Well, the good news is there's a few new painting things done: the bad news is that it's not Wave 3-4.

Frigate Bargheist and its Resistance stand-in escorts. One o' me mates wanted a Black Squadron Poe Dameron done for his inevitable release, so I did a few up. The longer T70 canopies are great too, tempted to break convention and put them on T-65's now.

Not the greatest extra picture but I'll be sure to set something up when I've got some better lighting.

The bad news is not only did I miss picking up waves 3-4, I missed a tournament because of work: rather, because of the sun poisoning from work.

How do you paint the cockpits so well? Could you do a step-by-step tutorial or something, PLEASE ?

Ahh sorry to hear about the heat stroke or what have you! Roofing seems like the scariest of the trades to me haha - Great work as always, really makes me wanna send you out my last couple unpainted Armada capital ships (since I'm sure you're just dying to paint another ISD and VSD lol)

I think the longer cockpit looks better in the small scale as a T-65. I say roll that way in future. When I get to painting my X-wings I will do the same.

Well, I got off work a little early today and decided to venture into town. So, snagged my first few bits of Wave 4, waiting for a few other things to go back in stock but I should have them by the end of the week. Too bad my Mi'lady had a bit of a snag on the ride over from the shipyards, so I'm just waiting to hear back from the parts department about that'n.

So, here's what I could paint (along with a few other things base coated but those are for later. I experimented making the raised patches lighter rather than darker which was my first instinct. I'll probably go for that harsh white look next time. So I figure these'll do for a named group, probably Bright Hope . Next time I'll probably dremmel the shield generator 'tower' and bore out the engines. No idea why I didn't do that on these to be honest. And you know I'll be copying Judson/Old Yogi (not sure who had it first) X-wing escorted GR75's as the combat refit. Absolutely perfect idea for them! Anyway, the default paint job isn't even all that bad and the Mi'lady was great.

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Sure, Salted. I can write up a little step by step tutorial if you'd like. I'm doing some X-wings this week so I'll make sure to take some pictures of them and maybe next week I can do something similar with the other fighters.

-laughs- Oh I wouldn't mind Zen, but I appear to have a ton of X-wing and IA stuff to do, too

I've got to agree Wes, the longer cockpits are pretty great so I'll probably make them a staple.

Well, after a 10 hour shift and a bunch of rural-based chores, I did still get some time to work on at least some of my Wave 3 stuff in time for a tournament tomorrow. I had to put off some X-wings to do it, but they are primed, basecoated, and ready to go (so no worries Salty!)

I decided to pick up a second Mi'lady in the meantime, figured it's important enough for a Rebel fleet, eh? It's still technically a WIP as I only have one coat of varnish on it, and I haven't done the window lights yet. Still trying to figure out where to place them. That and I may add some grime like I did to those transports. It's a very shiny looking ship right now. Thoughts?

Probably the coolest unofficial MC30 I own Only unofficial one, point in fact. But I figure Mel's MC40 will make a good Pelta stand in when that comes out. (Going to buy a Pelta or two anyway, of course, but for a strictly Mon Cal themed fleet it's a nice alternative until there's some official model.). Like the above, it's only got one coat of varnish and no windows yet. Figuring out how much I want 'em on that.

Anyway, hopefully tomorrow I can pick up a few Imperials and maybe some more transports! There's also a second GSD but it's almost identical to the first, figure that it's still drying right now, and another near identical GSD isn't that interesting.

I really like that Liberty, though I am not feeling that MC40 model (painting is great, just the shape of it.)

I'm working out what I need to buy of wave 3/4, problem is I can't decide if I am going to switch to Rebels or not.

Next to your wingless Liberty, the epitome of beauty, serenity and harmony for me, this Liberty has a place at the top of your painting schemes.

So many thx for sharing all those, it elevates this already great game to something truly special.

I saw the pic you posted next to the MC30 on a differnt page. I have recently been looking at the MC40 as a alternative RAF. Could you post a comparison pic of it next to the RAF? Please ?

And that Liberty is beautiful as it as.

Sheesh! Salted Diamond, what do you have against the British Air Force? Seriously!

Thanks mates. No worries Rex der Ost, I'll like the MC40's shape enough for both of us Have you been consistently Imperials since the beginning, or do you fip flop between waves like me? Rebs feel like they need a bit more work to keep alive and working (outside of the TRC swarms to a degree) but the Imperials have the Interdictor which is a ship that needs figuring out.

Aww, thanks Nebulon, mate! I'll admit I'm pretty happy with the Liberty. It now has a few little rust stains just to give it some colour diversity and character, but it's minor enough that the ship doesn't look more than a few years old. I happen to love the colour too. And I agree, painted ships and squadrons just kick games up to that next level. So, you're most welcome.

-laughs- nice Fel, nice

Sure thing Salty. Actually, I was wondering about the MC40 as a temporary RAF replacement too. It's big-ish, not sure if it's quite big enough. Who else has thoughts on it? It's notably bigger.

Thanks for the comparison shot. It looks great next to the Shrike. When can we expect the next part of the Ceknell Conflict anyway? Can't wait to see what will happen with Wave 3/4 and addtions like the MC40.

I think I prob will get a MC40, and I can always use it as a pelta when wave 5 drops if I feel it does not work well enough.

Standing in for a RAF seems like a fine idea for the time being! Once you've got them all built up, it would be cool to see all the MCs together, poised for a fleet action!

I like it as an Assault Frigate MkII sub. Thats a great idea.

Just curious Vykes, what would you like me to do next?

You're welcome Salty. Now that you mention it, it does solve the problem regarding my distaste for typical Assault Frigate MK II's. Just out of curiosity, which do ya'll think it works better as, the MK.II A or MK.II B? I think I'm going to be using it as that too. Which means I may need another one And yeah, same idea, it'll be the Mon Cal Peltas if it feels too small after all. Again, the Mk.II is just too frigging fat.

I'd love to do more for the Ceknell thing but I have to rebuild some assets for maps. My time's getting eaten up and sort of shunted too which makes scheduling some campaign matches harder. I'm hoping to get some stuff in order soon and with the CCCP coming out, I'm sure I can rope some people into it. But yeah, I'm really eager to get it going again.

Shall do when I have everything fixed and reconstructed Zen (That other Liberty has a fairly major defect that is... challenging as I'll need to rip it apart to fix it).

Oooooooh that's a tough one, Mel. There's so many big ol' boats that I like but I think if I had to say just one design, I'd have to go with the Victory-II class frigate from Battlefront.

Lets see, other news: Curse of the new ship syndrome broken! I went to a tournament yesterday and neither the G-75 nor the Liberty were destroyed even once. Yeah, I got first place, I lost one Nebulon B in each game, but that Liberty is just a beast: it killed a VSD and an Interdictor single handedly in one game, and the next it went toe to toe with Demo and another GSD at close range. It broke one GSD, hurt Demo, and slipped past an ISD bearing down on it. Newly painted ships always seem to die before you get to try them out, but that wasn't the case this time. Oh, and something-something, might have some Imperial Assault Carriers and the Interdictor for you all at some point semi soon.

Just curious Vykes, what would you like me to do next?

Loronar Strike Cruiser!

and the Mk 1 Assault Frigate like this one

You're welcome Salty. Now that you mention it, it does solve the problem regarding my distaste for typical Assault Frigate MK II's. Just out of curiosity, which do ya'll think it works better as, the MK.II A or MK.II B? I think I'm going to be using it as that too. Which means I may need another one And yeah, same idea, it'll be the Mon Cal Peltas if it feels too small after all. Again, the Mk.II is just too frigging fat.

Could do well as either I think. Personally I'll prob use it more as the "B" for the light carrier feel.

I looked at both the MC40a and the RAF Mk.II and realized that they have a remarkably similar layout. Yeah, I'm thinking it can work as a very good Mk.II.

(Note: The Shrike is longer than a typical Assault Frigate)

Aye Salty, the Strike Cruiser was up on my list there too As for the Assault Frigate Mk.I, I'm okay with Mel's existing Type VI version (I've been considering getting it off and on for a while now), but I hadn't found an alternate Mk. I that I actually liked. That is, until today. I happen to love this supposed 'Type III'. Frig, I can't tell what is, or isn't actually a SW ship and what's a fan made ship anymore. The Mk.I in particular feels guilty, but if this is a legitimate ship, then it's by far one of my favourites.

I love the bulk and the added plates over that greebled blister covered spine that looks so unhealthy. So yeah, if this is legitimate, it's at the top of my list.

I'm fine with the Type 3 or 5. No offense intended Mel, while you did I good job, I have a strong dislike for the Type VI you have. Make a type 3 or 5, and I'll orders multiples.

I will do all of them.

I will do all of them.

YAY!

Aye Salty, the Strike Cruiser was up on my list there too As for the Assault Frigate Mk.I, I'm okay with Mel's existing Type VI version (I've been considering getting it off and on for a while now), but I hadn't found an alternate Mk. I that I actually liked. That is, until today. I happen to love this supposed 'Type III'. Frig, I can't tell what is, or isn't actually a SW ship and what's a fan made ship anymore. The Mk.I in particular feels guilty, but if this is a legitimate ship, then it's by far one of my favourites.

The Type V is the original Assault Frigate as far as I can tell, at least it seems to be the oldest. It's origin is from the old WEG Star Wars RPG Rebel Source Book, 1994 (which I own a copy of). While it is long out of canon, it's still an awesome read, like most WEG stuff.

First, a shout out to the Jodocast, they hosted an awesome little picture contest and I got the Armada prize. Wooo, they're as great as alt art swag'n a bag, which is pretty frigging great if you missed 'em the first time 'round! And what can I say, they do a general star wars gaming podcast real good.

What can I say, Mel, you rock! Now I need to start saving some hobby funds for a pair of Type III's and I already nabbed a XQ station this week in addition to that wave 3/4 stuff and a spare Raider. I'm really looking forward to it.... and maybe a Victory II frigate if ya ever have time

Agreed Salty, the old WEG source book was pretty good for stuff like that, from what I recall though I haven't set eyes on it in ages. Most of my recollection comes from the first edition "Essential Guide to Vehicles" back when it was first released and I ordered it from a school book fair (do they still have those?) The Assault Frigate wasn't included, but the Dread was, so I'm generally more familiar with the Dread than I am its derivative Assault Frigate. That said, I'm not a fan of how skinny the type V's aft is, and as I don't have much of a history with that ship, it's not quite as appealing. That said, the Type III is just superb, and the Type II is pretty good as well. The Type III just feels like the most 'balanced' ship of the lot, with the Type II just behind.

Oh, and I recall a certain someone wanted a tutorial for canopies

I should annotate it better, but the jist is:

1.) normal
2.) use black to colour in the little canopy divot to about 1/4 to 1/3 (T-65 vs. T70) down the hull, but leave the little ridge and put a black line behind it.

3.) add a dot to line up with the uncoloured ridge. That will be your center line.
4.) add the black from the corners to make a balanced triangle.

5.) colour an 'H' with medium grey along the edges of the canopy from the ridge to the base. You can leave a little black at the bottom or not, it helps 'line' the canopy later.
6.) make a similar V with a straight line down from that ridge to form the sides of the canopy struts. This is probably the toughest part of the whole thing.

7.) use a lighter grey to create a little '[' shapes at the top and bottom of the canopy. If you have the control, add a little stripe at the bottom of the triangle canopy struts where the three lines intersect on the side.
8.) use an even lighter grey to finish off the canopy with a small line at the top and bottom ridge. You can add a single white or very light grey dot at the upper corner of the canopy now.

That's pretty much it. The last little bit of Armada gaming related stuff is another little neat bit. (It's been cold and miserable here, so while I got the day off work, I couldn't make a start on any of my bigger Armada projects or the IA stuff I'm working on). I went to the Calgary regionals, as some of you know, and picked up a few of Drassy's unsleeved trays. Well, I figured I'd try to do something interesting with them to see if they hold paint, and what can I say, they're working pretty great so far!

I may have to pick up 1-2 more... and I'm starting to wonder if I should repaint all my bases in the same way.

I never heard of the Jodocast before. . .