Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 07:11:11 AM

Title: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 07:11:11 AM: As opposed to my Free Norwegians, there are native creatures (or, at least, beings who have been on Mars longer than the Norwegians), so I thought I would start up a new little thread for them, as I have been a busy little bee lately.

First off, we have the Chasme Boreale variety of liftwood, which stores the sap in large fruits on the plant's limbs, and when it reaches a certain size, tends to pull the ground up and float away, forming forest 'islands' that float on the currents of wind. Free Norway as well as native populations of these areas have taken to chaining the islands to the ground keeping them in place for harvest. Doktor Helga Fabius has been credited with an amazing discovery - that when the fruit is prepared in a particular manner, it can be ground and added to a fluid solution to create a compound that has 100x the lifting power of the wood or fruit alone. She has named this dried material disbelievitite, and with the proper suspension, she believes that it will revolutionize Norwegian air power.

This was my first attempt - what I refer to as a proof of concept model. Most of the time, I pitch these, but this will suffice.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_02_1.jpg)

And these are what followed. I should be able to forest a small end of a board with these.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_02_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_02_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_03_4.jpg)

And one with a model for scale.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_24.jpg)

I am up to five of these islands, and there I will stop.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 07:15:43 AM: And, while probably not native per se, we have what most Earthlings think of when they hear Martian, the Cephalopods (to steal the V&S&F nomenclature).

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_02_0.jpg)

I press molded a giant tick model body to make their body, dremeled some spaces for eyes, added beads and green stuff tentacles, and then made a couple of press molds of theones I liked. I ahve about 20 of these guys made right now, and they will be getting artillery, and personal tripods made from these...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_20_09_11_7_47_53.jpg)

I will also be adding Deep Desert Martians, Greens, and Reds to this list eventually.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Svennn on September 20, 2011, 07:35:12 AM: I like the islands a lot - brilliant
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: OSHIROmodels on September 20, 2011, 08:23:54 AM: I like the islands as well, especially the roots that appear out of the side 8)

cheers

James
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: marianas_gamer on September 20, 2011, 08:31:33 AM: Very creative, I also really like the islands.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 03:41:10 PM: Quote from: jimbibbly on September 20, 2011, 08:23:54 AM
I like the islands as well, especially the roots that appear out of the side 8)

cheers

James

Thanks - I know it isn't up to the kind of standard you set for terrain, but I am just not that patient...
or talented, for that matter.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Malamute on September 20, 2011, 03:56:21 PM: Quote from: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 03:41:10 PM
Thanks - I know it isn't up to the kind of standard you set for terrain, but I am just not that patient...
or talented, for that matter.

You do yourself a disservice there Sir, I think your floatwood model is a triumph.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: chantyam on September 20, 2011, 04:02:02 PM: If you what to go a bit bigger perhaps one with a small farm shack or processing building for the sap collection (sort of mini "Laputa") then not only could you have roots thoughout the 'island' but a bit of industrial run off ::)
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Froggy the Great on September 20, 2011, 04:10:09 PM: The islands are beautiful.

I will watch with interest what you do with the tripods - I've made a couple vehicles from those myself.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: gamer Mac on September 20, 2011, 06:50:35 PM: Some very nice stuff :-* :-* :-*
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: HerbyF on September 20, 2011, 09:30:45 PM: Love that Martian terrain. I'm looking forward to seeing it some time in a game. You will have to let me know when you are going to put one on. I might have to come on down to Portland.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Ray Rivers on September 21, 2011, 01:22:48 PM: Quote from: Sinewgrab on September 20, 2011, 03:41:10 PM
I am just not that patient... or talented, for that matter.

Ahhh... talent comes in many forms. :)

Those are awesome pieces of terrain. :-*
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Cacique Caribe on September 22, 2011, 11:02:50 PM: Sinewgrab,

Have you considered using these? Or are they too big for your needs?

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=243246

Dan
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Alfrik on September 23, 2011, 12:39:49 AM: I likem!
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna
Post by: Sinewgrab on September 23, 2011, 03:10:35 AM: Quote from: Cacique Caribe on September 22, 2011, 11:02:50 PM
Sinewgrab,

Have you considered using these? Or are they too big for your needs?

http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=243246

Dan

Hmm, no I had never considered that. Of course, now that I have my molds...

And thank you for the compliments - there are just some days that I see what some of the phenomenal minds here throw together, and feel like throwing it all in a deep lake somewhere. Of course, other days I make the Free Norwegians, and mentally punch their forces in the mouth.

:D
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 9-24-11)
Post by: Sinewgrab on September 25, 2011, 12:29:23 AM: And we have more of the vile Cephalopods and their bizarre technology.

These are the ones I recently made from my press molds, and started arming a couple. I have some 20 or so now, and I am going to go to tripods and greens now.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_21_20_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_21_20_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_21_20_2.jpg)

And because of the smooth organic look of their tech, I decided to cannibalize some unpainted stuff from my Eldar to make emplacement heat rays, smoke launchers, and other guns to be named later when I decide what they do.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_22_10_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_22_10_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/9/1352_25_09_11_1_22_10_2.jpg)

I went with the green/silver look to make them pop on my Mars board, and I am planning on doing the same color combo on the Tripods...
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 9-24-11)
Post by: Sinewgrab on July 17, 2012, 03:57:10 AM: Resurrection! VSF never dies!

And just a couple new models I finished yesterday...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/10/1352_17_07_12_4_52_01_2.jpg)

I originally did them in all white, but I just didn't like it. So, screw it, they got some color.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 7-16-12)
Post by: aggro84 on July 17, 2012, 05:51:57 AM: Great idea for the pods. They look great. :-*

I really like those Bronze Age Martian Apes as well.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on August 02, 2012, 06:26:48 AM: And now my Cephalopod army is nearly complete. I still have two of these toys to convert, but I haven't decided what I will do with them, so I will call the 'Pods finished for now.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/10/1352_02_08_12_7_14_13_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/10/1352_02_08_12_7_14_14_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/10/1352_02_08_12_7_14_14_2.jpg)

I like them for their simplicity, so now I just have to stat out the 'Pods, and I will have 3 usable forces for VSF Mars Fubar....
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: rob_alderman on August 02, 2012, 12:15:26 PM: Wow, fantastic project so far, really cool work!

Where are those martian walker toys from? They're perfect!
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: Froggy the Great on August 02, 2012, 12:51:48 PM: The walkers are from McDonalds' Happy Meals. I've converted a couple myself. I like the different take on these, nice and simple.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: The_Beast on August 02, 2012, 08:36:51 PM: Quote from: rob_alderman on August 02, 2012, 12:15:26 PM
Wow, fantastic project so far, really cool work!

Where are those martian walker toys from? They're perfect!

I sent a couple as gift to Thunderchicken quite some time ago, but I don't think he ever used them. They were from a Batman series, Black Mamba, or something.

If the opportunity presents itself, do tease him about the tripods and lack of use. :D

Doug
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: Bullshott on August 02, 2012, 10:29:10 PM: Quote from: The_Beast on August 02, 2012, 08:36:51 PM
I sent a couple as gift to Thunderchicken quite some time ago, but I don't think he ever used them. They were from a Batman series, Black Mamba, or something.

If the opportunity presents itself, do tease him about the tripods and lack of use. :D

Doug

TC claims to have problems with his tripods - I told him to see the doctor about them lol
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 8-1-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on August 03, 2012, 04:37:33 AM: Black Manta toys from a Batman series of Burger King or Happy Meals...I got them for about $1 each. Lets me run Tripods without having them too damned big.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-07-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on October 08, 2012, 02:12:06 AM: And a few more plants. I was mostly trying to find a use for moss I blew off of my roof and some leftover pieces from bunches of plastic roses my wife was adding to her Dark Alice costume for a masquerade ball...and a few pieces of cork...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_08_10_12_3_01_13_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_08_10_12_3_01_14_2.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_08_10_12_3_02_36_0.jpg)

I thought I should probably have at least a few of the plants I used as 'liftwood trees' that are still attached to the ground - after all, they don't start in the air.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-07-12)
Post by: Mason on October 08, 2012, 06:15:56 AM: Good use of some 'junk' materials.

Those rose stems look great.

Love the tripods, too.
Very effective.
:-*
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-07-12)
Post by: aggro84 on October 09, 2012, 03:31:02 AM: The rose stem technique is simple but looks really effective. Very cool idea! :-*
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-07-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on October 12, 2012, 03:35:10 AM: And the skies of Mars are even less safe.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_12_10_12_4_28_39_0.jpg)

Run, pilot!

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_12_10_12_4_28_40_1.jpg)

Made from yet another rose stem, some beads, a claw from somewhere, and thin polycarbonate wings.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-11-12)
Post by: Froggy the Great on October 12, 2012, 01:28:25 PM: I hate you for thinking of that before I did.

Nice work!
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-11-12)
Post by: warrenpeace on October 23, 2012, 01:19:27 AM: Looks like you are about ready for games at Game Storm and Enfilade next year!

Great stuff. Really setting the Martian scene.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 10-11-12)
Post by: Nighthawk on October 25, 2012, 09:28:45 PM: I haven't done much with my VSF models lately. But seeing these great ideas is starting to inspire me to jump back in. :D
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 11-04-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on November 04, 2012, 06:03:38 PM: And, inspired by a thread in the workbench area about using hot glue to make odd plants, I added these to my Martian terrain bits.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_04_11_12_6_56_27_0.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_04_11_12_6_56_27_1.jpg)

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_04_11_12_6_56_27_2.jpg)

Nothing too inspiring, but it should add a touch of color to the landscape. Now, I have to quit making terrain and get back to painting my German forces.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 11-04-12)
Post by: Ray Rivers on November 04, 2012, 07:33:13 PM: :-*

Those came out really nicely!

They have a very cool strangeness about them that seems to hit the sweet spot!
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 11-04-12)
Post by: aggro84 on November 05, 2012, 03:01:26 AM: Fun stuff! They look nice. Vary other worldly! :-*
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on December 31, 2012, 08:24:46 AM: And we add to the herdbeasts of Mars.

From giant sandworms have evolved (or is it the other way around...) burrowing packs of beasts with voracious maws, with a dominant female, and the hunting pack of males. The males, of course, are being tamed and used as mounts for the Norwegian Lensmenn. The dominant female is much larger...

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_31_12_12_9_17_50_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_31_12_12_9_17_51_1.jpg)

And, because I can't find any to save my life, I have been futzing around trying to make Bantha cubs. If anyone has a better choice, please tell me. I am not a good sculptor.

(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_31_12_12_9_17_51_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/11/1352_31_12_12_9_17_51_3.jpg)
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: HerbyF on December 31, 2012, 08:55:30 AM: Yaks might work for young Banthas with a little modification.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: Sinewgrab on December 31, 2012, 09:15:08 AM: Quote from: HerbyF on December 31, 2012, 08:55:30 AM
Yaks might work for young Banthas with a little modification.

Yeah, but where do I find yak minis?
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: HerbyF on December 31, 2012, 09:31:08 AM: I think that Irregular still has some. I have seen them in someone else's line but don't remember where. They can also be found in some plastic toy lines. I think I have some of them some where. Somebody also does a highland cattle figure. They might work too.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: OSHIROmodels on December 31, 2012, 09:50:50 AM: Doesn't Copplestone do a couple as beasts of burden?

cheers

James
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: marianas_gamer on January 01, 2013, 03:57:53 AM: Personally, I like your sculpt.
LB
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: rob_alderman on January 01, 2013, 08:55:37 AM: Alternative Armies do some pretty chunk Musk Oxen...

http://alternative-armies.com/57033_Colonel_Skande_Stoyne.htm

Email them and they will sell them seperately.
Title: Re: Martian Flora and Fauna (updated 12-31-12)
Post by: The_Beast on January 01, 2013, 02:05:19 PM: Quote from: marianas_gamer on January 01, 2013, 03:57:53 AM
Personally, I like your sculpt.
LB

Make that two of us.

However, Rob certainly looks like he's on to something.

Doug