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Miniart 1/16 Athenian Hoplite
Topic Started: Sep 13 2015, 04:33 PM (7,012 Views)
fs2005
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Having completed first session now painfully obvious this kit is a bit of a mutt but sure anyway here goes :

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Bought in North East Model Shop near Chester Moor (Durham ) two or three trips ago .

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NO construction/ instruction sheet included and there ARE parts that arent immediately clear what they are or where they go....But in fairness a nice coloured painting guide is included and a decal for the ' scarey ' face on shield .Will probably ignore the checkered pattern on helmet ...and maybe even the miles of white trim around edge of 'skirt' (does it have another name?) tassels .

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Distinct bit of flash on sprue near helmet ,and most parts need some cleaning up .

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Spear nicely moulded but a bit bent at the business end .

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Face/head with (inevitably badly fitting ) joint lines in terrible positions

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Fit is AWFUL!(Two legs not glued together yet.Smoothered in superglue awaiting sanding .I know its best sanded in first 20 minutes and can become 'too' hard but me n Darius are 'on a break' )

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CLOVEN HOOF! :-(

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In fairness its worse on his left as I started to glue the halves 'from the top'/thigh with superglue and it started to dry/harden .Starting at the sandal/foot allowed the most critical part (at least below the waist -arms look even worse -and head should be fun!) to be squeezed as tightly together as possible

This probably wasnt best choice to follow the beautiful Tamiya 1/48 BA64B ...I foolishly thought there would only be a few hours building in this thing followed by a mountain of painting ...looks like
it will be uphill all the way .







Edited by fs2005, Sep 13 2015, 04:54 PM.
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Manxman
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Ouch looks like he has take one or two deadly sword slashes in the last battle. But don't we all rise to the challenge John, I'm sure you have it looking like it should soon enough
Edited by Manxman, Sep 13 2015, 05:00 PM.
Pete

On the bench - What isn't 😀

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fs2005
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Spent 2 or 3 hours on this and have done a bit since last update .Trying out uploading pics directly from phone rather than via PC

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Eureka ! It worked !App is called Piccup .Flickr Wasnt iOS 7 compatible .(Dont have room to install iOS 8) Anyway above are the two back halves of head .I figured Id may as well tackle face painting as there's no point in killing myself building rest of HOPLITE if at the end of it all his eyes are going to look like crazy tennis balls .I know that sounds 'defeatist ' but there's bound to be some compromises in this build eg look at front of shield ,( in first post pic )ONLY the face is included as a decal .Im fairly sure I won't be doing the squiggle artwork around rim

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Used superglue carefully dropped 'on top' of hand held joint .I often find it dries so fast it's hard to work for anything but the shortest joints ( and once it dries ,particularly if accelerator is also used, it's hard to remove neatly )Of course the answer would have been to use Tamiya STANDARD not 'extra thin ' liquid cement as recommended by Tony Crean to me at D4 .Its only €3.50 from HobbyDen .Its even better at joint ' sandwich filling /butter squeezing out'!) than Extra Thin but doesn't evaporate as quickly and is stronger .The brush isn't great though and you should temporarily swap,it with your Extra Thin bottle one ) Maybe this stuff dries rock hard in hours but I'd feel safer leaving it at least overnight .

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Bearded face looks a bit like a few of the members here ...But if it looks anything other than cartoon like by time Ive finished with it I will be pleased

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'Front' of head stuck on ,sanded smooth and placed with rest of parts glued together so far

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Pieces loosely thrown together with paint pot for scale

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At least one reviewer has claimed these are amongst the best arms ever moulded in 1/16 scale and in fairness they're nice enough even if fit of halves ( and much of rest of kit !) isn't great

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Toes ( nails ?) and front of sandal are a low point Have done a tiny bit of filling but still a long way to go .


Which leads me to some 'thoughts out loud' / questions :

I might feature a bit of 'scenery' on base and 'hide' toes in a puddle ?! It rains sometimes in Athens , right ?!

There IS hair to fit on head but it doesn't look great ( in 4-6 pieces ) and I put a lot of work into sanding skull ( before remembering that real skulls HAVE joint lines -Jeez it's the Bf109 fuselage all over again !)

Helmet in artwork is worn jauntily perched back over head ( for visibility in non combat situations ?) If I fit it 'normally ' only eyes will be visible rendering the face painting only slightly less 'moot' than in Sean 35th's recent bomb disposal guy.

I might try the facepainting and see how it goes and then decide which route to follow .I kinda fancy leaving him bald and helmet less but the helmet IS almost as characteristic as the 'spear' .


Any opinions welcome .Any good guides /tips/techniques ?Oil or acrylic ?




Edited by fs2005, Oct 11 2015, 05:20 PM.
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Parkadge
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What doesn't kill us makes us stronger 😜
Here's a guide for a 1/16 ww2 fig but it covers the face

http://www.missing-lynx.com/articles/figures/mblarge.htm
Or you could go with decals
http://www.historexagents.com/shop/hxproductdetail.php?ProductCode=AR99003A


Pat McGrath

Work to become not to acquire


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fs2005
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Another 2-3 hours modelling today .

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Got decals on BA64B and glued figure to seat of gun before trying Vallejo Model Color metallic 'liquid gold' alcohol based paint on shell casings

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and then throwing a bit (by brush) onto the cuirass(armour breast plate) and greaves (shin guards)

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I wasnt that careful with brushmarks and some 'sediment '(it dries lightning fast) developed which I mostly bufffed/polished off with a paper kitchen towel

While the adhesion /stickiness mightnt be great theres no arguing with the shine .Anyway I think those 'high ' areas that paint was more prone to coming off on is ideal for 'highlighting' perhaps by airbrushing a lighter shade (practically white?)
Edited by fs2005, Oct 17 2015, 03:15 PM.
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Joseph M

fs2005
Oct 17 2015, 03:09 PM
Another 2-3 hours modelling today .

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Got decals on BA64B and glued figure to seat of gun before trying Vallejo Model Color metallic 'liquid gold' alcohol based paint on shell casings

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and then throwing a bit (by brush) onto the cuirass(armour breast plate) and greaves (shin guards)

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I wasnt that careful with brushmarks and some 'sediment '(it dries lightning fast) developed which I mostly bufffed/polished off with a paper kitchen towel

While the adhesion /stickiness mightnt be great theres no arguing with the shine .Anyway I think those 'high ' areas that paint was more prone to coming off on is ideal for 'highlighting' perhaps by airbrushing a lighter shade (practically white?)
a WHITER SHADE OF PALE perhaps:
Cheers
Joe M
On the bench in order of nearest to completion;
A Model 1/72 Spad A.2 Finished 24/4/18
A Z Models 1/72 Morane "WR". (Schneider race entry from 1914).
K P Models 1/72 Avia BH-3
Mark 1 Models 1/144 Gloster Gladiator Finished 1/7/8
SRAM Models 1/144 SIA 7-B (Resin)
Valom Models 1144 A pair of Sopwith Pups
MSD Models 1/72 Vickers Vimy 66 Commercial
Revell 1/72 Fokker D.VII conversion to a two seater
Curtiss Condor (added 24/4/18) 1/81
Ansaldo S.V.A 9 (added 24/4/18)

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fs2005
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Hmmm ,had to think for a minute to get the Procol Harum reference .My musically related comment in Telford thread is prob a bit more accessible to the Under 50s Joe !
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Parkadge
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The gold looks really good on the breastplate. Looking forward to seeing this come together
Pat McGrath

Work to become not to acquire


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fs2005
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Would you believe I got it FREE from Prince August by guessing the scores of some matches in European Champions last Summer .Im not a soccer guru at all but was lucky enough to thus win two separate €5 vouchers from them.I bought a good few Vallejos with my winnings .Theyre currently running a sale with selected Vallejo paints for a euro plus vat . Regular price is €2.40 .An Irish institution and all round lovely folk

http://shop.princeaugust.ie/metallic-acrylic-base-paints/

I only lashed it on by brush and rubbed out the 'dry lumps' with a kitchen towel .Id say airbrushed (outdoors) on a smooth well primed surface it could look great .

Have since painted on a quick layer of well thinned flesh and it looks well .Really starting to look 'human'.Considering my last figure painting projects were around 1/43 - 1/48 scale 28mm Prince August Vikings I'm looking forward to the 'space' these will provide to paint .Hopefully eyes don't end up 'googly'
Edited by fs2005, Oct 21 2015, 05:54 PM.
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fs2005
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Long session modelling today ( even forgot the hours lie in which was converted to modelling time ) with not a massive amount obvious to show for it but here's the pictorial evidence .I had already a thin base layer of flesh applied .

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Anyway apart from gluing fingers ( as a complete unit not individually !) onto one hand the days work was mostly painting

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Did light tone ( even some white as those uniforms selemed to fade badly ) highlights on Two Pounder field gun mini dio .

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I 'lined' the Hoplite( drawing thin line with fine brush around moulded detail eg straps or in this case veins and muscles ) with black acrylic ink and did two light top layers of flesh with one having a little brown added and the other red )

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On a side note had trouble uploading pics from iPhone and had to use HTML to get them to appear .Site 'slow down'?

By the way I did his 'skirt' a fetching mid blue and while researching ( once again ,no wisecracks from the cheap seats !) I discovered that some of these lads went to war similarly equipped but with the omission of the skirt !!!( stretched sprue and two plastic 'balls'wrapped in tissue /foil ???!!!)
Edited by fs2005, Oct 25 2015, 09:19 PM.
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fs2005
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Just spent a good chunk of the day with barely a 'Wonder Woman' skirt to show for my trouble -as you do

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Tasselled skirt made of heavy leather protective strips comes in four pieces .Originally painted the outlines black but meant to be 'white ' .That and lots of flash meant it looked wrong and I had to start from scratch with wet and dry paper .Managed to simulate the lighter coloured (raw leather?) edges by just sanding /scraping off the red or black paint to reveal grey primer/plastic underneath . Lots of touch ups will be needed
( You can see the two sections on the right have both their 'outer right' hand side tassels short moulded )

Getting these four bits anyway right looking is like a plastic surgeon trying to get 'The Man From Atlantis 'hands to look 'normal ' !!!( Obscure reference I know but we're mostly aul fellas here after all)

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Gluing parts together was tricky also .Unbelievable that this kit has no construction instructions whatsoever .It badly needs them !

Cuirass /breastplate will hide those misaligned bits hopefully .

While many rave about Tamiya Extra Thin ,for general construction requiring strength yet adjustability standard Tamiya liquid glue with white cap/label) is superior . ( And a steal at €3.50 in Hobby Den) For some reason the brush is crap though so do a temporary swap with the far better Extra Thin one .Superglue would have been a nightmare with this ...lots of test fitting required

Also previously stuck two tiny black dots in middles of still flesh covered eyeballs with superfine marker .Doesn't look great despite Hoplite helmet hiding most of face .
Edited by fs2005, Nov 15 2015, 06:05 PM.
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Barry
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Great work john..you'll be finished in no time
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fs2005
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This post isnt much more than all the bits at their previous state of progress in the box -I did paint a very rough beard and eyebrows on 'yer man'-but despite using the finest of black pens to draw in pupils the eyes dont look 'right' -maybe some faint 'whites' over them might help

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Im trying to convince myself that once everything is glued together Im nearly done .But Im not optimistic of making the deadline on this one .

I didnt ACTUALLY glue anything as I
reckon 'touch up' painting will be far easier as is
Edited by fs2005, Dec 6 2015, 05:12 PM.
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BKirwan
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Looks nearly finished to me John. Give it a wee shove and you will be there. Ignore wife and children for a few days ........... B-)
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fs2005
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Got a good bit done tonight .That monster 'spear' is in two halves .I just stuck them together and gave them a quick sand as I was planning on hiding the joint with a string/ cord 'hand grip' made of stretched sprue

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Was a bit trickier than I expected , the liquid poly/Tamiya Extra Thin 'cut' the string once or twice

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but once I got a good tight 'start' the rest was just like fitting a roll of handlebar tape on a bike !

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Back of horse hair helmet headdress glued on , big gap will need work .

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...glued a few bits together .Getting breast plate to sit right was tricky.I guess figure modellers encounter 'daylight' just like plane modellers up inside 1960s Airfix/Matchbox air intakes etc (?!)Nothing I can do about it at this stage ....(Actually ...gluing figure to base would probably make 'gaps' almost or actually invisible -they can only be seen when hes held upside down)

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Its beginning to look a lot like ......a Greek Hoplite !

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Eyes look a bit 'googly' ,just penned in pupils , worried 'whites' will just make them worse .

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Looking mean , happy enough so far .

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LOADS of paint touch ups to complete before finished .Decal on shield and maybe a slightly tarted up base ...puddle or 'hole'/grass etc to hide awful feet /sandals ?If I was ever a 'plane modeller' I reckon Im not anymore !

Edited by fs2005, Dec 8 2015, 09:42 PM.
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fs2005
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Sean 35th I believe this isn't the first time you've 'disliked' one of my posts with a big red thumbs down .Slip of the hand you'll claim once more .What if I was your Kris Kindle donor ?What if you unwrapped an empty sprue or old dried up tin of acrylic paint ?! I will give you until 10pm tonight to think about what you've done !( I may not be your Kris Kindle donor but are you prepared to take that chance ...?)
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35th-Scale
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Sean
I have never knowingly used the Dislike button....well, maybe once, but never on someone's build. I have remedied the situation and can only offer my sincere apologies. I actually think yer man is looking great!

I also hereby undertake to not use Like/Dislike from the phone again....unless I have my glasses on :)

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fs2005
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Did a fair bit of painting last night , spear wood and metallic silver tips , sandals etc .Didnt have time tonight .Should finish in next session .
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fs2005
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Calling this one finished tonight although far from perfect .Could have done a lot more but enjoying being 'project free' possibly for first time in 2015 .Of course that may have changed by tommorow night :-) Kit not for beginners or those who like a no hassle build but I guess there arent many altenatives and it was something different .Arms ARE moulded well but flash in general is a killer on this kit ...around fingers ,leather 'skirt' tassles etc .Thanks to Group build leader Pat .


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Edited by fs2005, Dec 11 2015, 10:53 PM.
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35th-Scale
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Sean
I do "like" that! The metallic really is great
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