Home > Author Archives: Ian Walker (page 15)

Author Archives: Ian Walker

Just a stay at home dad, part time internet troll, and amateur photographer, with delusions of grandeur and a love for 1:18th scale toys.

Digital Camo “Skin” Transfer Tutorial by Giga Bread

  Forum member Giga Bread brings us another excellent tutorial today, this one is for that digital skin transfer that shows us all that while it’s a bit technical, it’s not all that difficult. The steps are simple and comprehensive, and even the novice customizer should be able to do this with little trouble if you follow the steps provided!                   “Disclaimer: This method is still a work in progress. The method I chose for this tutorial may change at a later date as I continue to experiment. The finished figure is an example that used the method about to be shown. Materials: Container of clean water Tape (any kind but electrical will do) Hobby knife with a really sharp blade Soft bristled brush Tweezers Matte Medium Laser print with your texture ... Read More »

Tigerstripe Camo Customs by Marine Deadpool

  I figured since forum member Marine_Deadpool has been busy pumping out tigerstripe camo’d customs, I felt that they all deserved some time in the spotlight, and what better way to share in the glory than to be presented all at once? For me, MD’s work shows such an extreme, intricate level of detail. The paint looks factory fresh, and all those painstaking brushstrokes have resulted in some beautiful, awe-inspiring work. I’ve brought a few pictures to the front to draw the eye, but to see the rest and join the discussions, you’ll just have to follow the links in their names! Falcon:                   Claymore:                   Flint:                   Big Brawler:             ... Read More »

ATR Pirate by Dark Horse

  As always, forum member Dark Horse delivers! This time, we’ve got an ATR pirate that he’s assembled from what looks to be a ROC delta 6 accelerator suit, a Star Wars droid, and whatever other odds and ends that he could find. While I’m not familiar with this ATR universe, I will admit that it’s an interesting concept, and Dark Horse put it together flawlessly, bringing some real life to his imagination. I’m always quite impressed with Dark Horse’s work, which always evokes that gritty realism found in graphic novels, which is hard to get right.   It’s an awesome piece, and we’re glad that Dark Horse decided to share it with use here at the Fighting 1:18th.   Click HERE to see more pics and to join in on the discussion! Read More »

Dioramas by CustomCreator

  While the Fighting 1:18th is primarily focused on, well, 1:18th scaled offerings, every once in a while someone comes along with work that just blows you away, regardless of the scale. Relative newcomer, forum member CustomCreator, comes out of the gate with all guns blazing! Now, these are certainly not 1:18 scale, but the detail work is flawless. The time and effort that went into each diorama piece just screams with the love of the craft, and it’s hard to tell that some of these aren’t true to life scale. So, without further ado, sit back and enjoy!                                   Thanks, CustomCreator, for showing us your work here at the Fighting 1:18th! We hope to see more in the near future! There’s a TON ... Read More »

Meet Raz by Rick

  “Born in the USA son of Israeli diplomats, Raz moved back to Israel while in High School and eventually served in Mosaad, Israels intellignece community. While in the IDF he was an elite urban sniper. There is a $1,000,000 bounty on his head. Since the Wars began Raz has returned to the US re-uniting with some of his childhood friends who were sons of Military brass assisting them with the CIA and SAD divisions in searching out Middle Eastern Operatives in the USA.” So ends the brief backstory of Raz, a custom figure created by forum member Rick. And, as usual, he does not disappoint. Paint work is flawless, giving a great example of how to apply a real world look to an action figure. It’s hard to tell that the dirt and dust is, yes, actually paint, and ... Read More »

Customs by MSWI

  We’re all familiar with forum member MSWI’s work. He’s one of the few people I have seen that can create a true representation of some of our favorite characters, and put it into figure form using a multitude of mediums. The best part about him, though, is the fact that he’s absolutely modest about his skills, and is a very genuine person, and an all around great guy to talk to. I have, many times, expressed my jealousy at his skill, and he’s turned right around to tell me that he wasn’t good when he started, and all it takes is practice. Thanks, MSWI, for sharing the love of your craft with us at the Fighting 1:18th!   Some of these pictures date back into May, but I thought I’d round some of them all up and drop them ... Read More »

1:18th Scale Snowmobiles!

  Hot on the heels of the “new” 1:18th scaled product(the Huey and Humvee), comes some news on products that are actually available. Forum member SGTDUNN found these babies at Fred’s for a price of 7.95! Not a horrible price for something suitable for your snow-themed figures, and from what the images show, they have a good deal of detail to show off.     From the pictures SGTDUNN provided us, it looks like these have some real suspension going on up front, and looks like the tracks on the rear do move. Even if they don’t move, from what I can see, the track looks real enough and any roller wheels are very well hidden. These would be a great addition to your motor pool, especially if you live in an area where you have an actual winter that ... Read More »

1:18th Scale News!

  We here at the Fighting 1:18th have a couple announcements to share. Both of which were discovered and brought to our attention by the ever informative and consummate F1:18 straight-man, K-Tiger! They are fairly exciting bits of news, and at least it gives us a glimpse into the future of 1:18 scale and the options that we, as collectors, have ahead of us. And what do these companies have to tantalize us, and seduce the money from our wallets?     First up is Merit’s “new” Huey. While I’m excited that we’ll be getting a Huey again, I have to wonder about their choice in mold. Perhaps this is all they had to choose from, and I’m not entirely certain that it’s an “all new” mold. It bears enough resemblance to 21st’s Hogshead II to make someone believe that ... Read More »

Adding Blood to Your Photos

  BOOM! Headshot! Or in the case of the following images, chest shot. Either way, we get another Photoshop tutorial and a dead Viper, courtesy of forum Officer Fled74! I find this is a very useful tutorial, and something I know a lot of people struggle with. Fled74 makes it seem easy! And I think if you follow the carefully laid out steps, you’ll start finding it a lot easier, too! “First off, let me apologise for the long delay in creating this tutorial. I blame Max Payne 3 and Grand Theft Auto 4 for being too damn addictive. Anyway, here goes. Blood has always been a distasteful subject, but during the course of diorama photography and the pursuit of greater realism, we may eventually encounter dio situations where bloodshed is necessary. Applying actual “blood” (Halloween blood or similar) to ... Read More »

Custom 1:18 Samurai Predator by Obi-Shinobi

  Say what? You want a 1:18th scaled Predator to stalk your Joes? To pose with your cancelled JP figure, Recondo, Duke, and Spirit?(We all know they were designed after the characters from the movie!) Well, forum member Obi-Shinobi has done the hard part of putting one together, and I must say that it is fan-freaking-tastic! The figure evokes that subtle terror that the Yautja bring about, and I personally can see many a scenario with this beast skulking in the shadows, watching its prey, calculating their every move, until at last, it strikes!   From the WIP thread for this piece, it seems that he’s using Microman parts for the armor, with MU arms modded onto a Frost Giant torso. The netting used is from a wedding veil, of all things! Superb modding, superb paintwork, and superb parts choices. ... Read More »