Alternative Classic 80s Lord of the Rings Miniatures

It is Dangerous (& Expensive) to Think About this for Too Long...

Now, as I was thinking about the range of classic Lord of the Rings miniatures from Citadel in the 1980s and it occurs to me that there are some notable gaps such as Galadriel, Arwen, the company of Thorin, and the goblin king. And this then leads me think are there some alternatives from the 1980s that could be used to fill some of these gaps? 

Galadriel 

This is a bit of tricky one to start as there are no elven magic users from the mid-1980s as Citadel had already transitioned to a wargames focus in the C08 Elven range but they had not yet started to create a range of army characters such as wizards. However, Tom Meier comes to the rescue with Syndil Starsynne who was still available through Citadel in the mid-1980s. Now I had a look on eBay and there are a few about but as part of bigger sets so a likely candidate if I can get hold of one at a reasonable price. 

Goblin King

This is an easy one, there were plenty of interesting goblins in the C12 goblins range including a range of characters that were produced in 1987. So, if I am willing to stretch my rules to this time point then I could include quite a few characters. Citadel lost the rights to Lord of the Rings by 1986? So, I will have to choose a cut off point if I want to keep it 'legal'. Plenty of choice on eBay, so it just about waiting for the ‘right’ one. 

Arwen

Arwen is another tricky one as there aren’t many obvious choices on first inspection. There was a range of pre-slotta warrior maidens from 1983, some of which might fit the bill but by 1985, the only female fighter in the C01 Fighter range definitely does not say Arwen to me!

Not very LotR!

Some of the barbarians from 1986 might have some potential but still look a wild for Arwen. So, may require a bit of greenstuff and chopping. Another option would be the low-level AD&D female fighter. Who actually looks pretty good but is quite niche and is probably quite difficult to get hold of at a reasonable price. One to look out for in future. 

The Company of Thorin Oakenshield

Another easy one to finish off with, while there is an official Thorin mini (Which I already have two of!), none of the rest of the company had a mini. However, there are plenty of useful dwarves in Citadel range at this point. 

And I plan to repair the second excellent Talisman dwarf mini as Balin. 

And Some Final Thoughts

There are still some other obvious gaps such as Bert, Bill and Tom but I can already use some of my favourites from the C20 troll range.  

Tom, Bill & Bert discuss the 'merits' of mutton. 

And Thanks to Stuff of legends & Collecting Citadel Minis wiki for most of the pictures and saving me rooting around the loft for old copies of White Dwarf. 

Rob 

Rescuing Scabby Minis

 One More for the White Hand 

Orcs and Uruk-hai surround Boromir

This time it is one for the orcs of White Hand. I picked him up recently and knew he was scabby but I didn't realise just how scabby until he turned up. However, once I got some paint on him I feel much better about him. 

One scabby orc. 

The problem  with putting all of these minis along side each other. Just highlights how much my painting has moved on since returning to serious painting. And these half-orcs are some my favourite minis from the Oldhammer Lord of the Rings mini range. But now look a bit basic however for now they will escape the paint stripper...

And another thing, I don't understand why these are listed as Half-orcs of Saruman and yet the Uruk-Hai are clearly in the service of Sauron. Surely these should also be Uruk-Hai?

While I had a bit of green stuff left over from gap filling, I upgraded the next EM4 dwarf. I am enjoying thinking about different ways to improve these minis. So, after adding cloaks to the last batch, I decided this chap needed a bit more luxury. So gave him a fur lined cloak and a new breastplate. 

And still working through my stockpile of Hopping Hare on a Friday night. 

Rob 

Axes of the Dwarves

And a Goblin Banner

It started with needing to make a goblin banner and then moving on to make a few more dwarves. I decided to move away from paper banners, so have been collecting various foils from around the house.  Which sort of led to making a few capes for a couple of dwarves who then of course needed the green stuff adding. 

The dwarves are sort of a slow burn project, to be done when I feel like a change. 

I am experimenting what small changes I can make to give them a bit of variety. Like some quick armour panels. 

This guy has a bit of dragon scale or troll skin armour? 

And a quick group shot. 

Rob 

The Paleo-Hunt Continues

 Big Game & Other Stuff

Painting some of the big stuff from Warfare in the form of some prehistoric beasties. Obviously the mammoth is looking a bit worse for wear but will provide a good focal point for a game or two. Quick and easy paint jobs on these minis but suit the subject. 

Working on some more dwarves, the EM4 body provides a good starting point. 

The first Roman gang is starting to take shape. I decided I was going to make the objective counters and tried to create some cobble stones on the base. I wasn't happy with the cobble effect, so I ordered a texture roller!

A dark beer for a dark Friday night.

Rob 

33 Minutes Later

Doing Some Painting

Before 

Finally finished the latest round of work trips and time to do some painting, not really geared* for a long evening painting so went to a 30 minute finish a figure session. 

This was the first test mini with the Oathmark head on the EM4 spear dwarf body. 

Once I started painting him, I realised I hadn't remoted enough of the original plastic. So, I painted it brown to look like leather and fortunately it will be covered by the shield. Something to look out for on the next twenty!

33 minutes later

*mentally geared that is!

Its obviously not Friday night but is time for a beer. 

And one from my work trip. 

Rob 

Slann & Dwarves

A Title that Sums Up the Post!

I was a bit distracted form painting up the last couple of wood elves this week.  But I did put together the Slann slaves and paint up a couple of dwarves. 

I am pleased with how well the EM4 dwarf bodies match up with the Oathmark dwarf heads. Giving me the first stand of dwarves for the army. I think they fit the brief for a group for dwarves living on a mountain. 

I need to get the lighting sorted in my painting room as a couple of the bulbs have gone and I am sitting in the gloom while painting. And this also making the photos a bit harder to take!

Entertainment sorted for a Friday evening.

Rob 

Three Army Progress

 Ninety Five Percent Done & Three Minis Left*

On the home straight, I just need to get the last few minis finished. It seems a bit odd to be painting winter minis in a heat wave but I just want to call this one done. 

* Actually going to paint four, as I will also finish off the elf sorceress. 

Ninety Percent Done & Three Minis Left

After resorting the army list, I only have three minis left to finish off the first 1000pts. And these guys will be next on the painting table after the wood elves. 

Two Percent Done & Still Plenty of Minis to Start Work On 

Ok, this one is only just started. But at least I can see what needs to be done. So, far this army has only cost about £17 to get the EM4 dwarves. Everything else I already had or was given as a gift. 

Friday Night Beer on Saturday Night

After returning from a work trip, I ran out of time to post a Friday Night beer. But never fear, I did find time to drink one or two! 😏

 

Another excellent beer from Belgium (I think??) 

Rob