Ruffians 9

The last of the ruffians - another set of triplets.

I've enjoyed painting these characters and modifying them though if GW had produced a proper set of  12 different models I would have finished them ages ago.

The branch the guy on the right has is a piece of plastic frame shaped to a handle at the bottom.

The pin was first inserted into the handle by heating the pin over the gas hob (holding it with pliers!)

Then it could be clipped off to match the hole drilled into the hand and haft of the original club.

I've covered one piece of rope with a large sack which should have 'swag' painted on it.

I tried to vary things by using a Greenstuff 'hood' on one chap but unfortunately it's far too thick and from the rear makes him look like Olivier's Richard III.

The backs show further mods - the keys vanish in one case and in another are covered by a satchel.

You'll notice it has no external fastening - this guy is ahead of his time and uses Velcro.

Ruffians 8

These three are, as is obvious, triplets.

I've swapped weapons but made no other effort to change their appearance.

Not sure why.

I think I just wanted to get on with some painting.

I could have (should have) removed the set of chains and the satchel on a couple of them and replaced them with something.

A sort of cape affair or blanket would have done it.

The coiled whip too could have been done away with, especially on the chap who is brandishing one.

Tricky, but possible.

Ruffians 7

 The next three ruffians are completed.

Here there were originally two with whips.

Now one has a meat cleaver.

As expected, the other meat cleaver transfer  lasted only one small tumble.

Now I have to consider drilling out the hand and replacing the cleaver with something else, perhaps a cat of nine tails or a simple chair leg.

I've done all six bases and included bits of burnt Hobbiton on some.

Their rocks are grey when the Hobbit's rocks are brown (if you'll excuse my rather personal comment)

As to why, I have no idea.                       Here are the bases of the previous three
                                                                       complete with bits of burnt Hobbiton.

Ruffians 6

That's the first 3 done apart from the bases but I've held back on them because my bases relate to their origins (grey rock for Mordor, green grass for Rohan, light grey paving for Minas Tirith etc)

However, where are these chaps from?

I figure they are outlaw types from the area round Bree so their bases may be Hobbit like but with wreckage.

I think the two on the left look sufficiently different from each other without too much work.

Ruffians 5

 I'm trying for another weapon (hand) swap now that the invaders have gone.

With metal models, it would pay me to buy an electric modellers drill and a small vice.

Boring a hole with a pin vice in plastic is a doddle but metal makes it a slow job.

The pins were inserted and super glued (none too accurately - I had to bend the pins afterwards)

Then the pins were cut to the length required and the new weapons glued on.

Again, it's doubtful if these little fiddles will disguise the fact that we have three sets of triplets here.

I'll not know till the paint is on.

Still, never mind all that. What about that Test Match!