Sky Pirates!

Introduction

It's been another very mixed week, with not enough time and too much to do.  Nevertheless, I've managed to finish a number of small side-projects (and therefore I have a good supply of quirky models to show over the next few weeks!).  The big news in our household is that we're expecting my sister-in-law and her husband to visit for a few days, so this article will be a bit rushed and my next post might be slightly delayed.

On with the show...

Sky Pirates

Some time ago, I bought a "lucky bag" of pulp figures from the brilliant Artizan Designs range, as sold by North Star.  Most of these just went into storage for later consideration (why do we do that?!), but some models have been slowly painted up as I've remembered about them and felt the urge.

In that vein, here are 3 Sky Pirates.  They're airmen from the 1920's through to perhaps the 1940s, when flying was (just) practical but was still a romantic adventure.  I suppose that they fill the niche that highwayman did for stagecoaches, or pirates did for ships - at least in pulp adventures.

Each of these guys has a patch on the right shoulder of his jacket.  I've attempted to paint these with a skull and crossbones (not very original, I know), but such small insignia are at the limits of my ability and I don't think the result is all I would have desired.

The pirates are heavily armed: all have pistols and plenty of ammunition pouches in addition to their submachine gun or rifle.

Fierrali, Marco and Piccolo

You can have bonus points (and my admiration) if you can tell me what is the inspiration for the names that I've given to these bandits.  Without googling it, of course - that would be cheating!

I'm not sure when I'll use these models, though a vague plan is forming that involves Tarzan and his apes, Captain Colquhoun (the famous pilot) and some Nazis (sinister leader, stooges and experimental panzerbots).  Add in the Sky Pirates and anything could happen!