Welcome to this weeks Miniatures & Musings!
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This week a return to Knuckleduster and another Gunfighters Ball figure – “Dick Brewer”. There was a time when I could keep up with Knuckledusters new releases but not any more. It has become a struggle but for now I have the time to work through a new batch I recently purchased.
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Well It Made Me Laugh …
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Basing
I’ve noticed that there appears to be a new trend (well I haven’t noticed it before) to base figures on clear plastic bases. If there is a reason for this I am guessing the answer might lie within the gaming community.
From the perspective of a painter and modeller rather than a gamer I can see that a clear base makes you focus on the figure itself with no distractions. A good idea? Well I guess it is all about opinions and I am not one for sitting on the fence getting splinters up my arse so I will just come right out and say I think clear bases look shit.
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Coronavirus – Self Isolation Week 5
Day 29 – It has become a strange new world. I have begun to envy people who’s post arrives late in the day. Ours arrives at roughly 10 in the morning now, it used to be by 9 but I guess a shortage of posties has had an impact. The point is the anticipation of receiving something in the post, especially if it is modelling related, is a highlight. Sadly it’s over all to quickly.
Day 30 – A great friend of mine who lives in Galway, Ireland sent me the following web link – http://radio.garden/live – some of you may already be aware of it. For those who aren’t it is a very cool site which allows you to tune in to radio stations from all over the world using an interactive global map. Do I have the time to check it out? Looking at the day I have planned I think I can find a slot between 06:00 and 24:00 to squeeze it in.
Day 31 – Today I am off to Australia. Yesterday I spent time travelling across the US. Not sure where I will go after that but further journeys beckon. Now by tavelling I mean I sat in the garden in the blazing sunshine listening to American radio stations while imagining I was behind the wheel of a little red corvette. If that wasn’t good enough it got even better. Did you know that you can even drink an ice cold beer at the same time and its not illegal!
Day 32 – Today I finished my last beer whilst “driving” along Australia’s gold coast. Apparently beer is not consider an essential item in these days of lockdown. I disagree but what can you do? The obvious answer is to turn to the wine rack. The good news is there is some, the bad news is I prefer red over white and mostly the rack is filled with the latter. All is not lost however as Charles Stevenson’s Wines of Tavistock will deliver locally. 🤗🍷
Day 33 – Apparently today is Sunday. I didn’t have a clue until SWMBO served dinner. We always have a roast dinner on a Sunday and today we had beef. I am confident of knowing tomorrow will be Monday as there is usually cold meat to be had for dinner after a Sunday roast. After Monday I will be lost again.
Day 34 – When my world was normal I would generally keep myself busy and occasionally decide I deserved a day of doing nothing. Such are the times I find myself living in now that this morning I declared I would do something. In fairness it didn’t amount to more than making a cup of tea but I felt better about myself and besides after so much inactivity I felt it necessary to ease into things.
Day 35 – Think I may have over done it yesterday so declared today would be a day of rest and relaxation and besides the wine delivery is due this afternoon.
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This week TIM has been listening to …
The Troggs and “Wild Thing”. Every time I hear this I am always reminded of the film Major League with Charlie Sheen.
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This week TIM has been watching…
“Money Ball” starring Brad Pitt and Jonah Hill. Sticking with the baseball theme.
Unlike American Football, Baseball is easily understood, not that you need to know too much for watching the film. Spoiler – If it were me I would have taken the job!
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Remember…
Marriage is all about finding that special person that you want to annoy for the rest of your life.
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TIM
The Imperfect Modeller 
Very nice gunfighter! I agree with you completely about clear bases – “shit” seems an apt descriptor! 🙂 Hope you’re all OK!
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Fine this end John thanks but hard to tell one day from another. Compared to a great many have little to complain about …. but I will! Trust all us well with you and yours. 😊
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Haha, true! All OK here! 🙂
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Lovely paint job mate – as always! I agree with you on the clear base thing… I think it is so the base always matches the gaming table, but it’s all a bit naff if you ask me. Right, I’m going to check that radio thing out!
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Thanks mate. The clear base explanation makes sense. At least now I can see the sense in them even if they don’t look up to much.
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Looking good Dave. I am sorry to say I couldn’t see any bread at all??? As for the clear bases, it is for gaming, your troops can generally be used on any terrain. Personally I don’t think much of them as the catch the light and reflect it.
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That makes sense Steve.
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Yup, I was about to say I didn’t understand the caption because I hadn’t noticed any bread but maenoferren beat me to it! 😀 The clear bases thing had passed me by until I read this, just looked them up and can confirm they look naff to me too. Nice work on Dick Brewer (although I’m sure there’s a filthy joke in his name somewhere if I give it enough thought – didn’t he marry Fanny Barber in the end?). Really like what you’ve done with his base, it’s subtle but it really captures that Old West vibe.
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Well it’s good to learn I’m not alone when it comes to these bases. They are definately not for me. Thanks for commenting on Dicks base. The bases are only 25mm so the amount of space is limited but I’m trying to get away from just simply adding a grass tuft which for the most part is what I have been doing for these up to now. Having just looked it up Dick actually married Fanny N. Butts who was a hairdresser by trade which might explain any confusion. 😉
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I love how cleanly you’ve painted this chap. You are such an inspiration with these cowboys.
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Cheers mate, really appreciate the comment and glad you like the little chap. 😊
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Really like the figure.
Agree with you on the clear bases btw.
Cheers,
Pete.
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Thanks Pete.
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Your post didn’t come up in my feed dammit but as it’s Thursday here I knew I must’ve missed it. Dick Brewer hahahaha. Great model and great paint work but what a name!! Does he have a cousin called, Fanny Vinter? Haha. Clear bases??? I’m with you mate SHIT! Looooove the Troggs but my favourite song by them is “I can’t control myself.”
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Ahh you missed me! Your song title choice is very befitting! I genuinely had a great grandmother called Fanny Turner, honestly true. I come from a long line of Fanny’s on my maternal side 🤣🤣
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Once again a great model done well, not seen the clear bases, bum bum.. As mrs craddock would testify to, if you make buns with holes in you can have donuts like fannies..
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Ah yes, the imortal Fanny Craddock, that takes me back. Great line!
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Dick Brewer – makes me think of an old joke about the town of Holden, MA and a guy named Richard Hirtz. Do you know him? No? Everyone knows Dick Hirtz from Holden…
Great fig work btw. The bandana caught my eye.
Then the bread photo brought me almost back to the joke…
As for clear bases, unless its for an aircraft or starship that you want to not see, it’s not my preference to have a clear base anytime. I feel the same way about an unimproved base. Now I see folks gaming with unpainted or half-painted minis and I could never do that.
And you, a Brit, understands baseball???
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Haha, nice joke. Glad you like Dick! It seems clear bases get a big thumbs down and understandably so. For some reason people put a lot of effort into the figure but little or none into the base. Have never got my head around that but each to their own I guess. Its not like you vae to do much. As to baseball I was in New England in October 1993 when the world series was on and found myself hooked watching the Blue Jays beat the Phillies as I recall. Can’t claim to be a major fan but I did very much enjoy it at the time..
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