Royal Marines- Her Majesty's Mars Expeditionary Force

[Thunderchicken]

I've started work on my ground forces for a mini Mars campaign. First off will be the Royal Marines and I've decided to use Black Pyramid's Tea Wars range; I've gone for the  breathing mask heads and aether gun option. Other units will have bolt action rifles. I'm a 'put together first then sort out the science later' sort of chap but I've looked at Mars from a Victorian perspective. Although thin there is a breathable atmosphere on Mars, the breathing masks are merely there to aid any exertions (i.e shooting anything indigenous to the planet in the name of colonial exploration) at higher elevations. The aether gun is simply a weapon that works more effectively in thinner atmospheres.

There you have it, a rare and concise flirtation with science by me.

Anyway, here's one of the figures. The light has been abysmal here for the last few days so the subtle shading on the paintwork has been obliterated. I promise better pics as the unit develops over the next few weeks. I'll Mars the bases up when the unit is finished.

In the sunlight:



Then in more typical Shropshire weather:

[Malamute]

Jolly splendid old boy.   Looking forward to seeing the rest of them

[Ray Rivers]

 

Very nice, indeed!

Love the gas masks and paint scheme!

[Sterling Moose]

subtle shading

'Subtle shading' my arse, I thought you were an advocate of the 'slap dash' method!

 

[Lupus]

Very nice mate.  Another reason for the masks is that in some Rules sets (Aeronef for instance) Marsians are noted for using Gas weapons at times.  Though not that effective they can cause troubles.

[The_Beast]

Very nice mate.  Another reason for the masks is that in some Rules sets (Aeronef for instance) Marsians are noted for using Gas weapons at times.  Though not that effective they can cause troubles.

Also, as has been noted elsewhere, they can proxy rebreathers, and you can handwave the "where's the oxygen tanks, eh?"

Doug

[Thunderchicken]

Thanks chaps!

'Subtle shading' my arse, I thought you were an advocate of the 'slap dash' method!

 

It's still only two coats. 

[Skrapwelder]

Very nice. Did they keep the spiked helmet because of the lack of a proper bayonet mount on the early Ether rifles?

[Red Orc]

Very very nice! The other bloke from Shropshire must be really envious of such a fine adition to the forces of Her Imperial Majesty. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this develops.

After teasing us months ago with the concepts - July thread with test marine, and March thread about gas masked heads, I'm glad you've started getting photos up.

[gamer Mac]

Very nice figure
Where is the gas mask from?

How many of these can we expect to see?

[Malamute]

How many of these can we expect to see?

You're looking at the whole unit......

[Skrapwelder]

You're looking at the whole unit......

Strange...I thought it would be larger.  

I had forgotten that these were a conversion on your part. Really nice work. I'm sure the rest of them are just waiting in the wings for a lick of paint and then they'll be defending the Salopian masses from Alien incursion.

[Haarken]

Looking really good can't wait to see a full unit of them.

Haarken

[Chairface]

I most heartily approve!

[Thunderchicken]

Thanks again for the compliments all!  

I had forgotten that these were a conversion on your part.

I wish I was that talented. All the bits for this figure are from Black Pyramid. When you but a pack of the figures you can chose the weapon type you want and they now sell gasmask heads (seperately) as with this figure and heads with pith helmets and goggles (Dewbakuk kindly picked some up for me at the Derby show). The other gasmasks figures I converted, with the Adrian helmets are going to be the aeronef brigade.

After teasing us months ago with the concepts - July thread with test marine, and March thread about gas masked heads, I'm glad you've started getting photos up.

That's fast work for me!  

You're looking at the whole unit......

Never thought of that, cracking idea. Job done!

Very nice figure
Where is the gas mask from?

How many of these can we expect to see?

As I was saying to Mike, the heads are from Black Pyramid. Last time I looked I couldn't see them on the website but I'm sure if you drop them a line they'll arrange something for you. The heads will work well with Ironclad but seem to be just a wee bit too chunky for Redoubt. If there's any other comparisons anyone wants me to try, ask away.

I'm thinking four units with gasmasks altogether, two marine and two army. As for the heads with goggles, I'm thinking how to use them.

I most heartily approve!

Does that mean I'll be on your side?