Insurgency rising - part 4

Hello,

still going strong with the insurgents. I was trying to avoid another post with only five converted miniatures, as I can't loose the feeling I'm only repeating myself. On the other hand, I keep posting twice a week this way, and with all the great ideas I've been getting in the comments, I keep improving the guys in the end.
I've decided to add some more WIP photos from related project, too.


So, regarding the conversions. We got five rifle armed insurgents, all basic grunts. I'm trying my best to avoid repetitive builds.

First one, the fat man, is really much like the first one, except for the AK instead of an RPK (which is a long barreled AK in itself!). I've made his pants hang loose and not tucked in the boots. He has the chest webbing and not a backpack, like the first one. Head I think is different, but they both look alike. So, apart from the different, probably more civilian paint job, he is still quite alike.

Second guy is that "standing still" pose, that should look awesome but somehow seems unnatural, too stiff. First miniature of this kind held a brit rifle, this one has an AK now. Firing in an awkward pose, we can only suspect he is not the most trained of the batch. His face is covered with a bandana (great idea, Joe!). Also, notice the extra pants pockets, making pants look a bit more like military fatigues.
Actually, looking at it now, I have done a bad job on his right arm surgery. Instead of cutting it, I puttied it and it seems unnaturally large from certain angles. I'm not sure if I'd leave him sleeveless....but then again, that is the only sleeveless miniature I got. All others got "properly dressed". If anyone cares, his right arms are actually those of a crossbow.

Third guy is the first body I had to use again (it's 10th miniature and I'm not using the kid). He is mostly same as the leader I did using the first body and even uses the same rifle. The thing is...with those miniatures, that come with "premade" weapon arms, it's really a sin not to use them as they are. I have, however, made an exception with third body of this kind. But when doing that, you lose two weapons for benefits of one (need to destroy the M16 to put AK in his arms if you know what I mean). His head is covered in another sloppy ski mask and I really, really hope those will paint fine. I love the look of the covered miniatures, but up close, they are a nightmare.

Fourth guy in this group is another one with SA80. He is totally civilian and carries a bag of an interesting design. Those bags do exist and I happen to own one myself. Or I have...it's been years! Thinking about it now, it might be a gas mask bag. Anyways, this particular guy stores his ammo there now.

Last guy for today is my favorite of this batch. I really like how his pose came out. He's got a bit more elaborated vest and a rolled up ski mask. He is certainly a veteran fighter. Hands used for this intimidating pose are the ones that hold chainsaw. I've repositioned the wrist, made some hacking and glued the AK on.  This also explains the curious position of his left arm (that came out great in the end).


To keep this post a bit longer, here is a photo of others. Since the photo was taken (earlier today), I've prepared last 4 riflemen, too. So now I got all 27 miniatures on the table in various stages of completion.
On top of the photo, group of five (very, very badly sculpted) corpses can be seen. I've lost interest in them as soon as I've started them, so they really look awful.
Below them are the one just shown. And under those, another batch of five. In this group, we got (from left) a leader in an action pose (a clever solution to that awkward molotov holding body), a true RPG gunner (the insurgents were supplied by one Col. Gar (get it? :D). As a bit of a thank you gesture, I've decided to hack and slash until I have at least one figure that is actually firing an RPG. It was a nightmare and I still have to hack some more, but in the end, I think it will be well worth it. The rest of the guys are ordinary riflemen again.

Below them are: an RPK guy (I've cut the M16 to replace it with an AK, as I it has been mentioned before), RPG guy (this one will only hold the RPG and won't be in an actual firing pose. A complicated surgery like that takes all the mana from me!  Last one is another leader. Not on the photo, but in similar state of completion now, are another 4 riflemen.

All together with those I've shown before: 27 armed and ready. Okay, just armed for now.

Moving on (yes, it's a long post, but at least it's entirely hobby related!). Here is a current state of my Slovenian soldiers. The progress is slow and it's boring. Not really all that much fun, so I'll try to push it. Pants seem baggy, but once the torso is done, it shouldn't be too bad. Also, the boots will certainly get cut. This is just horrible.

Below are the automatic rifles. For newcomers, I'm working on FN F2000S (S stands for Slovenia, not plural form :P). After lots of consideration, I've decided the original try (the longer two) came out too long, even if I'd shorten the barrel. So I've grew a pair and cut one. I am now rebuilding it and it simply doesn't want to end up looking right. I think the whole proportions are messed up now, but I'll figure something out.

Also, I've almost finished painting a group of another three insurgents, which will be shown in the next post.

Thanks for looking,
Mathyoo