Sunday 20 April 2014

Black Cat Bases Female Civilians 01

I'm posting a short review today as I'm busy playing a new ATZ-FFO scenario this weekend. The batrep should follow very soon. My last order to Black Cat Bases mainly consisted of females. Here are three of their Civilians and Townsfolk range.
The first two figures in line are known as Night Clubbers with Handbags. I'm sure most of us recognise them as typical slappers getting ready for "a neet oot on the toon" as we Geordies would say. Take a trip down the Bigg Market in Newcastle on any Friday, Saturday or Sunday night and you'll see them, invariably smashed out of their skulls on cheap booze. Actually, they are not just native to my home city but can be found in any major town or city. The  fat lass with her bottle blonds hair has squeezed herself into a tight fitting miniskirt and sleeveless top. Note the  matching pink top, shoes and handbag. Her more glamourous looking friend wears a low-cut gold mini-dress with matching gold handbag and silver high heels. They cost £2.00 each or you can buy the pair for just £3.50. Not bad value for money.
The third figure in line is based upon the actress and glamour model, Bettie Page. She actually comes with a scenic diorama base but I rebased her on a standard 25mm diameter slottabase. I can well imagine that Bettie will be unfamiliar with many of you. She rose to fame during the 1950's when she became one of the very first Playmates of the Month for Playboy magazine in 1955. It is only in recent years that I have become familiar with her. I quite like Bettie.
This is a photo of the figure taken from the BCB website, showing all the component parts of the diorama - 28mm scale figure of Bettie, base featuring a tiled floor and rug, a chaise longue, side table and telephone, book and lamp and a "Bettie x" decal. This is a rather expensive figure, costing £10.00, but you do get a lot for that amount. I have no need for the base but the other items will find a home in my St. Trinian's School in the headmistress's office.
Here is actress Gretchen Moi playing Bettie in the film, "The Notorious Bettie Page" and this is a very close likeness to the figure. I wonder if the sculptor (Martin Baker) was inspired by this photo? It certainly looks like he was, although he has omitted her riding crop. There is something of the dominatrix about her in this photo. Nice! Special thanks to Chris Sheets for pointing out that this was not actually Bettie. Even so, she still looks like Bettie.
So, here is the real Bettie in an iconic photo that originally appeared in Playboy magazine in 1955.

35 comments:

  1. I think I have the really fat one somewhere. I couldn't face painting the model (not because she's overweight, but because I thought the sculpting was very crude). However your version looks pretty good, so maybe I'll reconsider...

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    1. You're right, Hugh, the sculpting on both night clubbers is not the best but in my opinion, they are passable.

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  2. Lovely work on them all Bryan. Nice repurpose of the Betty Page figures as well. I'm sure the furniture will come in handy elsewhere as well.

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    1. Thanks, Simon. As I said, I do have plans for the furniture from Bettie's diorama.

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  3. I've seen both those girls out last week, smashed on cut price cocktails. They remind me of the "Fat Slags" from Viz magazine. LOL.

    Great paintjob as usual Bryan.
    Should come in handy for hanging around urban bars and clubs.
    Bettie's awesome, a real women, not stick thin or silicone enhanced. Bit of a taboo breaker in her day.

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    1. It's funny you should mention the Fat Slags, Bob. I was thinking the same thing myself.

      I totally agree with you about Bettie. She was a real woman, as you rightly said.

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  4. Bettie sounds like a woman!

    Good luck with the battle mate! Looking forward to your report!

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    1. Bettie was quite a taboo breaker, Johnny. I've read a lot about her and she was quite a character in her youth.

      The scenario is still ongoing and has not gone how I expected it to. This is why I love ATZ so much. You can never predict what is going to happen.

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    2. If we did not want unforseen stuff to happen in our games, we would be playing chess. Still have strategic value.

      Roll with the dice

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  5. That's not the real Bettie in the last photo. That's Gretchen Moll as Bettie in the biopic "The Notorious Bettie Page."

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    1. I stand corrected, Chris, but the likeness is still a good one. I'll now add a new photo of the REAL Bettie.

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    2. Yes, and I am that one. I am trying consciously to stop beginning my sentences with "Actually ...".

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    3. Good man, Chris, and I really don't mind constructive criticism.

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  6. I'm pretty sure I've seen those girls vomiting in the street on a night out lol.
    Very nice figs Bryan, also looking forward to the batrep

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    1. I'm sure we all have, Dave!
      I'm looking forward to posting my batrep asap!

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  7. I've got the first two of these figures (both on the paint table atm), but I'm not paticularly impressed with the first. The "Betty Paige" figure I have no use for and at £10 is vastly over-priced for something I can't see being used, but it is a nice figure.

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    1. I look forward to seeing your painted night clubbers, Joe.

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  8. I really don't think there is much I can add. The joy of the first two figures is that we have all see them out and about late on Saturday night..... I am not saying anything about very early Sunday Morning!

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    1. Thanks, Clint. probably best not to mention Sunday mornings in this particular context.

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  9. for you

    https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/888976547/modular-urban-terrain-and-zombie-miniatures

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  10. They look good, I will have to check out The Notorious Bettie Page move, it sounds like a good watch, A new batrep, cant wait

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    1. The Bettie page film has an 18 certificate, which for the life of me, I can't understand why. It should just be a 15 certificate.
      Yes, new batrep coming very soon.

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  11. I have some vintage Betty Page reels on dvd one look and you'll know why she was a star in her own right.

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    1. Oh, you lucky man, Robert! Bettie certainly had star quality in abundance.

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  12. Great work! I was looking at that Bettie figure when I was making my order, as well, but couldn't find a reason to get her at that time. Next time , for sure! :D

    They don't seem too bad sculpts to me - not as inviting as many others, though.

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    1. Hey, I'm glad I've persuaded you that you NEED the Bettie page figure, Mathyoo.

      The two night clubbers are not the best of sculpts but they pass muster for me.

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  13. You had me smiling at 'Neet oot on the toon' Bryan, thank you :)

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    1. You're not a Geordie in exile are you, Adam? LoL!

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  14. We would call those girls slappers but well painted slappers!

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    1. Agreed, but just the two night clubbers, Fran - definitely not Bettie!

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