More Starship Troopers - nearly there

I have sat down recently and given myself a stern talking to about all the half finished projects that I have on the go - I response I have ploughed with some more Starship Troopers miniatures. To make the grey Mobile Infantry units up to 10 minis each some heavy weapons troopers.

For the red squad (on the left) a couple of plastic guys - missile launcher and a 40k flamer (because I had one and the actual SST one is rubbish). For the green squad a couple of metal minis (from the heroes of the federation box - which are ok, not a great match for their plastic brethren), another missile launcher (I think it’s meant to be nukes, but missile will do) and a sniper. Painting on this is ok - not a perfect match for the units they are joining, but close enough.

The command figures - well a lieutenant in the centre (another slightly suspect metal miniature) and then a couple of NCOs (in the SST game anyway) - conversions with some 40k bits. I need to put on a symbol so that their rank is identified on the table. So for Starship Troopers I have 2 mobile infantry which have to be painted in the green scheme and 2 marauder walkers left to go (one needing assembly). A challenge to complete before the holidays start properly, but I will give it a go!

Morts

Update - Starship Troopers, Kill Team and Combat Patrol.

With the hot weather it has been difficult to get much painting done, but I have managed the last 5 of the Mobile Infantry Light Armour troopers. This brings the total up to 42 - 4 squads of 10 and a command of a Lieutenant and NCO. 

There are a few more spares (including another LT and NCO, but I think I might see what eBay will bring me for those) - the squad sizes I have work for the SST game, 40k as proxy guard and Xenos Rampant. I have a few power armoured troopers to go and a couple of Chickenhawk Marauder suits and they are done. 

For the Blooded/Blackstone Kill Team I picked up a plasma and melta gunner - I will get these painted with the Traitor Command figures soonish.

The sprues are for 3 Kataphron Destroyers or Breachers for the Ad  Mech. This will mean using the tank as a proxy for a spider/crawler thing I have the figures for an Ad Mech Combat Patrol for 10th Edition 40k. Must stop looking at eBay now … but I think the Ad Mech could do with another command miniature … and the Marines need another vehicle … must stop the mission creep!

Morts

400th Post so a bit of everything …

This week I have had a lovely week off work - which is always nice. The other half and I (all organised by her), travelled over to Exmoor for a couple of nights in a Shepard’s Hut - with hot tub! Proper glamping. 

The hosts at Orchard Escapes just outside Porlock were really welcoming - the full English breakfast kit was enough for 2 days. The facilities were excellent - only a 30 odd metres to your own bathroom. They had heated up they hot tub for our arrival - it was great to see the sunset from a warm bath.

Before we tried the hot tub we had a little wander over to Selworthy.

A very picturesque hamlet about mile away from the hut. Some lovely views on the walk over. From a previous visit the tea rooms there are very good - but they weren’t tried this time.

After a very good sleep and breakfast we headed out on a quick circular 10 mile walk over to Porlock Weir via Selworthy Beacon, Hurlstone Point, Bossington for a tasty lunch (and a couple of Exmoor Ales) at the Ship Inn. 

The weather was good for walking - a tad cloudy with a cool Easterly wind.  I should have taken more pictures - there are a couple of coastal defence structures on the walk. 

After tidying the Shepard’s Hut, we headed over to Dunster for a mooch - no pictices of the yarn market here. We didn’t visit the famous castle, but we did head up to the ancient Bat’s Castle earthworks.

Some excellent views - reaching over as far as Wales, Dunkery Beacon, Bossington hill (visited the day before) and of course Butlins Minehead. Really nice little walk. A cracking mini-break with the better half. A trip to the Peak District planned for July/August. 

On Friday the full collective headed over to DK’s for a game of Viticulture Essential Edition, with the Tuscany expansion. We took a while to get started, with Sylon making the early running. We took 2 hours to get to the top right picture … the box says that should be the approximate game time! Not with our gaming elite. Tiger-King was on an eating frenzy, demanding cake and pizza from our host.

The game did speed up once we started producing wine and fulfilling orders - with Steedo and Snake-eyes catching up Sylon, before DK and Tiger-King pulled away for a tussle for victory. The end game was triggered by Tiger-King passing 25 points, at 1.24 am! The final scores DK 28, Tiger-King 27, Steedo 22, Snake-eyes 19, Morts 16 and Sylon 15. A close game at both the top and the relegation end. 

I feel that I should like Viticulture more than I do - I like the placement mechanic and the collect this, so you can do that (like Raiders of the North Sea), but I don’t know why it doesn’t seem to gel for me - perhaps there are too many needs - build, workers, orders, plant vines, harvest, make wine going on - especially with the wine orders - there are a lot and the randomness of the card draw of which you get, after all the previous effort of build, plant, harvest can be a bit wearing. The game also took around 5 hours - so perhaps a better 4 player game. It might be that the game theme does work for me - I like drinking wine, but playing a game about making it … I’m not so sure. 

But thanks to DK for hosting - a really good evening’s entertainment and catch up with the collective.

So on to other things - the time vortex of the Dreadnought has been finished.

Painted - waiting for the decals. I actually did some edge highlights - quite well.

Plasma gun, transfers and chipping and weathering done.

Big gun version. 

The final versions with the base completed. 

I have to say that I am pleased with this model - at some point it might actually get used in a game.

A busy week off! 

Morts