Urban Development

It has been a while since my last post, but I haven't been entirely idle on the modelling front. I wanted to create some urban terrain  for regular wargaming, and I thought I might try a little zombie bashing, and 5150 New Beginnings. I have had a number of buildings from Mad Mecha Guy, pictures posted before, but I wanted to make a bit more of them. So, I attached them to some 150 X 150mm  MDF bases (from Warbases) to give a little uniformity, and the appearance of a prefabricated colony. I also wanted a scruffy and neglected look, so used a few washes, yet this isn't apparent from the pictures.

First up, a single storey commercial establishment with a suitably unspecific name. All the bases of these buildings were marked out with a fine permanent marker, then the joints dry-brushed with GW's Bestial Brown. I think I may have been a little over-enthusiastic here, as less is probably more.

Now a two storey 'shop' with posters printed out from a quick trawl on the internet, and the sign on the roof made from an offcut of MDF that came with my order from Mad Mecha Guy- Joseph doesn't waste much, and sent me a nice selection of bits and pieces with my order.

A two storey habitation block with a feeble attempt at some graffiti....

and Quite obviously a severely un-secure banking establishment. I couldn't think of anything clever for the name so stuck to the obvious. These rooftop signs aren't glued in anyway, just held with a couple of 'pins' so I can change them when and if.

Another two storey commercial property with different window configuration.

I could have done a bit more with this 'shelter' but by this time at night my enthusiasm is waning!

Police Department- very utilitarian. I used the aluminium mesh that you can buy from car part shops for mending bodywork in all the windows- maybe for a 'Precinct 39' type scenario.

And so to 'Kelly's Bar and Grill'. I thought it would probably have obscured windows, what with the pole dancing and all, so covered them over with some picture mounting card.

These two buildings are from Warbases, but I've tried to dress them up with broken 'tile' pieces which I bought some time ago and never used, plastic girder, plastic tube for pipework etc. It wasn't until I'd put them on a base that I made more of an effort with them.

I just took one of the bases and threw a few things on to make a scruffy vacant lot. Exotic future crate from Atenociti, skip from The Scene, but I can't remember the origin of the vehicle.

This is just another improvised base, with a plastic container for the column, a mini from CP Models, I think, an MDF 15mm base for the plaque and some walls I picked up at a wargame show. Very simple stuff I know, but good cover nevertheless.

This is my first attempt at zombies. these are from Rebel Minis, but I also have some on order from Khurasan. I'm fairly happy with the result. I painted the flesh a sort of mid grey and highlighted it, then picked out top detail with Vallejo Game Colour Dead Flesh. I've seen much better on your blogs out there, but this will do.

Finally, I have seen pictures posted of various bloggers work spaces, so I took a quick picture of my own chaos.....we're all the same!!

Thanks for stopping by.

Latest offerings from Armies Army...and a bit more!

It's been a little while since my last post, for one reason or another, but I'm quite a bit lazier than most of you out there. Before I continue, I would just like to congratulate Keith of Armies Army for more than achieving his goal with the Kickstarter- I'm so pleased personally, because it will give me, and you, another range to explore. Well done all those that supported him.

So, my latest offerings are from the aforementioned stable, and are the last few in what I thought was the latest release, but now I have Militia and Spetsnaz to catch up with!

Here's a group shot of the last few RUSK HQ troops that I have finally finished. I managed a head swap for the commander, and used one from the GZG sprues.

I tried really hard to get the end of his cigar to glow, but I'm pretty sure the camera hasn't picked it up! A simple head swap, and a little coil of green stuff for the neck scarf.

Here are the others- I think the painting is a bit tidier than the last batch I posted. I was a little impatient to finish them and make a new post, which doesn't make for a good job usually.

I'm afraid I couldn't come up with anything too inspiring for the Mule colour scheme, so just did a basic green, and then used some of the fantastic product from Modelmates that I saw on a couple of blogs called, not surprisingly, Rust Effect. I haven't really used it properly, but it really is a top effect. There are a couple of good videos on the Modelmates website to show this stuff to its real potential. Well worth a look if you haven't done so already.

This guy is from CP Models. Because of scale creep, he is a fair bit bigger than 15mm, but as he is now the top man in my Rebel force, I can tolerate the size- a big man for a big job!

When I saw this walker on The Scene's website, I thought it would fit well with my lo-tech rebel force, so I  distressed it a bit with the Rust Effect, and then added some dried mud from MIG Pigments. Not particularly well executed, but I'm still finding my way with both these effects. Also, this is the first time I used my airbrush. I didn't get too ambitious, and just went for a two-tone camo, but there isn't sufficient contrast to show on the pictures. However, I was pleased with my first experiments, and it has given me some confidence to try for a better effect next time round.

Just the other side, featuring a nice rusty oil drum, again from The Scene. Incidentally, when I got the walker, amongst the order I bought some of the 15mm skips for scatter terrain- they are fantastic!

Some time ago, I painted these two APCs from Peter Pig in an awful desert colour scheme, having first undercoated them black! I don't know what possessed me, because they looked awful and went in a drawer to be forgotten about. However, since I set up my airbrush and spray booth, I stripped the paint off and started again. They have the same two-tone camo scheme as the walker, again not too easy to see here, but as part of the Rebel force they needed to be made a lot tattier and 'reclaimed', so I went with the rust and mud as mentioned above. I'm starting to get the hang of it, although still plenty of room for improvement!

Here's the other one, similarly treated. I rather like these APCs and have a hankering to order a couple of Vulcans from the AK47 Range from PP.

I've just realised that I have more figures painted that have yet to be photographed- Khurasan's Seal/ DEVGRU team, and their Exterminator squad in extreme environment suits, the latter with a stolen colour scheme- yep, I'm up to my old tricks again.

Yesterday I took delivery of Armies Army's Militia and Spetsnaz minis, and based them last night, so I'm off to prime them now, with a view to painting some up as soon as possible. A slightly different colour scheme for both, I think, but with something in common to tie the whole force together.

That's it then, thanks for taking the time to look in. Any hints/tips/advice always gratefully received!