Saturday 16 June 2018

Least said soonest mended.

Yes it has been Just under a week since I last posted, No grumbles just real life getting in the way.
Also I have done NO painting except 30mins yesterday. So now when I pick a paint brush up again it feel uncomfortable some how.

On the plus side it has allowed me to do some thinking ! Which has lead me to question a good number of things about wargaming in general and Science Fiction Wargaming in particular. Firstly let me say FOR THE RECORD I like Science Fiction wargaming a lot. Yet I seldom play it at the club. I now that sounds strange even as I type it. Therefore I need to start playing it more.

HOWEVER.
And it's a big however! Everyone has a different idea about Science fiction wargaming. Take aliens as an example! Should they be men in a rubber suit? I would like them not to be. I am equally aware that someone would say symmetrical bipeds are the most logical way intelligent life would evolve. So (and this is where you come in) if I wanted some 15mm aliens who makes the best ones?

I do like GZGs "Chitters!" but I find them too expensive at £1 a 15mm figure. In addition I find the heads unconvincing so I would chose to do head swaps each and every time I wanted one. I have not ruled them out but if someone has a better suggestion I am more than willing to listen. So ideas are greatly appreciated as long as there is no film related! (A related film brings that film to players minds and that is not what I am looking for!)

As for vehicles I already have those all sorted ou, but as yet unpainted, from an eBay purchase about 5 years ago. It is not important to me that the Aliens and the vehicles look the same.. After all humans look NOTHING like any tanks we have ever produced ! As I already have a set of vehicles in 15mm that I want to use it is of no use to me pointing out company P produce the most fabulous vehicles and they go with these infantry! To do so is a waste of your time and typing skills.So forget all about vehicles for the moment!

17 comments:

  1. Good to see you back posting Clint, can't help on the models I'm afraid as it's not a scale I play with so haven't done any searches for it

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    1. Thanks Dave. I know I am asking the nearly impossible as I have not (as yet) found exactly what I am looking for so I cannot offer much in the way of guidance either.

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  2. Now if you'd said 28mm...

    I only know of two companies with 15mm SciFi. Peter Pig - which is John Carter of Mars stuff, so no good to you. And Irregular Miniatures, which look to have at least one species of alien models that are decent enough miniatures (and 40p each in most cases).

    I think I saw that Alternative Armies now sells the SciFi ranges that were 15mm.co.uk They might be worth having a look at.

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    1. Thank you Roy, there are infact several companies doing 15mm sci fi. Yet the majority do tend towards "men in a rubber suit" so my quest will continue, and when I Finally get the right ones I'll let you know.

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    2. Just spotted that CP Models sell 15mm SciFi. No idea what, mind. I've bought some of their 28mm SciFi figures in the past and have had no problems with the company.

      I'm having second thoughts on What a Tanker, and am just looking at Star Trek skirmishes in 28mm (hence why I was on the CP Models website). I have kept your emails on the subjects saved away, just in case.

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    3. No worries mate and thanks for the update. For SF skirmishes I would look at "Rogue Stars" but I do not like trek and I know you do . Therefore whatever you decide is good.

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    4. Hah! Best laid plans and all that. Just spotted Matt (Wargames In The Dungeon blog) is planning to host a game of Tanker at Penrith show on Saturday, so I should be able to squeeze in a game in-between working for Stu. It looks like France 1944, Shermans versus Mk.IVs in 15mm.

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    5. Sounds good. Even if you cannot play you can scan like crazy and ask all the questions you need to. Listen to what he says and trust his advice (as long as he knows the rules).

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  3. Like Dave and Roy, I am far more familiar with what's available in the 28-32mm scale range. 15mm is such a foreign and alien scale to me. Good luck in your search.

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    1. Thank you Bryan, I know just how difficult it is to pick out aliens that look alien yet have NO film references. Manufacturers Naturally want to sell their wares so they tend not to take too mny chances and who can blame them.

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  4. You have a very difficult problem finding an ALien of any description that doesn't have a book, film or TV show tie i Thinking it also has to be 15mm also compunds your difficulties.
    For a 'clean sheet', consider firstly that their scale is irrelevant, a 54mm figure alongside 15mm or 28mm figures is just a fantasy giant! So I'd say any size of figure is acceptable.
    Secondly I wouldn't limit your searches to ranges intended for Sci-fi. Mythical ranges may give some interesting results, along with steampunk, obscure historical figures with futuristic weaponary too may also fit the bill.
    I'd personally like to see a completely ficticious range of Insectoids - so maybe buy some cheap plastcs and get out the green stuff and some spare weapons ?

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    1. Thanks Joe I also would like to see a fictitious race of insects. So far no luck though. Gonna check poundland Halloween though..... I just may be lucky! As a "last" resort I have found some rather nice "Snake men" which may do. (Critical Mass).

      Trust me I have been looking at different scales as well and myths and legends (nearly got side tracked)

      All options can be considered at this stage even paying more than £1 for each 15mm figure!

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  5. Khurasan miniatures has a vast choice however US based so shipping is an issue.

    There is Critical Mass games now owned by RPE
    http://www.ralparthaeurope.co.uk/shop/critical-mass-15mm-scifi-c-213/

    ALternative Armies has a variety of 15mm stuff across its ranges.
    https://www.alternative-armies.com/

    The Scene
    http://thesceneuk.com/product-category/15mm-figures/

    MJ Figures
    http://mjfigures.co.uk/product-category/15mm/15mm-spice-range/

    QRF
    http://totalsystemscenic.com/product-category/qrf/sci-fi/

    Fightings 15s Uk Stock various 15mm from Eureka, Blue moon and Oddzial Army.

    I think Armies Army has some aliens as well from memory not sure whats happened to them. Will have to look them up on facebook.

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    1. Thank you Simon, I have checked them all (as it happens weeks ago and a few more as well).
      However I do appreciate the time and effort you have committed on my behalf. I really do.

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  6. Do Napoleonics fit in here anywhere?

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    1. Well, there was those French troops that Q used to attack the Enterprise crew in Season One of Star Trek: TNG... :)

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    2. Thank you Ray NO! (Ands I suspect you already knew that. )

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