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Scenery / Misc - 6mm to 49mm
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Displaying Reviews: 1 - 1
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Average Reviewer Rating:
 
Number of Reviews:
1
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Back to Base-ics!
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Reviewer
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Reviewed by Antar (Editor) (info@totalmodel.com) December 02, 2005
When I first started collecting miniatures, in a dim and distant land called the late 70's, all you needed for a figure base was a penny and some DIY filler. Those days are well and truly gone! Back in the mid-eighties, some bright spark invented the plastic base. It was simple and it was uniform. It also provided the perfect platform if you wanted to tart-it-up with your own miniature ground cover. Things haven't really changed much since until recently when a few companies started to play around with idea of creating bases with all the applique details molded on.
Seems like a great idea...
A few weeks ago I received a selection of the new figure bases being produced by Steve Eserin, The Figure Trader. To say that it was a "mixed bag" is a bit of an understatement. I was gob-smacked by the sheer number of different shapes and styles that Steve had put together. The TFT catalogue already boasts bunkers, gun emplacements and all manner of large scenery items. Even a few vehicles have started to appear. This new range of bases may not be like anything TFT have produced before but it's one which is rapidly winning Steve lots of new fans!
All of the bases in the range are cast in resin. Essentially there are two different styles; sci-fi and fantasy. Most are of the small, round, variety - very similar to those made popular by Dark Age Games and Privateer Press. These are suitable for a single 25-30mm miniature. There are also larger (60mm) round bases of the kind most usually employed for heavy-weapon teams or large figures such as GWs Dreadnought.
For those who prefer bases with corners, TFT have a selection just for you. There are large 50mm square bases (great for giants) and and even a few rectangular examples (25mmx50mm) for mounting cavalry. These also double as the perfect platforms for motorcycles.
NB:Click on the thumbnail image at the top of this page to see a few examples.
The bases are sold in blister packs. A set of 5 random 25mm bases will set you back £2.70. A pack of two large 50mm square bases costs exactly the same.
The ground surface usually takes the form of checker-plating or dungeon style stone flooring. On top of this Steve has modelled a truly staggering array of different details with larger elements such as tires, rocks, barrels and so on - often with a fair scattering of general debris sprinkled over the top for good measure. What I like is the fact that many of the bases show signs of damage. This is particularly true of the sci-fi bases, some of which appear to have been completely hammered! Several show evidence of explosions (or nasties) bursting through from below. Some bear the marks of equally catastrophic events whilst others are riddled with bullet holes.
Of course, there's no point adding all this decoration if, at the end, there's no-where to park the figure! What's more, the base is supposed to provide a supporting role. It shouldn't be so detailed that it becomes the sole focus of attention. Thankfully, Steve shows that he is aware of these factors by employing a "less is more" approach to the designs. The result is that each base adds just the right amount additional interest without burying the subject in an unnecessary pile of clutter.
I like these bases and think they are certainly worth a closer look. If you're a figure painter/collector and you're looking to give your work an extra "something" these bases are the perfect complement.
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13
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13
people found this review helpful
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