[slik]

Hey There!

Does anybody have any news on what is going on with SRA recently?

I believe they have released a new marshall with rostrum and photographer with rostrum but to be honest I already have both of these figures without the rostrums.

I need new figures to add to my circuit and grandstand so any news of forth coming releases would be much appreciated. I'm sure there was some mention of pit babes sometime back, are we any closer to seeing these?

Cheers,

Julian

 

[mtucker666]

Paul said there were new items planned and JonnyS was doing some modelling (I hope he's not the actual model) for new figs. However both Paul and Jonny are followers of this board so should have more details.

Got myself the TV crew which I admit do look rather good - good to have painting tips as I've never tackled pewter before

Matt

 

[slik]

Hey There!

Shame I missed you at MK Sir, you missed my new haircut. The ponytail was slowing down my racing so it had to go!

To be honest I paint them exactly the same as plastic models with the little tins of Humbrol paint. I find they are much nicer to paint though, the pewter just seems to take the paint better than plastic. I'm no expert though so mayb somebody else can give you more advice than me.

While I have your attention have you set up your GS light set yet. I'm tempted to buy one before I do my next video but see they are on backorder at present. Anyhow are they good?

Cheers,

Julian.

 

[Russell Sheldon]

I'm looking forward to the new Carrera figures.

Image courtesy of MRE.

According to Gary, the spectator figures will be available 3 different sets:-

21106 FIGURES SMALL is a set of 5 with three seated and two standing.
21107 FIGURES LARGE is a set of 15, with 12 seated and 3 standing figures.
21108 FIGURES GRANDSTAND contains 20 figures all seated.

The figures come ready for assembly, and the arms and head can be positoned independently or swapped around to give a large range of people and positions.

Any idea when they will be available, Gary?

Kind regards

Russell

 

[mtucker666]

Light set - took me 2 nights (about 3hrs in total) and I've got 15 very nice lights all working - no soldering all very easy. The only thing I got extra was some fine wire to extend the wires coming off the actually light posts to connect to one of the three junction boxes. Happy to take a pic or if you want more details (let me know specifics) drop me a PM. Pics of the installed light kit will be in the next installment.

Matt

 

[Mo55man]

I've painted plenty of plastic and white metal figures in my time. Once you've done the preperation work (ie; glue, trim & fill) you are then ready to apply you're undercoat. For this I use either Matt white Humbrol (enamel) spray paint or my favoured product is Matt white Games Workshop (acrylic) spray paint.

To do this I mount the figures on empty 35mm film pots using blue tac. Wrap a polythene bag around you're hand and spray an even but thin coat (preferably outside in the shed or garage).

No matter what the material is made of you end up with the same end result. Also using a white undercoat tends to brighten up the main colours.

To finish the models off I shade them using inks (games worshop again) or thinned down paint, and then highlight with what's called a 'dry brushing' technique. For this you put some paint sparingly on a brush and then wipe as much as you can off onto a tissue, and then simply go over the areas you wish to highlight. This then picks out all the raised detail.

The end result gives you a much more 3-dimensional look.

M

 

[slik]

Hiya Mo55man,

Any chance of a few pictures of some of your completed figures? They sound the bees knees!

Cheers,

Julian.

 

[Mo55man]

I must say (even though I am blowing my own trumpet) they do look rather good. Hopefully if my mate CB is reading this thread then he could verify this.

Unfortunately, I don't own a digital camera, but if I have a word with CB, he may be able to help me out. Although the figures are the slightly smaller Games Workshop size, they should look good in the photos. I did paint a rather awesome looking Ringwraith on a Fellbeast model recently from "Lord of the Rings", which stands approximately 6 inches tall. I've also just finished painting 24 knights of Minis Tirith which should also look good in a photo.

Although they have nothing to do with slot car racing, the painting techniques remain the same.

Watch this space Slik....

M

 

[Cambridge Blue]

I've seen M's work and can verify it is very good IMHO. Will try and see if we can get some pictures Julian, but you will probably have to wait until next week.

CB

 

[The Muffin Man]

Slik,

I also use the same technique as mo55man (although I'm not that good at it!) and can highly recommend the gamesworkshop paints for the SRA figures. They do a good range of colours and you can order paints from their website. Try

http://uk.games-workshop.com/shopping/shopping.uk

As with all these things......practice makes perfect!

Perhaps Jonny S could provide a step-by-step

(beg, beg

)

 

[jonny s]

I hear you mate.

Working on just that tomorrow with srapaul. Will be updating the SRA web site with a painting guide and posting here the necessary info too. I agree with the above points posted by the lads and look forward to seeing their pics. I tend to work on the fact that most people see painting as a chore and so will describe the quick and easy method that has helped me paint so many wargames and slot figures. This was covered on "Short Circuits" but was edited badly but it should take no longer than five minutes to paint a good figure.

Nuro will be receiving a complete set of SRA figure packs shortly and will be giving a guide on how he gets on with painting them so to cover all angles really and perhaps test the success of the painting guide.

Paul will be a long to update you all on whats coming out soon, but just to say we are both working flat out.

 

[srapaul]

Hi,

Just to confirm that a lot is happening at the moment in developing the SRA range - lots of new ideas and plans for additions to the range of figures, buildings and other trackside accessories. It takes a while for the development phase - getting the designs right, having the new moulds made, etc, etc - but watch out for some announcements in the next few months!

As a tempter, the first addition to the range in 2004 will be a set of seated spectators. Next up should be MODERN tyre walls - both for the straights and curves! Availability should be early April, hopefully.

Also, see Jonny S's latest post - painting tips, etc are on their way and watch out for a re-design of the website in the near future.

Paul

 

[JEXY1]

Hi Srapaul

Any chance of the tyre wall being soft? i.e. not pewter i.e. car wrecking!

I have a big requirement for tyre walls on several layouts and apart from the SCX foam the off the shelf offerings don't look too good.

Just a thought.

Gareth

 

[jonny s]

HI Jexy. The tyre walls will probably be light weight resin, . Cheaper, more durable and less likely to damage your car. I`m putting the finishing touches to the designs now and above all they will look realisticish ,not toy town.

Would you like to have an NSCC stand at the Phoenix GT meeting 28 Mar? Let me know if I can help you. I will point out the 100 or so guilty swapmeet attendees (no NSCC membership ) and between us we can coerce them to accept the `Kings Shilling`

 

[Mo55man]

Just like to say that I now have some photos of some painted figures. Although not slot figures they do show the end results of my painting techinques mentioned earlier, which could be applied to SRA figures for instance.
I hope to be able to post them soon with a little

M

 

[peter]

SRA figures are great but:

What I think is missing from SRA is a 'big-pack'. I would rather buy a large 'bag' of mixed figures then a few at a time....

Would that be a good idea?

//peter

 

[jonny s]

Big bag of what Peter? Suggestions are always welcome. We have a fair few ideas on the go at the moment.

 

[peter]

sorry.... was entangled a bit in my own world

A big bag of mixed 'onlookers' , 'fans' - sitting, standing etc - oh and some more women would be great in an otherwise so male-oriented environment.

Come to think of it - the bags could come in different versions... one with 'audience' (public bystanders etc) and one with 'professionals' (drivers, pitlane crews, mechanics, 'umbrella girls' etc...).

And I would go for one of each - to begin with...

Unless there was a real bargain 'all-in-one' bag ofcourse.... wow - did not think of that one at first.

//peter

 

[jonny s]

Thanks Peter. To be honest you are thinking along the same lines as us for the spectators. Paul is currently doing a lot of market research in this area and I know he is keen to maximise the variety of spectators in particular.

 

[peter]

Great looking forward to that - I am sure to be a customer.

There is one more thing that I would really really like...

Especially with all the new muscle-cars. Have you thought about making a set of female drivers? I mean some with and some without helmet? I would really like to put in some good looking female racers in several of my cars. The fly ones do not have open face helmets for example and they really only have one driver - imagine that - female racing drivers and passengers with open face helmets and long hair down the shoulders...

//peter