Wednesday, 16 December 2015

Showcase: Stahl Mask and other Nazis

Introduction

I've always admired Bob Murch's Pulp Figures range of miniatures, but intercontinental postage has been too costly for me to allow any indulgence in them.  However, a while ago North Star became UK distributors for the range and this has made them much more affordable in the UK.  I've not invested heavily in Pulp models up till now, but I can see myself buying a whole load more some time soon.

Without further ado, here are some Nazis.

Stahl Mask


Stahl Mask is the only Pulp Figures miniature that I have completed so far; the rest of the "Doom Squad" pack are partly painted and waiting on my workbench.  Right at the moment, that workbench is being monopolised by my son A., though.  He's really caught the model-making bug recently and I can barely get near my own desk...

OK, so this guy will be the chief baddie in my Nazi band/league.  The greatcoat, pistol and armband don't really mark him out as such, but the headgear suggests to me that he's someone important.  I suppose he could be used as a league's enforcer/tough guy rather than the chief, but for now at least, he will be the boss in my group.

So, what's the mask about, then?  I'm torn between it being a form of armour (providing some protection against bullets and fists so that he can be a recurring character), or a disguise to hide a massively disfigured face.  Or maybe he's a well-known personality who doesn't want to be recognised as a Nazi.  Or perhaps the mask is an alien artifact that provides him with extraordinary senses, yet cannot be removed.  Or you could just make up your own story...

All my Nazis

From the left: 2 thugs, a sinister doctor/interrogator, Stahl Mask, 2 panzer-bots

OK, it's a small and somewhat eclectic mixture, but here are all my pulp Nazi models so far.  The other 5 (apart from Stahl Mask) are from Artizan Designs Thrilling Tales range, which is also chock full of good figures.  I've just about got enough here to put together a small league for the Pulp Alley rules, though I'd prefer to have more goons/followers.  Better get painting, then...


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20 comments:

  1. Blaxkleric16 December 2015 at 22:25

    Another corking post Hugh. You're really on a hot streak at present with all these wonderful minis and paint-jobs. You're also scaring me as I also have that mini on my desk, in preparation for the Analogue hobbies Painting Challenge :-)

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:05

      Thanks, Blax . Stahl Mask is actually quite an easy figure to paint; he's mostly dark grey overcoat and has relatively few details :-) .

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  2. Zabadak17 December 2015 at 01:06

    He's definetly boss-man material and the helmet probably has matching armour under his great coat imo.
    Great bunch of figures and I'm looking forward to some of your pulp aars.

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:07

      Body armour as well? I hadn't thought of that, but you could be right.

      Pulp Alley is a set of rules that I've been itching to try for quite some time. Hopefully I'll have the opportunity over the Christmas break...

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  3. Unknown17 December 2015 at 03:24

    Great job C6! Love that figure dude! Nice little crew you have coming along too.

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:09

      Thanks, Bob! My Pulp collection is growing, slowly.

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  4. Michael Awdry17 December 2015 at 08:22

    That's a good looking group you are building up there and Stahl Mask is such a wonderful addition.

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:10

      He's quite the enigmatic villain, isn't he?

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  5. Clint17 December 2015 at 09:06

    A worthy addition to the group. he fits in very well indeed.

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:11

      Thanks, Clint. I see him as a sort of proto-Darth Vader, perhaps.

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  6. Vampifan17 December 2015 at 11:42

    I love the group shot and Stahl Mask seems quite at home amongst them.

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:14

      Thanks, Bryan. He'll do well enough, I think.

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  7. Da Gobbo17 December 2015 at 13:16

    The sinister gestapo guy is cool, straight out of Indiana Jones!

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:17

      Yes, I reckon that's exactly who he is modelled after, though I doubt very much that Artizan would admit it!

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  8. Mathyoo17 December 2015 at 14:53

    Fantastic news! I was aware of a german site carrying Pulp figures (can't remember the name atm), but the postage even from there was awful. I really like Pulp figures for that era, the style of sculpting fits them really nicely.

    I better start saving for cultists now!

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    1. Colgar617 December 2015 at 21:20

      I think that North Star have been selling Bob Murch's pulp figures for a while now. It is indeed an excellent way of getting such miniatures in Europe.

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  9. Simon Quinton 18 December 2015 at 17:04

    They mix nicely. Great looking bunch of villains :)

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    1. Colgar618 December 2015 at 21:16

      Thanks, Simon. I think I probably need a few more, though: villains usually prefer quantity over quality, don't they?

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  10. SteveHolmes1119 December 2015 at 15:00

    After reading this I poked about a bit and found http://www.thespecialistsltd.com/german-sniper-mask

    Excellent paintwork - as ever.

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    1. Colgar621 December 2015 at 08:10

      The modern, full steel helmet by itself isn't an original idea - Ned Kelly springs to mind - but I think in this case it's part of Stahl Mask's "villain persona" :-) . Even if it's of questionable military effectiveness, it inspires fear in those who gaze upon it.

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