Card models are not weak.

I was going to make the title of this post "Are Card Models Weak?" but then I would have been playing into Betteridge's Law Of Headlines.

I spent a bit of the afternoon doing my first YouTube video to demonstrate that what most people think about card models is wrong.

These are the two models I used for the test. They are based on the generic tracked APC. One has been used to test a chaos vehicle accessory kit and the other was an early test model that I made up with the doors and hatches all open.

These are the models *after* the testing... you can see some damage to the spikes on the top of the chaos on and the top hatch of the ork one broke off (as did the tracks). They were simply glued on again.

Here is a youtube video of the testing.

Container Retail Set

Here's a slightly off-beat modification of my standard shipping containers :)

From the battlefields of the far future to the strife-torn shanty towns of the current age on thing remains constant: man cannot survive on bread alone. Beer is important too.

Introducing the container retail set with a decidedly 3rd world bent: the spaza shop and the shisa nyama.
The "spaza shop" is a small retail space converted from a shipping container. Customers order their goods, be it food, weapons or pirated computer parts,  through the hatch (trust is in short supply).

The "shisa nyama" is a pub / restaurant. When you need a break from the zombie apocalypse, grab a beer and relax on the sun deck above it or take a load off at the two picnic tables.

Both models have removable tops to allow the action to move inside. Keep that shotgun under the counter handy... for close encounters.

The kit is available for sale here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/scenery/container-retail

So these are now companion pieces for my standard containers (http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/scenery/shipping-container-44mm) ...

and the container site office http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/site-office

Artillery pieces

This is a project that has been on the go for a while now. It is a collaboration between Steve, an Ozzie designer, and myself.

This is a new type of kit for LaserCutCard. It combines MDF, card and plastic tubing to create something that no single material could do on its own.

The basic artillery chassis and barrel is the same for all versions: each type has a details sheet that has a custom shield plus some faction-specific details to add to the rest of the gun. The barrels can also be built in various lengths and configurations.

The kit, if assembled carefully, has working mechanisms for raising and lowering the gun and the gun can freely swivel on its base plate. The gun components can be kept separate for ease of storage.

You do not have to glue the gun to the base plate... it can be used to add firepower to your vehicle models too.

The orc version is available here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/orc/artillery-orc

The chaos version is available here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/artillery-chaos

**EDIT** The standard version is here http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/artillery-standard

Standard version

Orc Version

Chaos Version

Imperial APC

I've finally got the upgrade kit for the generic APC nailed down. This converts the standard APC to an "imperial" version.

This is available in the web store here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/vehicles

The pack of three works out to under $20 a model even after to you add in postage (which is only $5)

The upgrade kit makes these parts

If you look closely you can see that the autocannon can be modeled with the breech open.

This is what the upgrade kit looks like in kit form

Perspex flight stands

I have decided to address my many frustrations with flying bases by making my own out of perspex.

Before I go any further, these are available for sale in the web store here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/accessories

In all cases they are at least half the price of the GW ones.

First up is a 60mm round flying base (this is called the Type 1 base). The blue stuff in the photo is a protective film that comes over the perspex to stop it getting scratched... you just peel it off. 

I am going to use these for my destroyers, tomb blades and anything else small and skimmy.

Next up is the Type 2 base. I am intending to use this for my scratch-built flyers (more below)

Then there is the type 3 base. The same large oval base as the one above but a shorter stand. This is going to be used for my ghost arks and monoliths as it provides a lot more stability

All of the stands have a small perspex tab at the top.

This is to allow it to be slotted into your scratchbuilt kit without having to cut a huge hole in the bottom. The fuselage rests on the crucifix shape and the tab slots into the actual body.

Of course, the crucifix shape is also perfect for mounting magnets on as there is a lot of contact space for the magnet to be firmly glued. 

This is what I have done with mine.

I snapped off the top tab of the Type 1 base and glued on a rare earth magnet. This is a 2mm x 3mm one which is actually too thick but I have ordered some 1mm x 5mm ones that will be perfect.

After that it is simply a case of gluing another magnet to the bottom of the model.

I did the same with the type 3 base

Now my ghost arks are FAR more stable and when the 5mm magnet  arrives I will be converting my monoliths too.

I am using the Type 2 to convert my scratch-built blight drones into proper flyers and might also use them for  flying monstrous creatures.

All three types of base are available for sale here: http://www.lasercutcard.co.za/accessories

A productive weekend

Many projects were inched forward to completion this weekend.

The conversion kit for the tracked APC was completed and painted up. As soon as I have a final price for it this can go into the web store.

Here's a comparison shot between the tracked APC and a GW Chimera.

I assembled and filled my new Helldorado demons. These will be heralds in my nurgle demon army.

I modified my scratch-built blight drones to fit on the new flight stands (which are also now in the shop)

I started adding some extra detail to two of my art deco ruins - many many thin strips of scale model ship planking to represent wooden floors.

If only I had time enough to actually play games :)