LAF Post: Quest for the 1/144th ARL-44

Hey Internet,

I posted a plea for help locating an obscure model on the Lead Adventure Forum, and thought I'd copy it up on the blog too, in the off chance that a kind soul might see it here. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Hey LAF, 

I have rather odd request. I've been doing some google-fu detective work trying to hunt down a particular, illusive model in 1/144th scale - a French ARL-44. (https://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?depth=1&hl=en&ie=UTF8&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.co.uk&sl=ja&tl=en&u=http://www.geocities.jp/nokaze36/sub0144.html&usg=ALkJrhjB7sGt8zExcekdlplmcvlE97nI4g)

I understand that a Japanese company called "Fairy Planning" or "Fairy Kikaku" produces a very nice kit, however I have been unsuccessful in tracking down anywhere that sells them. 

This site (http://henk.fox3000.com/fairey.htm) leads me to belive that 'Fairy Planning' might only sell within Japan itself, but I can't be sure of this. 

So, I was wondering if there was anyone in our little LAF community that might be able to help me out? 

If they do only sell within Japan, might anyone act as a middleman for me? or could someone who speaks the language pass on any details about the company that I've missed?

Failing all that, does anyone know anywhere else that makes a ARL-44 kit in 1/144th?

Thanks for any help,

MM.

* * *

What is an "ARL-44"? and why would you go to such bother to try and get one? I hear you ask.

The ARL-44 was France's first indigenous heavy tank design following their occupation by Nazi Germany.

It was designed in secret during the occupation by a group of bravely defiant engineers, with the idea that once France had been liberated they would need modern and powerful weapons to take the fight back to the enemy.

Due to this wholly unique development cycle, the tank turned out as the strange lovechild of a Char B and a Royal Tiger - taking the obsolete suspension from the former and the turret and armour configuration of the latter.



Arriving too late to contribute to the downfall of the Nazis, the ARL served in the postwar French military throughout the dawn of the Cold War -serving alongside a colourful mix of Panther and Sherman tanks and American armoured cars.



MM.

***

22-03-2015 Update: I have contacted the good folks at HobbyLink Japan, and they have since added this exact kit to their catalogue. Go them.

MM.

LAF Post: 28mm Japanese Schoolgirls?

Hey Internet,

I posted on the Lead Adventure Forum, and thought I'd copy it on the blog too on the off chance that more of you might see it...

Hey LAF,
I'm looking for a figure to help battle some evil robot-monsters bent on destroying Japan. 

Never been all too keen on the whole anime 'Japanese Schoolgirl' thing personally, and to be honest always thought their was something a little bit weird about it, yet for this project I find myself in need of a 'Japanese Schoolgirl' style figure for the sake of fulfilling a stereotype.  

I know that Hasslefree do one, but I was wondering if anyone could direct me to any others?  

cheers,
MM.

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The Lead Tally - 2015

Acquired: +10       Painted: +2          Total: -8

Figure Finder - Tsar Wars: "The 'Ranker" (#1)

Goodevening fellows of the Internet,

With Emir Jahbah and the Dark Invader planned out, its time for the next figure to be found: A Human version of THIS.

This time it is Jahbah's personal champion "Ranker". This poor, fearsome creature imprisoned in the cave system under the Emir's palace,

Ranker's name is taken from the outcry of the first man doomed to face him, a young Australian adventurer, who upon seeing his opponent remarked; "Bloody 'ell mate, you can't really expect me to take that bloody great 'ranker all by mysel-Uhh-Ahhhh!".

For this guy I was thinking a really big savage or cannibal type, enslaved from the deepest depths of uncharted Africa would do the part.

I'm not all too hot on makers of Pulp figures - but I expect that there must be something out there that'll fit the bill. I'm not opposed to the idea that he be afflicted with gigantasism, so a ~40mm might be an idea?

Failing that, the Victorian age was one of discovery and wonder - and something akin to a 'desert Yeti' or some great African ape cannot be ruled out....

^ I know this is a picture from the Irish famine rather than Africa, but it illustrates what I'm going for.

So, anyone got any ideas?

MM.

Tsar Wars - Darth Vader - "The Dark Invader" (#2)

Hey all,

Following on from my last post, drawing from the ideas kindly put to me, I have a plan of how to go about making the Dark Invader*.

(* This pun is bad, even by newspaper standards. Please, someone come up with a better one!)

Body and arms from a Spartan Games 'Teutonic Knight Specialist', which I will re-pose to make more 'hulking';

Helmet from a Dreamforge Games Eisenkern Stormtrooper;





Then for the 'Arc - Sabre', either an Armourcast Cinematic *thingy* or a large Games Workshop Power Sword, converted to replace the barrel/blade on the Teutonic Knight.

What do you think? - I'd be most interested to know.

MM.

Figure Finder – Tsar Wars: [PUN NEEDED] (#1)

Fellow Geeks of the Internet,

After much success infinding a figure to represent 'Jabba the Hutt' on the Lead AdventureForum (thanks Dewbakuk!), I thought I'd try it again.

I request access to our collective miniature knowledge to find a figure to represent the Dark Lord of the Russian Empire.

(Ps. As a side note, I need a pun that relates Darth Vader to a robotic Tsar Alexander II of Russia. Suggestions warmly accepted.)

I know exactly what I'm looking for but have no idea where to find it, or even if it exists.

Anything from 28mm to a light walker/mech would fit the bill, and he'd need to be armed with an 'arc-sabre' of some kind. Despite the innate hypocrisy, I am really not into the Steampunk aesthetic and would much rather a figure that channels the minds of Wells and Verne and Poe - that is to say: no pointless cogs if at all possible!

Here are a few pictures I've gathered off the internet. There are many images of a Steampunk Darth Vader out there, but these are those that I am most fond of. If any of these were a figure, I'd buy them in a heartbeat.

^ I'm not-so-hot on the whole 'leaf blower' thing, but the rest is top notch!

Please post any suggestions as a reply on here, or if you are a LAFfer, post them over there and I will copy them over. 

Thanks!

MM.