Cobbled bases

I tried various ways of making the cobbles run under the warriors legs rather than having mounds of gravel etc for them to stand on.

The best way to hide the join was also a fussy endevour with plenty to go wrong.

By using an inverted base I cut a line through the slot and then, cutting each end of the line, poked open the wallpaper.

One of the problems is that the paper can come free from the base. I guess is not the ideal glue to use or perhaps I should rough up the base first.

Though I've removed the ends of the 'slot fixing' the middle is still proud and needs to be cut down or filed so that the wallpaper lays flat

 I think I've found a use for the shavings. More later.

 Shaved down to the level of the base.

The other way is also a fiddle. Half of the paper goes on complete while the other half has to jigsaw around the feet. Not such a good result and only slightly easier.

I suppose I could buy some very small cobbles and glue them on individually.

Here's the end result. Not easy to see the join though round the feet it's a bit obvious.

Osgiliath Veterans 7

Here's Vet No 6 complete with bum bag and a poor quality leather strap. I can't get the hang of modelling them.

Apart from the bag he has no armour damage but came close when he missed shooting an oncoming, shield bearing, orc. He had to dispatch it with his hastily drawn sword. Since then he has carted around half of the splintered shield wherever he goes.

Osgiliath Veterans 6

 Here they are practically completed though I saw the vet on the right had no paint on his base when I viewed the shot

A lick of paint later. The poor fellow on the left always has to get someone else to get his sandwiches out as the bag is impossible for him to reach. Little does he know that the other rotters nick half his lunch under the guise of helping him out.

 The rock on the base of the left hand one has a pit in front of it. I'll try to get a shot later. I drilled a hole in the base and put greenstuff beneath. Then Dark Earth was worked into it and round the edges. I put some glue in the hole. I'll see how much it looks like a puddle tomorrow.

 It's just visible in this shot. -

There are a few bits of armour, shield and helmet damage.

Here also is the pinhole chain mail. It puts me in mind of some kitchen implement.

as is his long hair. I might be tempted to try a ponytail next. I should also have given beards a try. The first shot shows a painted on one but a little greestuff might help.

The bandages were another experiment that didn't quite come off. The material is too thick and looks more like cloth wrapped round a wound. The leg wound in the second shot here is better than the arm wound in the previous post but it's still not great.

By the way, I don't know what happened to Vets 4.

Osgiliath Veterans 5

Modifying Minas Tirath troups to become Osgiliath Vets has been fun and I've learned something with each stage.

Here I've covered the base with my 'Cobblers' wallpaper and then cut a hole in it large enough for the cut down slot attachment to be inserted. This let me paint and dry brush the base (dawnstone which was also used for highlighting the black and for a little weathering, then Fortress Grey and white)

There's a try at a cape, a couple of bags and a piece of fur which started of as failed chain mail.

 The top of the base shows the slot well over to the side of the base allowing plenty of ruin to be laying around and giving him a different look to the other one to follow.

 A first stab at hair extensions using greenstuff worked out OK. I still cannot paint the tree on the shields but you can see where a sword slash has damaged this shield in a couple of places

A second try at chain mail is still not successful. Larger holes and closer together is the answer but how to achieve it. This was done with a pin. I think a pin pushed right through with polystyrene beneath might do it.

There's an axe nick on his helmet which shows up when the armour is washed with Badab or armour wash.

The greenstuff bag, containing his lunch, shows he's got quite an appetite.

Osgiliath Vets 3

Osgiliath veteran on the left is the original metal one.

In the center is a Minas Tirith plastic soldier with a handbag made from green stuff. Again the cobbles are this excellent wall paper. I'll need to go back and buy a roll for the ruins that I'll eventually make.

On the right, work in progress.

John's Bridge 2

There we are,
better shots, I think.

John's Bridge

That excellent poet, raconteur and refuse collector, John Curtis, has parted with his latest creation, a ruined bridge.

We had much discussion on where the bridge was to be found which ended with the suggestion that on the Anduin south of Minas Tirith would be a likely site.

However, it will be used on other battlefields simply as scenery.

It could, after all, be the start of the stairs leading to Shelob's cave or steps to the top of a cliff.

Thank to you John and thanks too for the other items. The shoe box was particularly useful and, by coincidence, about the right size for a pair of shoes. The articles in the newspaper wrapping was very illuminating, especially after I'd set it alight. Unfortunately the bubble wrap was absolutely useless for wrapping bubbles in. They kept bursting. I'll bring it along, next week, and you can take it back to the shop. Demand your money back and don't let them soft soap you.

If you fancy another project, let me know.

Osgiliath Veterans

 These Osgiliath Vetsmade a nice change from the regular Minas Tirith soldiery.

I might brighten up the cloak and bed roll a bit.

Washing with Agrax dulls it quite some and a coat of matt varnish adds to the problem.

I might also have some greenery springing up here and there.

The 'cobbles' beneath their feet is wall paper scrounged recently.

I still hate doing those shields!


I'm now starting my first attempt at conversions.

I'm hoping to add to these three by modifying ordinary troops.

Elrond and 'friends'

Nearly ready for Sheree's birthday present.

A touch here and there and base magnets to be fitted (all the models now have them care of 'greenstuff')

Contrast is too high, I know, but it's the only sun we're likely to get for a while.

A couple of the orcs were out of the 'school box' and therefore assembled before cleaning off mould lines and in need of green stuff at various joints.