Prototype Thunder Cavalry Model Arrived!!

Hi guys,

Well I got my prototype Thunder Lizard Cavalry model in the post today.
As discussed before, I am planning on using one of the Gamezone Predator Lizards as a 'counts as' Thunderwolf model for my Crimson Fist Army.

I quickly blu-tac'ed the figure together and used a set of the Ravenwing biker sergeant legs to quick a quick feel if it will work... and it will!!!

HUZZAH!!!

Here are a few photos with Sergeant Grimm to give you an idea of scale:









I really think it will be able to work.

Now the next question is do I use the robed legs (and that would mean robed chest as well) or just modify some regular biker legs. I had no intention of using the robes for the cav, but I am now leaning that way as it will make them stand out even more - besides riding a big ass raptor! - but I think it will actually look pretty nice.

Thankfully the Predator model has the rider as a completely separate piece. I was a little worried I would have to grind off some Dark Elf legs but it looks pretty straight forward to be honest.

The only other problem is that that the Gamezone model will need a bit of putty work as there will be some major gaps otherwise. I can live with that.

Overall I am really happy with the Predator model as a base as it is nicely detailed and looks very aggressive. I think the scale will be spot on for my marines. Let me know what you guys think?

PS - Here is a LINK to the painted predator pic I used from CMoN.

Rant: CMoN Issue follow-up - its all sorted now

Hi Guys,

Just a follow-up to my issue with CoolMiniOrNot. Chern Ann Ng from CMoN was able to sort out a refund for me and a credit for postage. Its probably the best that could be salvaged from an unfortunate turn of events.

Here is the email below:


From: chernann@coolminiornot.com
To:
Date: Tue, 6 Jul 2010 00:20:16 -0400
Subject: RE: CoolMiniOrNot Inc.: New Order # xxxxxx

Hi Darrel,

First of all please accept my apologies for this screw up. I believe this happened just as we were transitioning shopping carts and this transaction was cancelled in error along with other test transactions.

I have refunded your transaction as the item is not in stock at currently. Please also accept this coupon for $9 which will defray the cost of shipping on your next purchase:

Best regards,
Chern Ann Ng
Director
CoolMiniOrNot Inc.


I do want to stress that CMoN did respond really quickly on this once I ran the issue up the flag so to speak (yeah yeah...aussies and their stupid metaphors). So, please order with them. My issue definitely looks like it was an isolated 'unlucky' issue. Overall I am very satisfied with the outcome overall.

On a side note CMoN will be organising to have Gamezone figures done in the US so they should be more readily available in the future from August on.

Rant: Thunder Lizard Cavalry hit a Snag

I am annoyed...nay furious. A little like Mr Furious you could say.

Nothing gets me going more than really crappy customer service.

Anyway, my Thunder Lizard ‘counts as’ Thunder Wolf Cav has hit a snag thanks to the kind folks over at the coolminiornot store. It appears that my recent order for the awesome gamezone lizard cav has been cancelled – and without a refund or any communication at all from the store. Awesome!




I have sent of a not so nice letter to the coolminiornot store asking for a ‘Please explain’ for the lack of communication before kicking off a dispute with the bank.

You see, here in Australia, we are kinda used to not receiving goods from most online stores for anything for three to six weeks. So, since it had been about seven weeks since I placed my order I was about to send coolminiornot an email for a status update. I checked out my account online and to my shock my order was actually cancelled! But it gets better…they didn’t even send me an email to tell me that my order was cancelled or even bother to process a refund. How very nice of the guys.

This is totally unacceptable from any company. Customer service is something I am particularly passionate about so this irks me on several levels.

Anyway, I actually want the model more than a refund as I want to use it as a prototype for my Thunder Cav. And if all goes well and the conversion turns out ok I was planning on ordering 10-12 of these guys – enough for at least two wolf lords, two iron priests and two units of four cav.

I will keep you posted on my ‘experience’.

Have you guys had any positive or negative experiences from the store at coolminiornot?

Proto-type for Thunder-Lizard Cavalry Ordered

Well I picked up one of the Gamezone Predators to have a go at doing a Crimson Fist 'Thunderwolf'. Here is the one I picked up from the CMoN Website.



$20USD + $9 postage to Oz, much better than the $12EUR + $42 postage !!! from direct. WTF?

Anyway, I saw this also on CMoN that I thought I would share as well (you will have to click on it or look at the link).



You can have a look at the thread on this one the following link:

http://coolminiornot.com/70962

Musings: Thunderwolf Cavalry Alternatives

Hi Guys,

While I wait on a response from Forgeworld on my Landraider woes I have been thinking of other options for my marine army. I guess I am just in a mega build type of mood at the moment rather than paint mode. Anyway, I like the idea of being able to use my Crimson Fists as a 'counts as' any marine army as long as those 'special' units from other codexs are clearly WYSIWYG. For example, Death Company and Thunderwolf Cav are very specific units and should have their own specific special figures. I know some people will cry cheese etc…but to be honest; I pay enough for this hobby and cannot warrant re-purchasing core choices such as dreadnoughts, rhinos, razorbacks, landraiders, landspeeders, bolt gun armed marines, etc etc to basically have a different colour scheme. I guess I am of that school of thought of marines as a 5 in 1 codex. Anyway…moving on *steps of soap box*

I have been thinking of doing some Thunderwolf cav up in my Crimson Fist colours; but blue marines on wolves or that abomination of the Canis Wolfborn model make me die a little bit inside.
That got me thinking about using other mounts. I have seen a one of the guys on the blogs (3+ Save I think) using the Chaos Knights as which looked really sweet but I didn’t want to go that path if I can help it.

What I had in mind were Raptors!! I really enjoyed painting up the lizard scale cloak my Crimson Fist version of Vulkan, so I thought it has to be lizards of some kind.

Initially I was thinking of using the plastic cold-ones from Warhammer Fantasy which left the options of Dark Elves or Lizardmen. The lizardmen ones just look plain goofy to me.



The cold-ones look like they must get on board the short bus to go to school… so they are out. Now the Dark Elves.



Now these guys look mean. The only problem is the scale. I saw another fellow do a conversion on them and although they looked great, they looked like big armoured men riding into battle on a tiny pony.

The Lizardmen also had the carnisaur and I saw an awesome conversion with this on coolminiornot…but at $85 a pop it’s just not an option when I would like to have at least 10 of these guys.




So in a hunt around last night I found another mob: Gamezone Miniatures. Now they have a range of Dark elves riding massive cold ones. They are metal but I am pretty sure I can work with them and it’s a good excuse to get the greenstuff skills up. They cost about $12 Euros a pop so I was thinking of buying one for the hell of it and to give it a go. If nothing else, if it works out I can enter it in the next conversion comp. :)

Have a look at the guys below and let me know what you think. Do you think they could make convincing ‘counts as’ Thunderwolf Cav?





I reckon they look fearsome enough and the size looks much better but again, I need to see them in the flesh and actually mount a marine on one to be sure; but going by the standard cavalry base they are mounted on they look to be at least twice the size of the GW cold one options.