Hey everyone! Adam, from TFG Radio, here to discuss things that matter to me, and me alone. Oh, and Warhammer 40K.
Wargaming models have changed over the years. Thanks to advancements in the production of wargaming models, and the expansion of miniature amd terrain manufacturers, wargamers today have a wide selection of models and companies to choose from, no matter the game system you play. That being said, I have come to realize something as people look and comment about the new models that Games Workshop are putting out today. You are all spoiled.
When I was younger we were warned to not put the metal models in our mouth and to be sure to wash our hands after handling the bare metal models. The reason for this was that, in the early days, the models were made out of lead. Since we weren’t allowed to eat paint chips anymore, it followed that they wouldn’t allow us to handle, or eat, lead miniatures.* As time went on, and miniature production improved, the lead miniatures were replaced by white metal. We no longer had the lead issue but they were still sometimes difficult to put together. Trying to glue pieces together that only had a 1mm contact point were a lesson in patience and not gluing your fingers together. If you look at some metal models today, they have not aged well. If you know someone that actually has the metal Thunderhawk, ask them how it was to put together. I have only seen it in bits form and even then it was very heavy. Having to convert all metal models almost made you qualify as a machinist or jeweler due to all the metalwork you would perform. As time moved on we had the era where you had metal and plastic combining to make certain models. That was another lesson in frustration when trying to get those pieces to stick. As we moved towards all plastic armies, it became much easier to convert and build but many models had a bit of sameness in their poses due to the limitations of process at that time.
Today you lucky kids get to bask in the glory of a new Golden Age of miniature models. The technology today allows you to have a whole new fresh look at many of the old tired models we have endured for the last 20+ years. It also has made it easier to bring out model ranges that many of us wished for, thanks to the magic of computer miniature design. As much as it pains me to say this, the praise for this boon should be laid at the feet of the days when Games Workshop had stopped communicating with us. During that time they had focused more on the miniature side of the company, always pushing the envelope further in the design and manufacturing of models. This singular focus allowed them to release new and beautiful models when they made the decision to open up the gates and come back into the public eye. So be glad you are playing Games Workshop games in this golden age, and be thankful that you never had to deal with those dark days of lead based miniatures.
That’s all for this week, I hope you enjoyed the read. Let me know your thoughts, and some of your favorite models, past or present, in the comments section.Don’t forget to visit our Facebook, Twitch, and Patreon pages to stay up to date on what we’re up to and when episodes drop!
And remember boys and girls, Frontline Gaming sells gaming products at a discount, every day in their webcart
- This would explain a lot about me
I’m still torn on whether the worst Model I’ve had to build was the plastic/metal hybrid Land Raider Crusader, or the 4th ed Zoanthrope. Both were ridiculously frustrating.
Take a look at the pieces for an old all metal Dark Elf War Hydra and tell me how that thing was suppose to NOT fall apart.
Yeah, there are a bunch of horrible ones. I was just keeping to the ones I’ve actually built.
Oh, and that’s not even to mention the issues involved in things like playing with metal Land Speeders or Gargoyles on flying stands, or the ridiculously top-heavy Assault Marines.
The 3rd edition raveners were pain
A lot of the 3rd ed Nids were. I think my 3rd ed Fexen might be more brass rod than white metal at this point XD
I grew up with lead models – including making my own with the “Prince August” series of rubber moulds (mid 1980s). Mainly useful for Napoleonic infantry/cavalry at a time it was cheaper to make your own. But they had a few fantasy models as well. So Christmas presents often included a few lumps of lead to make my own. And spare bits of metal that were trimmed off Citadel models.
I bemoaned my first Bretonnian set – plastic horses with metal riders. I felt cheated as they cost as much as a full metal set; yet I got through lots of expensive epoxy resin sticking them together after lots of drilling and pinning.
The worst for me was the beloved pewter Bloodthirster.
To keep his heavy wings and arms from snapping off every game, you had to drill and pin them carefully.
At least, that’s what a competent gamer would do. 19 year old me, not so much with competence. Instead, my solution was lots of super glue, with zip accelerant for maximum brittleness on the next game…
Yep, same thing that I did with my War Hydra xD. I was about 15 at the time.