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Post by lewchips on May 14, 2023 11:44:53 GMT
Thanks for sharing this. I really like the idea of the flying kraals as some type of Zulu airboat and Sinn Feiners out to finish the British Empire.
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Post by lewchips on May 14, 2023 11:39:51 GMT
Lovely armies. I particularly like the Massai.
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Post by lewchips on Oct 24, 2022 2:05:43 GMT
Thanks Gentlemen. Carl, most were made to be sold at the time. Of all the things I've made and sold over the years, I wish I had of kept 4 or 5 pieces, but at the time I thought I'll just make another one. I have got around to making a couple of the pieces again, The Arthurian Fort (as a Stronghold for Hott), and an ACW style house. The rest are still on the to do list. The other pieces off the top of my head is the above pictured Motte and Bailey, a FIW modular Fort, large Zulu Kraal and a large hill with a couple of fields, fencing and woods. The Zulu Kraal The hill My interest in the hobby mainly lays in the researching and painting of the armies, conversions, making the camps and other pieces of terrain. If you saw me actually play a game, you'd agree that I best focus on the modelling, painting, etc..., side of the hobby. I have made a few items that I used to use for camps in resin such as the odd hut or a-frame house along with bell tents and gabions and cotton bales for ACW games. The broch was made using a flavoured milk bottle covered in 2 part putty as were the walls and the round house and the interior wall of the actual broch. The putty is called Kneadit here in Australia and is from Selley's. A Hott Stronghold version of the broch is on the list to be made. Fortunately I saved a couple as these particular bottles are no longer available here. I am not sure? I've always called the dwellings on an island in a lake a crannog, though these may refer to the manmade islands. I've made a couple of these as well which were fun to make and yes, a Stronghold version of this item is also on the list. Sorry to waffle on. Barry
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Post by lewchips on Oct 23, 2022 1:32:10 GMT
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Post by lewchips on Oct 23, 2022 1:07:16 GMT
Thanks for the kind words.
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Post by lewchips on Oct 23, 2022 1:00:47 GMT
Looks great Greg.
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Post by lewchips on Oct 9, 2022 1:21:12 GMT
Thanks for the kind words Brian. A little early for Sir Winston, but the miniature on the right of the Generals element in this photo is based on the giveaway miniature by Wargames Illustrated of Young Winston by the Perry's. The chap in front is based on the painting "A Gentleman in Kharki", by Richard Caton Woodville. He's also known as the Absent Minded Beggar after an 1899 poem by Rudyard Kipling, set to music by Sir Arthur Sullivan.
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Post by lewchips on Oct 8, 2022 4:46:46 GMT
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Post by lewchips on Aug 4, 2022 2:28:32 GMT
Looks brilliant!
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Post by lewchips on Jan 29, 2022 6:44:48 GMT
Another army I finally got around to photographing is my HotE African Congo Tribesman army. This kind of an extension of my Tarzan HotT army. Eventually there will be a Belgian with Leon Rom army to oppose these fellows. Most miniatures are from Essex Miniatures. The Army The Tribesmen - Warband Skirmishers, Bows and Lurkers The General, Magician and Hero (Magician and accessory from Irregular Miniatures) Another Hero - Black Panther's Grandfather (Miniature converted from the Crom's Anvil Range) Other beasties, water lurker and sneaker... Beast include: Mokele-Mbembe - Mokele-mbembe is said to reside in the north of the Republic of Congo. Numerous sightings have been recorded over the years although there is little in the way of hard evidence to confirm the existence of such a beast. A French missionary did write of a giant footstep he found while in the area in the late 16th century. But all expeditions since to find Mokele-mbembe have ended without concrete proof. Some traditions of the local populations, meanwhile, describe Mokele-mbembe as a spirit rather than a corporeal animal. (Mokele-Mbembe is plastic Dinosaur toy) Kongamato - A flying monster called Kongamato in Zambia, Angola, and Congo is described as a flying reptile we may recognize as a pterosaur. It was first described in English by explorer Frank Welland in 1932, although local legend goes back much further. This cryptid lives in rivers and swamps and has a huge wingspan, but no feathers. A similar creature goes by other names in other parts of Africa. Theories on Kongomato sightings range from bad lighting to the possibility that an unknown species may exist in inaccessible places. (Kongamato miniatures are by Arcance Scenery) J'ba FoFi - The J’ba FoFi is also known as the Congolese Giant Spider. It is possible that this cryptid is a new species of Arachnid. The J’ba FoFi sets traps for its prey much the same way as a trap-door spider. The eggs of the creature are a pale yellow or white and peanut shaped. Hatchlings are a bright yellow with a purple stomach. As they get older they become a dark brown. The spider is so frightening because of its size. It has a leg span of nearly five feet and preys on birds and other small game. It is thought to be highly venomous. (J'ba FoFi miniature by Parthfinder Miniatures... I think...) Giant Apes - I have several models of a Giant Ape, a couple still need to be assembled and painted with plans to build a Skull Island/King Kong themed army for my collection. Camp Thanks for looking!
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Post by lewchips on Jan 29, 2022 6:19:32 GMT
I also managed to finish my British and Imperial troops of the Second Anglo Boer War for my Hordes of the Empire collection. There are a few elements I want to add such as a naval gun and armoured train... All troops except the bicyclist are from the Essex Miniatures Sudan range with a few head swaps. The bicyclist are from the Eureka Miniatures 15mm WW2 Japanese range with Essex Miniatures heads. The British Army The Infantry including an element of the Naval Brigade. The Artillery The Cavalry. This includes an rider element utilising Bicyclist. The bicycle element is inspired by the following article nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/capture-boer-soliders-cyclists which displays the illustration, ‘Capture of Boers by cyclists near Eerste Fabrieken’. "This somewhat romantic illustration appeared in After Pretoria: the guerilla war, which was published in London in 1902. The author, Herbert Wilson, claimed that this was the only time in the South African War that cyclists chased and captured Boer soldiers. The cyclists were led by Lieutenant Alexander Wynyard-Joss, ‘Auckland’s favourite mandolinist’, who had moved to Australia before going to South Africa in charge of the 5th Queensland Imperial Bushmen’s cycle section. He described the incident in a letter that was published in a Brisbane newspaper, The Queenslander, on 22 June 1901: I am pleased to say that I have been personally congratulated by General Plumer for the smart capture of a small Boer convoy, consisting of nine Boers, four wagons, and 160 head of cattle. I took them completely by surprise with eight of the Cycle Company, and had the pleasure of smashing up their rifles and burning all their ammunition, securlng for myself a lovely Mauser carbine and Boer bandoleer full of cartridges." Mounted Infantry/Rider elements The General, Scout and some extras. One miniature is based around the image of 'A Gentleman in Khaki' and the other a Boer War personality a Young Winston Churchill. The Camp and Baggage A close up of the camp element. I am really pleased with how this element worked out. The chap with the rifle is having a cuppa which conveniently used a spare figure from the ammunition mule pack. There is a teapot on the fire which I made from sculpey. Unfortunately it doesn't show up all that well in the photo.
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Post by lewchips on Jan 29, 2022 5:43:15 GMT
Hi All, Firstly, I have an addition to my First Boer War British HotE army. 15mm version based on 'Floreat Etona!' the 1882 painting by Elizabeth Thompson, Lady Butler. Next, I finally managed to technically finish my Boers for Hordes of the Empire (HotE) and the Death in the Dark Continent ruleset. I still have a few elements that I would like to add including some Lurker element with Boer in trenches. This is my third lot of Boers with one set painted for my friends collection. This army is made up of primarily Essex Miniatures range of Boers. They are also painted in a different style fitting in better with my main Zulu War collection. The Boer Army Mounted Infantry Riders The Generals Lurkers Artillery The Camps and Baggage I also decided to create a few elements for HotT. I doubt Iwill ever use them, but they were fun to paint up and convert. Below is a Hero, Angel of Protection, a Grootslang (critter), Boers Bittereinders and scouts with bicycles. I also have a Cleric that I plan to add. The Grootslang or Grote Slang (Afrikaans and Dutch for "big snake") is a legendary cryptid that is reputed to dwell in a deep cave in or around the Orange River in the Richtersveld, South Africa. Tales state that gods, new to the crafting of things, made a terrible mistake in the Grootslang's creation, and gave it tremendous strength, cunning, and intellect. Realizing their mistake, the gods split the Grootslang into separate creatures and thus created the first elephants and the first snakes. But one of the original Grootslangs escaped, and from this first sire all other Grootslangs were born. It is claimed to devour elephants by luring them into its cave.
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Post by lewchips on Nov 21, 2021 2:25:48 GMT
Very clever. I do enjoy that movie, and have seen it many times. Had not thought of doing a HOTT army. I have all the figures so will try. Beautiful work. I did think that the Ghost and the Darkness were brothers? Thanks Bob. It's a great movie and there are a couple of interesting documentaries on YouTube, or there were a couple of years ago. You're right about the lions, but I was quoting the army list from the Stronghold which have one of the lions listed as male and the other as female.
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Post by lewchips on Nov 21, 2021 2:22:04 GMT
Lovely work!
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Post by lewchips on Oct 30, 2021 1:16:04 GMT
Awesome!! Just for understanding where did you get most of the minis from? I really like the Kaa mini wrapped around the tree. (also shouldn't he be on the 'bad' team??) Thanks! Kaa is one of my favourite miniatures in the set. He is from Ral Partha Miniature UK and is sold in a set of snakes. In the books, he is a friend and trusted mentor or father figure alongside Bagheera and Baloo. My friend who owns this set is a big fan of the Disney movie versions, so he may well be reassigned to the opposite team. This is a list of the different ranges used to make the armies. Mowgli - Irregular Miniatures African child Baloo - Copplestone Castings. Bagheera – Splintered Light Miniatures Raksha & Akela - Copplestone Castings Wolves - Copplestone Castings Kaa - Ral Partha Miniatures UK Elephants - Xyston Miniatures (adult) and Safari Toys Good Luck Miniature (baby) Rhinos - Irregular Miniatures Brahminy (Kite) - Games Workshop Battles of the Five Armies Buffalo – Irregular Miniatures Various smaller critters (pig, squirrel...) – Langley aminiatures and Irregular Miniatures Shere Khan and Tabaqui* - Peter Pig tiger and Irregular Miniatures jackel King Louie - plastic toy from a zoo. Hunter - Essex 15mm Bees – Scratchbuilt Grey Monkeys – Magister Militum 10mm Armed Apes Monkeys (Louie's helpers) - Magister Militum 10mm Armed Apes Fire Red Flower) - Scratchbult I hope that helps.
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