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Post by Whiterook on Sept 5, 2023 18:35:58 GMT -5
Ooopsies… three months past by and I haven’t posted a monthly nugget of knowledge and amusing repartee  So I was thinking (…the spoken phrase sets my wife’s hair on edge), many members and viewers may not have put thought in the fact that these are indeed, allied hobbies in many ways. I was just posting a thread on Artist Pastels vs. Modeling Pigments/Powders over in Area 51 (Modeling area) Tips & Techniques sub-forums, but it easily could have been a posting in the Cheyenne Mountain (Miniatures area). …Do you modelers think to look in the miniatures area? DO you miniature gamers think to look in the modeling area? Well, you should! In fairness, it may just not have dawned on you, but many of the threads are related to each form of hobby goodness. A lot of the same concepts and techniques are transferable between both hobbies. As the creator of the forum, it’s something that I am well aware of  …but it’s perhaps not so obvious at the pace most folks skim and scan content today. And I am also positive many of you have indeed figured it out long ago! But to those that are scratching their head and muttering to themselves, “Hunh!”, go on over to both sections and see for yourselves! Make sure to not shortchange yourselves… lots of good content there, and in the future. While you’re at it, create some content today… this is a group effort, after all! |
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McCoy
Sergeant
Posts: 227 
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Post by McCoy on Sept 5, 2023 19:05:32 GMT -5
I for one see it as more or less the same hobby, it's only the subjects that varies. Most of the techniques is the same after all. My major take on it is that the two sub forums really should be merged as the hobby in itself is the same.
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Post by Whiterook on Sept 5, 2023 19:26:05 GMT -5
I for one see it as more or less the same hobby, it's only the subjects that varies. Most of the techniques is the same after all. My major take on it is that the two sub forums really should be merged as the hobby in itself is the same. Thats an interesting take on merging the subforums…I can’t say I’ve seen that done, but then again, a lot of forums are either one or the other and not featuring both. I can see your point in ways, though. |
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Post by josta59 on Sept 9, 2023 8:49:01 GMT -5
I have a list of vehicles I want on my table over the next year or so. As long as they are the right scale for my gaming table (N-scale, 1/144, or 1/150) and look ok, I don't care so much what they're made of or how much work is needed to assemble and paint them. I'm willing to go the full modeling route if that's what it takes, and it looks like that's my only option for the USMC hovercraft I want.
This week I found a lot of prepainted, diecast vehicles in 1/144, made in East Asia. They're cheap, look great, and require zero work. That's my preference. I'd rather play the games than do the work. And I like the weight of a metal miniature.
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Post by magna on Sept 11, 2023 8:46:55 GMT -5
An interesting subject this one. I have a foot in each camp as I started as a modeller and eventually found out about gaming. Modelling is something I really like doing no matter how stuff turns out but for gaming I can definitely see Josta's point here.  The above are Napoleonic figures. The base tactical Napoleonic unit was the battalion. The rules I have used are at 60 men per figure. That means you need 10 or 12 figures per battalion plus an officer. One pack of 1/72 is usually about 50 figures so 4 battalions. For a small engagement you want a couple of regiments per side at least so 3 to 4 battalions per regiment is a couple of hundred figures plus some cannon and cavalry. That means over time I have spent more time painting and basing these buggers than I have in playing games. The figures above are first colouring so the red and white has to be redone now the plastic is covered so more to go with these. 
This Airfix Buffalo is easy enough to make but a die cast one if available can be done up the same with a wash over it. On the other hand I like to play a good boardgame too which means no mucking around as everything is ready to go. Even with Axis and Allies I have never even had the slightest urge to paint any of the gear supplied. |
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Post by mikeh on Sept 11, 2023 12:19:03 GMT -5
I'd rather play the games than do the work My thoughts when I'm half way through painting up a squad of minis. 👍 |
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Post by Whiterook on Sept 11, 2023 12:45:49 GMT -5
An interesting subject this one. I have a foot in each camp as I started as a modeller and eventually found out about gaming. Modelling is something I really like doing no matter how stuff turns out but for gaming I can definitely see Josta's point here. The above are Napoleonic figures. The base tactical Napoleonic unit was the battalion. The rules I have used are at 60 men per figure. That means you need 10 or 12 figures per battalion plus an officer. One pack of 1/72 is usually about 50 figures so 4 battalions. For a small engagement you want a couple of regiments per side at least so 3 to 4 battalions per regiment is a couple of hundred figures plus some cannon and cavalry. That means over time I have spent more time painting and basing these buggers than I have in playing games. The figures above are first colouring so the red and white has to be redone now the plastic is covered so more to go with these.
This Airfix Buffalo is easy enough to make but a die cast one if available can be done up the same with a wash over it. On the other hand I like to play a good boardgame too which means no mucking around as everything is ready to go. Even with Axis and Allies I have never even had the slightest urge to paint any of the gear supplied. Those Napoleonics are awesome! I’ve assumed that Napoleonics figures are majority metal, only because of all the old school sets out there…I’ve seen a few at flea markets and antique store even; makes sense there’s a good array of plastic minis out there these days. I don’t know a lot about the subject either the gaming figures history in manufacture and sales, and even less about miniatures gaming with them  …but I’ve always admired the battles you’ll see pictured online, and at expos and such. I remember a movie, I think with Wesley Snipes (?), who had a wild ManCave where he had a diorama that could be raised up to the ceiling on pulleys, and lowered to play or work on… that always struck me as PERFECT use of space! …cats would have a field day getting to it, though! On the Axis & Allies Miniatures, I quite agree on the Not repainting them…I’ve never re-painted a one, nor even placed a wash on (though the latter is about the most I’d probably go). I quite love my A&AM minis!!! |
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Post by magna on Sept 11, 2023 21:45:03 GMT -5
Yes. Metal Napoleonic figures tend to be in 15mm which is the size I would have gone for back in the day except for two problems;
1. Nearly all were only available from overseas.
2. Ties in with 1 here - the cost of 15mm metals was higher than the cost of 1/72 plastic. 50 15mm figures back then was about $7.50
plus the freight from overseas (usually UK) which was 30% extra or more. This was back when wages were under $5 per hour so
$10 was a lot for fifty figures compared to 50 in a box of plastic from the local shops for $2.
The plastic figures now cover nearly everything in so many periods. One place that is worth a good browse is plasticsoldierreview.com
which covers a heap of periods from a heap of manufacturers. It's good because they give you info on the plastic type, actual height
(can vary from 18mm to 23mm), number of poses, period accuracy, and quality of the pieces. They also let you know if something is
a rebox from a different manufacturer.
I probably won't bother too much with Napoleonic stuff any more as it is very time consuming. Any more I get will be for modelling only.
It can get a bit over the top as our games group sometimes had table games with over 1,000 figures including cavalry and guns.
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Post by Whiterook on Sept 12, 2023 17:01:58 GMT -5
Yes indeed, M, prices you all pay down under are astronomical compared to the US…but even our neighbors up north in Canada have it pretty bad in such regards, though not nearly the scope as Australia.
Seems like so many hobbies in figures and vehicle miniatures went from metal, to plastic, and now resin. And of course, it seems like everyone, their brother, and the house cat all own 3D printers and are printing almost everything these days.
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…but it’s perhaps not so obvious at the pace most folks skim and scan content today. And I am also positive many of you have indeed figured it out long ago! But to those that are scratching their head and muttering to themselves, “Hunh!”, go on over to both sections and see for yourselves! Make sure to not shortchange yourselves… lots of good content there, and in the future. While you’re at it, create some content today… this is a group effort, after all!
…but I’ve always admired the battles you’ll see pictured online, and at expos and such. I remember a movie, I think with Wesley Snipes (?), who had a wild ManCave where he had a diorama that could be raised up to the ceiling on pulleys, and lowered to play or work on… that always struck me as PERFECT use of space! …cats would have a field day getting to it, though!