Karack zar - from TheBaggageTrain - any good?

[Predatorpt]

While reading another topic (about sci-fi vehicles) I came across these "Lizards in space":

http://the-baggagetrain.com/shop/category_SCIR/Lizards-with-Guns.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26

Are they any good? Does anyone have some of them?

[Westfalia Chris]

While reading another topic (about sci-fi vehicles) I came across these "Lizards in space":

http://the-baggagetrain.com/shop/category_SCIR/Lizards-with-Guns.html?shop_param=cid%3D%26

Are they any good? Does anyone have some of them?

I think I may be getting some for my retro scifi collection if they carry them along to Fiasco, so I might be able to provide better pics by Sunday.

[Predatorpt]

Ok, thanks! Looking forward to the pics if you buy them

[Bako]

I'd like some pictures too.

[Westfalia Chris]

Unfortunately, they didn´t have any of the KarackZar at the show. But I did get five of their other scifi figures. From what the owner told me, the KarackZar are bigger than these and similar in sculpting quality.



The above are actually not at all bad, especially considering the price of 90p apiece. The sculpting is clean, the proportions and size are early 90s 25-ish - the figures are all in a more or less crouched stance, but wouldn´t look out of place next to GZG figures. They are, however, notably smaller than most modern ranges, I´d assume. I´ll do some comparison shots once I get them painted.

The vehicles, by the way, are actually rather nice and big. I´d stay clear of the hovertanks and APCs, since those are very, very bland, but the tracked and wheeled models are nice, especially the "4-Wheel" Armoured Car, which looks a bit like a Cadillac Gage V-150 on steroids without a turret. These would indeed work with any models smaller than "big 32s", e.g. Hydra and Killer Bee would be too big, but Pig Iron wouldn´t look out of place. I ran out of cash before so I didn´t get one, but I think I´ll order one of the 4-Wheelers and some of the KarackZars relatively soon and do a proper review of those as well.

[Predatorpt]

Thanks for taking the time and writing that review. I was also interested in the vehicles so your comments are welcome. Did you see any of the mechs in the "flesh"? I'm thinking about buying the Raptor Combat walker.

[Westfalia Chris]

Thanks for taking the time and writing that review. I was also interested in the vehicles so your comments are welcome. Did you see any of the mechs in the "flesh"? I'm thinking about buying the Raptor Combat walker.

I didn´t see the "Raptor", but the "Klaymore" was on display. By volume of resin alone, I´d say it´s an okay deal, since the casting quality seems to be okay as well (judging from the vehicle kits they had with them). Some bubbles and fllash, but nothing terrible. The model itself has a lot of flat, open surfaces, not much in the way of "intricate detail", but as with the vehicles, you could quickly add detail (and probably should, with some armour plates to add variety, and maybe antennae).

I would have actually bought one of the walkers and the 4-Wheel ACs right there if I hadn´t run out of money. I´d say just from the model point of view, they are indeed worth their money, but be prepared to invest quite some more time for a really good finished model (as opposed to, say, a decent but a bit bland model).

[former user]

I wouldn't be much concerned with the size and proportion of a ficticious alien lizard species -
after all, they can be any size You like and not necessarily human

as long as the sculpts are OK....

one of my long run projects is a VSF/pulp/low tech SF Lizardmen army

all converted from GW skinks/saurians/kroot with only a few metal miniatures
some 90% of it is done (the rest awaits ideas since I don't like to be repetitive)
and of course nothing is painted yet

I even tried some conversions with Tau bodies, and it worked well

all in all a rather cheap alternative I would recommend, if You don't necessarily need sophisticated SF gear - Turtledove's Tosev timeline is a good inspiration here, where the lizards go naked apart from pouch belts; they are also described as the height of a 10 year old human with the technology of our 21st C

I am surprised noone has come up with this yet - plenty of opportunities to use WWII stuff

[Bako]

I wouldn't be much concerned with the size and proportion of a ficticious alien lizard species -
after all, they can be any size You like and not necessarily human

as long as the sculpts are OK....

Absolutely.

I tried using some GW Saurus warriors and giving them various 'scavenged' guns and equipment. They looked fine maybe for some raiders or Tau auxiliaries, but at the time I had never thought of using spare kroot arms and lets just say I wasn't completely pleased with my efforts. Though I did like the leader and squad-cannoneer a tad much. I should find them...