Modelmaking Misadventures: The Ascenscion Island Chronicles.

[Andy in Germany]

Thanks, @Moriarty. The other figure may have a very different role.

[Andy in Germany]

I'm working on a new story involving the next wannabe crime overlord:



Let me know which one you think fits the character.



Version 1: Background manipulator (HT to @Moriarty for kindly sending this figure)

Sir Charles (?Weather?) Vane came to Ascension a few years back and has carved something of a niche in the thriving semi-legal underworld of the Island; although ?carved? implies rather too much effort; he bought a niche, by throwing money at the previous occupants. Then he occupied it, and padded it with more money.



Version 2: Flamboyant card shark

Where this money comes from is a matter of conjecture; he claims to have made his fortune from his ?Import and Export? business, but his failures in this are well known; the episode of the exploding cigars is still spoken of in high society.

Most likely he has a stipend from a wealthy family in the UK, paid as long as he stays well away and thus doesn?t embarrass them too much. On arrival, he bought a business offering ?security services? which discretely makes sure client businesses aren?t troubled by rivals, burglars, or employees who get too vociferous about being paid. This probably extends to other less legal services like protection rackets and similar.



Version 3: Amiable man about town

He also claims to be a ?Professional Gambler?, and is rumoured to be one of the businessmen behind the new casino. Anyone foolish enough to sit at a table with him should certainly look very carefully at the cards he deals.



Version 4: Pillar of the Empire

Vane is as likely to be seen in a reception at the governor?s house as having a quiet card game with an organised crime leader. He knows anyone who is anyone in the intense world of Ascension?s political elite, but will move on quickly to the next rising star. That?s how he got his name: ?Weather Vane?; you only have to watch him to know which way the political winds are blowing.

So now we have Vane?s personality, which of the figures above can represent him best? The unassuming gentleman who fades into the background and controls behind the scenes, the flamboyantly dressed card shark and man-about town? The smiling gentleman whose amenable exterior hides a dark schemer, or the strong jawed, well-dressed son of the Empire who hands out chocolates at the Ambassadors receptions?

Suggestions please...

[Aethelflaeda was framed]

Banality of Evil motif:  no. 4.

[Cat]

Version 2 looks suitably shifty.

[Sunjester]

Version 2 looks more like an ominous assistant (lackey), what has he got in that bag? He would pair well with version 3 or 4 as the real boss.

[Cat]

V.2 could start as the #2, but eventually bumps off the Boss for not having what it really takes, ? la Scarface.

[FifteensAway]

Nice paint jobs on all four.

And 4 has the 'command presence' so I think it must be him.  1 being his devious sidekick, 2 being the lummox of a bagman - dumb but too strong to be overcome, 3 may be a bit small but he is a lot deadlier than he looks.  And if things go too far south, then 1 is the most likely threat to his position of power.

And back to 4, he just has that "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse" pose.

[Spinal Tap]

V4 for me. A civic minded appearance, but there's just something about him that suggests a steely core.

[Andy in Germany]

Thanks for all the votes, mind you it looks like you can't make your collective mind up either; after asking on various forums and on my blog the results are:


Fourth:

#2: "Card shark" (6 votes)

​

Third:

#1: "Background manipulator" (9 votes)


Second:

#3 "Amiable man about Town" (10 votes)


First:

#4 "Pillar of the empire" (12 votes)


It's interesting that I originally bought the #2 figure to be Charles Vane and then had second thoughts after painting: it looks like my second thoughts were correct, at least...

Banality of Evil motif:  no. 4.

That sums up the feeling I'm going for, thanks.

Version 2 looks more like an ominous assistant (lackey), what has he got in that bag? He would pair well with version 3 or 4 as the real boss.

That's an interesting thought. I've also wondered about him as a sort of cult leader, or as @Cat suggested, a devious second in command; a thug just smart enough to be dangerous.

Nice paint jobs on all four.

Thanks. I'm working on my methods and trying to improve, so it's encouraging to hear the practice is making it better.

And 4 has the 'command presence' so I think it must be him.  1 being his devious sidekick, 2 being the lummox of a bagman - dumb but too strong to be overcome, 3 may be a bit small but he is a lot deadlier than he looks.  And if things go too far south, then 1 is the most likely threat to his position of power.

And back to 4, he just has that "I'm gonna make you an offer you can't refuse" pose.

I like that list. Hmm...

[Andy in Germany]

I really shouldn't hang out with you lot; you're a bad influence on me.



I decided I wanted to build a ship for my characters on Ascension Island to use for travel or transport. This being Ascension, it will likely involve smuggling, stolen goods, or stowaways.

Someone on a forum suggested the SS Robin, a schooner/tramp steamer built in 1890 and now a museum ship in London. A few minutes research with a calculator showed that the scale length was 800mm by 120mm, and after I made a mock-up of the deck I decided I could reasonably reduce this to a more manageable 600mm without it looking too silly.

I made a base for a waterline model and in a fit of enthusiasm started building the substructure. It was then that I realised I?d gone and chosen a design with all kinds of awkward curves, which is why on the model only the rear cargo hold and the bridge are actually square.



Of course, you could argue that this probably won't be as important as it sounds: after all, even on my best day I can't cut everything square and no-one seems to have noticed yet. I’ll just have to use my normal method: measure twice, cut once, and get the filler and sandpaper to cover the worst of the mistakes...

[FifteensAway]

"I really shouldn't hang out with you lot; you're a bad influence on me."

We're just trying to do our part - whatever it may be. 

Shall watch the ship build with interest, especially when you get to the superstructure (I cheat and use existing model hulls).

[Smokeyrone]

I really shouldn't hang out with you lot; you're a bad influence on me.



I decided I wanted to build a ship for my characters on Ascension Island to use for travel or transport. This being Ascension, it will likely involve smuggling, stolen goods, or stowaways.

Someone on a forum suggested the SS Robin, a schooner/tramp steamer built in 1890 and now a museum ship in London. A few minutes research with a calculator showed that the scale length was 800mm by 120mm, and after I made a mock-up of the deck I decided I could reasonably reduce this to a more manageable 600mm without it looking too silly.

I made a base for a waterline model and in a fit of enthusiasm started building the substructure. It was then that I realised I?d gone and chosen a design with all kinds of awkward curves, which is why on the model only the rear cargo hold and the bridge are actually square.



Of course, you could argue that this probably won't be as important as it sounds: after all, even on my best day I can't cut everything square and no-one seems to have noticed yet. I?ll just have to use my normal method: measure twice, cut once, and get the filler and sandpaper to cover the worst of the mistakes...

Wanna see your progress

[Kourtchatovium104]

Interesting ship! It reminds me my previous job, when I drew real ones in 3D for shipyards! 

[Andy in Germany]

We're just trying to do our part - whatever it may be. 

Shall watch the ship build with interest, especially when you get to the superstructure (I cheat and use existing model hulls).

Wanna see your progress

Thanks. I'm a bit further, and managed to get the hull together by a process of trial and much error; sandpaper and filler may also have been involved.

[Andy in Germany]

Interesting ship! It reminds me my previous job, when I drew real ones in 3D for shipyards! 

It's an interesting project: It ocurs to me that almost none of that I've built so far will be visible on the finished model...