The Future Starts Now

  

Are you a fan of  The Big Bang Theory? Well. yeah or nay, I'd like to refer you to The Physics of the Death Star which if you are in the right frame of mind reads like the script to an episode.

You can imagine Sheldon, Leonard, Howard and Raj as the commenters with their counter arguments, then Penny steps in with comment 107:

"I wish that the people like #51 would take a step back and realize a few truths. One, it is only Science Fiction; until someone actually does it. Two, most of today's technology that we take for granted, in the 1960's and 70's were considered Science Fiction".

When I started playing Traveller and Laserburn based Sci Fi games in the late '70's this image (right) would have been a Sci Fi soldier. Perhaps more Blakes 7 than Star Wars but that's the outskirts of Mudd Eisley, right? And particularly so once Traveller Book 4: Mercenary appeared with its more grounded military focus.

You know, funnily, I never fully got the Merc thing. Too young to have experienced the Congo my only frame of reference was Angola which was a bit of a shambles.

Of course nowadays, we call them Contractors - private armies operating on behalf of shareholders. Never mind mobile phones that are also cameras, movie cinemas, GPS and more, much more, I am living the Science Fiction of my own childhood.

I remember Blue Peter from that time demonstrating a miniature TV in a watch. From Japan of course. I thought "Who would want to watch a TV on a screen the size of a watch". And today without thinking I'm watching the latest blockbusters or my favourite TV shows on an iTouch.

I worked for a major GB retailer and 16-17 years ago put a proposal forward to the IT Director that we needed to establish a web presence and set up an online catalogue - 17 years ago remember - I was greeted with disdain, The IT Director told me that "the Internet is only for geeks.... No one will ever shop via the Internet, people prefer to come into a shop to see and feel the goods".

Returning to our corporate soldier above. Sensors in his helmet monitor his brainwaves, breathing and physical indicators of his emotional state. At appropriate moments images appear in his visor showing the lifestyle he will be leading -  fast cars, luxury villas on Zegema Beach, Arcturian poontang.... all sponsored by J'Lo New You and Crusty Coke.

At moments of acute stress, a voice or image of his loved one, fanatsy girl, father, brother, school teacher, accordingh to his psych profile says "Proud of you son....." and exhorts him to do his best. Maybe it's a vid of a fallen comrade "Don't let me down 417. Get some for me!"....

Cheers

Mark

Today's Progress

    

Despite my drill bit snapping and going stright hrough the tip of my thumb, typically the only time I didn't wear a work glove, I've got the following ready for painting:

• 1 squad of P.Pig Legionnaires (AK47 range), in standard helmets with green stuff visors
• 2 squads of P.Pig Legionnaires (AK47 range) in mix of berets (with some further conversions) and CMG Light Recon helmeted heads. These guys are cool. I like them a lot.
• 1 squad of CMG Light Recon in a mix of their own helmets and P.Pig separate Modern Legion berets.
• 1 weapons squad of 2 combat droids with 'handler' and UAVs

Phew!

This gives me a flexible transitional force,which can morph across tech levels as required. 

I still have the squad leaders to do (from AK47 Range Israelis) and maybe a Khurasan Federal Army Infantry Command Team (new shoulder plates from green stuff and/or Light Recon helmeted heads should do the trick).

I reached the great watershed this week of having to wear reading glasses to work on the figures and paint them. So am not sweating the small stuff anymore. Out of both necessity and practicality I'm painting for effect rather than detail now.

Cheers

Mark

 

On me workbench

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WELCOME TO MY 800TH POST ON DROPSHIP HORIZON.

Well, I got my building and painting mojo back this week. So I thought you might like to hear what's kicking around my workbench.

The small change:

• Sculpting a Harry Palmer (Michael Caine trademark) raincoat on a figure from The Scene.
• Creating a 'Vasquez' from an OUDF SAW gunner and GZG head for Master Chef.
• Ditto for myself: but the prettier 'Tequila' with Ponytail based on a Khurasan Fed Infantry SAW gunner. Head from The Scene female Zombie Hunter.
• Khurasan Fed Female NCO in singlet & ponytail, firing pistol, as above
• Khurasan Female Corporate Marine / Shephard – headswop as above.
• Bagful of Xeno/Naga conversions
• Re-basing RAFM ex-Citadel Traveller crew/mechanic types

These are the projects I have fun doing. I can pick them up as and when completing them in their own right or as a break from larger projects. We all need quick wins. Like my 15mm Bond character figure. Really pleased with him. A win.

Out of these mini-projects I finished rebasing the RAFM ex-Citadel Traveller crew/mechanics today - hoorah! Not a major victory but a win nevertheless.

So, what about my major project log? Sigh..... Weeeeell, it's a bit like that spaceship drive in Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy whose operation was like paying the bill at an Italian Bistro. A swirling dance of menus, bill pads, wallets etc.

Safe to say that No.1 on the list are two Bullfrog Landers from Combat Wombat. The 'Frog' in the name is quite apt - watch out for it in upcoming blog entries.

These Landers are monstrostities and are a bit like that person you know you shouldn't fancy. You have an inkling that they're going to be fun. These Landers have a purpose. They have a mission. And with a fair wind I'll have them done in a few days.

By which time the troops they are destined to carry will have arrived. Oorah!

Not read this far because there are no pictures? Shame on you. Speaking of Oorah! Or should that be Hooyah! Clue? Sir! No Sir! I have two EXCLUSIVES from Khurasan Miniatures to share with you this weekend.

Cheers

Mark

Amy

  
Must admit, if we are thinking of Miss Pond in miniature this Infinity miniature would be my choice:

Scots Wha Hae!

Alas 28mm not 15!

Cheers

Mark

  

It's All Gone A Bit Borgia

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Before we get back into the cockpit and blast off into new adventures, one last historical roadtrip.

I make no secret that I've had a long time interest in Renaissance Italy. Borgias, Medici but more especially, the late C15th Condottieri. 

 Last week, Master Chef gave me 6 sprues of Perry Plastic Mercenaries which have reignited the pilot light on a couple of 28mm Condottieri forces - plus  enough spare Lords, banners and Swiss mercenaries to make up a range of Basic Impetus armies reflecting the various militant city and family overlords.

Crucial to this are Perry's 1490-1520 European Heads which will help provide the right feel for the infantry, some dedicated TAG Renaissance Italians, and the beautiful Condottieri heavy cavalry from Venexia. Point to note, the project would have remained a non starter without the Perry heads.

Maelstrom have a 16% off deal for Easter so I'll order another pack of Perry Mercs and in return for the plastics, I'll split my collection of OOP Corvus Miniatures Burgundian Knights with Maff so all we need to worry about are specialist troops such as mounted crossbowmen, command and fun stuff.

 This project is a slow burner. More a labour of love, so will take several months to complete and I'm not planning to start painting the buggers till June.

My longer term aim is to add some 'transition' pieces to allow me to fight at least the Early Italian Wars as well, without having to go all plumes and puffed sleeves.

Cheers

Mark

 

Bimbling Towards May

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15mm Sci Fi has largely lost out this month to 20mm Modern Russians. I'll be psoting on Crisis in Alcovia later in the week, but I'm having a hell of a time getting the "Flora" pattern right in 20mm.

I've even been thinking of doing Alcovia  in 1/35th. For skirmish gaming purposes there's a nice range of 1/35th available from Zveda, Dragon, Alanger and now Tamiya (ex-ICM) plus some cracking resin models from a range of manufacturers as the figure illustrated (left). Whilst not in the sort of combat pose I usually demand of my wargame models, he's the epitome of a post Cold War modern Russian soldier. A great character figure to have on the table.

Dragon also sells a weapon set of the AK47 family, allowing me to convert more easily to obtain 1/35th WW2 figures, particularly the figures in camo suits such as these Black Sea Commandos.

Now I admit all of this may remain a pipe dream. But who knows. The new Osprey edition of Force on Force from Ambush Alley Games has really encouraged me to think outside the box.

So, why don't I just wait for the newly announced 15mm Modern Russians that appearto be coming out? Two reasons, first, I've campaigned too long to see 'Ultra' Modern Russians in 15mm and now simply don't care.  Second, I've built my expectations up before of what the miniatures will look like (and I'm talking WW2, Sci Fi  etc here as well) and had my hopes crashed and burned too many times by what turn out more like these link instead of these link.

What about 28's? Well, if Im going 28mm I might as well go 1/35th. I need less of everything in the larger scale (figures, vehicles, terrain),  there's more AFVs and vehicles available on the market in 1/35th, painting requirements are about the same, greater conversion potential , plus due to the size (& cost) it's self regulating with less chance of scope creep.

Now, if anyone knows of a suitable 1/35th James Bond figure?

 So 15mm Sci Fi, which is why you are here after all...... plans for May inclue more separate heads from GZG, placing an order with Blue Moon via Old Glory UK, keeping some cash back for some new goodies from Khurasan, plus more High Tech Humans in Power Armour.

Cheers

Mark

The Manamal Poll

Rock god sculptor Joe has a poll over at Brother Joseph's WAR ART. 

 WHICH MUTANT ANIMAL-HUMANOID (MANAMAL) TYPE

WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO SCULPT ASAP?

 Pop over to vote and take the time to have a shuftie at his sculpting

New Years Resolutions ?

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You gotta be kiddin' me! Who thought January was the best time to make resolutions that had a cat in Hades chance of sticking! It's cold, dark and will remain so for another two months, and all that Christmas Cheer needs to be paid off at the end of the month!

I mean who in their right mind is going to start dieting or go on the wagon during the height of winter? And equally, who is going to make resolutions about "I am only going to buy 15 figures this year", yeah and why? because you have a tin mountain in your study/back bedroom/ flat that can be picked up from space by CIA spy satellites!

But of course you also have that 15% discount voucher from GZG to use before the end of the month, Brigade still have 15% off till the 7th and then QRF announce a 15% off everything (well, good as) running from 11th to 25th January! That's followed by Jon at Khurasan announcing the Felid support weapons pack and Early Medieval Swiss - not Sci Fi perhaps but C13-C14th century ordinary cowpoke with pikes, halberds and plancon, be they Swiss, Scots or Flemish taking on the arrogant harnessed noblesse of Europe appeals to my sense of social justice.

So any pretence at gaming resolutions for the New Year dissipates up an X-Wing's tailpipe and it's only 3rd of January!

Cheers
Mark
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