Looking for a 'Sober' Van Helsing (28mm)

[Funghy-Fipps]

Okay, when I write 'sober' I mean sans the stake-firing machine gun/puritan-hat/tight-leather trousers et cetera that many modern interpretations seem to dress him in.  By sober I rather mean in the style that Stoker might have originally envisioned Van Helsing when he penned his novel or that might be seen in various film adaptations:

I very much admire Malamute's converted Helsing, but it strikes me as a bit strange that amongst all the Gothic Horror/VSF minis out there a specific traditionalist rendering of this character in 28mm is notably absent (and, before you start, I'm not especially keen on the Westwind model).  Can anybody help with suggestions?  Is conversion that only route open to me?  Any help will be much appreciated.

[Malamute]

Conversion was the route I went for as I couldn't find one either

I do like the old Ravenloft vampire hunter. When I get to work tomorrow I'll find the photo and post it here.

[timg]

Maybe theres something in a wild west or Victorian civilian range?

[Funghy-Fipps]

Maybe theres something in a wild west or Victorian civilian range?

I had been thinking that and have been searching without much success.  My favourite contender so far is this chap from Brigade Games' Western Characters I pack:

What do you think?  I think a hat might help.  Any other suggestions and ideas would still be much appreciated!

[The_Beast]

The mustache not withstanding,, he's closer to my mark, though I did grow up watching Edward Van Sloan's seemingly slight, yet quietly powerful, version.

Doug

[Funghy-Fipps]

...I did grow up watching Edward Van Sloan's seemingly slight, yet quietly powerful, version.

That's it!  I don't want a miniature bristling with stakes and other assorted anti-Vampire weaponry, but rather something more understated; as I wrote above something closer to  Stoker's original vision.  Here's another model that, with some slight conversion work (id est, getting rid of the revolver and placing a stake/hammer/bag-of-tricks in his hands) might do:

He's an Artizan Pinkerton Detective, by the way.  Fellow LAFer RJ did a spiffy PJ on him which may be viewed here.

[Malamute]

Having a spot of PC trouble this morning, so struggling to post images.

Here is a link to my Displaced Vampire Hunters gallery:

http://www.displacedminiatures.com/Malamute/gallery/1075/

It includes several conversions I did of Foundry Cowboys into Victorian Vampire Hunters.

There is also the old OOP Ravenloft Ral Partha professor figure who is one of my absolute favourites. He is shown in my gallery as Professor Arminius Vamberry.

[Funghy-Fipps]

Great work, Malamute!  You are truly an inspiration in this somewhat niche field of gaming.

There is also the old OOP Ravenloft Ral Partha professor figure who is one of my absolute favourites. He is shown in my gallery as Professor Arminius Vamberry.

That's exactly the sort of miniature I have in mind.  In fact, I think I'll run with the idea of converting the Artizan miniature pictured above into a Van Helsing.  Now, does anybody know of makers of 28mm carpet bags/small suitcase or am I going to have to attempt sculpting one myself  (or, rather, get my mate Dan to)?  I envision the model holding a steak and hammer in his right (pistol) hand and the bag in his left...

[Funghy-Fipps]

Haha!  This set from Mollys House Miniatures (discovered through Cianty's Blog) looks the ticket:

[Plynkes]

Cruelly apt thread title, considering Anthony Hopkins' struggle with alcoholism. 

[timg]

Nice choice of figures F-F, think your searching has paid dividends. Van Mamalute, your work continues to render me awe struck, i shall now go and throw my green stuff away................

[Funghy-Fipps]

Cruelly apt thread title, considering Anthony Hopkins' struggle with alcoholism. 

I'm going to start another thread shortly entitled 'Looking for a 'Sober' Dracula (28mm)' opening with a photograph of Gary Oldman as Dracula...   

Nice choice of figures F-F, think your searching has paid dividends.

Thanks.  I've just ordered the appropriate Pinkerton pack (lots of p's, there), but will have to wait a bit before getting the luggage as funds are extremely tight at present (fridge-freezer passed away Wednesday last).  I will attempt to update as things progress (or don't, as is usually the case...).

[Malamute]

I'm going to start another thread shortly entitled 'Looking for a 'Sober' Dracula (28mm)' opening with a photograph of Gary Oldman as Dracula...   

Thanks.  I've just ordered the appropriate Pinkerton pack (lots of p's, there), but will have to wait a bit before getting the luggage as funds are extremely tight at present (fridge-freezer passed away Wednesday last).  I will attempt to update as things progress (or don't, as is usually the case...).

If you are going to use that Artizan figure, I'd think about giving his beard a trim to make it look less American and more European, more in the Van Dyke style, more befitting for Van Helsing me thinks.

A greenstuff stake/hammer and bag shouldn't prove too difficult on that model. I'll do the conversion for you if you need any help.

Have a look at these chaps, no Van Helsings, but a nice group of Victorian Vampire Hunters:

http://www.design28miniatures.com/shop/article_V%25207/V7%3A-Vampyre-Hunters.html?shop_param=cid%3D1%26aid%3DV%25207%26

[timg]

Lol just seen those figures, very nice! The Brunel with steam powered tophat is so funny.

[achab]

How about Blue Moon?

http://www.bluemoonmanufacturing.com/lg_product.php?product=BMM101

A.