Michka's Aliens project (10/23/12, AAR from Rock Con 2012)

[Sgt. Scream]

This thread was one of the reasons for me to join  LAF. I am really impressed of the quality of your work. Amazing what people can do with plastic sheets and dedication. I was wondering how you made the floor tiles? Or are those resin pieces of some sort?

[mpennock]

He makes the floor tiles out of plastic sheet, though I'll let him explain exactly how he does it....

[Michka]

This thread was one of the reasons for me to join  LAF. I am really impressed of the quality of your work. Amazing what people can do with plastic sheets and dedication. I was wondering how you made the floor tiles? Or are those resin pieces of some sort?

Thank you for the compliment. That made my day. For the floors I use Evergreen Plasticard that has these raised strips running down the length of it. It's referred to as Metal Siding. I use the .080 inch stuff for the main floor pieces and the .060 inch for the gutters that running down the sides perpendicular to the main floor squares. I use narrow strips of plastic to divide the main sections into squares. Originally I was going to run the strips down the edges to divide the gutters from the main floor but that seemed unnecessary.   

[Sgt. Scream]

I was looking up those Evergreen metal siding profiles. Can you recommend a good source to get those from in larger quantities? Preferable in located in EU?

[Miniman]

I have been looking for a thread like this.
I would love to get into Aliens and have researched Leading edge "WOW expensive"
You really have a great collection and I love all the scenery you have made.
I am so jealous right now. How long have you been at this project?

[Michka]

I was looking up those Evergreen metal siding profiles. Can you recommend a good source to get those from in larger quantities? Preferable in located in EU?

Unfortunately my source of Evergreen sheets is my local gaming store, and I buy the stuff one or two sheets at a time. I don't want to buy too much or the project starts looking too big and I run away in fear. Then I come back to it a year later and can't figure out where I left off, which leads to frustration and I think about running away again. That's why I have an Enterprise Bridge and a Main Mission set sitting downstairs waiting till I'm inspired again. Sad but true. Sorry I can't help with that.

I am so jealous right now. How long have you been at this project?

I've been working on the corridor set since June. I've been collecting the Leading Edge stuff since 1995 or thereabouts. Before Aliens showed up in theaters my buddy Mike told us about this script he found at a con that was supposed to be the sequel to Alien. One of Mike's favorite movies is Alien, so he picked up as many Alien goodies as he could. Turns out the script he had was a rough draft of the movie. When the novelization came out we all read it before the movie arrived. So by the time to movie actually showed up we were all expecting a lot. With such high expectations there was no way this movie wouldn't disappoint us. Turns out we were wrong. I believe we started playing an RPG based on the film in two weeks. The first RPG I ever ran was a Colonial Marines game. The guys even liked it.

Sorry for the way too long answer. I guess you could say I'm slightly obsessed. 

[uti long smile]

ooo - it's lovely

[mpennock]

Turns out the script he had was a rough draft of the movie.

I'd almost forgotten about that script.    I'm pretty sure it's still in the basement somewhere.

[Michka]

Real quick update. I'll start off with  a couple of photos.



There are a few of the Leading Edge Aliens that just don't work as gaming miniatures. When I started my re-basing project I left all the difficult bases for last. Well now I'm nearing the end and I have to figure out what to do. One of the most annoying is the stalking Alien. The miniature is attached to a 36mm long integral base. The pose isn't so bad but the big chunk of lead base under him makes it really hard to add a washer. For the stalking alien I cut off the base and pinned him to the new slotta-base by the foot and knee. This left one of his hands sticking out over the edge of the base. I figured out that if you trim the hand down enough you could bend it so it looks like the alien is holding onto the edge of the base. I was so pleased with the results that I started in on the second on right away. After doing the second one I'm not in such a hurry to finish the third. I also have to reattach the tail to the third stalker. It was broken off during the game that inspired the whole re-basing project.



The second annoying one is the crouching Alien. The biggest problem here is the sheer size of his base. I just had to use a bigger slotta-base for this one. I'd be more annoyed but this sculpt is pretty cool. I only have two of this one, so he gets to be special.



Now I have to figure out what to do with the surf board Alien.

     

[manatic]

Now I have to figure out what to do with the surf board Alien.

I think he looks nice as is. I left a couple of Horrorclix Aliens like that. Sure, they look a bit daft if used outdoors in games, but they work a treat in Space Hulk etc.

[Andym]

Real quick update. I'll start off with  a couple of photos.



     

The Alien version of 'Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock' never did go well!!!

"Hiss......someone has to stop picking Spock!!.....hiss!"

[Sgt. Scream]

More eye-candy!    Nice work. I am currently painting up my first four Marines. Good to see progress on this thread, it keeps me busy to finish my own stuff.

[Damas]

Very, very nice Michka!

@Andym 

[Michka]

The Alien version of 'Rock, paper, scissors, lizard, Spock' never did go well!!!

"Hiss......someone has to stop picking Spock!!.....hiss!"

Thank you. That was my first big laugh of the morning.

[SBRPearce]

For the "surfboard Alien", perhaps attach him to a clip that hooks over any wall section and have him represent those weird wall-runners I remember from Ailen 3? (A pretty dire flick, though one I love for the "company meeting" scene in the cafeteria...)