Friday, November 30, 2012

New Release: Gorgon Studios "Fall Weis 1939" Range


Polish 10th Mechanized by Gorgon Studios
Blitzkrieg Laboratories, in coordination with Gorgon Studios, has created the "Fall Weis 1939" range, a 28mm line of miniatures to help wargamers recreate early war battles. From the creative mids of sculptors Steve Saleh who sculpted Polish forces, and Mike Owen who sculpted the Germans, these two armies will embelish your tabletop wargame with these detailed.

During Germany's September Campaign into Poland, the Polish 10th Mechanized Brigade, under the leadership of Col. Stanislaw Maczek, defended their homeland against the 3rd German Mountain Division at Jordanow, as well as the 1st and 2nd German Mountain Divisions at Lwow.

Gorgon Studios
Whether you use these miniatures to recreate battles for Bolt Action or another World War II game, they'll add characterful poses to your army.

So what can you get? All the packages come with 4 metal figures and are obviously unpainted and unassembled and available from Gorgon Studios.

For the Germans you can choose from four sets:

German Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger Riflemen I
German Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger with Machinepistols
German Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger MG-34 Team
German Gebirgsjäger
Gebirgsjäger Officers and NCOs
The one on the left is wearing the reversible smock and carrying an MP-38.  Next is a Mountain Troop leader in windbreaker, also with an MP-38.  The NCO taking a knee is wearing the standard tunic and carrying a mountain carbine.  On the right is an officer in standard tunic with binoculars and Kar98k.


Polish 10th Mechanized
And for the Polish forces, Polish 10th Mechanized Riflemen I

Polish 10th Mechanized
Polish 10th Mechanized wz.1928 (BAR) LMG Team
The Polish army adopted a version of the 1918 Browning Automatic Rifle, commonly known in the USA as a BAR, as their squad level support automatic weapon. This pack comes with two gunners and two loaders, all in Stahlhelm and tanker jackets. These will add much needed firepower to your 10th Mechanized squads trying to slow down the German invaders!

Polish 10th Mechanized
Polish 10th Mechanized Support Weapons (Kb ppanc wz.35 Anti-Tank Rifle Team and Granatnik wz.36 46mm Grenade Launcher Team)
These figures man portable Anti-Tank weaponry ala 1939! The results of a Top Secret Polish program codename "Uruguay", the Kb ppanc wz.35 was a 7.9mm bolt action Anti-tank weapon that was very efficient for its time. Great at stopping those light Panzers! This pack also contains a Granatnik wz.36 46mm Mortar Team, the versatile small mortar used by the Polish during the 1939 invasion.

Polish 10th Mechanized
Polish 10th Mechanized Officers and NCOs
Two of the figures are wearing the characteristic 'Stahlhelm' that the Polish army had in stores from German and Austrian Great War stocks. The other two are wearing the 10th Mechanized black beret that was issued to all ranks. Two different beret styles were in use at the time hostilities broke out in 1939.

Warsaw Rising
Three of these leaders of Poland's only undefeated unit are carrying the 9mm ViS wz.35 pistol in addition to their kb wz.98a rifle. For other info on these two forces, check our post on Warsaw City of Ruins from back in September.

Have a Great Battle
The Old Crow

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

New Release: The Hobbit Trolls, Hunter Orcs and Fell Wargs Oh My!

Here  we have it, Games Workshops renditions of the Hobbit an Unexpected Journeys bad guys, Trolls,  Hunter Orcs and Fell Wargs. I think the most anticipated figures, other than Bilbo and the dwarves, would be the Trolls who capture Thorin and company. Well Tom, William and Bert are ready to waylay travelers to satisfy their considerable appetites. They are large, tough and exceedingly dangerous.


These Stone Trolls are colossal in nature and are wonderfully detailed models. Their skin is thick, creased and weathered like rocks, and they are garbed in simple clothing such as loin cloths and straps.

They're sculpted in dynamic poses, looming forward with an outstretched arm or towering over their foes, and they carry a range of items - one of them holds up a huge piece of tree, ready to smash it down on someone.

Another clutches a spoon (though there are options for it to be armed with a fork or piece of timber if a spoon isn't vicious enough). The kit comes with a piece of meat roasting over a fire, which is surrounded by rocks.

There is also a small pile of tools and weapons suitable for significantly shorter people, as well as items of luggage.

This kit will run you a whopping 85 USD and contains 44 components, three 60mm round bases, with which to make three Stone Trolls.

To add to the mayhem, you can pick up a kit full of Hunter Orcs! For 35 USD you get 28 components and twelve 25mm round bases with which to make 12 Hunter Orcs.

Hunter Orcs are the fast-moving and fanatical right hand of Azog, a relentless band who will stop at nothing to slay his quarry.

These Hunter Orc miniatures come in an array of dynamic poses. They sport mainly bald heads with tufts of hair in the centre, lending them a savage appearance. They possess muscular torsos with limited armour across their thighs and upper bodies.

They carry bows and a quiver full of arrows is slung over their shoulder, while some grip curved, crude blades.


Hunter Orc on Fell Warg miniatures, as we might expect, also come in an array of dynamic poses. These Hunter Orcs are sitting atop the Wargs, which are sculpted to have the appearance they're on the run. In a variety of poses, the creatures possess a prominent spine, with thick fur covering the front of beast. Each one has a ferocious head, snarling expressions and exposed teeth.

Powerfully muscled, with thick matted fur, Fell Wargs would be considered fearsome even before one saw the dark glow in their eyes and realised that they are possessed by a sinister eldritch force.

This kit costing 40 USD contains 44 components and six 40mm round bases with which to make 6 Hunter Orcs on Fell Wargs.

Let us know what you think of these models and the game. Are you excited for its release and the model range or is it what you expected from Games Workshop.

Thanks for stopping!

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Monday, November 26, 2012

Advance Order The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Strategy Game from Games Workshop


Well, here it is, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey Strategy Battle Game is the tabletop game for two or more players to recreate the exciting events of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey with your collection of Citadel miniatures.

You can now Advance Order the Games Workshop products before the release date of December 1st. Order by midnight Sunday November 25th and choose to have them delivered to your local Games Workshop Hobby Center  and they'll guarantee the product will be there for you to pick up on launch day - absolutely free of charge. Order by Wednesday November 28th, and they'll ship it directly to you on Friday November 30th.

So, what do you get? You'll get a beautiful but expensive, at 85.00 USD, 288-page full-color hardback rules manual containing all the information you need to begin your adventures in Middle-earth. Get the miniatures too and you can unleash the heroes of Thorin's Company and their dreaded foes on the tabletop.

The rule book includes full instructions for playing The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Ideas for beginning your collection seven exciting scenarios recreating the events of The Hobbit as well as more taken from the history of Middle-earth, such as the attack at Weathertop are included.

As always you'll get details on fighting Points Match games and a gallery of gloriously painted Middle-earth Citadel Miniatures.

What else can you advance order? For a 125.00 USD you can get the limited edition set, The Hobbit: Escape from Goblin Town. So what do you get for your hard earned money?

The Limited Edition of The Hobbit: Escape from Goblin Town features an exclusive miniature of Radagast the Brown that you can only get with this set. The box set is sold in limited quantities and only available While supplies last. 

The Escape from Goblin Town set contains 56 Citadel Miniatures including: Gandalf the Grey, Bilbo Baggins, Thorin Oakenshield, the limited edition Radagast the Brown, Oin the Dwarf, Gloin the Dwarf, Nori the Dwarf, Ori the Dwarf, Kili the Dwarf, Fili, the Dwarf, Dwalin the Dwarf, Bombur the Dwarf, Bofur the Dwarf, Bifur the Dwarf,The Goblin King, Grinnah the Goblin, The Goblin Scribe, Goblin Captain, 36 Goblin Warriors, and The Goblin King's platform. Also included is a 48 Page full color 'Your Journey Begins Here' booklet, 1 Play Sheet, a 112 page full color rules manual, 8 Dice, and 1 Ruler.

Radagast the Brown is an awesome centerpiece to this stunning collection of miniatures. He is posed striding merrily across fallen trunks, with his hedgehog companion Sebastian tucked under his arm. The miniature sports a long beard, shortened trousers, and a ragged yet ornate cloak which comes with intricate patterns sculpted into it. A satchel full of leaves hangs by his side, he wears an unusual wizard hat and carries a branch-like staff. It is a remarkably detailed miniature that is only available with this limited edition.

Bilbo Baggins, the Hobbit miniature comes with two variant arms - with one he is gripping Sting and with the other variant he holds his walking staff. The miniature is garbed in a long coat, short trousers, scarf and waistcoat, and displays the thick hairy Hobbit feet. 

The splendiferous Gandalf the Grey is posed reaching forward, leaning upon his staff, and wearing a long robe, a scarf and sword - and not forgetting his iconic pointy wizard hat.

Thorin's Company is a remarkably detailed collection of Dwarves. Each model carries a unique piece of weaponry - Thorin Oakenshield brandishes a sword while for the rotund Bombur the Dwarf, a ladle and meat cleaver will do the job nicely. Their beards are impressive in their own right and come in an array of styles, loose or plaited, short or long. They are stout, sturdy figures, garbed in jerkins or doublets, heavy boots, hoods and hats, as well as different levels of armor  from none at all, to gauntlets and thick chain-mail.

The box set is also bursting at the seams with Goblin miniatures, wiry and misshapen creatures that are covered in boils and clutching crude, primitive weapons. The Goblin Scribe sits within a sling, his withered legs dangling before him, clutching a parchment and board. The Goblin Captain is even shorter than normal goblins (the smaller they are, the tougher they look) and displays a ferocious, snarling expression. While finally Grinnah the Goblin, the Goblin King's lieutenant, is armed with a barbed Scourge and a primitive dagger. 

The Goblin King is an immense figure with phenomenal jowls and a toothed crown, and huge arms whose knuckles drag along the ground. He holds aloft a timber pick and is seated upon a towering platform made of wood and stone, and which is strapped to a rock face. 

So as you see, you do get quite a bit for your money but the value is only in what it's worth to you. It's a great set with fine miniatures as always, but if nobody you know wants to buy it and play the game, where is the value?

Next post we'll go over the new trolls and orcs.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Hobbit an Unexpected Journey and Unexpected Game?

The Hobbit an Unexpected Journey is less than a month away and fans are eager to see what Peter Jackson can cook up to make an entire trilogy. Much speculation has been discussed on forums and blogs all across the internet.

Also in the pot is the fact that Games Workshop once again has hold of another money making opportunity. If you've been paying attention at all, you'll know in August there was an "accidental" release of miniatures they'll be producing. The release date of the Hobbit Strategy Battle Game? You can expect it to be announced soon in the next issue of the White Dwarf on November 24th.

The exhaustive list of figures made it's way about the internet and raised more speculation on what might be in the movie. We know Games Workshop took liberties with the Lord of The Rings trilogy movies and could expect the same for the Hobbit.

Mithril Miniatures, a subsidiary of Prince August has been making Hobbit and Lord of The Rings figures since the 1980's. A couple samples are Cirdan the Shipwright and a vignette of Bilbo Surrendering the One Ring.

Models from Mithril are produced in 32mm and 54mm scales. Games Workshop Lord of The Rings line was produced in 25mm and we'd assume the Hobbit figures will be too.

If you have not seen the list of Games Workshop Hobbit miniatures, we've included them here by catagory.

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow


Dwarves: Dáin Ironfoot & Iron Hill Boar Riders
Dwarves: Kili & Fili & Longbeard Archers
Dwarves: Bombur with Kettle
Dwarves: Dáin & Iron Hill Berserkers
Dwarves: King Thráin & Longbeard Vanguard
Dwarves: Young Thorin & Longbeard Mattockguard
Dwarves: King Thrór
Dwarves: Dís, Mother of Kili and Fili
Dwarves: Gimli (Stubble)
Dwarves: Samwise Gamgee (Red Book)
Dwarves: Dragon Mithril Company of Dwarves
Dwarves: Drogo Baggins & The Tavern Maid

Men of Esgaroth: Bard & Greystreak Bowmen
Men of Esgaroth: Bain & Quickstrings Gang/Trout Guild Militia
Men of Esgaroth: King Girion
Men of Esgaroth: Fram the Watchman
Men of Esgaroth: The Master of Lake-Town
Men of Esgaroth: Alfrid & Loyal Town Guard
Men of Esgaroth: Garf & Footsoldiers of the Dale

Silvan Elves: Legolas & Mirkwood Fire Archers
Silvan Elves: King Thranduil (Battle Garb)
Silvan Elves: Tauriel (Mounted)
Silvan Elves: Castellan Amroth
Silvan Elves: Mirkwood Warhost

Beornings: Meneldor & Swiftbeak Flock
Beornings: Gorm & Woodmen Axethrowers/Skin-Changers
Beornings: Whisperbark/Gnarlfir
Beornings: Black Bear Pack
Beornings: Woodmen Healer
Beornings: Fair Daughter
Beornings: Enraged Beorn
Beornings: Grimbeorn (Greataxe)

White Council: Mounted Rivendell Nobles
White Council: Lindir the Harper
White Council: Radagast with Roäc & Swoop
White Council: Galadriel (Water Steed)
White Council: The War Council
White Council: Arwen & Estel
White Council: Galadriel (Barrel)
White Council: Galadriel & Lórien Drumhooves
White Council: Chief Aravir & Dúnedain Rangers
White Council: Dúnedain Runecaster
White Council: Elrond & Rivendell Spearguard
White Council: Elros & Rivendell Outriders
White Council: Radagast's Chariot/Spellfire Cart
White Council: Cirdan the Shipwright

Mountain Orcs: Azog & Orc Needlers
Mountain Orcs: Azog (Wounded)
Mountain Orcs: Bolg & Great Goblin Bodyguard
Mountain Orcs: Armoured Hill-Trolls/Frenzied Trolls
Mountain Orcs: Orc Stone Thrower

Grey Mountain Dragons: Fire-wyrms
Grey Mountain Dragons: Braga & Goldscale Worshippers
Grey Mountain Dragons: Venomblade Assassin
Grey Mountain Dragons: Goldscale Priest
Grey Mountain Dragons: Bofur on Cold-Drake
Grey Mountain Dragons: Dragon Thrall
Grey Mountain Dragons: Money Bags & Hired Knives
Grey Mountain Dragons: Fell Hatchlings

Dol Guldur: Leaping Spiders/Shiverfang Spiders
Dol Guldur: Spiderlings
Dol Guldur: The Necromancer/Flesh Avatar
Dol Guldur: Narzug & Orc Summoner Coven
Dol Guldur: Tomb Wights
Dol Guldur: Mounted Tomb Wights
Dol Guldur: Bloodwraiths
Dol Guldur: Gwethil
Dol Guldur: The Willowhags
Dol Guldur: Saruman & The Ringwraiths
Dol Guldur: Vampire Bat Swarms

Adventure: Gandalf's Quest
Adventure: The Battle at the East Gate
Adventure: Assault on the Aerie
Adventure: The Clearing of Foul Roots
Adventure: Assault on the Barrows
Adventure: Clash of the Beasts
Adventure: Raid on the Wizard Hut
Adventure: The Last Stand
Adventure: The Belltower
Adventure: A Thief in the Night
Adventure: The Fall of Dale
Adventure: The Raven Hill
Adventure: Thorin's Folly
Adventure: The Battle of Five Armies
Adventure: Breaking the Siege
Adventure: Revenge of the Goblin King
Adventure: Blacksoil Slope
Adventure: The Clouds Burst
Adventure: The Ritual
Adventure: The Final Onslaught
Adventure: The Haunted Tombs
Adventure: Gollum's Escape
Adventure: The Blight Breach

Wargs: Feral Wolf Pack
Wargs: The Werebeast
Wargs: Orc Chieftain on Warg
Wargs: Orc Wolfbone Shaman
Wargs: Lagdush & Orc Wolfcloak Warrior
Wargs: Narzug & Orc Warg-Riders
Wargs: Dol Guldur Orc Overlords
Wargs: Grinnah & Mirkwood Werewolves
Wargs: Dire Warg

Smaug the Golden
Gandalf (Dual Sword)

Monday, November 12, 2012

New Release: Warhammer 40k Necron Megaforce and Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defence Network

If you were interested in starting up Warhammer 40k with a Necron force and great table top scenery, now might be the time. This new release from Gamesworkshop, the Necron Megaforce and Wall of Martyrs, is available for Advanced Orders.

Necron Catacomb Command Barge
The Necrons are one of the most ancient races in the Warhammer 40k galaxy and fought in countless wars before humanity ever existed.

Necron Immortals
Yet their fate was sealed when they allied with the C'tan, an ancient race of godlike beings that gave them immortality but in return gave them soulless metal bodies.

Necron Tomb Blades
After millions of years asleep, these mighty warriors have returned to the galaxy and found it in turmoil!

Necron Triarch Stalker
The Necron Megaforce is priced at 250.00 USD and packed with 45 fantastic models which if bought separately would cost over 350.00 USD.



Necron figures included are:

Necron Canoptek Spyder
1 Necron Catacomb Command Barge
24 Necron Warriors
6 Necron Scarab Swarms
5 Necron Immortals
1 Necron Doomsday Ark
1 Necron Triarch Stalker
6 Necron Tomb Blades
1 Necron Canoptek Spyder

Necron Doomsday Ark
Many of the kits are compatible with each other which gives you the option to swap components for adding additional variety to your army.

Now onto scenery with the Wall of Martyrs Imperial Defense Network. The Wall of Martyrs is a vast armored trench line and bulwark against aliens of all kind. This is a limited kit and only available while stocks last.

This staggering collection of Warhammer 40,000 fortifications is made up of three Imperial Defence Lines, two Imperial Defence Emplacements and one Imperial Bunker, and can be configured in a variety of ways for your battlefield.

Each of the fortifications has a huge array of details including: metal-look platforms, stone walls and the bones of dead Cadians. On the ramparts you'll find abandoned weaponry, a vast and varied number of Imperial eagles, and iconography of the Imperium of Man. There are also large metal-look wreathed skulls, ammunition crates, shovels, metal rivets and manholes. Suffice it to say, there is a bewildering level of details built into this stunning kit.

So any way you look at it, Christmas could be a happy time with any of these kits under the tree!

Have a Great Battle,
The Old Crow

Wednesday, November 7, 2012

How To Make a Steampunk Pump Action Raygun Rifle

Here we go, one more How to build! A Steampunk rifle for our Vostroyan Costume.

This time we needed a rifle of some sort. We started with a pump action airsoft shotgun we purchased for about 35.00.

And here we have an assortment of old parts from the parts bin.

We hot glued a couple capacitors and plastic pieces to the back of the receiver.

Using the Rustoleum Hammered metal paint again we sprayed the barrel, action bar and the receiver.
We painted the ventilated top rib with the bronze color hammered metal.

We sprayed the forestock and stock with a textured paint to simulate the wood-grain.

After spraying some capacitors with the bronze hammered paint we hot glued them to the top. Drilling small holes in the top and bottom of the plastic pieces we inserted copper wire as you can see. We also attached copper wire to the capacitors and added a coil around the top one.

Taking a couple plastic gears, we sprayed them too. Inserting an old brass key, through the two gears we carefully hot glued it to the pin from the motor. This allows the key and gears to turn.

Hot gluing the motor assembly to the receiver and adding several other copper parts, we created a pretty interesting assembly. I'd say it looks like an adjustable transducer to the flux capacitor.

Lastly we painted and attached part of a candlestick to the front of the barrel.

Here's the final product, ready for action. We hope you enjoyed the Vostroyan series! 

We'll get back to miniatures soon.

Til then, Have a Great Battle!
The Old Crow