New and Old Toys, Part 7 Star Wars Minis and More

As George Lucas once said, "One thing about 'Star Wars' that I'm really proud of is that it expands the imagination. That's why I like the 'Star Wars' toys." I couldn't agree with him more. In this case I use whatever is at my disposal. I'll usually set up my table with something interesting and things just evolve.

It's been awhile since I've played with my DropZone Commander building models and really love the ease of set up using these cardboard pieces. They photograph well and are very usable for different games systems or a casual diorama setup.

A Rancor mixes it up with AT43 Red Blok mechs, Bugs,
and miscellaneous MechWarrior units and vehicles

Rebasing HeroClix Miniatures

Finally got access to a laser cutter and got me some clear round bases for use with my HeroClix and any scifi minis.

(click on the pix to enlarge)

25mm, 30mm and 40mm

Clear bases give them a cleaner look

OK, maybe too big of a bite?

New and Old Toys, Part 4

Dusting off some of my cardboard buildings from DropZone Commander and posing my other minis amongst this urban setting.

(click on the pix to enlarge)

No room on my table,
solution: coffee table will suffice

Lay down a few road tiles and
top it all off with a plexi sheet

  

Voila! Instant urban battlefield

  

An ominous looking dropship
mysteriously lands at an urban center

A hatch opens and a Scout ventures
out as a Command Bug looks on

A rapid response Mech team is quickly
dispatched amid a loud klaxon

The bugs are fanning out and looking to unload
their recon in force pod! The encounter escalates
as the Mechs are reinforced with assault infantry in battle 

Air support!

AT-43 Red Blok Spetnaz Kolossus, why not?

New and Old Toys, Part 3

Sci-fi doors, crates and barrels are perfect for adding those nice extras to your gaming table. 

(click on the pix to enlarge)

Narrow and wide doors, section and air lock doors
from the Sedition Wars Terrain Pack are great!

Staging the shot

Various items from my collection: Starship Trooper,
AT-43 and Hero Clix Alien to name a few

Finally gotten around to painting some
cool bio-hazard and nuclear waste barrels (red
and yellow respectively) from Fenris Games

More sci-fi crates and hatches from Fenris Games 

Put 'em all together and you get some nice dioramas
"Meanwhile, at the loading bay of HMS Rourke's Prime
currently orbiting Rajanatha 3 in the Gamma Sector"

That's a repainted AT-43 Mech UNI Fire Toad
"Preparations are underway for the massive landing
expedition and support base operations"

"I need that load out as soon as possible!
Otherwise I'm going to miss my timetable
and be late for the jump point."

New and Old Toys, Part 1

Most of us have lots of toys that don't get any use for whatever the reason. In this case, my Al Qaeda and Soviet Paras in 28mm supplemented by a recent purchase from Millineumcon 2014 of some kit bashed technicals that are (alas) a different scale: 20mm.

Front Left to Right: Al Qaeda Fedayeen, Soviet Paras
Rear Left: Kit bashed Technicals
Rear Right: Starship Troopers (just in case you were wondering)

At this past Historicon, I wanted to remedy the neglect of some of my toys by being on the lookout for prepainted terrain. Eureka! (not the company but the exclamation) Miniature Building Authority (MBA) did not disappoint. Also there were plenty of homemade terrain by enterprising gamers being sold at the flea market. Here's some of my new acquisitions.

Front Center: Homemade rubble and metal junk pile
Rear L-R: Prepainted block buildings and shanties from MBA 

Front Center: Pre-painted block buildings and shanties
from MBA w/pre-painted oil drums from Pegasus Hobbies
Rear L-R: AT-43 prepainted shipping containers
plus 4 un-painted shipping containers also from MBA

Concrete barricades from AT-43 work well with
my Technicals albeit in a different scale

Freshly spray can painted MBA shipping containers that needs some weathering

Refurbishing Old Models Part 3

I finally found the proper materials to simulate metal grate flooring that's perfect for skirmishing my 28mm sci-fi miniatures. Go down to your local hardware store and look for 2'x4' clear prismatic plastic lenses. I bought 3 panels that can be arranged to make a 4'x6' playing area. More than enough for skirmishing.      

(click on the pix to enlarge)

They come in different patterns but I found this particular grid to work well. 

The perfect spray paint to give the right amount of texture.

And Voila!

Anyone recognize those rusty robots?
See Refurbishing Old Models Part 2

UTA

UTA

Assorted Red Blok Mechas

Showdown with an ONI Merc Zombie and a UTA Medic 

New Scav Alert! Part 2: Repurposing Everyday Items for Sci Fi Terrain

What's the deal? (pun intended) 

In my never ending search for cheaper, ahem... cost effective solutions to more terrain i've found that repurposing everyday items to be a creative and imaginative exercise.
The word repurposing is a much used new term that i've let creep into my vocab. But hey, it's apropos. My latest find for repurposing was visiting my favorite scav-alert store.

My frequent forays into this scav-alert treasure trove has
yielded me all kinds of cool stuff to be repurposed.

Should i rename myself "The Historical and Frugal Miniaturist"? i think not.  However i am highly cognizant of the fact that this hobby is an addiction. Meaning that one can sink one's load of cash into this.

I usually cruise the aisles and let my imagination run amok.  And since I was on a sci-fi frame of mind I noticed these cool shapes...

Found these babies and I know what you're thinking.
What the hell are you gonna use these for?

Hint: look at the profile of the shapes.

Anything come to mind?

Get the picture yet? 

Of course, these are a few steps early in the process but use your imagination...