As there is no request board for either Dark Ages or Ancient figures I thought I would have a go here. I am just coming to the end of my 1,000 figure Hastings project, and am looking for some casualty/disorder markers. Having looked through all the ancient and dark age ranges I can find only one pack, in the late Roman range. Now, it strikes me that's couple of those figures, the one in mail and the one in baggy clothes, have pretty wide utility, but I would love to see them capable of being more closely identified with a particular period.
One way would be to ask techno to add a bit of extra detail, (helmet/shield) to these existing figures, but another idea occurred to me - would there be any interest in producing some shield packs (oval, kite, large round, small round, heater) which could be used as markers in their own right, or added to these existing casualties to 'customise' them? People might also use them to help in conversion. Thoughts?
Sounds good to me
Interesting, for casualties I often just cut the base off standard figures (sometimes clip weapons too) and pose and paint them as casualties.
Shield packs would be interesting though. As you say could work for conversions and markers. I'll be starting on a Greek army soon and had a notion of using shields as disorder markers given the propensity for throwing away shields when the σκατά hit the proverbial fan...
Hadn't sourced any out yet, and was considering making one myself and using a mould to cast them in green stuff. Or just painting some MDF rounds with shield designs.
I'd be up for it, if Leon thinks it would help, 'M' :)
It would take me less time to actually make them, than the time it would take the casting/moulding elves to get something like that into production.
I'll make anything folk want......apart from porn.
Cheers - Phil. :)
I'm starting to use casualty markers more in games - they look better. A few more options in the ancients ranges would probably cover a lot of armies.
As for shields, you could try press moulding, you can get a resin type material that you put in hot water, then press onto the model you want to copy, let it cool, then push green stuff into the mould to get a copy. Should work well for shields for markers, as you really only care about the front.
The resin material can then be warmed up again and reused. Someone will provide the proper name I'm sure.
It's called Instant Mold (American spelling), Forbes......Bloody useful stuff.
Not sure where you can get it, at the mo'.
Cheers - Phil :)
Mail order, international post is running atm, although how long for I have no idea !
Quote from: ianrs54 on 17 January 2021, 02:18:44 PM
Mail order, international post is running atm, although how long for I have no idea !
There's a veterinary 'horsey' product, which is similar to Instant Mold.....Though it's nowhere near as flexible as the aforementioned Instant Mold.
Don't ask.....I can't remember what It's called.....I threw a good sized container into landfill.
It's used to help fix nylon/plastic shoes onto gee-gees, if the farrier can't fix a real metal shoe, because the hoof is basically intercoursed.
I've used that, in the past...
I've also 'blagged ' umpteen different gauge syringe needles from our equine vets.....ground them down....and then used them to make different sized 'circles ' on the wee men.
Cheers - Phil :)
I got a French one off Amazon for a few quid, Oyumaru (sounds Japanese but instructions were in French). Similar to Blue Stuff. Dip it in boiling water a few mins then you can press things into it. Used it to make a few quivers so far. They were a bit small and fiddly but detail came out okay..
Thanks guys. This is all very interesting, but beyond either my ability or desire to dip into. I am happiest painting, so simply want casualty figures or shields that I can work directly on. Any chance of either!?
Do you want me to ask Sir, 'M' ?
Like I say...the larger proportion of the time will be taken up by the mould making and casting.
Cheers - Phil :)
Yes, please, Phil!
newline designs also do some casualty figures https://newlinedesigns.co.uk/product/spanish-roman-greek-light-infantry/
Quote from: Macsen Wledig on 18 January 2021, 10:58:02 AM
newline designs also do some casualty figures https://newlinedesigns.co.uk/product/spanish-roman-greek-light-infantry/
Thanks MW, those look pretty good, but I think I prefer single figures myself.
I use a silicone stuff called- Oyumaru Instant Mold Moulding Compound
You heat it in heat water, push your item into it and then when its cold remove the item. Make castings using greenstuff.
I have used it to make extra whels for PSC kits etc.
That sounds VERY similar to Instant Mold, Mark.
Cheers - Phil. :)
How did I forget Instant Mold as a name :-X
At Lurkio we sell packs of 15mm separate shields, they seem quite popular, so there may be mileage in 10mm shield packs.
Mark
Now, if the Dark Lord can find sufficient space on his Flickr account, this post may soon boast a pic of my first attempt at converting the Late Imperial Roman casualties into Normans and Saxons with a bit of plastic card for the shields. Now they don't exactly provide the Normans with their famous mail battleshorts, but is the effect good enough? Answers on a postcard please! Many thanks to Leon for his efforts in advance.
'M'
Quote from: mollinary on 25 January 2021, 03:04:37 PM
Many thanks to Leon for his efforts in advance.
The image wasn't that large luckily so I've just added it as an attachment for you.
Quote from: Leon on 25 January 2021, 03:12:38 PM
The image wasn't that large luckily so I've just added it as an attachment for you.
Thanks, Leon. Odd, my machine said it was 594kb.
Quote from: mollinary on 25 January 2021, 03:58:11 PM
Thanks, Leon. Odd, my machine said it was 594kb.
I shrunk it down a touch in Photoshop just to get it under the limit.
They work. The shields are the main focal point, so having added those makes them look like later era figures
:-bd =D> :-bd
Really effective, I will definitely steal that idea!
Quote from: mollinary on 18 January 2021, 08:43:33 AM
Yes, please, Phil!
I have asked, M.....Leon's up for some more casualties.
I'm going to make one or two 'dollys'...then I can use those to make lots of different figures....If I make a dolly, then hopefully they'll keep a consistent size.
Cheers - Phil :)
Quote from: Techno II on 26 January 2021, 04:44:58 PM
I have asked, M.....Leon's up for some more casualties.
I'm going to make one or two 'dollys'...then I can use those to make lots of different figures....If I make a dolly, then hopefully they'll keep a consistent size.
Cheers - Phil :)
Good news! I think casualties have a place in just about all ranges, as they are so useful as markers, and as parts of display pieces. Have I jumped the gun by doing my own dark age ones? Can you reveal what ranges Leon is thinking of adding casualties to? Curious, isn't it.... I think casualties are the figures I have commissioned most often!
I'm guessing that Leon will have to work out a list of 'wants', M. :-\
Cheers - Phil :)
I think it makes sense to have them for most ranges going forward, so we'll probably start with the Ancients ranges that Techno has done; Greek, Persian, Roman, Gaul, Rep. Roman, Carthaginian, Spanish, Dacian.
Quote from: Leon on 27 January 2021, 08:58:14 AM
I think it makes sense to have them for most ranges going forward, so we'll probably start with the Ancients ranges that Techno has done; Greek, Persian, Roman, Gaul, Rep. Roman, Carthaginian, Spanish, Dacian.
Makes sense, Leon. I'll bash on with my Dark Age conversions, secure in the knowledge my suggestion has contributed to the benefit of the community overall! :D :D