WIP: 'Fiddler' mech...

...at this stage the 'Fiddler' has had a gloss varnish coat applied; decals* added; gloss varnished once again and then a coat of satin varnish. I've also started on 'shadow' lining to emphasise the detail. I had the light a little too close and 'bleached out' the top of the mech so the decals are not particularly clear here. I also in exclicabley missed the remnants of a casting plug at the rear of the right leg and after removing the residue have been left with a small patch to repaint.

 

* Oh...and I've somehow managed to put the numbers on the 'thigh' armour upside down!!! Another senior moment! Bollocks!

WIP: 'Fiddler' mech...

...basic camo scheme and dull, grey metalwork. Its all held together by pins at the moment so it looks a little off kilter (particularly from the rear). This will be corrected when the parts are fixed permanently...and a little tip for you; attach the rear ladder at a much later stage than I did then you might avoid breaking it as I did! Decals next.

WIP: 'Fiddler' mech...

...progress without pics of the 'Fiddler' but it's primed and ready for base-coats. As I was waiting for the primer to dry and harden I painted the face on one of the troopers I'm going to use with the 'Fiddler' - the face will be mostly hidden by binoculars but I had to paint the face so I could add the arms. There are not a lot of sci-fi troopers available in 1/35 scale but Industria Mechanika released a three-figure set of  futuristic 'Pawn Brigade' troopers to accompany the 'Rook' mech which should appear here on the blog in the not too distant future (hopefully).
I have to admit to being a little disappointed with the troopers - they seem a little too slim (I suppose they could be described as athletic), detail on the equipment is soft and the castings are far from perfect. I spent much of the weekend carving away very prominent 'steps' on all three figures (the legs particularly) and resculpting the folds in the trousers. Despite my initial doubts I think they'll paint up ok and though I didn't waste too much time on painting a face which will be largely obscured it's not too bad.

 

WIP: Filbot 'B3RT'...

...did a little work on the  manipulators, the 'lens' and the energy 'glow'

WIP: "Ohhh, he's so cute!"....

...my seven-year old grandaughter's words not mine...but he is and so's J3ff.

 

WIP: 'Fiddler' Mech...

...I've drilled and pinned the hips/legs (but not glued) to give a more stable platform for this last photo before cleaning. I've also done the same for the manipulator arms (seen attached but again not glued below) and the two weapon mounts. Once washed and dry I'll prime the separate components.

Yet another fine Mech...

...but this one's bigger! The Fiddler is a 1/35 resin (apart from the weapons barrels which are brass) kit from White Dragon Miniatures. This is model with over 90 parts that whilst not overly difficult to build would probabley require some experience of working with resin kits. The casting  is of a very high quality and the fit of parts excellent. There are a few mould lines and the usual pouring stubs to be removed but no more than any other resin kit I've built. The only difficulty I encountered was of my own making as I removed too much of the casting block at the front of the main hull and had to do a little filling with Milliput - so trim and test fit regularly! It took me just over a day to build the kit to the stage you see below (held together precariously with Blu-Tak and with a few smaller parts and the manipulator arms still to fit) and is now ready for a soapy water 'bath' to remove any residue mould release agent before painting begins.
You'll find better pics of the built model on White Dragon's site and there is an excellent WIP by Zac, who arranged the license agreement to have the Fiddler reproduced in kit form, on his Resin Addict Blog. There is also a superb digi-camo version on CoolMini.
Here's where I am with mine (I'll take better and more detailed pics as the WIP progresses)

and with a 1/35 figure (I forgot to say it's big) the only element missing imho from the two versions above

I first saw the Fiddler at Salute in April this year and only just managed to stop myself buying it then but I recently came across Zac's build and couldn't resist this time despite it costing a little above my normal budget for such items. I'm absolutely delighted with my weak-willed purchase!

Updatin' da blog...

...s'okay, I haven't gone mad I've just searched for the blog on Gizoogle . Love it!

two Consortium troopers, a base...

...and an almost finished FDV4 Mako (just a little detailing work to do). The troopers feet need a little dust to connect them to the base and I think the base needs something in the empty space to the right of the troopers.

 

 

the two Consortium troopers...

...are finished. I'll finish off the Mako over the next few days and sort out a base for it and the troopers.

WIP: Consortium troopers...

...will be finished soon.

WIP: FDV4 Mako...

....weathering on the armour just about done; weapons next. I've also done a little more work on the Consortium troopers.

'Wearing in' a new brush...

...before tackling the insignia on the four (looks like it's going to be five) recent Hasslfree troopers and finally basing them so started on a couple of figures to accompany the FDV4 Mako. I dug these out from near the bottom of the 'pile'; they're from the now, sadly, defunct Consortium range (35mm?) and I purchased them in 2010 I think. Angel Giraldez painted the studio models and he still has them all on his website. the male trooper has had a headswap (Maxmini)

 

WIP: FDV4 Mako...

...nearly finished!