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Writer's pictureBlaxkleric

"I Call It Making An Affray.

"I must ask you to come down the station with me."

This 28mm metal single-cast figure is sold by by "Black Tree Design" and is available as Code DW415 - Victorian Policeman from their "Doctor Who" range. The model is based upon the various constables seen in Robert Holmes' 1977 BBC Television story "The Talons of Weng-Chiang". But I like to think of him as actor Conrad Asquith's character PC Quick, who would go on to many further adventures in the "Big Finish" audio spin-off series "Jago And Litefoot".


Originally given a coat of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, the "Peeler" was treated to a couple of layers of "Two Thin Coats" Marine Blue and a good dousing in Oblivion Black Wash. He was then enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) Marine Blue by "Two Thin Coats", before having all of his buttons and belt buckle spotted in "Vallejo" Gold and a smidgeon of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - These Sea Devils have had their clothes base-layered, shaded and dry-brushed

The British Bobby's cape chain and helmet badge were later 'picked out' with a little "Two Thin Coats" Sir Coates Silver and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst the Policeman's wooden truncheon was given a blanket of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I also traced along the lines of the stout fellow's facial mutton chops with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black.


Due to my close proximity to Portsmouth Central Police Station, which was actually established (in Albert Road) during 1872, I had hoped my Nineteenth Century Policeman would be ideal for the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) and its Challenge Library's Local History section. Frustratingly though, my scoring minion felt otherwise, so having been denied the same twenty bonus points with two different entries, I have subsequently decided to 'bow out' of the AHPC early for my own sanity's sake.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Three Magma Apes awaiting base layers and washes

Despite my grumblings with the AHPC, my hobby mojo has remained high enough to continue progressing nine more Sea Devils by "Black Tree Design". I had intended to use these figures to trial a new(ish) way of soldiering on through a number of models simultaneously. But disappointingly, my recent visits to the painting table have not been as frequent as planned, and resultantly my cunning plan is already well behind schedule.


Somewhat encouragingly though, I have also managed to base and prime a quartet of resin Magma Apes by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Originally, I'd been thinking of doing them in a similar palette to the company's much larger 50mm Arena Beast - which I recently started working on too. However, I'm now more inclined to go with the 'official' paint-job, and give them all a white fur look similar to that of a Mugato from the original Sixties "Star Trek" television series...

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undercoat2670
Feb 28

What a great looking police officer, I particularly like the blue colour tones, cracking stuff. How does an iconic British bobby not count as a local connection? Madness!

The Sea Devils are coming along nicely and I think the Magma Apes are fantastic sculpts. I think white is a good call as I was thinking White Apes from John Carter!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Feb 28
Replying to

Thanks Undercoat. I'm really pleased with how the Victorian Bobby turned out. As for the AHPC - well, this was very much the straw which broke the camel's back in my books. 😶


Hopefully, the Sea Devils and Magma Apes will be finished soon enough. 😀

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Michał Kucharski
Michał Kucharski
Feb 14
Rated 5 out of 5 stars.

Agree, Policeman looks great sir!

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Feb 14
Replying to

Cheers Michal. Much appreciated. 😁

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wargamesterrainworkshop
wargamesterrainworkshop
Feb 14

Great work on the policeman Simon, and great call on basing him on a specific character. Shame on the bonus points, but I think you've made the right call leaving the challenge, rather than it messing with your motivation. Nice progress on the sea devils and apes, I find with batch painting having something else that uses totally different colours to break up the monotony useful.

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Blaxkleric
Blaxkleric
Feb 14
Replying to

Thanks Dave. It's a pity BTD didn't make more Victorian Policemen, as I'd have liked a few in different poses tbh.


I was rather enjoying the AHPC with its different Library Challenges, and had an assortment of figures waiting in the wings to paint for the various book subjects. But I haven't the hobby time to be mucked about - and frankly that's how I started feeling. It's supposed to be fun after all.


I'm only doing one part of the Sea Devils each session so I can move on to other miniatures/colours/genres and scales etc to break them up. When I have the hobby time it's going well. But I've not been painting as much as usual lately.

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