Domestic Objects --> Prussian Infentry

[Mr.Marx]

Hello all.

I was at a show recently and someone urged me to look this article up;

http://www.freewargamesrules.co.uk/HRA.pdf

Now, I think this idea is utterly fantastic, but I am an avid supporter of the Land Ironclads 2mm game. I don’t think that hair curlers would be suitable to make 2mm infantry like this, but I’m sure that there must be some inexpensive domestic item that can be used to mass produce little men for my little armies.

Does anyone have any Ideas?

(Just so everyone knows, I need a lot of infantry to go with my large number of ironclads and contraptions, because at the moment I like to play big games of Land Ironclads, but due to the lack of infantry its basically a naval game, and I don’t have the funding to buy any more of Irregular’s little chaps.)

Thanks all

Mr.Marx

[keeper]

Have you considered the eponymous Rice Army?  Should be about the right size.

[Mr.Marx]

Rice army? I'll like to hear more about that...

Im thinking at the moment that I will have a go with some very small hair curlers...it might go well. You never know.

[keeper]

Just did a web search and I can't find anything ... hmmm ... anyway, the idea is that you use rice lined up in neat lines glued to bases to represent your infantry.  You can pre-dye the rice, and if you're really, really, really mad, paint it after you've glued it down.

[6mmfan]

The whole rice army thing has been mentioned on TMP a few times so its worth checking there.

Cheers
Kieran

[Mr.Marx]

Hey everyone, I had a look and dident find anything on a rice army.....but like any good Englishman I went ahead and had a go without really knowing what I was doing.



That is it!

And here we have the rice men with some Inf that I PAID FOR;



And a WIP (men glued to card off a pad of paper)



Now, I understand, when looking at these close up pics, it must be very, very easy to go " THATS JUST PAINTED RICE", but the important thing to remember is that this is all in 1:1200 scale...thats 2mm tall men....and that at this scale (at least I think) that infentry detail is conciderabley less than important. So, here is a pic of them in a battle line;



Id be glad to know what people think about this way of doing things.

Also, Im still on for the HairCurlers thing, and will be buying some this thursday when myself and my ladyfriend take a trip into the big city (we are simple country folk). I'll have  a go and post up what ever happens soon.

Regards
Mr.Marx

[Thunderchicken]

Mr Marx,

If you want some hair curlers I can add some to your collection. Now, before the usual bunch charge in with the expected amusing comments I will explain myself. All I wanted was one hair curler to use as a cage for a martian tripod but I had to buy a job lot, hence the surplus. Anyway, if you're in the UK PM me and I'll send them to you gratis (cant promise anything this side of Christmas and no, that's not becuase I'll be using them!!). Have a look on E-bay, it's crawling with them, might save you a trip into the big scary city.

       

[answer_is_42]

Mr Marx,

If you want some hair curlers I can add some to your collection. Now, before the usual bunch charge in with the expected amusing comments I will explain myself. All I wanted was one hair curler to use as a cage for a martian tripod but I had to buy a job lot, hence the surplus. Anyway, if you're in the UK PM me and I'll send them to you gratis (cant promise anything this side of Christmas and no, that's not becuase I'll be using them!!). Have a look on E-bay, it's crawling with them, might save you a trip into the big scary city.

But you wear a beret, what were the curlers for? Your moustache?* 

Not sure the rice men worked out so well, but the hair curler idea sounds plausible. I await the results with great interest.



*Sorry.

[keeper]

Good effort Mr Marx.  That is exactly what I was thinking!

This sounds a little weird typing it, but I think the rice might be a little on the tall side!  Yeah.  Definately weird.  Also, i don't think you've painted as much detail on the rice as you have with the 2mm infantry - that might help with the appearance of the rice - but I think overall it looks like something that works well enough if you've got more time than money available!

[Mr.Marx]

Ah, yes, The first 'wave' of my rice-men were simpaly grains of rice cut in half, so there about 3mm, but the second wave (made of diced rice) are approximately 2mm.

I might try to add some detail, perhaps just some faces or hats. It would make them look less craptacualr. I still think that they look alrite, if not looked at close.......perhaps at arms distance......if its dark....

Ok, I think they'll look ok on the table-top...if you dont look....

[keeper]

Yeah, fair enough, I won't disagree And more painted detail might help a little.

However, I was thinking about them last night, and they would probably make pretty good scenic detail in 2mm - if you want some standing stones, or for marking lines of walls, etc. where it is important for adding flavour to the tabletop (please excuse the pun ).

[Mr.Marx]

Yeah, I have been thinking about rice walls perhaps?

Mr.Marx