Warlord Resin for Blood Red Skies

I usually have what I hope is a snappy title for any blog posts. Over the past couple of years I've followed Blood Red Skies as the game has grown and developed, and this is probably about the most important development in the game for quite some time - Warlord Resin planes. And I can't think of a suitable title for this one - so will just go with the above.

Before I get too far into it, I think it worthwhile explaining why this is such a big thing. When BRS launched it had plastic models for the five plane types in the initial release. The quality of these models varied. I won't go into too much detail here as there's plenty about this on earlier blogs and elsewhere, but the critical thing is the models were light enough to work with the "Advantage" bases, which tilt to indicate game state. This caused a bit of a problem as the game developed and more aircraft were planned. Warlord were unhappy with the "soft" plastic they used on the original models and decided to try hard plastic for the next release wave - in this case Hurricanes, Mosquitos, Me110s and Fw190s. All these were released in hard plastic, and were very very nice. The problem was the process was taking far too long due to the production methods - cutting a steel injection mould is a complex and expensive business, and Warlord couldn't commit to regular releases in plastic. The solution they came to was to release the third wave of models in metal. This had the advantage of being quick to produce, but the problem was the metal models were too heavy to use with the normal advantage bases and needed the larger bases designed for using with bombers. This had a knock on effect in making it difficult to get models positioned close in to others due to the large base footprint, and also caused problems when using some of the many third party measuring sticks which are a part of the whole BRS "thing." Metal models also imposed some size restrictions on what could actually be done. All in all it was a far from perfect solution, and it is safe to say the metal models have met with a mixed reception and this has been holding the game back from it's true potential. On the other hand the decision to release in metal was I think a reasonable one as it allowed the game to grow and expand in a way that sticking to the slow release rate plastic would not have allowed. Personally I tend to spend the extra needed to get resin models from Armaments in Miniature rather than have the issues with the metal models. Warlord were aware of these issues - and have been looking into some options. Finally they have released their latest wave in their new resin. So that's the background - what about the actual sets?

The first three models released in resin are Soviet fighters, the MiG3, I16 and Yak 1b. These have already been available in metal as part of the "Johnie Red" boxed set, but this is the first time as a "Squadron" release. Each Squadron box contains six models, bases, pilot skill disks and the usual tokens printed on sturdy card, and the associated data card and trait cards printed on the standard lighter \ thinner card. You also get a sheet of generic waterslide decals - basically lots of red stars in different shapes and patterns, but no numbers or other symbols. The Ace boxes that complement the Squadron boxes contain one model and base and the relevant pilot cards - the pilot skill disk is in a much thinner card stock than the Squadron ones, which is a bit frustrating. Anyway - let's look at the models in slightly more detail.

Firstly, let's talk about what these are not, which is a whole new model. The models in both metal and resin are clearly based on the same masters, so share the exact same dimensions and proportions. This is not a bad thing, as the Wave 3 masters are 3d designed and usually have very nice and accurate proportions - quite an improvement over the first releases. The masters are clearly the same but the moulds are different - you can see where the main pour points and vents differ between the two types of materials. They're also not in traditional hard polystyrene, or brittle resin as used for their Bolt Action tanks and Cruel Seas ships, or in the softer plastic of the first wave. Instead these are in a very lightweight resin. The resin has a very small amount of flexibility, but is NOT soft or bendy in any way- something of a relief.  As the resin is a mid grey colour it is difficult to say exactly if the resin has picked up the same level of detail as the metal castings - I suspect the detail is very slightly softer but the impact is negligible and all the panel lines and other details are certainly there - see the pic later. The models I have have minimal mould lines - far less than the metal models I have, and there are some small amounts of flash at the vent points, but this cleans up quickly and easily with a knife.  The resin models also sit snug and tight on the Advantage base - something that is often a problem with the metal models. Due to their negligible weight they work really well with the tilting base mechanic. Lastly I'm advised the resin will take paint without an undercoat - shrug, I will undercoat mine anyway, "just in case". One of the problems encountered with the metal models from Warlord was pitting and distortion in the mould due to it being clamped too tight - there is no indication of either on these models, which is a bonus too.

So the $1000 question - have Warlord got this right? If these models are anything to go by, I would say a resounding YES. The new resin is lightweight, carries detail and I think works very well. Crucially this material will allow Warlord to maintain a release schedule and not have to rely on the unpopular bomber base extensions. There will be inevitable comparisons with the excellent models from Armament in Miniature, and I have to say the new Warlord resin is at least comparable. Price remains the same as the original metal sets.

This new material is a big step forward. I understand that Warlord plan to release all new models in resin and back fill and replace the old metal models with resin as the moulds come up for renewal - I'll have those Il2s as soon as that happens thank you. That's great news, particularly as the P47 is due to be added to the range soon and that would have been a very awkward model in metal. It also opens up many more options for larger aircraft than Warlord currently produce, which can only be a good thing. I can see these new resin models getting used for games like Wings of Glory too.

For the enquiring minds out there, this isn't a pre arranged review with carefully selected models etc. I ordered them through my FLGS (Asgard Wargames in Middlesbrough) - fine chaps they are, so I assume I got the same as everyone else.

oh - what do they look like? I'm having "issues" with my camera so these were taken on my old phone - my apologies, however.......

MiG3

Side by side of metal and resin Yak 1bs

And same with the I16s - sorry for the poor pic quality, but you can see the flash stub on the port side of the resin - this cleaned up easily

Cheers