After a very busy, but productive week with the day job, I seem to be falling behind with my planned schedule for 'Dinovember', so just the briefest of posts this morning. Perhaps more akin to a product review than an actual progress post, I thought I would shoehorn my thoughts about this latest purchase into this month's theme, '4Ground's' Wild Beast Shipping Crates.
Having made a number of '4Ground' buildings, I was fairly confident that these would be of a standard, but my word they are clever. Given the scale of these things their design really is sensational, yes they are fiddly* but the results are worth it.
*plenty of blue words and pieces stuck to fingers!
In order to hide the joins and to give a feeling of depth, the construction is, in effect, a box on a box. The material, appears to be a heavy card stock, rather than MDF that has been painted so once completed they are ready to go, perfect for inherently lazy modellers like myself. They are not cheap though, retailing at £12 you get a total of 12 boxes, but as I have said in the past I'm rather fond of putting them together and combined with the fact that they are pre-painted I can just about square away the expenditure.
Of course for me, the fact that you can actually see through the grilled openings was a clincher - seriously cool and yes, I know that I need to get out more! I have been remiss in my previous postings as I should have mentioned that Bill of 'Dice, Doubloons and Random Musings' fame, is also joining in the fun this month, so if you get a chance do pop over to see what he is up to.
 |
| We're going to need a bigger crate! |
*********************************************************************************
Finally then, it will not escape the attention of many that Curt Campbell Esq. has launched the 'VI Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge'. A highlight of my hobby year, I have once again thrown my hat into the ring. Plenty of thought now needed with regards to bonus rounds and the like, but that will have to wait until next month. Register now if you are interested as this is a hugely popular event, made so by the tireless work of its host, and places are limited.
Lovely work on the grates Michael!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rodger.
DeleteWonderful, very iconic!
ReplyDeleteThey are good, if a little expensive.
DeleteGreat looking crates Michael, and they certainly do look the job. Delighted to see you in the AHPC, and I very much look forward to seeing what you come up over the next three months as a result :-)
ReplyDeleteI've also replied to your interest in the Pulp Era Challenge on Curt's blog, Michael. I'd be absolutely delighted to have you on board :-)
DeleteThank you Simon and for the information. Nothing would make me happier than to have a side challenge with you, should be a blast.
DeleteFantastic Michael... the b/w picture is full of the feel of the period
ReplyDeleteThank you, the mock up was just an excuse to get the toys out again.
DeleteI really like them and they could be used in all types of games. Very versatile.
ReplyDeleteI have a feeling they will be turning up in all manner of places - Gotham Zoo perhaps?
DeleteOooh! They do look great...unfortunately, 'fiddly' puts me right off as my sausage fingers find it hard to cope with 'easy-to-assemble'!
ReplyDeleteThe principle of the build is easy enough, they are just very small!
DeleteExcellent find..have to get some of those!
ReplyDeleteI can certainly see you putting them to good use.
DeleteThose look great love the little grills in the front!
ReplyDeleteThose grills certainly sold them for me.
DeleteThank you for the plug, Michael! I'm planning to get some primer on a few figures, including my lovely dinosaur, this morning while the weather holds relatively warm.
ReplyDeleteEntirely my pleasure Bill, I should have done it sooner.
DeleteThose crates really are sharp looking. Good luck with the challenge sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rodger, really looking forward to the challenge this year.
DeleteThese crates look spot on and I really like that black/ white pic. Almost as if Mr. T-Rex is grinning with anticipation for his evening meal.
ReplyDeleteThey might make useful toothpicks for Mr. T-Rex!
DeleteWonderful to see you in the challenge again and I've been rough-housed into playing along for a modest total as well while in my hotel. Looking forward to your inevitably amazing and saw-dropping entires. No pressure! :-0
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul and I was enjoying watching your inevitable seduction unfolding - should be great fun in whatever capacity we choose to take part.
DeleteThose crates look fantastic. Did you manage to squeeze a small dinosaur into one, so you can see it through the grill?
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to seeing what bits you work on for the challenge this year
That's a great idea, which I had thought about it earlier!
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThose look great Michael and I of course will be involved in the challenge again this year and who knows maybe I'll hit my target goal for once! Good luck!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
Great to hear that you will be in the fray again this year Christopher, best of luck Sir.
DeleteYour creative minds-eye is smokin' hot, Michael! Great purchase and old photograph of the Lost Safari.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jay, you can take some of the credit for the creativeness though as I'm always inspired by your set pieces.
DeleteThose will work work perfectly with your Dino Safari theme.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see you back in the Challenge oh Lord of Vignettes! Ya, I saw that comment and it's your new nickname. Live with it:0)
Thank you Anne and let's be honest there are worse nicknames, I'll just need to start thinking about what to do now! ;)
DeleteThose guys at 4Ground really makes some cool stuff - these are superb. Looking forward to your excellent entries in Curt's challenge.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean, their design team really are clever.
DeleteExcellent crates. All Hail the "Lord of the Vignettes" (if there is a band wagon I WILL jump on it!
ReplyDeleteYou are far too kind, *blushes* I had better not let you down.
DeleteSplendid Sir Michael! Perfect for the project.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bob, they were a great find.
DeleteIts always nice to get more stuff.... nice crates!
ReplyDeleteNot entirely sure that the 'Saintly Mrs. Awdry' would agree, but I know where you are coming from.
DeleteThese crates are really nice, and the last picture's beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Phil, great fun to put together too.
DeleteHola Amigo
ReplyDeleteQue buen trabajo si señor
un saludo
Thank you J.D.
DeleteOoh, those are very nice. Ideal scenery for a number of 'Darkest Africa' type scenarios. Fiddly wouldn't but me off, but the price does. Nice vignette too.
ReplyDeleteRegards Jez
They really are a splendid kit, but definitely not cheap.
DeleteRather nice crates, those. The fact you can see inside 'em is a clincher.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about the grills for me!
DeleteGreat job on the crates, I will have to get some of these myself sometime. :-)
ReplyDeleteThey were a rather nice distraction to put together too.
DeleteOoooh, those are rather fine! I very much like your old-style photo at the end there too mate.
ReplyDeleteGood to have you aboard the Good Ship Challenge once again and really looking forward to your bonus rounds despite my rather cheeky name calling :-)
I am perfectly happy to receive some cheeky name calling from someone who genuinely gives so much to our beloved hobby - let the fun commence!
DeleteThose crates are quote clever. 4Ground does indeed do lovely work. I am quite looking forward to seeing what you get up to with them.
ReplyDeleteI am passing on the Challenge this year. It will leave me more time to follow it as a spectator. I am sure you will be a leading light again.
Best,
Michael
I must admit, I had a similar thought myself Michael, especially after the difficulties of last year, but felt that I have got myself into a more positive place so why not give it another go.
DeleteThose are bloody excellent, many genres!
ReplyDeleteNice work on the crates, Michael. The sepia picture is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBy the way I'm chuffed to bits to meet you at the challenge again! But this time only a rather lousily low target for me. ;-)
Thanks for sharing these, had never noticed these before and they even come pre-painted! The assembly looks a bit fiddly but will still grab some of these in the future.
ReplyDeleteAlso just launched a 500 followers give away at my blog to win wargame vouchers if interested take a look here http://www.wargameterrain.blogspot.be/2015/11/wargames-news-and-terrain-500-followers.html Cheers!
Those are just the thing for your current project, Michael. They look great, as does the black & white shot with T-Rex.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up with these Michael, they look crate.
ReplyDeleteThose crates are excellent, this mdf stuff just keeps getting better & better! Personally I would aim for metal cages vs wood ones for dinosaurs, but that's just me
ReplyDeleteVery nice looking stuff! 4Ground really does seem to have mastered MDF (and cardboard) terrain quite nicely. Using those thin painted cardboard covers to hide all seams and joints really is quite clever stuff.
ReplyDeleteExcellent work! The sepia-toned photo is fabulous - and a good laugh ;) Cheers!
ReplyDeleteHey, those crates look really nifty!
ReplyDeleteFunny, we watched Jurassic World on Saturday evening and I thought more than once about your Dinovember projects, lol.
ReplyDeleteBonus points if you assemble them with a critter inside.
ReplyDeleteVery detailed and realistic looking crates. Loved that photo captioned 'we are going to need bigger crates' ^_^
ReplyDelete