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Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: James Morris on May 05, 2013, 07:34:03 AM

Title: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: James Morris on May 05, 2013, 07:34:03 AM
I've assembled and painted a few trial Perry 8th Army models for my ongoing East Africa project, and have also had a look at my existing collection for compatibility.  While not as beautiful as Captain Blood's miniature masterpieces, I am going for a fairly quick wargaming paint job (about 15 mins each) as I expect to be painting around 100 of these fellows. 

(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8265/8708620259_d8f1487286_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8409/8708620111_98d59ff6e6_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8277/8708619935_38694c8945_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8535/8708619715_905d7c68b5_c.jpg)
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8280/8708619445_2e258cd8c7_c.jpg)
As I'm planning to do a section of the 1941 Battle of Keren, I wanted some chaps shooting upwards in support of their fellows attacking up the mountainside.  Fortunately the separate arms make this very easy with a small amount of trimming and filling.(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8546/8708619141_e0ea85bdcf_c.jpg)
As regards scale, I've always been happy to mix various manufacturers, but these are something else.  Although the Perrys' recent work has always been on the slimmer/more realistic side of 28mm, these are genuine scale models.  The height isn't so much of a difference, but the bulk is.
 (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8558/8708618841_82a41a43c1_c.jpg)
8th Army, L-R: Perry, West Wind, Artizan.
The more I assembled, the more I came to thinking that these are not just an hommage to Airfix in terms of subject material and poses, but also in scale as well, as I think this picture shows (Airfix 1/32 alongside his Perry 1/56 counterpart.) (http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8268/8708618447_4058f67873_c.jpg)   
I also had a look at the opposition in my collection.  Here's how they compare to the Italians:
(http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8544/8709740880_c4997f8bbc_c.jpg)
L-R: Artizan (x2), Perry 8th Army, Empress, Askari.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: redzed on May 05, 2013, 07:56:47 AM
I am going for a fairly quick wargaming paint job (about 15 mins each)
I'd love to see a 'How to.." on that with big pictures so as to get a clear idea of what is going on. :)
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: Brian Smaller on May 05, 2013, 08:06:30 AM
THis was a really helpful post. Thanks for that. Great paint job for 15 minutes a piece!!
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: carlos marighela on May 05, 2013, 08:34:26 AM
I think they look excellent. Useful to get the size comparisons too.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: joekano on May 05, 2013, 08:37:04 AM
Very nicely done and the comparison pics are realy useful - thanks!

Chris
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: Captain Blood on May 05, 2013, 08:45:00 AM
Thanks James  ;)

I think for 15 mins apiece, they look bloody impressive. I reckon mine took me an hour apiece at least...  :(

I am worried about the finish on yours in the close-ups though :o They've got a bit of a crackle thing going on - is that the varnish you've used. I hope they're okay.

The 1:32 scale figure is gorgeous as well, and the comparison pics are interesting. It is really astonishing when you look at the relatively naturally proportioned Perry figure alongside 'traditional' 28mm wargames figures, how lumpen and stiffly posed so many of our beloved metal figures are...  ::)
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: Mick_in_Switzerland on May 05, 2013, 09:35:22 AM
Very nice work - well done :)

Thank-you for the comparison pictures. 
I have a lot of Artizan and feared that they were substantially larger, which you have confirmed.

I love the comparison with te airfix figure - wonderful  :-*.

Mick
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: James Morris on May 05, 2013, 09:37:44 AM
Thanks James  ;)

I think for 15 mins apiece, they look bloody impressive. I reckon mine took me an hour apiece at least...  :(

I am worried about the finish on yours in the close-ups though :o They've got a bit of a crackle thing going on - is that the varnish you've used. I hope they're okay.


Thank you.  I did a very detailed 4-page 'How To' article in Issue 65 of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy ('Tea Break!  How To Paint An Eighth Army Soldier in 15 Minutes', pages 56-59), so I suggest that's worth a look if anyone wants to know the step-by-step process.  Basically I'm very busy with a new job and small children at the moment, so I'm trying very hard to find quick ways of getting my figures painted!  :)

I think the crackle varnish thing is due to impatience on my part!  I have been using the Army Painter Quickshade as part of the process, and I put the figures to dry on the radiator after doing them...I suspect I might have been better to wait the recommended 24 hours... ;)  I've used it on loads of other figures with no problems (cf all the metal figures and the Airfix model in my pics; they seem to have no crackles.)
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: James Morris on May 05, 2013, 09:44:20 AM
Very nice work - well done :)

Thank-you for the comparison pictures. 
I have a lot of Artizan and feared that they were substantially larger, which you have confirmed.

I love the comparison with te airfix figure - wonderful  :-*.

Mick

No problem.  I was expecting a difference, but the comparisons surprised me when I put the models side by side.  I've never minded mixing different manufacturers in the same unit (citing the usual 'differences in human size/build' arguments), but these are significant, especially when you consider the differences in the bulk/size of standard items like the Lee Enfields, bayonets and helmets.  I still like the Artizan figs, but I think it's going to be Perry all the way for this project...
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: redzed on May 05, 2013, 10:21:49 AM
Thank you.  I did a very detailed 4-page 'How To' article in Issue 65 of Wargames Soldiers & Strategy ('Tea Break!  How To Paint An Eighth Army Soldier in 15 Minutes', pages 56-59), so I suggest that's worth a look if anyone wants to know the step-by-step process.
so you have lol
(I haven't had time yet to read all of WSS)
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: Tellus on May 05, 2013, 01:20:42 PM
For 15 minutes per Mini this is really an amazing result.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: essayons7 on May 05, 2013, 03:40:41 PM
I just picked up that issue of WSS - great article!!!
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: grant on May 05, 2013, 05:47:15 PM
Really great work. That article in WSS was enjoyable, and timely.

Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: NurgleHH on May 06, 2013, 08:55:52 AM
Very nice, and the comparison will help me.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: pocoloco on May 06, 2013, 09:11:37 AM
Oh dear, only 15 mins per mini?   o_o I could never hope to achieve such a result. Lovely work.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: scrivs on May 06, 2013, 04:14:50 PM
I got to see these in the flesh as it were on Thursday and they are indeed lovely. I assembled all mine yesterday afternoon and hope to make a start on them after I've finished this Gurkha platoon for our Burma game.
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: Dream17 on July 10, 2013, 10:25:22 AM
Thanks to your article I've managed to pick up my brushes and paint again after having a severe case of painters block. I had not sat and painted for about 7 years. Now i've got 2 fully painted squads plus 2" morter, 3" morter, Boyes anti tank and Vickers team all done in 5 weeks. I've got 3 more squads a 2pdr to paint...I've also done half a sniper team.
I seriously doubt that I would have been able to do this without your article.
THANKYOU!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: Perry 8th Army - my 1st efforts & some interesting size comparisons
Post by: James Morris on July 16, 2013, 09:13:31 PM
Thanks to your article I've managed to pick up my brushes and paint again after having a severe case of painters block. I had not sat and painted for about 7 years. Now i've got 2 fully painted squads plus 2" morter, 3" morter, Boyes anti tank and Vickers team all done in 5 weeks. I've got 3 more squads a 2pdr to paint...I've also done half a sniper team.
I seriously doubt that I would have been able to do this without your article.
THANKYOU!!!!!!!!

That's brilliant to hear, thank you for the feed back.  It's exciting to see your own article in print, but it's better when someone reads it!   :)