-ish for my taste. I wonder if you could have a bonewhite, or bleached khaki helmet, with some more lighter shades added to the mask, just so it does look more "T.H. Underchyffe's patented cranium protector and respirator apparatus" than trench grime.
It could also be a case of browns not working in harmony with blues. I may be a bit picky on that, but I try to avoid that combination as much as possible.
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You could paint the helmet brass colour. brass always helps.
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My opinion, for what it's worth, is that he looks too French and too modern. Simple as that. The Adrian, though worn by loads of nations, just shouts "France" to me, and it is firmly grounded in WWI and WWII. It seems as out of place as a British Tommy's Brodie helmet would in Victorian times. It is too recognisable. I think the mask looks a bit modern too, but that is less of a problem. I would perhaps go with the Woodbine gas hood heads instead, as they look more primitive and rudimentary (because they were). On the whole I'm not totally sold on the idea of WWI gasmasks as VSF accessories. I think an altogether new kind of design is needed, something more characteristic of the time. But if gasmasks are a must, I think the gas hood is the best option.
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i'd paint the helmet blue to match the uniform,
other than that you're sound.
regards
jim
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You could paint the helmet brass colour. brass always helps.
I think that is a good idea. Worth a try at any rate. Perhaps paint the mask some kind of colour you wouldn't expect a WWI one to be, as well.
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Some cracking advice chaps, a bit of experimenting with colours methinks.
I can see where Plynkes is coming from so I might fiddle with the design of the helmet and mask. If I could have that mask with one rectangular viewing slit rather than the two familiar circular lenses I'd be a happy boy. As Malamute said, filing down the crest of the helmet will be a start.
What about a different figure? I went naval to get away from the usual infantry figs I use. The biggest problem is finding something compatible, these heads wont work with your larger 28's.
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Naval works fine for me as airborne troops, seems natural for Neffs to be crewed by the navy.
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My first thought was Brass as well, same as the guys above. But I was thinking maybe to have brass detailing - on the eye rims of the gasmask as well as the top ridge and badge. This may give a more Victorian embelishment to the headgear rather than the WW1 utilitarian. Other than that it looks great.
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I like it, but if you want something more Victorian the try using Ramshackle's gasmasked pith helmet heads.
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I think he's gorgeous as is. Keep on going.
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To remove the WW1 French look try the following:
1 - Remove the badge on the front of the helmet and replace with a new greenstuff badge of similar shape to those on 1880s home service helmets. This is just a small change but it would add to the effect.
2 - As you commented above, changing the eye holes on the gas mask would certainly help, so off some of the detail and replace with a greenstuff rectangular window.
3 - Paint gasmask in any colour but Khaki - perhaps dark grey highlighted with mediumn grey for a rubber mask, or an earth brown highlighted with lighter shades for a canvas effect.
4 - Since your unit is Navy, paint helmet dark blue with brass badge. Possibly paint ridge brass too.
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You could paint the helmet like a pith helmet that they used in the 1850s and paint the mask to look like canvas. Then again, a brass helmet would look cool, maybe a polished steel helmet. Either way, I realy like the figure and I might have to steal the idea :)
Justin
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A British tar in a Froggy helmet???!!! It's a damnable disgrace sir! ;)
I rather like him, but I do think turning it into a brass fireman's helmet is a lovely (and very VSF-like) idea.
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I'd paint the gas-mask white, or a kind of canvasy off-white, and I quite like the idea of a brass helmet. I like the Adrian; and I like the rifle. If a new service was set up, they might have new and experimental kit, so I'd not be too concerned that the rifle looks quite modern. Bang up to date 1895, possibly.
My own nef-troopers - 'Aetherines' - from the Royal Aeronautical Corps will be wearing navy blue, but they'll be in 'army' togs. My regulars are the Ironclad ones in home service helmets, but someone pointed out that pickelhaube style helmets wouldn't be good on an airship, just in case, so my chaps will be wearing pith helmets. But I think the Adrian (easpecially a leather one) is a very nice solution.
I think a whole squad painted up and on the table, in context, will stop you thinking 'why has that sailor got a French WWI head?' - at the moment it may be that he just looks wrong because he's on his own. But I think were it me, I would try out some different colours schemes on the helmet and gasmask on the next few minis.
Of course, it may just be that problem is that figure doesn't have enough rivets.
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I like him. Reminds me a bit of this bunch.
(http://www.cityofart.net/bship/gunners.jpg)
How do they ascend from on high? If it was me I would have used Highlanders with a balanced spar of liftwood strapped to their web gear. The kilt would make for a very stable approach and a landing not soon to be forgot. That would be too far. ;)
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Oooooh! Lots more handy advice. I'm being swayed by the brass helmet idea so I might give it a bash and as Bezzo suggested take a pic of the figure on the nef.
I like it, but if you want something more Victorian the try using Ramshackle's gasmasked pith helmet heads.
I've ot a bunch of those but was trying to steer away from pith helmets for this project. I've got plans for them anyway ;).
A British tar in a Froggy helmet???!!! It's a damnable disgrace sir! ;)
I know, I know...... If it makes you feel better I didn't sleep that night.
How do they ascend from on high? If it was me I would have used Highlanders with a balanced spar of liftwood strapped to their web gear. The kilt would make for a very stable approach and a landing not soon to be forgot. That would be too far. ;)
You are naughty but I like you (any Dick Emery fans in the house?) ;)
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I like the figure, but agree the "Adrian" is a little wrong as it is. The suggestion to file down the ridge is a good one and would make it much less WW1 French in appearance. The change to brass would also do a lot to alter it as would the cream/off-white idea for the respirator. I reckon if you do all this it will be much more "Victorian" and a unit of them will look superb.
Whatever, please don't cancel the project as it's only a gnat's knacker away from being spot-on :D
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Gawd knows what I'm doing contributing tho this thread as I have no knowledge of the boundaries of VSF but, for what it is (or more likely isn't!) worth, here's my colour scheme for what I think is a cracking figure:
Helmet ridge = brass
Helmet body = same colour blue as the uniform
Helmet strap = same colour white as the webbing
Gasmask fittings and canister = brass
Gasmask hose = reddish-brown (same colour as RTV101, rubbery red)
Gasmask hood = off-white (linen)
Feel free to ignore. ;) :)
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not much to add to the above I like it basically
IMHO the adrian is the best choice for Helmet, it looks least modern among the early ones
if you want to keep the adrian, different brass fitting will make it look more classicist and less WWI
either blue or leather body
only thing that bothers me is that the helmet looks too high on top of the head
if you want to try a different approach, I had thought myself of swapping the heads of Pulp rocketeer troopers for something different
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My reaction was that he looked like a WWI fellow, too. I agree with the advice to paint the helmet a different color - if it isn't metal, it may not look so modern.
The main problem, I think, is that we associate gas masks with WWI.
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...only thing that bothers me is that the helmet looks too high on top of the head
It is a little high, but you can justify that by saying that the helmet is normally adjusted to fit onto a bare head. Wearing it over a thick fabric/leather respirator hood will have the effect of pushing it up higher than normal - as I noted happened when we wore helmets over NBC kit in the 1980s.
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Just looked at the figure again and had a thought, paint the helmet like a pith helmet and paint the ridge metal. You could say that in the testing phase the persons gear became seperated from them during the drop and when the trooper landed, their gear landed on top of them. So as a result, the powers that be decided to add extra "protection" to the helmet. Then you can say that the French later stolen the design to make their metal helmet :)
Justin
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If you paint the helmet as brass with a canvas mask, how about adding some sort of crest on top of the helmet, like a Tarleton, to make it really different ?
Otherwise look at Victorian brass firemen's helmets.
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Otherwise look at Victorian brass firemen's helmets.
Or indeed heavy cavalry helmets...
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/carabiniers1.jpg)
(My little Ponytail may be left at home on when campaign, if you don't want the Prussians sniggering behind their hands at you.)
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;)
(http://i38.servimg.com/u/f38/12/08/65/30/1923_c11.jpg) (http://www.servimg.com/image_preview.php?i=1511&u=12086530)
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as I noted happened when we wore helmets over NBC kit in the 1980s.
Blimey, that brings back memories. That NBC kit nearly killed me, literally!
Well chaps, you haven't let me down with ideas (even background thanks to Justin). I'm going to have a sit down with the paints and have a play. I'll post some pics and share when I get some time.
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Erm...... any suggestions on a decent brass? ::) Went through my paint collection and I've got every metallic colour going. No brass though.
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if you have gold, tone it down with brown wash
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Thanks matey.
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Brass or bronze for the helmets. Bress fittings on the mask. I think that would do it,
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How do they ascend from on high? If it was me I would have used Highlanders with a balanced spar of liftwood strapped to their web gear. The kilt would make for a very stable approach and a landing not soon to be forgot. That would be too far. ;)
lol lol lol
Time to get modelling..... ;)
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Right chaps, I took your advice on board and changed the helmet colour to brass and the mask to a more canvass look. It's only a rough paint job for now that needs to be touched up. Sorry the pics are a bit poo but I took them on my phone. When I've got a chance I'll take some better pics of the figure on a nef to put it into context. Anyway, what are your thoughts:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/1254_13_07_10_9_38_43_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/1254_13_07_10_9_38_45_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/1254_13_07_10_9_38_44_1.jpg)
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Wow, change a few details and it gets even better.
Very nice!
Gracias,
Glenn
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:-*
He looks brilliant!
Time to switch to full time production!
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Yes, that's more like it. Only needed a tweak or two and it looks far more "VSF". Lovely :D
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I like it better, not that it wasn't good in the first place!!
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I have to say that gas mask gives him a very spooky look. Might make for a nice nickname for his group.
In any case I think this look is more of a "something new and experimental" look rather then trench and mud look, which is a good thing.
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I like it better, not that it wasn't good in the first place!!
Agreed. It's looking more VSF.
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it looks good
my personal taste woukd have been leather helmet with brass fittings or brass helmet with copper fittings, but this doesn't matter - he doesn't look WWI french any more
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Looks much better mate.
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Spot on. :)
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Thanks chaps. Into production they go! :)
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WOW :-* :-* :-*
You have been busy.
The brass looks cool, I still would think about filing off the ridge on the top, as others have suggested.
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Its always amazing to see how the smallest changes can effect the overall look. Very nice.
I would be tempted, when doing the Leading NCO to change out his filter can for a tobacco tin. ;)
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Very cool IMO
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So glad you went with a brass Adrian and a canvas gasmask. He doesn't look like an armed fireman after all, I think it's an excellent look, and if I wasn't already committed to having 'army' aeroneffers I'd be copying this even as we speak.
Nice job!