On the Workbench [August] - Aeronautica Imperialis and an AT Reaver

On the work bench this month, we have some 8mm scale work.  I decided to pick up some Battlefoam for storing my Aeronutica Imperialis models and gear.  Battlefoam produces some great box inserts that allow you to store all of your game gear and models safely.  I'd been holding off on this as I haven't painted the models nor played the game.  But a recent sale caught my eye so I moved on it.

Here I have the Wings of Vengeance box foam made to support bases with the stems glued on.  As you can see, there is plenty of room for the bases after the foam is put in the box and all the paper accessories still fit as well on top.  This insert will definitely keep the planes safe once painted and helps organize dice and cards.

The Skies of Fire box insert is no different.  If you prefer to not glue your stems on the bases, there are versions for that as well on the Battlefoam site, just check out the link above. I have yet to punch out the counters and otherwise explore the games, but I can see that everything should fit nice and tidy in these boxes.  It's worth it to me since these boxes come so sturdy. They'll last long on the shelf and keep everything safe and organized for the day I eventually find some time with friends to play a game or three with.

I also picked up trays for extra Thunderbolts and the Maurauder Destroyers that came separately after Wings of Vengeance.  No box for those, but still a great way to organize and protect the extra planes which previously had been just dumped loose in the box with the rest.  The model reorganization inspired me to build the extra two Thunderbolts I picked up back along (so I could have two of each variation) and even build the three Lightning fighters from Skies of Fire.  I need to assemble the rest so I can get everything back in the box now. :)

Last up, the second Reaver for Legio Ignatum starts to take shape.  The main model is built and now it is on to building and magnetizing the weapons. This Reaver will stand off and shoot while her sister stomps into the heart of the enemy with chainfist or claw. Supported by this pack of hounds.

So that's what has been on the work bench this month (well, the Warhounds were built in July...).  Expect to see some Indomitus Dark Angels being built soon, while I paint up some of the new Horus Heresy Dark Angels from Forgeworld. Lots of work to be done here at 262Krieg.

Remember Guardsmen, there is time enough to sleep, in the grave.

Stay safe out there.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!

Review: Versatile Terrain Custom Name Plates

Image Credit: www.versatileterrain.co.uk

Greetings.

Today I'm posting something new on the blog:  a review!  I came across Versatile Terrain's custom name plate service through a recent Spikey Bits article. It struck me that while impractical for large armies, this was a fantastic idea from small skirmish games like Necromunda or Kill Team. Having just completed building and priming a handful of teams I decided to try the product out on one of them.

When I put together my Adeptus Mechanicus team, I used all the table sin the rule book to name the members and give them personalities.  So this was the perfect team for this exercise.  I jumped on the Versatile Terrain web site and placed my order.  It was an easy process to select a base size and plate design, then the font and quantity of plates/names to order.  Once added to the cart, it's time to enter the list of names.  I was very careful here to put in the correct names!

For my ad-mech force, I needed three 40mm and five 30mm bases.  By mistake, I ordered two 40mm and six 30mm bases, but it all worked out in the end.  The order was placed and shipped six days later.  I was even emailed the day before the order shipped to let me know all was well.  I have had good communications throughout the process.  When the order arrived, here's how they looked:

Brilliant!  The print and details are sharp and clear and the arcs line up well with the sector mechanicus bases I had chosen for the kill team. I felt this was a risk since it might be that the sector mechanicus bases might not be identical in shape to a standard black plastic base.  The bases are cast in resin which allows for some shaping if you apply a little heat.  This helps me make sure my mistaken 30mm plate fit around a 40mm base.

I lined up a base with a model to be sure I had everything right.  Then I set to work removing the sprue, cleaning things up and then gluing them down.  The sprue comes off very easily.  I used standard flush cutters as I would with any sprue, but I could have carefully snapped them off with my fingers too.  Super glue (Cyanoacrylate) in small amount was used to glue the plates onto the bases. Some care was needed to keep things lined up well while the glue set.  You don't want a slow drying epoxy or other glue here, in my opinion.

Here's how things look on a 30mm base.

From the bottom, you can see the plate lines up well with the curve of the base.

And the same from the top.  With these sector mechanicus bases, I made sure to line things up so the rivets on the plate appear to go into the base instead of thin air since there are voids/low spots on the edges of the bases.

Here here is Amu-8869 with his new name plate attached.  As you might imagine, things went as well for a 40mm base.

Everything continues to line up well.

Lookin' good...

And here is Kappic-XIX with his new nameplate.  I specifically chose what I thought passed for a Gothic look with a digital font for the Ad-Mech.  There were plenty of good choices for plate and font styles. Here is a shot of the team with their name plates applied.

Click through to see this close up.  On the front right you can see the 30mm name plate attached to the 40mm base I chose for the Skitarii with the Transuranic Arquebus. when ordering, I simply forgot that I had used a large base size on that one Skitarii.  It fit just fine with a minor amount of heat applied to prevent it from looking two warped. The results stand for them selves.

I really liked the product and will likely order plates for my other teams as well. I'm particularly interested in plates for my House Taranis Knights as this is a great way to display the creative names and add some personality to the models.

I give the Versatile Terrain custom name plate service two enthusiastic thumbs up!!

Next up, I'll get back to the Questoris Knight Paladin. I've done work on the weapons and will have more to show on that soon.

Cheers and Happy Gaming!