Gruntz 15mm SCI-FI

Stunning Pictures of the Imperator

2012-01-27T20:07:00.002Z

Spaceman Spiff has put a stunning version of the Imperator Mecha together. You can see them in action here.

He has added tooth pick ends into the missile launcher and some additional wire details on the back to feed the heavy energy weapon. They are also photographed with some stunning background terrain which Spaceman Spiff is well known for on the various Battletech forums.

I am very happy to see this version of the 15mm mecha painted so well. Remember you can buy them here: http://www.criticalmassgames.com/default.asp?category=gruntz

Battletech Size compared to 15mm

2012-01-27T19:49:00.001Z

A member of the Battletech forum was interested in the size difference between the GZG 15mm tracked light missile tank and the 6mm scale Battletech models.

This is a quick photo line up with the different sizes shown. I think it the missile carrier is a little large really to be used with Battletech, but I suppose it could look like a super-assault scaled artillery piece?

pancakes double 1: No hope hold the bunker.

2012-01-25T16:12:00.001Z

A great Gruntz after action report over on the Pancakes Double Website. Nice to see the use of walkers and tanks from Old Crow, Critical Mass Games in this Battle report.

More details and photos on the Pancakes Double blog:

pancakes double 1: No hope hold the bunker.: I took some pics of a game today, we did some thing different. They sides were very unbalanced, the karackens having much less troops and ve...

Rusty Mech Salvage: finished Rim Defectionist army for gruntz

2012-01-25T15:56:00.001Z

A very nice army of the Rim Defectionist faction for the Gruntz "Heliopause" setting on the Rusty Mech Salvage web site.

More photos and details on the link below.

Rusty Mech Salvage: finished Rim Defectionist army for gruntz: hello, just finished my first force for gruntz. A Rim Defectionist army weighing in at 500 points. first pic shows the entire sm...

Adding Decals to Airbrushed 15mm Tanks and Mecha

2012-01-15T01:00:00.001Z

I am close to the weathering stage on these models from Critical Mass Games and Ground Zero Games. In last weeks video I showed the stencil airbrush technique and in this follow up vid I am covering the use of decals and how to add them to 15mm SCI-FI models. I use the Micro Sol liquid which is great for smoothing out decals and making them very flat against the miniature.

Water-Slide decals are quick to use and add some nice details to 1/100 scale models. I use decals from various ranges including the Bandai Gundam decals and Fighting Piranha Graphics who make decals for Battletech.

Next week I hope to finish the video with the weathering stage. It is important to weather tanks and mecha before you weather to avoid them standing out too much on the model.

Critical Mass Games Airbrushing Protolene

2012-01-09T11:45:00.002Z

It is Miniature Monday on Twitter (a day where miniature painters share their photos of new paint jobs) and my effort which was shared was some masking and airbrushing of a Digital camo type technique, using a range of products.

These I completed over the weekend, although the weathering and finishing stage of the models is yet to be finished and will be featured in the next video. It is in the format of a Youtube video guide / tutorial and includes a talk through of how I mask the digi camouflage and what methods I used for making the very small masks. These were made with art hole punches which come in a convient rectangle shape that is punched though the model masking tape.

Using the hole punches to create tiny masks for airbrushing was a bit of a breakthrough for me and saved a lot of time spent cutting out small sections of masking tape. It is the first time I have used the method, so still early days and not perfect yet.

You can view the embedded video here or link to Youtube for a full screen HD guide.

Classification of Troops

2012-01-05T11:21:00.000Z

One of the things I wanted to achieve with Gruntz 15mm was the ability for players to create troops with different armour types to match the miniature and armour types.

This Arc fleet rifle is pretty much an average unit with a Guard (How hard it is to hit them) at 12 and Soak at 12 (Armour type). The higher these two statistics are the longer the unit will survive on the battlefield. Gruntz have a standard unit size of 6 and only one damage point each, so once hit by incoming fire the higher Soak factor will provide better protection.

A soak of 12 is a representation of a squad with standard armour, the kind of light body armour, perhaps mostly focused on upper body regions and a helmet. Soaks lower than 12 can cover civilian or militia style armours, perhaps 11 could be used for a post apocalyptic biker rebel with heavy leathers and 10 for a standard non armoured troop.

This profile below is a generic Gruntz squad but with a Power Armour levels of Soak at a factor of 14. With a 14 Soak the unit will be able to stand up against small arms fire at but will still take casualties but certainly at a lower rate than you would if the unit had standard infantry armour.

These are the GZG Kra'Vak Powered Armour troops and they have the Guard factor of 14 and two squad members with micro-missiles.

This sample below is of an infantry build with the Soak factor at 13. The factor of 13 is what I would normally use to represent a hardsuit type unit. They are not as tough as the Power Armour suits but they have more protection than a squad with standard body armour.

Paper Area Templates

2012-01-02T15:27:00.000Z

The Gruntz templates for area damage, short and long spray type weapons and the ruler which has the short and long movments for Gruntz troops (8nches and 4inches) has been uploaded as a paper print copy in the Wargames Vault.

If you have already purchased Gruntz you can download and print from your account on Wargames Vault here: http://www.wargamevault.com/product_info.php?products_id=92879

You can also purchase these same templates in fine laser cut acrylic from the Sarissa store here: http://www.sarissa-precision.co.uk/store/gruntz/ I know I prefer the acrylic versions because you can see through them to the figures below, however if you wanted something quick and easy to use, printing the paper version is ideal.

Please also note that when you print the paper templates that you should not use the "resize to fit page" option. If you do the sizes will be reduced.

Gruntz Condition Tokens and Templates

2011-12-31T20:15:00.001Z

The Gruntz condition tokens and templates are back in production again for 2012.

They can be purchased from the Sarissa Precision web site at this location: http://www.sarissa-precision.co.uk/store/gruntz/

They also have the original Flamer, Blast and Gruntz Ruler which is designed with the standard 4 and 8inch Gruntz move with an angle for the vehicle turns.

Imperator 15mm Mecha on sale.

2011-12-19T16:16:00.000Z

The Imperator Mecha is now available to purchase from the Critical Mass Games on-line store and makes the perfect Christmas gift. They are doing an initial deal on four models as a battlegroup which gives you 4 models for the price of 3.

Critical Mass Games have also put a video together showing the build of the model on youtube. A handy guide for putting the large model together because some care is needed with items like the leg actuators (pistons) on the rear of the legs.

Full details of how to purchase the model are here on this Critical Mass Games link.

Video Build:

Gruntz Imperator Mecha

2011-12-12T11:03:00.001Z

Gruntz Imperator Mecha
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Almost now finished my SCA Urban peacekeeper force. The photography has not done the white/grey paint scheme much justice, there are a lot of weathering details los t in the photo.

These are going to feature in a new video update soon, with a play through guide for Gruntz.

Airbrush Tips for Miniature gaming

2011-12-01T10:09:00.001Z

I have recently been getting back into using my airbrush and wanted to share the video which inspired me to get into the airbrush world again. Scale Model Medic was an inspiration with his quality videos and calm instruction on the best kit and paints to use.

After some correspondance with him I decided to switch to the Vallejo Model Air paints and starting using the Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush which is featured in his video link below.

I used to have an entry level Aztek (now Testors) airbrush with interchangeable needles. It was a good airbrush but could occasionally cause me some problems with paint flow. However I still think it is a great airbrush and would use it again. The Iwata HP-C Plus is much smoother to use and I am more confident in the results from the very fine needle point.

Have a look at Scale Model Medic's airbrush guide below, he has some great videos which are worth following for tips in any scale.

SCA Urban Peacekeeper Force

2011-11-29T08:30:00.001Z

Early Work in Progress
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Early work in progress on an urban SCA peacekeeper force. Airbrushing is complete and the decals have been added. I used Microsol to seal the decals which makes them very flat and smooth. After the Decals I used a coat of purity seal varnish from GW to seal everything ready for weathering which I have started with Oil paint and thinners.

The first coat of airbrush paint was Tamiya and I suffered as normal with super dry crumbs of paint. This dusty finish is the reason I switched to Vallejo and I was disappointed because it makes weathering difficult with a rough texture on the tanks. I am happy to make do though and will remember to dump the Tamiya before the next job. I am sure they are good airbrush paints but whatever I try with pressure and the alcohol mix I still get a sand blast effect. Back to Model Air again next time and I need some new colours.

Construction of Imperator

2011-11-22T13:37:00.001Z

15mm Mecha, a set on Flickr.

The Imperator is a heavy model in 15mm scale. To avoid issues with arms and legs falling off you really do need 4 pins (2x arms and 2x legs). These are quick to do with a little bit of brass rod and a pin vice. You can see where I popped the pins in on these Flickr photos.

GZG Robots

2011-11-21T22:58:00.001Z

GZG Robots
Originally uploaded by inrepose

New GZG Robots. Bouncer types and smaller female droids in 15mm.

New Protolene Command

2011-11-21T22:39:00.001Z

New Protolene Command
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Really like these new Protolene models from Critical Mass Games. They have some very nice shoulder mounted kit and are perfect for Gruntz commander models or sub-commanders. Actually they would also work for Specialist medic or other Neural net agents.

Mecha Factory

2011-11-21T22:26:00.001Z

Mecha Factory
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Slowly the crane lifted the hull into place.

Hobby Room.

2011-11-12T16:37:00.001Z

Hobby Room. Where its at.
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Busy this weekend with organising the new Mecha model production for Gruntz. Also trying to have a bit of a tidy up before a gamers party this evening. Looking forward to putting a video guide together for the new Mecha, including airbrushing technique.

Gruntz New Israeli

2011-11-10T08:57:00.001Z

Spotted this stunning Gruntz force on the Canister and Grape web site. Have a browse over to their blog to see some further photos and close ups of their New Israeli Arid Expeditionary force.

Gruntz Tokens

2011-10-26T18:50:00.001+01:00

Gruntz Tokens
Originally uploaded by inrepose

Sneak peak at some of the new Gruntz tokens coming very soon.

15mm SCI-FI Airbrushing in Progress.

2011-10-26T17:20:00.001+01:00

15mm SCI-FI Work in Progress. 1-100th
Originally uploaded by inrepose
Early stages with these models after airbrushing. Lots of work to do to get them highlighted, washed and weathered.

I am using the Vallejo Model air paints with these models and an Iwata HP-C Plus airbrush + compressor. This is my extractor airbrush booth which has a small turntable and sucks spair paint out of my hobby room via a tube I stick out of the window. I still wear a mask and goggles to keep the stuff out of my lungs.

Masking tape is Tamiya which is randomly cut up and stuck down. I started with a dark green base layer, then started masking before spraying with a lighter green. Finally I layered on some more tape before airbrushing a final brown layer on these 15mm scale SCI-FI mecha and tanks from GZG.

Basing Protolene from Critical Mass Games

2011-10-25T13:16:00.001+01:00

These Protolene SCI-FI vehicles in 15mm from Critical Mass Games have mostly been based on metal disks with the exception of the Fenris model which is on plasti-card.

I then used the Windsor and Newton Texture gel mixed with fine sand for additional grit factor. The gel makes it very easy to build up to the edges of those large toe platforms under the small vehicles.

The legs on the bigger model are tricky and require some careful placement. I also wanted to keep the base size down so I angled in the toes on one side to keep it on a narrow plasticard base. It was a case of using some blu-tac first to get a position before marking and then gluing the feet on the base.

Video and SELWG Wargames Show

2011-10-19T22:45:00.001+01:00

I had a fun and full day at SELWG this last weekend and was enjoying it so much that I ended by being booted out by security at the end of the day when traders started to pack up. The highlight for me was the Aeronef game using the excellent models from Brigade Models in the UK.

I also had some fun chatting to various people about Gruntz including GZG and The Scene. The only problem I had with the show was the lack of 15mm SCI-FI games. I had tried hard to get a place as a demo but the show organisers said they had reached the limit for SCI-FI games this year so I was in attendance in my public capacity. It did give me more time to meet people though, because running a demo game does tend to take up all your time.

Just this last week I completed a new video update which has detail on the new 15mm Mecha for Gruntz, new Art Crime Models (Port Reliant Mercenaries) Some GZG modified vehicles, a Bushido demon and the resin cast tanks created by TerrainProject in Australia. I also briefly discuss some of the new single model plastic miniatures from Games Workshop.

For those interested you can find the Aeronef Rules on the Wargames Vault site (the same place you can buy Gruntz). They are an excellent aerial combat game with support for fighters and the full range of models from Brigade. Like Gruntz it is a niche game and not widely known about beyond the fringe of gaming but well worth investing time in due to the fun well thought out rules and extensive miniature line.

I have also added a couple of Links to the blog this week with The Shell Case and Miniature Musings of a Bear both added to the great links section and are well worth the time reading their updates on miniature gaming. If you are a blogger interesting in Gruntz please drop me a comment on here or Twitter, I would be happy to setup a reciprocal link.

Aeronef images from the SELWG Wargames Show:

Mecha Style Battle Report

2011-10-03T14:44:00.004+01:00

A great combined arms battle report over on the Gruntz forum by the user Pancake. Really nice to see some mecha in action. A mix of 15mm vehicles from Old Crow Models, Critical Mass Games and Ground Zero Games (GZG) are in use.

http://gruntz15.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=aar&action=display&thread=82

15mm Strife - Gruntz Battle Report

2011-10-03T14:08:00.001+01:00

A nice Gruntz Battlereport over on the 15mm Strife forum. Worth a read for some detail on infantry gaming.

15mm Strife: Gruntz AAR: My son, Morgan, played his first tabletop miniatures game tonight, fielding his Vespulid swarms (painted by his own hand) against my Lochr...