It's about time I added my own WIP thread I guess seeming as I have something LotR ongoing most weeks, in terms of the hobby.
Here then is the latest project, almost completed. Sharkey's Ruffians. In WotR these fellows are a cheap unit that can count as having bows. But cost an arm or a leg to get together more than a single company.
After a while browsing I settled on Gripping Beast's Dark Age Warriors Box set. The box was 40 minis on 8 sprues of 5 with a fair selection of weapons. The sculpts aren't bad. Not the best or like the Perry Boys' but perfectly functional, and with the more casual peasant/day-to-day clothing you would need on Ruffians.
Anyway the 40 'lads' trayed up to go:
A closer look, the tray behind at 90 degrees is to show the fact the models are all magnetised for easy transport and handling on the battlefield:
Bases: Magnetised. Modelling clay used to blend the way the model is attached to the GW base (the minis have a small diameter flat stand). This was given a very light sculpting to make paving stones. Ballast added for stones and some flocking yet to go.
Weapons: Slings and axes were used from the box. A few spear arms that came with the set were converted to metal pipes (impromptu weapons to scare little hobbits). The left arm is outstreched on some model to carry a shield, so i drilled these and places some bent were in to make simple bow conversions.
Other conversions. Very few and simple: a few green stuff quivers sometimes with another wire-made bow. One fellow has a full metal (Perry Miniatures) helmet he obviously scavenged somewhere...
Trays. made to match bases using wet air-rying modelling clay and magnetised
Finally a white hand was painted on most of the tunics to give them all that Isengard feel.
