The Meknificent Seven and Friends - 2014/10/26 Meks and Mercs (p.16)

[Vanvlak]

Ah, the Chimera is much better. Don´t know why I was out for the Rhino. Probably had one lying around at the time.

I think you could actually do the neck rather easily, if a bit time-consuming. First, cut a strip of thicker plasticard to the rectangular length and width required. Then, using heat (sparingly and cautiously, I must add!) plus some dowel, shape this into the snake-ish contour. Next, add smaller strips of plasticard (maybe 3mm wide) on the flat surfaces to add the linked structure. Sand the sides flush. Finally, cut grooves into the sides to complete the link effect. I´ve used it for some ammo belts and similar stuff, and it worked out rather nicely. I could do a graphic illustration tonight, if you like.

Sounds good! I think I got the idea, so don't worry about the illustration - although it sounds a useful tip and might be pinned as a stand-alone great idea
Thanks

[oxiana]

Sweet stuff!

Takes me right back - the ABC Warriors on Mars coincided pretty much exactly with when I started reading 2000AD. A halcyon period, just when the Judge Child saga was about to kick off, and Rogue Trooper was still a glimmer in Dave Gibbon's eyes. Anyway, love the Warriors, loved them when they came back in Nemesis and loved and adored them when they were drawn by Simon Bisley.

More please - Mongrel go smush!

[Westfalia Chris]

Sweet stuff!

Takes me right back - the ABC Warriors on Mars coincided pretty much exactly with when I started reading 2000AD. A halcyon period, just when the Judge Child saga was about to kick off, and Rogue Trooper was still a glimmer in Dave Gibbon's eyes. Anyway, love the Warriors, loved them when they came back in Nemesis and loved and adored them when they were drawn by Simon Bisley.

More please - Mongrel go smush!

I´ve actually almost finished the Mongrol figure, but am not at all content with it. I should have gone with my original impulse to use an AT-43 "Karman" for a base and only do minor modifications, but couldn´t get a single one, thus settled for a full sculpt from Milliput and MagicSculpt which turned out... well, a certain likeness, but as said, I´m not at all happy with it.

[cheetor]

Those figures look great, particularly Blackblood.  I have been putting off "increasing the peace" with my set for ages, mostly because of the lack of a Mongrol.  I love the ABCs but, like my Serenity/Firefly crew project, I want to have all of the figures to hand before I start so that the project can be wrapped up in a couple of weeks in front of the DVDs or reading the comics etc.

Its a real pity that Foundry didnt make Mongrol.  As the last signature member of the group from their best era (IMO), Khronicles of Khaos and Hellbringer it is irritating to only have figures for the Mek-nificent Six (and while I love Ro-Jaws, he isnt Timmy from the Famous Five: he doesnt count   )

Visiting Wargames Foundry last Friday, I took the plunge and bought a set, excluding the "small" Hammerstein, which I consider a rather mediocre pose with some proportion issues (although he seems to be more in scale with the other figs). Painted those up for a start.

The larger Hammerstein is definitely a much better figure than the small one but as you say, the smaller one fits in with the rest of the team a lot better.  I was disgusted to see how big the Ro-Jaws figure was when it arrived in the post last year: he is as big as Morrigun or Blackblood when he should be roughy 2/3 that size.  Very disappointing for such a generally liked character.  I am not that fussy when it comes to scale but I cant justify Ro-Jaws at that size.

I´ve actually almost finished the Mongrol figure, but am not at all content with it. I should have gone with my original impulse to use an AT-43 "Karman" for a base and only do minor modifications, but couldn´t get a single one, thus settled for a full sculpt from Milliput and MagicSculpt which turned out... well, a certain likeness, but as said, I´m not at all happy with it.

I am very, very interested in seeing whatever you came up with for Mongrol.  I fully intend to rip off anything about it that I can manage   The idea of using a Karman as a base is potentially a good one, although my sculpting abilities are limited to say the least.

[Westfalia Chris]

Well then, here´s the painted and based Mongrol sculpt. After painting, I´ve upgraded my verdict from "abominable" to "rather poor showing, old chap". I still intend to do a better one (based on an AT-43 Karman), but for the time being... ah, well, whatever.



Made from Milliput and Magic Sculp, based on a GW 60mm round base.

[Vanvlak]

Awwww, coome on, I like him 

[anevilgiraffe]

nice

[manic _miner]

 He is very good.I got a lot of Karman stuff from the US.The postage was not that bad and they have some good deals on the miniatures.

[anevilgiraffe]

yep just kicked me up the arse and bought the Karman I had been eyeing up for Mongrol... the head will be the big challenge I think...

[Uncle Mike]

Uncle Mike Love Mongrel!!!  You not change him! 

[Westfalia Chris]

Uncle Mike Love Mongrel!!!  You not change him! 

Don´t worry, I won´t change that one. But I may do a second one in the hope of getting a better result (and already had a couple of ideas popping into my mind for more efficient modelling work techniques which I really could have used for this instance! ).

[cheetor]

I quite like that Mongrol figure.  It is immediately recognisable as the character which is a big plus.

I have been taking a look at Karman figure pictures online (I havent ever had a good look at the figures first hand).  While I can definitely see Karmans making a solid chassis for a Mongrol conversion I am very interested to see what you intend to do to it that will make it that significantly better than the figure above.

If you feel inclined I would love to see work in progress shots of the project whenever you get around to it (just so that I can piggy back your work to get my own Mongrol, naturally )

Thanks for putting your ABC photos up.

[oxiana]

You're doing yourself a disservice - that's a fine Mongrel conversion. Of course, we're always our own worse critics, but by the time you've done another three or four you might have one you're happy with!

[Westfalia Chris]

I have been taking a look at Karman figure pictures online (I havent ever had a good look at the figures first hand).  While I can definitely see Karmans making a solid chassis for a Mongrol conversion I am very interested to see what you intend to do to it that will make it that significantly better than the figure above.

Basically, it would run down to using only dedicated sculpting putty, aiming for much cleaner lines and smoother surfaces. I´m planning to bulk up the lower arms, hands and the shoulder/torso area, and use, if I can find it around these parts, wire for cabling; the head must be sculpted from scratch, obviously. Generally, much sharper detail, less actual sculpting, a lot done with painting.

My main point of contention is that the current model is too soft in its features and unclean/rough surfaces to actually look good next to the Foundry figures.

If you feel inclined I would love to see work in progress shots of the project whenever you get around to it (just so that I can piggy back your work to get my own Mongrol, naturally )

I´ll try to remember to take some this time. Usually, I get all caught up in the actual work and forget photographs.

[Westfalia Chris]

Well then, folks, as noted in the Bazaar Thread, I actually found a box of Karman figures suitable for the conversion and set out with work. I´ll try to take pictures especially of the crucial phases and finished substeps.

I used the "K-Warriors" model with the "yelling" head. Said head and the cannon (or whatever) were removed, the cannon to be retained for future conversions, as they are rather nicely done.

Here´s a pic of the parts I´ll require for the conversion. Most if not all of the other modifications will be done using MagicSculp 2-part epoxy sculpting putty.



Modifications taken at this step:

• - The limbs were separated from the torso and hip parts
• - The legs were then repositioned to allow for a more upright pose, the whole assembly being affixed to a GW 40mm plastic base like the ones I used for the other models
• - The arms were cut apart in their lower halves, with a length of paperclip wire added to act as a spacer of ca 7-8mm (1/3in)
• - Some parts were removed from the torso, notably the "Hump" which usually holds the cannon, as well as a bit of the frontal collar part

The following steps will be undertaken next:

• - The empty areas on the arms need to be filled up, after which I´ll begin the actual "bulking up" of the arms
• - The upper torso will be built up to more closely resemble Mongrol´s body
• - Similarly, the top of the hip section will receive some putty to close the gaps between the legs and the upper torso

That´s it so far. I´ll take a new pic once the above steps have been concluded. Once the model reaches the final assembly stages, I´ll take some pics with the remaining second model to show the difference.