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Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:32
by SteveD
I posted pics of these ages ago as work in progress, but finally got them finished, having taken on board some of the suggestions for gloves etc, I give to you (with apologies for the crap dio background of my corner table at work), "THE RED MERCS"

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The Mercs were survivors of the purging of the Red Shadows as they were on a covert mission at the time, operating under direct orders from Black Major, and were largely forgotten about. Upon their return, despite their previous links to :major: they were integrated into the Cobra ranks, and their leader joined the ranks of the Crimson Guard. His platoon were disbanded and the other three from the platoon were enrolled as regular Cobra cannon fodder, sorry, Troopers.

In time, the platoon leader became disillusioned with the ways of Cobra, and defected. Longing for the olds days as Red Shadows he tracked down the old platoon members, who joined him in his defection out of similar disillusionment and die hard loyalty to their leader. The leader took on the name Crimson Shadow, but kept his crimson uniform, to remind him how bad it can get. The three other soldiers took back their old colours.

The Red Mercs, led by Crimson Shadow, now make their living as soldiers for hire to the highest bidder, and long for the glory days of dodging Baron's bullets. They exist below the radar of both AF and Cobra, and keep hearing whispered rumours that the Black MAjor is still alive, and will one day rise again and make his presence known....

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Really happy with the way these guys turned out - they were only meant to be experimental dalliances with paints etc and therefore were actually my first ever customs. Only just finished them now with some of TKW's fantastic stickers for the helmets. Lacquer that I've used doesn't let photos do them justice at all - they look much shinier and more thickly painted in the pics than they do in real life.

My entry for Augusts Custom of the Month, but I already see that the competition is fierce! Can I beat last months 4 votes the "Kraken Politician" managed.

And this has the added benefit of being an entire post of photos by me without :storm: & :muton: sticking their ugly faces in!

:storm: & :muton: "We are far too busy for cameo appearances....."

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:39
by Andy1672
Fantastic work Steve ! these guys are marvelous !

however there is still time to add :storm: or :muton: ?

thanks for sharing, and looking forward to more.

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:42
by SteveD
:storm: "Fear not Andy - we shall soon gatecrash this party. We have something special in store to 'welcome' these Johnny-come-latelys to the Toy Room"

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:45
by Andy1672
SteveD wrote: :storm: "Fear not Andy - we shall soon gatecrash this party. We have something special in store to 'welcome' these Johnny-come-latelys to the Toy Room"
I knew you wouldnt be able to resist !

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:49
by SteveD
Andy1672 wrote:
SteveD wrote: :storm: "Fear not Andy - we shall soon gatecrash this party. We have something special in store to 'welcome' these Johnny-come-latelys to the Toy Room"
I knew you wouldnt be able to resist !
I'm weak! ;-)

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:53
by Greg3
awesome looking customs... just how I'd imagine the shadows to look now!! Love the backstory too!

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 15:53
by Red Laser
They look great now, what heads did you use they look very distinctive?

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 16:04
by paulitoy
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Excellent work Steve.

Even an old Palitoy obsessive like me can find much to appreciate in these.

Considering these are your first 'attempts' at customs, they are quite remarkable.

:doc: :doc: :doc:

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 16:19
by SteveD
Thanks guys! These are my favourites of all of my creations, so it's good to finally post them. I did toy with the idea of jsut calling them "25th Anniversary Shadows", but I needed a reason why I'd left Crimson Shadow, well, Crimson (paint experimentation and I actually really liked the way he looked that colour).

Bodies are Forces of Valour Bravo Team - from the WW2 German range I think it was either Karl or Klaus. Heads are mix and matched from my SS set I bought ages ago - I chose the more menacing looking ones (although wait until you see Red Laser! He's soooooo angry it scares me!). Helmets are from the Crimson Guard Valor V Venom range - front's smoothed off (they had a badge on). Figures are way too articulated - bloody nightmare to paint and for paint rub.

Thanks to TKW for not only the helmet stickers but the trade ages ago that provided me with the helmets!

Re: Red Mercs

Posted: 03 Aug 2009 16:22
by Red Laser
Did you find TK's decals a little difficult Steve?