Category: Model Building

World War Weird

One of my biggest sources for hobby ideas is YouTube. I find SO much inspiration from the plethora of content creators there. It’s like a free subscription to hundreds of hobby magazines. Every day, new issues come out, and each puts its own spin on whatever subject that could strike my fancy.

Over the last several months, a new game has been making waves in the miniature and gaming community (and as a result, it’s been HUGE on YouTube.) There was a Kickstarter campaign that has generated close to $3.5 million for this project. I am admittedly ignorant as to the workings of crowdfunding (and, thus, have never been involved in one.) I am usually one of the LAST to know about the latest, biggest thing. That’s OK, though. Most of my interests gravitate toward the vintage and retro, so NEW isn’t usually even a consideration.

That notwithstanding, this game looks awesome. Trench Crusade (by Factory Fortress) is a skirmish tabletop wargame that combines an alternate history set in World War 1 with Gothic horror. In a nutshell, the Crusades of the Middle Ages went WAY worse in this fictional setting, and Hell was given the opportunity to join in the battles. Unlike its usual wartime participation – by proxy – in Trench Crusade, Hell shows up in person. The game sets humanity against the supernatural, and after 800 years, the conflict continues. It feels kind of like if H.P Lovecraft had taken LSD, and then fought in the first world war.

Some of the imagery from the Diablo IV video game
Cover artwork from Games Workshop’s 1999 skirmish game (now out of print.)

The project is a gaming version of a rock super-group. It was started by 3 creative forces; artist Mike Franchina (of Diablo IV fame,) Tuomas Pirinen (formerly of Games Workshop’s Mordheim creative team,) and James Sheriff (freelance sci-fi and fantasy miniature sculptor,) brought this abomination to life. The aesthetic is incredible, and I’m sure that is the major draw. It is grim and dark, but without the ornate pageantry of the “forty-first millennium.”

There are two aspects of this game that make it especially appealing to me. Although the hardback books and supplements are available for purchase, the core rules are available online for free, and the game is “miniature agnostic” – meaning, you are welcome to use whatever gaming miniatures you like. They offer “official” ones, but unlike the long-established king of tabletop wargames, they welcome variety, and don’t discriminate against kitbashers and 3rd party figures. This is a 3d printer’s dream!

 

As I’ve mentioned in other articles, I haven’t been much of a “gamer.” I paint miniatures. This new player is very tempting, though. I’m feeling a draw toward the terrain building and dice rolling. Maybe this could be a tipping point into a new(ish) aspect of my hobby.

Or I could end up reading through it, getting bored, and just painting up some WWI soldiers fighting monsters and demons. Which, in and of itself, sounds pretty cool, too.

So, win – win, right?

-Toph

Hoisting the Main Sail…

When the subject of Aurora models is brought up, my first thoughts always go to the Universal Studios movie monsters. The majority of my first model kits were from this assortment. But I also remember that Aurora made other models – especially wildlife, prehistoric animals, and knights in armor. One that has previously evaded my capture is the subject of today’s narrative.

Blackbeard was a 1966 plastic model. Like most of these Aurora releases, the completed kit is a mini-diorama type of scene. It was re-tooled by Atlantis in 2011, and repackaged again in 2020 in the “square box” style. I’ve seen it featured in several YouTube videos, and found it on the shelf of my local hobby store a few weeks ago.

A little over a week ago (Black Friday, for you Christmas shopping aficionados,) gave me an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. The model usually retails for $26 or so, which in and of itself, isn’t outlandish. With a couple of different special promotions, I was able to snag this guy for $5!

I got it on SAIL…

In typical fashion, I forgot about all my current projects and immediately removed the cellophane to examine the contents. The figure and accessories are modeled in light gray, and his scenic base is in brown. The sprues are bagged in 3 parts for ease of sub-assembly. The instructions are clear, well illustrated and straightforward. This appears to be a faithful re-tooling of the classic Aurora original.

Photo of the 1911 edition of Treasure Island – used without the author’s permission. You could say it was PIRATED!

His pose is dynamic: flintlock pistol in one hand, and a raised cutlass in the other. A brace of 3 more pistols is slung over his shoulder and across his chest. He is standing at the helm, protecting a treasure chest. If you were to ask any random 8 year old about a pirate, this is what he’s likely to describe.

As I began to dig through the contents of the box, I got more curious about the actual Blackbeard. With the exception of being born “Edward Teach,” I knew very little.  As it turns out, even his real name is the subject of some debate. After an exhaustive search (truth be told, I actually spent about an hour on it,) I got a lot of ideas, but few hard facts. The various sites all had interesting information, but some of the more scholarly articles admitted that much of his biography is speculation. One YouTube channel that I particularly liked is Gold and Gunpowder, and it’s certainly worth viewing if you have any interest in the subject. 

Since I’ll be building an almost 60 year old model kit and not an historical museum piece, it doesn’t really need to be entirely accurate; I suspect I’ll take some creative license. I’m also getting ideas about changes I’ll make to the scene. There are a few things I’m sure I can improve upon.

Unofficial flag, often attributed to Blackbeard. Sources disagree on the accuracy.

As I delve into this little treasure, I’ll take a few pictures, and share them in a follow up article.  Until then, keep your powder dry, kick back, and enjoy a little rum. 

-Toph

 

P.S. – Have YOU built this kit?  What were your opinions, and how did it turn out?  Send me an email – I’d love to hear about it!