Gondor Trebuchet and Citadel Guards

The resin Gondor Trebuchet is, of course, proving difficult. Painting it is fine. It's getting it together correctly and without breaking it.

I've given up on the feeble 'rope' as it's come apart three times (OK, I know I'm careless and clumsy but neither plastic nor metal would have snapped off!)

The piece in the shot with the resin rope around it, fails to reach both sides of the Trebuchet because of the distortion of the main frame. I've had to make another one. I'm still working on the rope.

Meantime I've been painting these Citadel Guards.

I think I bought them thinking of Guardians of the Fountain Court and I've painted the bases accordingly.

After having done so and checked out previously based Minas Tirith soldiers, I realised I'd used plastic 'Brick' sheet for them and should have used it here.

The base in Administratum Grey represents the upper levels of The White City'.


These chaps are the crew for the Trebuchet.

I've often wondered why two of the crew always seem to be boasting about the size of fish they caught in the Anduin the previous evening.

Either that or it was something more personal.

I've finally realise that they are supposed to be winding the windlass up.

Back to the 'brick' pavement that should be on their base. I've cut them off the bases and will either find the plastic sheet I have or get down to the model shop in Cheltenham for some more. I'll base the machine in the same way.

Nine Walkers

These were the black bases discovered when I was trying to base Gandalf.

Now they are all painted in Hobbiton colours with a hint of The White City on Boromir's and a fallen branch on that of Legolas - a hint of Mirkwood.

I think my painting was better then!

Faramir, Foot and Mounted

                                                                              Sorry about the faces on these models.

I'm just not good enough to paint faces generally but within a helmet, I find it impossible.

Those gnashers!

I had as much fun doing the bases as I did doing the models, now that I've found my 'cobbles' wallpaper.

Faramir is stood within the ruins of Osgiliath and leading the pointless charge against the occupying orcs.

Gandalf the Grey

The last of the three Gandalfs with his twin brother hanging around in the background. I think he was with an early metal set of the nine walkers.


I went to check them as I was uncertain how to base him and discovered that none had been based, they were all on black bases. I assume that I had the same problem then as now. As I try to base my models according to their origins, they should be in Hobbiton or Rivendell area style but then, what to do with Boromir? Give him a Minas Tirith base? Even Legolas would have a dark green rim.

SO. What I've decided is, to paint the original nine walkers all in brown earth, rocks and green grass with brown rims as per Hobbiton but this Gandalf as he is in Moria, to match the scenery there.

The staff here is Mournfang but I think, as in the mounted version, Rhinox hide is better.

The crystal on the business end has a wash of Guilliman Blue on the white paint.

Gandalf the Grey Mounted

Here's the second of the three Gandalfs in that package.

The cloak was worked up through Mechanicus Standard Grey through Dawnstone to Fortress and White edging highlights

Then it was washed with Nuln Oil and the highlights brought up again through the greys.

His hat, on the previous model, I thought too blue, so this is Dawnstone/Shadow Grey with a Fortress/Shadow Grey Highlight.

The horse is Mournfang, the leather, Rhinox Hide.

Note the three white ankles and one dark brown one and the odd hoof colours.

I tried to have the base as per the recent Hobbits but with Ruffian grey rocks (which I might change)

The last Gandalf is not far behind, then it's Faramir and Faramir mounted.

Gandalf's Cart

Not hitched, as you can see.

Despite several tries with glue,  Gandalf would not stay seated.

I've given him a cushion of Greenstuff to sit on (for which he is most grateful) and I await seeing if he's firmly fixed now.

The model looks good but I found it terrible to work with.

Resin not only loses it's detail advantage over plastic and metal, because of the many bubbles that appear on the surface, but it's also very fragile and warps easily.

At least mine did.

Perhaps I washed off the mould oil in water that was too hot.

I'll make a bigger base than that provided and try to make it look like a track.

Once I'm sure G is sitting comfortably, then I'll begin.