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Ashes of Memphis: All Quiet on the Martian Front
Game Settings: Alternate Timeline Historical.
Scale: 15-18mm.
Producer: Iron Clad Games

Goal: To explore the experiences and potential of AQotMF. This blog will focus on various projects with hobby detail, demos tips, battle reports and scenarios the ultimate goal. I will offer paint recipes, progress and final pics, including highlights of both success and mistakes along the way. Intended for beginning to intermediate painters who want to produce fairly fast with tried and true color combos.

Play tips and scenarios will welcome all levels. I enjoy creative missions and hope to enhance your gaming experience with my game group.

If you desire to read more about this setting in story form, many recommend the works of Scott Washburn: https://www.amazon.com/Great-Martian-War-Invasion/dp/0990364992

This blog formerly also included Konflikt '47 material. Due to limited hobby and game time, we are focusing on the great war of tanks vs. tripods.

Thank you for visiting. All constructive feedback greatly appreciated.

*Post Condensed*

Ordered a box of these recently, think the unit maxes out at 24. I like the grey over black primer start. I will probably start with Vallejo German Grey over black primer and work up with progressively softer drybrush layers then pick out the necrotic flesh and gear.

Really looking forward to seeing what you do for the ash bases!

*Post condensed.

Ended up canceling all my K47 orders ... too many more pressing projects! I am pretty keen on some of the sculpts but just can't get into Weird War 2 as a genre.

I actually painted up some AQotMF stuff a few years back. I think there is a Tripod in my Dakka gallery.

EDIT

yes here it is

https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/680640-.html

I'm intrigued, i don't know too much about these settings but it sounds interesting. Painting tips are something i always appreciate.

Good day everyone. Thanks for viewing.
As I research an optimal ash-waste basing scheme for K-47, I turned my hobby attention to the Martian Front. When a starter set arrived at my flat, it was time to begin the war of Tanks vs. Tripods.

I began with the MK II tanks, which are a breeze to assemble. The key behind this is a straightforward, simple yet nicely cast sprue. The box set contains six. Here's a pic of the sorting and assembly process. A large MK III hull portion is visible as well -- which was set aside. The basic sprue can make either one of each variant.



I used accelerator to avoid excessive melting of the glue where the fits occurred.

Note how clean, easily clipped and tidy the extra bits are on each Sprue. Pictured below is everything needed to convert to a MK III in this dual kit, including various barrel and pipe sizes plus optional machine guns.



With these spare pieces not needed and set aside for later, it was time to begin priming. I used Army Painter spray brand almost exclusively. I find the coat is thin but leaves great detail. There was significant wind outside yesterday, So I was not perfectly satisfied with coverage. Less is more, however, as much remains to be done and a lighter start will not impact the final result.



Indeed, despite the bit of "powdery" portions on the flat surfaces this armor did not require any touch ups.

Up next: Spray base-coat color and step-by-step instructions for a fast and effective tank paint scheme. Unlike Konflikt '47, for this game I am doing a bit of research to apply colors and decals more reflective of the actual Great War era. With that said, the Martian landing is more reminiscent of a continuation of an alternate timeline, so creativity will still be employed.

Important Note: While the box art below says, "Alien Dungeon" a new company called Iron Clad Games has purchased the licence for the system and the molds for the fantastic sculpts. Indeed, I got this on sale as they clear sets to make way for new packaging. Iron Clad Games is operated by the owner of the Miniature Market online store. As a result, the range is easily available from numerous sites and increasingly in stores.

 Manchu wrote:
Ended up canceling all my K47 orders ... too many more pressing projects! I am pretty keen on some of the sculpts but just can't get into Weird War 2 as a genre.

I actually painted up some AQotMF stuff a few years back. I think there is a Tripod in my Dakka gallery.

EDIT

yes here it is

https://www.dakkadakka.com/gallery/680640-.html

I enjoyed your tripods armor scheme Manchu. As for too many projects, I think that is something many of us can relate to!


Automatically Appended Next Post:

 amazingturtles wrote:
I'm intrigued, i don't know too much about these settings but it sounds interesting. Painting tips are something i always appreciate.

Yes Turtles, these systems are far less common than others -- especially All Quiet, which is just experiencing a resurgence. Technically one is Weird War and the other simply Alternate Timeline -- I may want to address that and adjust my title.
Martian walkers are pretty weird in their own right, however!

while Konflikt '47 has a solid following, Bolt Action is still the man of the house in Warlord's repertoire.

Tank painting pics for Martian Front's U.S. army forces are coming today and the German Totenkorps next week. I'm glad these systems are new territory for you, and have sparked your curiosity.

Progress on MK II Steam Tanks for All Quiet on the Martian Front. Enclosed below is the recipe for the tank base coat and tread treatment.

After a black matte undercoat I used the Army Green colored primer from Army Painter. These perfectly match the dropper bottles of the same range for touch-ups later in the project. The brand may not be easily acquired in your area, depending on what the shops prefer to carry. I always try to order my primer in bundles so I never run out.



I was cautious not to spray this on too thick. I attempted to allow some of the natural shading to remain, leaving a fairly thin but discernible appearance of green paint on the armor. Since all surfaces will be washed later, less is more in this case. Note that the regions around the turret, inside the coal bin and in between the treads are still mostly black.



I use a variety of paints, but recently purchased the full range of Army Painter. I prefer dropped bottles at this point. If you are an android device user, the excellent phone App PAINT RACK will help you keep track of your project recipes and paint supplies.
These are the color selections used thus far, shown in sequence, aside from the base coast green clean-up of course:



DIRT SPATTER (Army Painter) -- Cover on the treads first. Note that I used a GW Base Coat Brush with a flattened surface to graze over the tread surface, and applied the sharper edge in between to clear out a bit of the collected mud effect. I did this after the wash as well, if it started to pool excessively. The flat GW brushes are not something I use often, but in this case it made the process easier.



STRONG TONE (Army Painter) -- Wash over all of tank tread. Don't forget the sides. All Army Painter dropper bottles need to be shaken a really long while, by the way. I use a wet palette even for their washes.
LEADBELCHER (GW) -- I drybrushed the treads in this color, attempting to allow some black or brown to stay underneath if possible.
COAL BLACK (P3) -- applied a light drybrush around the muzzle of cannon and the back coal pipe, the bins, etc. for just a slight variation in color, to add that Steam Punk / Alt WW I feel to the vehicle. This is a unique and lovely color, one of the few I still utilize from the P3 range.

Here are three "elements" (models) that comprise a unit thus far, with treads and base coat details complete.



I'm halfway to completion now and only a few days in. The wash of the plates and subsequent fast highlights are up next. This tank unit is ready for a good spray of TESTORS GLOSSCOAT 1261 so the wash doesn't pool and smear on the flat surfaces. When dry in the morning, I'll get back at it. I must research tonight which shade is best for American armored vehicles.

Cheers.

Nifty models there. I look forward to seeing how the AQotMF stuff turns out. I went in pretty heavily on the KS, but sold all my stuff when I realized that I would likely never play. I really wish I hadn't.

*Post condensed.

Greeting.

A test miniature is receiving a base color this a.m. -- to experiment and solve my zombie color scheme predicament.

I assessed the wash resultson the MK II tanks from All Quiet on the Martian Front. The gloss coat I applied to prevent pooling during the wash process worked great on the top of the vehicles. They look naturally shaded, an excellent result for the minimal effort.

the Problem:
The sides, especially on one model, suffered some odd pooling and an unnatural spotted appearance:



I am not going to attempt to remedy this most likely. This box set needs to get on the table, but I'm disappointed and perplexed. One possibility is that I should have turned the tank side facing up as I applied the wash, as if it was the top of the model. Perhaps this would of allowed the shade to flow naturally to the deeper recesses and not pool in the center.

With a bit of Wet Mud effects paint later, hopefully it will look more natural.

Regardless, I have a test model to primer -- so ever forward!

What sort of wash are you using? I use a homebrew mix of acrylic paints and "painting medium," which is more like a glazing medium-- thinner than standard acrylic medium but more viscous than water. It gives great coverage without spotting, although it does tend to pool up in low areas if you don't mop it up before it dries.

 JoshInJapan wrote:
What sort of wash are you using? I use a homebrew mix of acrylic paints and "painting medium," which is more like a glazing medium-- thinner than standard acrylic medium but more viscous than water. It gives great coverage without spotting, although it does tend to pool up in low areas if you don't mop it up before it dries.

I used the Army Painter Quick Shade Strong Tone (from dropper) pictured above. I posted for feedback on this topic in a few Facebook groups, and received a slew of helpful suggestions.

Many Flames of War enthusiasts recommended gloss coat followed by an enamel oil-based wash, which is easier to clean up.
I'm glad to hear your home brew method also helps with spotting Josh.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
Time to progress and not lament a few details. This evening I applied some stars and stripes to my U.S. tanks.



With the Martian war forcing countries to unite and fight in certain pockets of the globe, it is easy to justify American flags on the MK II unit.

Not much left now -- I've a few more decals to apply, and then will experiment with some dirty weathering after a good spray of
Testors Dull Coat.

I'm most curious and enthused about the Wet Mud Effects paint on my hobby desk, and a tip to try brushing on coffee grounds for the dirtiest parts of the armor.

Completed model shots will be posted shortly, along with the components used.

Now it is nearly the weekend ... time for some actual dice rolling.

Ever forward, and thanks for viewing.

Greetings warmongers.

I eagerly await the arrival of some AK Interactive washes and rust effects. Trying enamel based applications for the first time since I was 12 years old.
Martian Front armor will receive them first, as I purchased washes suitable to U.S. units.

*Post condensed.

 JoshInJapan wrote:
What sort of wash are you using? I use a homebrew mix of acrylic paints and "painting medium," which is more like a glazing medium-- thinner than standard acrylic medium but more viscous than water. It gives great coverage without spotting, although it does tend to pool up in low areas if you don't mop it up before it dries.

Josh I ordered some AK Interactive products, but must learn how to use them. I'm experimenting on some old FoW models for now, but am finding the different approaches very challenging.

 Manchu wrote:
Ordered a box of these recently, think the unit maxes out at 24. I like the grey over black primer start. I will probably start with Vallejo German Grey over black primer and work up with progressively softer drybrush layers then pick out the necrotic flesh and gear.

Really looking forward to seeing what you do for the ash bases!

How are your K '47 zombies coming along Manchu?

 Shrapnelsmile wrote:
How are your K '47 zombies coming along Manchu?

 Manchu wrote:
Ended up canceling all my K47 orders ... too many more pressing projects!

Moved on to playing Rogue Stars and now Shadow War: Armageddon - have not really given K47 a thought since, sadly.

I fully understand Manchu, thanks for updates and have fun! Shadow war Armageddon is so rad. Cheers.

I've been on hiatus due to family illness, which is ongoing, but I must hobby to retain my strength. My AK-Interactive supplies arrived in the mail and I've unearthed them to finish the models on my hobby table.



I am using my first waves of armor to learn the techniques such as chipping and rust effects so my tripods look great when I get to them later.

Working with these products has been a learning curve, but the White Spirits should enable me to properly weather and dirty up my tanks with minimal effort. Various feedback on FB groups assisted me in what to order.

Completed pics of the MK II's to come, first with rust and a nice healthy does of dried mud that will prove more realistic than simple paint.

I will attempt chipping on my next round of tanks, after I enjoy some infantry.

bumped to revive. My goal is having these weathering instruments experimented with and tanks completed by the weekend.

Feedack about AK-Interactive products welcomed in your replies. I'm excited to give them a go.