More old school First edition Necromunda figures. These are about half of what I need to paint. These appeared nearly completed some time ago but a few touch ups, washing and some shading has finished them off.
“The Cult of the Redemption is an extreme religious sect that worships the God–Emperor of Mankind. It originated on the Hive World of Necromunda, but similar cults can be found throughout the Imperium.
The Redemption believes that the only way to achieve redemption for themselves, Necromunda and ultimately mankind, is to cleanse it of its sinfulness. Redemptionist prophets foretell of the destruction of not just Necromunda but of mankind. For Man to be saved it must be purged of sin. Their methods of redemption are highly violent, its members sworn to expunge all sin with fire and blade. Unlike most extreme Imperial sects, Redemptionists do not limit their hatred and violent purges to just mutants, psykers or aliens, they see sin in every creature, which along with the sinner, must be destroyed through bloodshed and fire.” Lexicanum
“Originally, House Cawdor consisted of nothing more than criminals and beggars infesting the lowest spires of Necromunda. This changed at the end of M39 when the Redemption Cult was born on the blighted world. It is said that Encorderius Brayne was the founding father of the Redemption. This simple but pious factory worker despaired at the suffering of those around him and the greed of the noble houses, delivering fiery sermons against the ruling class. He also espoused that the workers had also lost their way from the light of the Emperor. His legend continues to state that one day he was saved from a deadly industrial accident by the Emperor’s light and when he emerged declared he had been chosen to lead the people of Necromunda to salvation. He overcame countless trials, leading his people down into the Underhive where the first Redemption Cults formed. “ Lexicanum
These are the old school first edition Cawdor metal figures. There are a few more somewhere that I will dig out to finish the gang. These appeared nearly completed some time ago but a few touch ups, washing, and some shading has finished them off.
“Mercenaries have gone corporate. The United Nations Mercenary Convention, signed in 2001, defines and places limits on what constitutes mercenaries. Although there are notable holdouts, the position of the UN is that mercenarism is against international humanitarian law. With enough paperwork cloaking them, private military and security companies work in the shady cracks of the justice system, where they flaunt their mercenary role with no fear of punishment.” (Occupy.com)
Blackwater “staff“
“The public remains largely unaware that these “security companies” now quietly operate around the world. G4S, for example, is the third largest private employer on Earth, yetmost people have never heard of it. Companies like these often provide straightforward services such as the running of prisons and detention centres, or event security. But increasingly, the line between security and quasi-military operations has been blurred as corporations take on ever more military-capable assignments. Companies in this line of work staff themselves with ex-Special Forces, presumably for their skills in combat.” (Occupy.com)
Blackwater “staff“
“Now, those same firms are lobbying to privatize war. Many recall Blackwater, a company that became notorious in the Iraq War when its “employees” murdered 17 Iraqi civilians. After re-branding Blackwater as Xe, then selling it in order to escape its universally bad reputation, company founder Erik Prince went on to create Academi (Blackwater 3.0). Prince, who is the brother of U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, then had the audacity to propose that America’s ongoing war in Afghanistan be outsourced to private companies.”(Occupy.com)
Timeline:
1997 Blackwater founded;
2009 name change to Xe;
2011acquired bty a group of investors;
2014 Merged with Triple Canopy, a subsidiary of Constellis Group.
“Blackwater staff“
The United Nations Mercenary Convention is a 2001 United Nations treaty that prohibits the recruitment, training, use, and financing of mercenaries. At the 72nd plenary meeting on 4 December 1989, the United Nations General Assembly concluded the convention as its resolution 44/34. The convention entered into force on 20 October 2001. The U.S. remains one of the notable holdouts of the 2001 UN treaty. This is interesting as US companies are the largest suppliers of these “security services”. The wars in Afghanistan and Iraq increasingly relied on private contractors, Blackwater being only the most infamous. During both wars, in fact, private contractors frequently constituted a majority of forces serving, according to the Congressional Research Service. See Department of Defense Contractor and Troop Levels in Afghanistan and Iraq: 2007-2020
“Blackwater staff“
Over time I have collected a number of mercenary miniatures from Empress Miniatures, Stan Johansen Miniatures, Spectre Miniatures, Assault Group, Noble Knight, and Grubby (Britannia) Miniatures to name just a few. I have just finished these now. The Empress Miniatures will feature in about a months time as I just wanted to get these finished. I find it very difficult to paint figures that I just don’t like. I was showing these figures on our P.I.G.S. Skype meeting last Wednesday affirming that I would bin them as some of these I just find plain horrible, but at least they are now done and are off the list. Will they all get used, probably not. Will they feature on the shelves, some definitely not! Probably should have just binned some of them……….. but you know how it is! Don’t kid yourself of course you do!
This WW2 figure is OK but a bit chunky to fit in really well.
While this one has painted up well it is a very average figure in a very static pose.
Another average figure in a very average pose.
This figure comes from Empress and is a good figure that will probably be used.
I like the figure, it is just that the tight pants don’t look terribly authentic.
Makes a good NCO “on the blower” and is one that will fit in.
Anyway the Empress Miniatures one will be on the painting table soon and then I can forget the mind numbing feeling of breaking through the pain barrier to get these done!
Postscript: When I came back this morning to do a final edit of this post I think I have been a bit harsh on the figures. They have painted up OK.
This Juggernaut from Spectre is perfect for a scenario play, stomping round the board in heavy armour and wielding two long arms. The PKM and shotgun are dangerous combination, especially when backed up by the rest of a Spetsnaz team. coming in the door behind him. Seemingly a habit with my exclusives, I added a visor to juggernaut. See Charge Blog.
I decide to add mine to my S.W.A.T. team bomb disposal squad as heavy protection.
Guru says, “Each year there are only two seasons……”footy season” and waiting for “footy” season”!
We are now officially waiting for footy season following a huge loss last night by my beloved Bulldogs, who conceded a sixteen goal to three second half.
This is not just sport. It is war, it is tribal. A time when you put on your warpaint, gird yourself in your clans colours, wave your battle flags, and watch 23 gladiators appointed by your clan to do battle on your behalf.
Alas this campaign is over and we have lost. With the highs and lows, and the euphoria and the despair of last nights game I can honestly say “we wuz robbed”. How dare the umpires allow the Demons to kick twelve unanswered goals and make us look like training cones!!
Our brave warleader, “the Bont”, says he hopes his side will “make something” from a disappointing result.
“To the Melbourne Football Club, Simon Goodwin, Maxy Gawn, incredibly talented team, but incredibly well drilled. You did a really good job on us tonight and you deserve everything that’s come your way so well done. To our mob, couldn’t get it going enough our way tonight. This one will sting, but we’ll lick our wounds and hopefully make something of it.”
Although I would obviously preferred that the Western Bulldogs had won, you can hardly begrudge Melbourne’s win after a 57 year drought. Well done demons.
“Dust Off” was the tactical call sign for medical evacuation missions first used during the Vietnam war in 1963. The objective was to transport patients from point of injury to a medical facility within an hour of soldier(s) being wounded.
This was dangerous work with just over a third of the crew becoming casualties. this is also emphasised by the fact that over three times more ambulance helicopters being lost than any other form of helicopter mission.
Patch of the 82nd Air Ambulance
MEDEVAC missions use a dedicated air ambulance vehicle whereas the more common term CASEVAC that uses a non dedicated vehicle which may or may not provide en route medical care.
“If you were wounded in action in Iraq or Afghanistan, you have a more than 90 percent chance of coming home with a heartbeat. That’s the best survival rate in the history of war: up from 76 percent in Vietnam, 70 percent in World War II, and don’t-even-ask-because-you’re-dead before that. This new calculus is one of the only consistent bright spots to come out of a decade of bloodshed, the result of a system that ferries soldiers from wherever they fall to a field surgeon, usually in less than an hour, and home for even more specialized treatment, often within a week. But it all depends on that first response, the helicopter ride nearly every wounded warrior has in common. “It’s almost sacred,” says Sabiston, the pilot.” (Newsweek)
Spectre Miniatures produced this set piece which I am going to use as a medic carrying a wounded comrade to safety. It makes an ideal scenario objective without being “over-the-top” in size or looks.
I have decided on a change of pace, while working up to the “Zomtober Challenge”, with some Zombie Apocalypse Survivors.
Starting with Kate (Ma) and George (Pa) Barker, “the meanest cats from old Chicago town”. When the apocalypse began the Barkers had just been released from Lansing Prison and were on the way to visit their four sons, Fred, Arthur, Herman and Llyoyd. Caught on the road with no base, no equipment and no food they proved more resilient than those around them. They are now reunited with their sons and are scouring the country side in search of their good friend Tom Brown while trying to keep away from John Edgar’s Zombies.
Ma Barker “left her husband flat as he wasn’t tough enough. She took her boys along ’cause they were mean and strong”.
Ma and PaBarker
“Here is a special bulletin Ma Barker is the zombies most wanted woman Her photo is hanging on every zombies’ wall If you have any information about this woman Please contact the nearest zombie station“
At 68 it has been a while since the “earth has moved for me” but this morning at 9.15 AM Melbourne experienced a 5.8 to 6.0 magnitude earthquake, and an aftershock at 4.00 magnitude. We are all fine but I am glad we anchored the top of our display cabinets to the wall as they shook like crazy.
I know this is not a big deal for some of you who live in earthquake zones but it was scary for us.
With wife screaming, cats running amuck, me checking Maree’s china and my 91 year old mum sleeping through it all!
If I needed a reason to collect metal rather than plastic this was evidence enough.
The plastic figures were scattered everywhere on the shelves
Steady! Steady! Whereas the metals stood firm
I always prefer to play white in Chess and the fate of the black king is evidence as to why!
Fortunately there appear to be only minor damage. Click link.
With the exception of Batman and the Phantom I am generally not a fan of the superhero phenomenon sweeping the silver screen these days. I have made an exception with the Hulk and She Hulk from the Marvel figure range as I just like them.
Jennifer Walters is a talented lawyer and the cousin of Bruce Banner, the Hulk. After being shot by a mobster and seriously injured, she was saved by a blood transfusion from Bruce, and his gamma-irradiated blood mutated Jennifer into the Sensational She-Hulk, kicking off her adventuring career.
Jen isn’t as strong as her cousin, but she has maintained her intelligence as She-Hulk, soon learning to control her transformations and even embracing her green form.Throughout the years, Jen has fought for justice in court and on the streets, and growing to become a respected leader. She has worked for the District Attorney and has also fought crime as a member of countless teams, namely the Avengers and the Fantastic Four.
As I said in a reply to another blog this arrived from the UK in eight days and I am still waiting on her cousin, Bruce, to arrive from across town(4 weeks now).
Although it came in a lot smaller box than I expected it was packed full of goodies.
The counters, data cards and power cards are wasted on me as I am not interested in the Marvel games system, but the figure was superb.
The figure went together very well in just a few minutes and was very well sculpted. All of the join lines matched clothing lines etc on the model and could not be detected. A little bit of designer thought saved the normal sanding and filing of mold lines.
The model was then undercoated with Tamiya TS3 spray.
My only disappointment with the figure is that the hands are molded to the metal girder meaning that it is an integral part of the figure. I was hoping to convert it but as I generally do not work in this heroic scale I had no bits to use so it ended up being made “as is”.
I was also hoping to paint the figure and include this with this post, but alas, when I opened my green paints I found that two of the three I was planning to use had dried up. I am normally more careful than that! So the model is on hold until I can find a stockist and put in a mail order. Maybe Bruce will have arrived before the paints!
Alas, you will just have to wait the next thrilling installment!
