Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => VSF Adventures => Topic started by: Bullshott on July 06, 2014, 08:49:58 PM
-
After a long break, I have decided it's time to return to the VSF Mars Project and add a new British presence.
The British Mars Trade and Exploration Company (sometimes referred to by high-minded sorts as the British Mars Trade and Exploitation Company), or British Martin Trade (BMT) for short, is a successful enterprise carving out a slice of Mars for itself and also a major competitor to the Great Martian Trading Company. The BMT specialises in acquiring rare Martian minerals, whose high selling price on Earth funds this expanding enterprise.
In order to protect its assets on Mars, the BMT has raised its own military force. This picture shows some of the troopers who form the core of the BMT force. For their service on Mars, the troopers were issued with brick red corduroy riding breeches and tunics. The tunics were poorly made and totally unsuited to the Martian climate, resulting in them being left in store by the troopers. Instead, the troopers took the grey canvas boat smocks that they had been issued with for their journey to Mars and re-tailored them into short grey jackets.
The main weapon of the troopers is the Arioch Industries electro-rifle. Although this weapon has a shorter range than conventional military rifles, its electrically charged bullets give it an increased chance of killing enemy troops and local fauna.
Also shown in the picture is Colonel Tiberius 'Tin Leg' Foster, former commander of the Yorkshire (Experimental) Heavy Infantry and now in overall command of the BMT force. Although Foster lost his leg in the Sudan (forcing a premature retirement from the Army), he has been fitted with a Bullshott Industries replacement which actually gives him better mobility than his original (slightly arthritic) leg. When in the field, Foster retains his scarlet tunic from his former career.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/164_06_07_14_8_52_51.jpg)
-
They look ready to take on any dastardly fauna or Martians! :)
-
Very imposing bunch of gentlemen - love Colonel Tiberius Foster
-
Good work Dave. :)
Now show us the Martian traders. ;)
-
I recently purchased some of these miniatures and i like what you've doe with them. I may have to borrow that paint scheme.
Great job!
-
Those look excellent!
Mars and I, welcome your return!
-
Looking good. I shall continue to use my minuscule influence in order to try and get more figures sculpted :)
-
Now show us the Martian traders. ;)
They are on the painting table old chap. I'm just trying to decide on the colour of their robes. I'm considering EDIT: purple a deep red. EDIT2: finally settled on purple lol
-
Looking good. I shall continue to use my minuscule influence in order to try and get more figures sculpted :)
Just let me know when the 3rd trooper and adventurer figures will be case and available for sale :)
-
Nice back story. You need to get those traders painted and photographed now :)
-
I recently purchased some of these miniatures and i like what you've doe with them. I may have to borrow that paint scheme.
Great job!
Forewarned is forearmed! :D
Still, even through the mustaches, the amount of stiff upper lip is daunting. Will the Black Prince or the Crimson Skull be facing them? :o
Stalwart fellows, Bullshot; I must echo the cries for completion of the traders.
Bully, I say, bully!
Doug
-
Just let me know when the 3rd trooper and adventurer figures will be case and available for sale :)
Due to ill children I didn't make it in to do comparison pics for the Egyptians last week. I shall ask about those for you when I go in this week instead.
-
Due to ill children I didn't make it in to do comparison pics for the Egyptians last week. I shall ask about those for you when I go in this week instead.
:)
-
They weren't getting released any time soon as Nick was going to wait until some other sculpts were done etc, however I pointed out that Cubs had shown them and people were asking...
Can't promise but they should be coming out pretty soon.
-
I look forward to reading of their exploits.
-
They weren't getting released any time soon as Nick was going to wait until some other sculpts were done etc, however I pointed out that Cubs had shown them and people were asking...
Can't promise but they should be coming out pretty soon.
:D
I hope so - this would mean i could field a unit or two at the next big Mars game ;)
-
Whereas trade between the cities of Mars is conducted along the canals, this is of no relevance to those settlements in the mountains or deep in the desert wastelands. Although some trade is conducted by the flyers of the city merchant guilds, such aerial traders are few due to the hostile attentions of the Sky Martians and their role tends to normally be limited to the transport fof high value goods and materials. The lifeline of the landlocked settlements is therefore provide by the caravans of the trader clans.
The most common caravans are fairly small; comprising a leader with a core of traders/drovers (usually all from the same family), some jezail-armed guards and a herd of pack beasts. On occasion these small caravans will band together for protection in numbers when crossing areas known to be raided by Sky Martians. Also, on set dates in the Martian year, these caravans meet at oasis for their famous Great Meets.
This picture shows a group of traders from the clan Raas-Al-Khanoot. All wear the purple robes of their clan and the silver neck band of the trader clans. Because the desert communities rely on these clans to provide a lifeline, the wearing of the neck band has been decreed to the trader clans under Martian law as a mark of respect that indicates the wearer may enter or leave any settlement or city unhindered, providing that break no laws while in that place.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/164_13_07_14_6_42_23_0.jpg)
The traders are conversions from out of production Black Scorpion Aliens. The following photo shows a trader compared with a Sky Martian warrior, a Sky Martian priest (converted from a Salute freebie Lord of the Nazgul) and an Artizan human. Note the more pot-bellied appearance of the land-based trader when compared with the athletic build of the Sky Martians.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/18/164_13_07_14_6_42_23_1.jpg)
-
Love the traders!
:-*
-
Those conversions are inspired, Dave.
'Genius Idea of the Month'
8) :-* 8)
-
Turned out nice them Dave :)
cheers
James
-
Superb
-
Turned out nice them Dave :)
cheers
James
Yep, they're great. ;D
-
Top marks. They look like a very dubious bunch.
-
Wonderful project!
-
I had a constructive day yesterday, so thought I would post what I'm working on. This is the state so far of my Martian trading skiff, converted to steam for use by Earthers. It needs a bit of tidying up and detailing added. Otherwise, it will soon be ready for a touch of paint.
The skiff is based around parts from Ironclad's Martian skiff, which is a nice model but too short for my uses - this is my solution :)
The armament (2 x Vickers-Maxim 1 pdr pom-poms on AA mounts to deter Sky Martian raiders) and crew figures will all be attached by magnets (a number of magnets are hidden in convenient places under the deck). This will allow me to change weapon configurations and also stop crew figures from falling off when the nef is on a flying stand.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/21/164_08_03_15_10_36_08.)
-
That looks fantastic! a real work of art and if the finished article is anything like the figures above it will be a thing of beauty.(as they are fab too) very stylish design with careful thought involved. My personal leanings are to add propellers and control surfaces but they are not for everyone and can be fragile and make it harder to store. It is SF after all and propulsion and control can be as mysterious as you want.
Cracking work though and inspiring ! :)
-
My personal leanings are to add propellers and control surfaces but they are not for everyone and can be fragile and make it harder to store.
Thanks for the comments. Propeller and rudders will be added once I've tidied up the construction of the hull.
-
The skiff is looking great!
-
Nice one Dave, I guess she should be finished in time for her maiden voyage at Salute?
-
Nice one Dave, I guess she should be finished in time for her maiden voyage at Salute?
That's the general idea :)
-
A great bit of construction, Dave.
Looking forward to seeing her with a lick of paint.
8) 8)
-
That is lovely. I look forward to Bullshott re-returns to the Red Planet.
-
Nice one Dave, I guess she should be finished in time for her maiden voyage at Salute?
That's the general idea :)
In that case I'll make some more 'on fire' markers! lol
-
In that case I'll make some more 'on fire' markers! lol
They would be for your Sky Martian skiff then lol
Assembly is now complete and primer drying. Painting will start over the weekend. Now to base up some crew.
-
What a beauty Sir :D
May I ask where/what is the stern lower deck is/from? And where do the rails starboard and port come from?
-
My own skiff kit is waiting patently in the basement. Well, not TOO patiently, as I keep almost knocking to the floor every time I use the loo. I really thought it might be simply constructed as it is, make it to completion before someone distracted with another use... ::)
May I ask where/what is the stern lower deck is/from? And where do the rails starboard and port come from?
Really, does he have to explain EVERYTHING? *as I silently thank you for doing the asking* lol
The rails almost appear to be assembled from dollhouse parts, but that would be crazy talk!
Doug
-
What a beauty Sir :D
May I ask where/what is the stern lower deck is/from? And where do the rails starboard and port come from?
The fore and aft 'rails' are from the Ironclad Martian skiff
The decking is Wills plastic sheets of planking
The side rails are made from balsa top and bottom and the columns were a lucky find found in a remnants box at a local model shop (specialising in boat building parts)
The stern lower deck was initially made with thin card over a foam former cut to shape. Plank effect Plasticard (sheet styrene) was than glued onto the card and some 'look like' portholes from my bits box glued in place for effect.
Simples!
-
Thank you for the run down Sir :)
-
Works for me Dave :)
cheers
James
-
Works for me Dave :)
I figured that City Martian craft wouldn't look as sleek as your Sky Martian skiffs and Ironclad's offering was a perfect starting point.
Glad you like it :)
-
The skiff now only needs details to be painted and will be completed. I've also re-based/converted a 10 figure crew for her (including a couple of Martians). I'm just waiting for the greenstuff to set before starting to paint them. The aim is for this lot to look a lot more motley (piratical?) than the crew of Malamute's company skiff ;)
-
The aim is for this lot to look a lot more motley (piratical?) than the crew of Malamute's company skiff ;)
Can't wait to see them. :)
-
than the crew of Malamute's company skiff ;)
Do you mean the ragamuffin collection of reprobates that form the so called Great Martain Trading Company?
;)
cheers
James
-
Do you mean the ragamuffin collection of reprobates that form the so called Martain Trading Company?
;)
cheers
James
You must be thinking of another of the many similarly named companies trading on Mars. These will be working the the British Martian Trade and Exploration Company (a perfectly legitimate organisation dedicated to trading both Earth and Martian goods exploiting Martian resources lol
-
While I finish painting the skiff, hers is a shot of her crew:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/21/164_12_04_15_7_04_47.jpg)
-
Brilliant mix of figures, Dave.
Very piratical looking bunch.
:-* :-*
-
Quite a group of ne'er-do-wells.
-
Skiff completed. Better photos once I've completed it's flying base.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/21/164_17_04_15_4_42_07.jpg)
-
Good God man, they make the Great Martian Trading Company men look positively respectable. ;)
Looking forward to boarding the Skiff and slaughtering the crew next weekend :D
-
Nice work, Dave.
A thoroughly disreputable looking bunch.
:-*
-
Nice work! :-*
-
Very nice. The skiff looks great! Can I just ask how you made the figure bases?
-
Very nice. The skiff looks great! Can I just ask how you made the figure bases?
The bases are 20mm plastic bases from Renedra, topped with plank effect plasticard (sheet styrene). However, I added another element to the bases ...
... before I assembled the bases I cut big holes in the Renedra bases with my Dremel drill. Once the tops were glued in place and trimmed to match the Renedra bases I then glued rare earth magnets into the holes in the bases. The skiff deck also has magnets fitted under the plank deck in several places. This means that the figures will not fall off when moving the skiff or if it gets knocked in a game :)
EDIT: I forgot to mention that I drilled out one foot on each figure and pinned it to the base.
-
What a delightful and well crafted back story. This sort of creativity is what really enhances the whole vic sci-fi steampunk genre. Looking forward to following their exploits in the field.
-
Hi Bullshot,
Nice job reworking the Ironclad Martian skiff, the magnets to secure figures is agood idea. I look forward to seeing it mounted on its flying base.
Cheers
Darling
-
Dave, it's pink!
Pink Dave, pink!
;)
cheers
James
-
Wonderful - looking forward to seeing this in its full glory at Salute next Saturday.
Blodwin
-
Dave, it's pink!
Pink Dave, pink!
;)
cheers
James
To match the 'faded red' of the rest of my BMT force's hardware and to lull opponents into a false sense of security :)
-
lol
-
Great work on the skiff and crew Dave, very nice indeed! :-* :-* I always admire your thought process.
It's certainly going to stand out next week. I'll being my sunglasses. lol