Toy Conversion: "Freedom Dragon" to a 1e/2e Brass Dragon
Apr 18, 2023 18:37:08 GMT
skunkape and Sam like this
Post by sgtslag on Apr 18, 2023 18:37:08 GMT
Converting another toy dragon for wargaming/RPG use. This time, the Safari, Ltd. Freedom Dragon gets a make-over, turning it into an AD&D Brass Dragon. Nominal figure scale (such as it is) would be 1/72 (where 72 inches = the average 6-foot height of a Human Being), or true 25mm.
The original figure is pearlescent white, overall. I chose this toy Dragon figure as it is somewhat close in sculpting design to the AD&D RPG's Brass Dragon's drawing, within the 1e and the 2e Monster Manuals. It is also available, in local stores, for around $19. Dragon miniature models, from companies such as Reaper, Iron Wind Metals, and others, tend to clock in north of $30! With simple painting techniques, an inexpensive toy can be converted into a palatable fantasy gaming miniature, for a fraction of the cost. The sculpting is often less detailed, but for the price, I can accept the trade-off's.
I started by shopping for the most accurate Brass spray paint I could find. I cut out small pieces of blue painter's tape, to cover the factory painted eyes of the toy, then I sprayed two coats of the shiny finish, Brass spray paint to the toy: View 1, View 2.
The figure had a star shape molded into the top of its head. I used a file to remove 95% of this feature. I should have used some fine sandpaper to smooth it, but it is just a toy conversion, and so I got lazy (shame on me...).
I am thinking of making the talons glossy black, painting the belly a dark tan color. I also plan to apply a dark brown wash (likely Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain -- Royal Walnut color) to give it a nicer, shadowed finish. Not sure about a matte clear coat. Will probably only apply a matte coat to the belly, leaving the metallic scaled areas a glossy finish. A little experimentation will guide me to the final result. Cheers!
The original figure is pearlescent white, overall. I chose this toy Dragon figure as it is somewhat close in sculpting design to the AD&D RPG's Brass Dragon's drawing, within the 1e and the 2e Monster Manuals. It is also available, in local stores, for around $19. Dragon miniature models, from companies such as Reaper, Iron Wind Metals, and others, tend to clock in north of $30! With simple painting techniques, an inexpensive toy can be converted into a palatable fantasy gaming miniature, for a fraction of the cost. The sculpting is often less detailed, but for the price, I can accept the trade-off's.
I started by shopping for the most accurate Brass spray paint I could find. I cut out small pieces of blue painter's tape, to cover the factory painted eyes of the toy, then I sprayed two coats of the shiny finish, Brass spray paint to the toy: View 1, View 2.
The figure had a star shape molded into the top of its head. I used a file to remove 95% of this feature. I should have used some fine sandpaper to smooth it, but it is just a toy conversion, and so I got lazy (shame on me...).
I am thinking of making the talons glossy black, painting the belly a dark tan color. I also plan to apply a dark brown wash (likely Minwax Polyshades Urethane Stain -- Royal Walnut color) to give it a nicer, shadowed finish. Not sure about a matte clear coat. Will probably only apply a matte coat to the belly, leaving the metallic scaled areas a glossy finish. A little experimentation will guide me to the final result. Cheers!