Coolhand Customs - A New Blog About 3D Design of Miniatures

By Eli

Many of you may or may not recognise the name Coolhand, but you likely recognise his stuff. He's been working with folks in a variety of industries for years including miniatures. In his work with miniatures, I took note of him for the work he did on many of the designs from Khurasan Miniatures, but I know he has worked for others, including Armies Army.

Well he's started a blog "Coolhand Customs" focusing on his work for the miniatures industry and I thought it might be worth checking out. I find it's always fun and interesting to read some of the thoughts of the creators of these brilliant 3D designs. More of his work can be seen at his other blog "Coolhand Graphics".

I very much enjoy his work. He's got a good eye for details and a pretty broad range when it comes to subject matter and styles. I'm sure this makes him a wonder to work with and I know that he's been more than accommodating to my various enquiries over the years. I would love to work with him on a project sometime, but I'm just not sure what yet.

Take care,

-Eli

More GZG Goodness

Wow, Jon keeps the ball rolling with some great stuff.

With the last batch of previews up on the GZG store already, Dropship Horizon is happy to preview two more new ranges that will be coming out shortly. Seen below are the CDF (Colonial Defense Force) and, for the first time in 15mm, the PAU (Pan African Union). These ranges represent solid, mid-tech forces armed with reliable assault rifles and squad support weapons.

ALL-NEW-SCULPT CDF (Colonial Defence Forces) - these are a BRAND NEW range that we haven't previously done in either 15mm or 25mm; they represent a generic force of Colonial Defence light infantry equipped with low-tech but easily maintained weapons and equipment, with simple but robust assault rifles and light machine guns, disposable anti-armour rockets and the like. They are organised as a National Guard or "Territorials" style military force with standard-issue uniforms, helmets etc, and they are ideal for use as local troops for any number of colonial world engagements, either allied with or fighting against higher-tech forces from offworld.

PLEASE NOTE that these packs are a completely different force from our original C01 and C05 "Colonial Militia" range - though we do plan to re-visit those figures in due course....

First releases:

SG15-C10    CDF Rifles A   (Helmets)            £3.00 inc

VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in fabric battledress with light upper-body armour, with open-face helmets; 2 each of 4 different poses, all with assault rifle.

SG15-C12    CDF Light Machinegunners            £3.00 inc

VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in fabric battledress with light upper-body armour, with open-face helmets; 2 each of 4 different poses, all with standard LMG/SAW (extended version of assault rifle with bipod, heavy barrel and large drum magazine).

Riflemen in field caps, plus support weapons and other packs coming shortly!

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ALL-NEW-SCULPT PAU (Pan-African Union) troops - these are new to 15mm, having only been made previously in our old 25mm range; the PAU ground forces are equipped as low to mid-tech light infantry, generally without body armour and wearing either combat helmets or traditional soft jungle caps.  They carry bullpup-style advanced assault rifles, and have lots of slung kit for extended operations as "leg" infantry.

First release:

SG15-P10    PAU Rifles A   (Helmets)            £3.00 inc

VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in fabric battledress with combat helmets; 2 each of 4 different poses, all with bullpup assault rifle.

Riflemen in jungle caps, plus SAWs and support weapons packs coming shortly!

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Keep it up Jon!

-Eli

 

Ion Age - Havelock Battlesuit Early Supporter Deal

Attention Dropship Passengers,

The Ion Age continues to get better and better. After just releasing teaser pictures of the awesome Havelock heavy battlesuit, Gavin and crew have got a sweet deal on the table to support their pending release of this really cool model.

This time, it's not just one deal, but two ways to get in early and get some good extras in additon to the battlesuits themselves...

This promotion runs until November 14, 2013 (the worldwide release date) and any Early Supporter orders, received before or up to that date, will ship on that date. These battlesuits are made in metal and the fabricator spire is in resin. Each battlesuit comes with a full set of weapons so you will have plenty of options for armament and quite a few left for conversions and such.

I am digging this model and even if you are not an Ion Age fan, this is a worthy addition to any scifi force that needs a stompy mecha suit. For more back story and pictures, visit the Ion Age Blog and have a read.

Hurry and don't miss out!

-Eli

GZG Comes Out of Cloak

New GZG Previews and Sneak Peaks

So, it's been a bit since I've heard from Jon at GZG and now I know why. He's come out of "hiding" to lay a ton of new and amazing stuff on us. This particular preview shows off new sculpts for NSL (Neu Swabian League) from the classic Tuffleyverse (Stargrunt, Full Thrust Dirtside), a new range of hard sci-fi Robot Soldiers that are not your grandpa's Battle Droids. he even snuck in a peak at the new Tech Ninjas that will be accompanying the upcoming Japanese troops.

Technically, the NSL and Robots are OUT NOW, but it will be a few days before Jon has them up on the store.

Take a look....

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First GZG November Releases:

ALL-NEW-SCULPT NSL (Neu Swabian League) Panzergrenadiers - assault infantry in full-body combat armour. 

These all-new figures are in the same armour style as our original N01 and N05 packs, but are completely redesigned in terms of weapons, detail and pose. A wide variety of weapon types are available, from the basic infantry assault rifle/grenade launcher combination to multiple-shot missile launchers and heavy anti-armour railguns.

The range contains a mix of male and female troopers, the latter clearly defined (despite their full armour) by a slighter build and suitably curvy torso armour!

SG15-N10            NSL Panzergrenadier Rifles A                      

£3.00 inc VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in combat armour, 2 each of 4 different poses, all with standard infantry assault rifle/grenade launcher combination weapon.

SG15-N11            NSL Panzergrenadier Rifles B                      

£3.00 inc VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in combat armour, 2 each of 4 different poses, all with standard infantry assault rifle/grenade launcher combination weapon.

SG15-N12            NSL Panzergrenadier SAW gunners        

£3.00 inc VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in combat armour, 2 each of 4 different poses, all with heavy SAW (Squad Automatic Weapon) with large box magazine.

SG15-N13            NSL Panzergrenadier Anti-Armour Support Weapons

£3.00 inc VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 figures in combat armour, 2 each of 4 different poses: 2 poses with 4-round missile launcher system, 2 poses with HAMR railgun.

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ALL-NEW-SCULPT Humanoid Robots.

Another BRAND NEW range, ideal for many functions in a high-tech society - these versatile figures may be used as robotic combat troops, police or security forces. Unlike our V16 Servant 'bots, these new figures are not the "shiny metal man" style of robot, but are functional-looking machines that are of roughly human size and configuration, to allow easy use of normal weaponry and equipment. They are VERY finely sculpted with masses of exposed mechanical detail which comes out superbly with an ink wash!

SG15-R01             Security/Combat Robots pack A                                

£3.00 inc VAT (£2.50 ex VAT)

Pack of 8 humanoid-configuration robots with assault rifles; 2 each of 4 different poses. Ideal for Police, Security or Combat functions.

Tech Ninja - TBA 

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All I can say is WOW!. The NSL are a personal favorite of mine since back when all I could get were the 25mm figs. These new robots are something that has been on my wish list for a long time and I can't wait to get some and slap some gritty military colors on them. And, really, who doesn't love a good scifi ninja?

Great stuff Jon. Keep it coming.

-Eli

ClearHorizon Minis - Raven and Sparrowhawk Assault VTOLs ready for Pre-Order!

By Harold

Hi everyone! Another post about my ClearHorizon Miniatures adventure...

The Raven and SparrowHawk are now available for pre-orders!

link

Raven-Class Medium Assault VTOL $19.99 USD

SparrowHawk-Class Light Assault VTOL $13.99 USD

Note: These masters still have some sanding and finishing to be done to them.

Also available:


Interdiction Task Force $65.00 USD (Save over $5.00 USD!)


2x Raven-Class VTOLs

1x Sparrowhawk-Class VTOL

1x Alpha Squad Hell Divers (12)

1x Bravo Support Squad (6)


Here are the measurements and part counts:

Size.

Raven VTOL.

130mm L x 95mm w x 40mm T. (tip of tail)

rear troop compartment .30mm x 22mm x 20mm

14parts

Sparrow Hawk VTOL

90mm L x 50mm w x 30mm T

8 parts

Here is a size comparison picture with a "standard" 15mm figure:

Note: These deals are only available as pre-orders until the castings come in! Please note, all items will ship at the same time when the VTOLs arrive, which is hoped for December, but there might be delays. If any delay comes up I will email you and advise.

Tutorial - Painting a 15mm Hell Diver using washes and blocking colors. Part 1

By Harold

 Hi everyone, I wanted to give a quick tutorial on how I go about painting up my miniatures.  I'll be using one my of my Hell Divers, I cleaned it, attached the backpack and glued it onto a US penny.

Then I used superglue to attach RR ballast (fine ballast from woodland scenics, a good value and a nice even size) onto the penny, being careful not to get any on the miniature.  Then I prime the whole figure and paint the base with a khaki color.  This helps to seal the sand in.  Then I highlight with an ivory color.

This is the first part of my tutorial, I'll post the second soon!  Please let me know if you folks have any suggestions!

Figure base coated with a grey primer, and the base painted with a khaki color and highlighted with a lighter color, I then went over the figure to make sure it was a solid grey color.

My favorite wash, Strong Tone by Army Painter, works great.

First step was to water down the wash just a bit so it's not so heavy.