Steel-Iris Door for Trash Bash Bits.

The newest door to be unlocked for the Trash Bash Bits Kickstarter is the Steel-Iris door.

This is a classically simple sci-fi design and one that can be used for many different settings. The sharpened steel petals open and close with hissing whispers and the constant threat of horrible malfunction.

Trash Bash Bits Now on Kickstarter!

If you're like me you get tired of trying to find suitable technological bits like doors, windows, and hatches when making gaming scenery. Trash Bash Bits solve this problem by being easy to use, light, and affordable. They are flat on the back and thin enough to look good when glued to the outside of buildings.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/847163926/trash-bash-bits-sci-fi-doors

Check out the first three doors below and help me out on Kickstarter!

Miniatures shown for scale only.

Earth Force APCs from Rebel Minis.

Just finished a couple of APCs from Rebel Minis that are truly loaded for bear with four missiles and a large caliber main gun. What better way to deliver troops safely than to annihilate the opposition?

Assembly on these is a breeze, just two track units, the turret, and hull, and they offer a lot of possibility for conversion or stowage modeling.

Now that I'm starting to get a small collection of 15mm sci-fi I'm wondering about a ruleset. Should I try to find one I like or just make my own. So far I've not sampled anything that I particularly care for. Maybe I'll find something at Gen Con.

Warbot Battle Trooper Mk IV.

It's been a while since I've been able to revisit the Grenadier Miniatures Warbots by John Dennett but I've finally had a chance to finish the Battle Trooper Mk IV. This little fella is pure vintage sci-fi, from his globe-like head to the flared legs. For a warbot meant to fight alongside or against mecha like the Destro Walkers he seems to be lacking a bit in the size department. However the weapon load out of a laser rifle and what I imagine to be some sort of particle cannon implies that while the Battle Trooper might not be able to soak a lot of damage it can deal out plenty.

Like the other Warbots this mini was designed to be used with micro-armor scale games but it also scales up or down really well. With 6mm minis it looks like an imposing, man piloted battlemech. For 15mm and larger it starts to look more like a vintage patrol-bot, designed for use in large numbers and computer controlled. It is a simple design that can be used in a variety of systems and could easily be modified or kit-bashed.

These are currently available from Mirliton in a pack of three minis.

Troops by Rebel Minis.

Trooper conversion using a Wargames Factory Greatcoat Trooper.

Fantasy Modeling #5

It's been a long while since I've posted a new issue of Fantasy Modeling but here it is! This is issue features some great stuff including a brilliant article by Rick Overton about kitbashing Victorian Spaceships that was truly steampunk way before there was such a word. This whole issue is a treasure trove of hobby goodness. Check it out!

Fantasy Modeling Volume 5, 1981

Contents:

5 Editorial
6 Victorian Spaceships by Rick Overton
10 Dungeon Diorama by Philip O. Stearns
14 Model Kits That Almost Were by Andrew P. Yanchus
18 A Spaceship For The King by David Douglass Merriman III
22 Computer Gaming by Mike Kilbert
26 Adventures in Gaming
27 Reader's Photo Page
28 Spaceship Photography by Jack Gurner
34 New Technologies in Rockets by Michael A. Banks
38 Super Detailing Spaceships by Jeff Pollizzotto
42 The Competitive Edge by Philip O. Stearns
44 Book Reviews
46 Letters
48 Collectables
50 Odds and Ends by Andrew P. Yanchus


Fantasy Modeling #5 -  

Trash Bash 2011 ~ Scratchbuilding Contest

Trash Bash 2011 Contest Rules:

What is This?

In the spirit of Rick Priestley’s classic grav-attack build, this contest challenges converters, hobbyists, and scratchbuilders to create a vehicle to be used for tabletop wargaming using random bits of stuff and a lot of creativity. Many of the skills of being a strong miniature hobbyist will be needed to do well in this contest, not only vehicle construction and painting but also photography, concept creation,miniature painting, and terrain set-up.

What to Enter:

Contestants will construct and paint a miniature of a vehicle designed to be used primarily on the surface of a planet, moon, asteroid, etc. Vehicles can be hover, tracked, wheeled, walker or any other form of propulsion that would primarily be useful on the surface of a planet. Submarine or subterranean vehicles are also eligible. Aircraft and spacecraft are not eligible for this contest.

Each vehicle must contain at least one disposable underarm deodorant container as part of the construction. All other parts can be from any model kits, toys, throw-away plastic items etc or scratchbuilt from other materials. Judges will be looking for clever repurposing of items and skill in making them unrecognizable on the final model. Simply sticking a Leman Russ turret onto a deodorant container will not garner many points.

Other materials such as plasticard, putty, wire, etc are acceptable but fully covered over and sculpted entries will not score well.

Any scale supported by existing miniature ranges is acceptable. This will be necessary for the final picture of your entry unless you wish to sculpt your own troops as well. 

A 200 word or less description of your model should be included with each entry. Explain what type of vehicle you have constructed, where it is usually found, what its capabilities are, etc. The scale of your model should be given in this description.

A total of five images must be submitted to be eligible for judging:

• 3 pictures of the final painted vehicle on a neutral background showing the three views that best show the construction and finishing of the vehicle.

• 1 picture of the unpainted vehicle along with a list of what materials were used in the construction. If you don’t remember what a particular bit is don’t put it on the list.

• 1 picture of the final painted vehicle set in a gaming environment along with painted miniatures of the troops associated with vehicle. This will be a showpiece image and a great chance to really sell your concept. Use of terrain and foliage is expected for this final shot.

No retouching or special effects other than basic photo correction will be allowed on submitted images. Any images showing added effects will be disqualified.

Good, clear photography is expected and will be considered in final judgement. Images should be high quality jpegs no larger than 1 MB per image. Each image should be titled as follows: your_name1.jpeg, your_name2.jpeg, etc. And anyone sending me files that are actually titled “your_name.jpg” will be an automatic ninny-hammer. Please include 200 word description and parts list with the same email.

Limit one entry per person. Only entries that have not appeared elsewhere will be accepted.

Our panel of judges will choose a first place, second place, and third place winner. All decisions of the judges are absolutely final.

How to Enter:

Send an email containing images, model description, your name and country to TrashBash2011@hotmail.com beginning April 1, 2011. Entries will be accepted until April 30 2011. Winners will be announced on May 9, 2011

Judges include:

Brian Roe of Roebeast’s Magical House of Sunshine, Tears of Envy, Illustrator and concept artist Des Hanley, Carlos Fernandez of The Game Preserve, Bryan Steele of Ursa’s Den, Jeff Wilhelm of Dragon Forge Design, and Jeff Rodman of Mississinewa Miniatures.

Prizes:

1st Place: $25 from Mississinewa Miniatures- $25 from The Game Preserve- $15 from Dragon Forge Design- $10 from Ursa’s Den- $15 from Forge of Ice- 1 pack of Post Apocalyptic Mechanical Legs and 1 pack of Post Apocalyptic Rippers from Kromlech.

2nd Place: $15 from Mississinewa Miniatures- $15 from The Game Preserve- $15 from Dragon Forge Design- $10 from Ursa’s Den- $10 from Forge of Ice- 1 pack of Khopesh Vibro Swords from Kromlech.

3rd Place: $10 from Mississinewa Miniatures- $10 from The Game Preserve- $5 from Dragon Forge Design $5 from Forge of Ice- 1 pack of Orc Running Legs from Kromlech.

Other prizes may be added through the course of the contest. Winners will be responsible for all shipping and handling costs unless otherwise stated by retailer.

This contest is put forth in a spirit of fair play and mutual respect. Any entries that contain offensive material will not be considered for entry. Be cool and creative but don’t build anything you wouldn’t show your mom. Any entry can be refused for any reason especially for not adhering to the basic spirit of fair play.

Please contact Brian Roe at TrashBash2011@hotmail.com for any further information.

SPONSORS: