Darren Hatley’s Fantasy Figures Conversions we have a another convertor Darren Hatley. Darren is into a fantasy figures and loves to make his own. We will let Darren explain his figures.
Darren Hatley’s Fantasy Figures Conversions Darren’s Words
Ive always been into Fantasy ever since I was a small kid back in the 1970s and in fact some of my favorite movies are Fantasy films. However ive always been frustrated that there were not more Fantasy 1/32 scale figures around, So what ive been doing over the last few years is making my own Monster army, And these figures are a few examples of the several hundred that ive Converted and Painted.
The first 3 are Demon figures. The first 2 are made up of 3 seperate figures and the third Demon is made up of just 2 figures. Then I did a full paint job on them using Humbrol paints.
The next 3 are Skeleton Knights that are Simba Knights bodies and Demon Knights Skeletons. What I did with these was simply cut the knights heads off then drill down into the knights bodies. Then I cut the Skeletons Skull and Spine from the rest of the Skeleton and simply slid the spine down into the knights bodies which saves on having to mess about with glues. Which is something that ive started doing more of lately, And then a full paint job again.
Lastly is this Lizardman figure which is made up of 3 different figures, A D&D Miniature, Marty Toy legs and some bits from the SCS Direct Creature, And once again I did a full paint job.
I use as always Quick Grip Glue and Super Glue. I use many figures to convert with but the figures I use mainly are Tehnolog, Simba and Marty Toys Aliens.
Darren Hatley’s Fantasy Figures Conversions Final Thoughts
So what you do you think ? Let us know.
WOW!!!Nice impressive job!The figures made out three parts are great,.I like more the lizard man …great painting too of course.
I can see the second demon as orc too if painted in dark color.
Way go Darren!!!
I’m not into fantasy figures, but these are some great figures – nice job.
Nice conversions! I agree there should be more 1/32 scale fantasy figures.
Well done. Great imagination.
Thanks guys, Of course I know there are some Fantasy figures out there, But for me not enough. So my aim is to have and make a Monster army in various forms and poses of at least a Thousand strong. I know Fantasy isn’t everyones cup of tea but ive made at least a few hundred of similar figures and perhaps with Pauls kind permission I will showcase a few more of them later in the year. Ive also made several Warriors/Barbarians figures that people might find interesting.
Yes incredible enough most Fantasy plastic 1.32 scale or approx. figures had been done from 70s till 2000s by HK and or Chinese brands…Then Russia Technolog.
Problems goes that most those are generic while any other base in film has to be license permit.
Yet brands such PLASTOY,PAPO and SH had gone away making very alike Lord Of the ring and hobby figures characters with out license but in the big scale and painted.
Once figure are factory painted they increase a price a lot today ..
Blue box never release the set with orcs and elfs ,it would had been nice set too.
best…
the hobbit.no hobby figures ..sorry
Hi Erwin yeah as ive mentioned before its a real shame that the BlueBox Fantasy were not made, But I keep my fingers crossed that one day they will be. There are plenty of lovely small 1/72 scale Fantasy figures around but I only collect 1/32 scale figures and as ive stated there are not the figures around that I would like to collect, But still I will carry on making my own figures and I still have quite a few ideas, And of course all my figures that I make are between 50mm and 60mm.
Great work. I have 1/32 fantasy armies. I find that hat ancients and assorted red Indians are good material for goblins.
Good ideas James, I have actually used some Red Indian figures for Fantasy and to make Warriors and Aztec type figures. As just like Fantasy there are hardly any Ancient South American figures around in 1/32 scale.
VERY cool! Thanks for sharing. That’s a good tip about adding skulls to other figures’ bodies.
These are really nice figures! They would go very well pitted against the the Toyway Timpo Battle Masters of the late 90s.
I notice a Jean Hoefler Indian gave up his legs to make that second demon!
Currently, besides Tehnolog there is also a set of 1/72 War Trolls from Alliance miniatures that make perfect 1/32 Orcs or Hobgoblins. There’s also a tube from WalMart that has some nice, if undersized figures. The Tomb Warrior skeletons work well, too, and you can get a huge army pretty cheaply.
Alliance War Trolls
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cAnX-9b_jPw/WB4oIpRxpwI/AAAAAAAAJyc/93zS8dw9NdYUwg_BYTie0B9jiMphlrawwCPcB/s1600/DSC_0038.JPG
Hi Mark yeah your right about the Jean Hoefler legs, I use all kinds of bits and bobs. Thanks for the info, I do have the Alliance War Trolls and the Tomb Warrior Skeletons and in fact ive mixed and matched up the Tomb W Skeletons to make more poses of these figures, Perhaps I can show them at another time. Not sure if I know what the Walmart tube is though? I’d like to have a look at them.
I made a mistake, Darren. I actually meant the Toys R Us Mythical Warriors tube: http://fantasytoysoldiers.blogspot.ca/2014/09/toy-major-true-legends-mythical.html
The figures were very nice, but except for the elf archer, most of them were closer to 45mm than 54mm.
Yes I have these as well Mark, I could be wrong but I think ive more or less got every Fantasy figure on the market, Which is why im making my own now. As far as scale goes the Good news is that some 30mm to 40mm scale Figures can actually be made up to 1/32 scale. What ive noticed is that some small figures are 1/32 scale except mainly for the legs. So I have actually started recently converting some 30mm to 40mm up to 50mm at least and some up to 55mm. Again with Pauls permission I would like to showcase these figures im working on later in the year and see what people think of them.
Love them! The only thing approaching fantasy stuff is the Medieval games I play with my son. Sometimes we stray into that area. I’d used MPC monsters and the Ray Harryhausen monsters for things. A few creations have been put together, but nothing like these. Excellent work!
I’m always thinking of ideas to make New figures. Thanks for the really nice comments.
Outstanding Darren, and I like that the paint jobs are clean without trying to be overly elaborate.
Hey Shaun thanks mate, Ive many more figures like these that I think you would like. Perhaps I will put more on soon with Pauls permission of course.
Yes we will be interested in more of your work.
Darren,
Really great looking figures. I would not want to meet any of them in a dark alley. Demon #3 is especially viciaus looking. Great fantasy figures! I think they could destroy my skeleton warrior army from Blue Box. Tehnolog has some nice looking fantasy figures and their pirates would be good conversion candidates for new demon or skeleton heads.
*vicious
Thanks Jon, I think I slightly overdid the Muscle size on Demon 3 but overall i’m Happy with him. Ive also got alot of Skeleton figures beefing up my Fantasy army including the BlueBox Skeletons. Theres quite a few other Skeletons out there if you wanted even more figures which include Tehnolog, Amscan, Demon Knight, And another make that escapes me at the moment. Yeah ive got lots of Tehnolog figures of which I also use many of to make other Monsters and Warriors with. I’m always thinking of new ideas for figures and thanks for the Pirate idea. Ive got plenty of other figures ive done and perhaps I will put more on soon.
I like the overblown muscle look on that figure! It makes him all the more grotesque! I’m now picturing these guys with glow in the dark eyes. I’m picturing hundreds of pairs of eyes in the near dark! Maybe that’s a step too far!?! That would give me nightmares, I think! I’m looking forward to more of your photos. I’ll have to check out the other skeleton figures.
Glad you like my figures Jon, I’m going away for a bit in a few days but when I get back I would love to put some more on for people like yourself to see, Ive got plenty more to show and ive been busy making these figures for a good few years now, But of course I will ask Paul first if its ok.
send me the pictures when you are ready.
Hi Jon the other make I couldn’t think of is Toy Major, They are Great looking figures and ive also converted quite a few of these to make other exciting poses.
Oh, yes; I have a hoard of these Toy Major guys! The AMSCAN figures are great! Unfortunately, they are a bit more costly than when they first came out, but still available on Amazon.com, so they are on order.
I’m looking for the Demon Knights. I couldn’t locate them but found photos for Skull Knights, which came out in the 1990s. (Photo half way down on this post and great looking figures! i think these are the ones you are talking about.)
http://fantasytoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2016/08/fantasy-army-men-time-line.html
I haven’t found those available so far.
Some of Armies in plastics brand Chinese boxers,Rangers and Sudan war warriors could be easy connverted as pirates.
The bold head monk figures sold as ninjas in wal mart too.
Best…
Hi Erwin I know the Armies in plastic figures that you mention, But i’m sure if I know the Monk figures in Walmart? Thanks for the ideas.
They were called Ninjas at Walmart. They were in the Ninjas vs. Pirates tube, but they had the bald heads of Shaolin Monks instead of Ninja cowls.
Darren, have you seen this yet?
http://fantasytoysoldiers.blogspot.com/2017/05/alliance-of-free-bad-ass-figures-that.html
Hi Mark yeah I think I know the Ninja figures that you and Erwin have mentioned and i’m pretty I have some of them.
Yeah Ive seen these figures on Shauns site and ive commented on them. There are some nice figures there that i’d like to own, But we will have to see how things go as getting hold of them appears to be a bit Aloof and Awkward at this time.
These Tehnolog figures look great! Tempting me to expand into other fantasy realms, you are.
Hi Jon I also think the Tehnolog figures look Great, My only gripe about them is most of these figures are in very boring poses which is one reason I do alot of converting as I like exciting poses mainly.
Yeah I like as many diverse figures as possible which is my aim to make a big and varied Fantasy Monster army which is something ive wanted since I was a kid.
Darre,will send pictures soon I get home tonight to you.
Meantime the link-BLOG posted by Mark under Ninjas or Kun-fu figures post sections has then I believe.
I’m not sure if they were sold there in UK.
best…
Thanks Erwin I think I know the figures you mean.
cool Darren then I do not need send pics.
By the way Darren I found other day a Cobra made by brand Terra ,it is big and perfect in standing action as the one seen in film (Conan) the first one.
I will send pics soon…I will try get it next to My Conan figure if I find it quick in my dungeon s..
best
I look forward to seeing it Erwin if you can find it in your Dungeon?
https://www.amazon.com/Skeleton-Warrior-Figures-4-dozen/dp/B01HT1KWKA/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1495953630&sr=8-5&keywords=oriental+trading+company+skeleton
Oriental Trading Company skeletons; These look similar to the Skull Nights Skeleton Soldiers shown on the fantasy Toy Soldiers site.
http://www.orientaltrading.com/web/browse/processProductsCatalog?sku=13673878
Also direct from the company.
By the way Jon I put some pictures on here of Warriors and more Fantasy figures about 1 year ago. So if haven’t seen them yet take a look if you want to. Just put in my name in the Search bar near the top of the screen.
Hi Jon Yeah your spot on with these Skeleton figures, When I brought them on ebay a couple of years ago they were under the name Demon Knights, But these Skull Knights are the same thing. The only thing is these Skull knights are slightly smaller than I wanted and some of them quite bendy, Also the Amscan skeletons are very bendy. So what ive done is cut many of these figures legs off and put them on the Toy Major skeletons which are Excellent for converting. So not only are the Skull Knight skeletons a bit taller but both the Skull Knights and the Amscan Skeletons are much sturdier and i’m very Happy with how they have come out, And as I said before it helps create more poses.
Those skeletons.
They come original hard plastic painted in 90s with botom brand mark.
Then been copied and clobed in differen t scales and material by many distributors.
They remainme of film SIMBAD when fight then .
I had then post here not long ago too by admin…
I lost where now…
Best..
That sounds like a good idea. I have read some of the reviews about the mishapen figures or weak material. using the Toy Major legs makes for much sturdier figures. I also liked how the guy used the skeleton horses and used the Amscan skeletons as cavalry. So far, i haven’t been able to find a source to get the horses. The Lego horses are available but just don’t look as good as the classic skeletal horses.
I’ll check for your previous article.
That’s right Erwin and also the Skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts, Its A Great Classic film but i’d love to see it remade, Although unfortunately Fantasy films dont seem to be doing very well at the cinema over the last couple of years.
Ray Harryhausen created so many excellent beasts for his movies. The skeleton warriors are by far the best. That is what I think about with these characters.
FYI on Hartland “horrible” creatures:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/HARTLAND-Plastics-hard-plastic-4-prototype-test-HORRIBLES-monster-alien-playset-/232351606894?hash=item36193c286e:g:OWEAAOSwK6RZKled
Conan, Beowulf, Sinbad the sailor, ect. I like the orcs, and war trolls. If you want a cool figure, you basically need to convert, or use a figure close to what your looking for. You can even articulate them. Swappable weapons, and accessories IE.. helmets, capes, etc.
McFarland did a sea creature that was really nice, he’s about 5 inches high though, but makes a great Grendel. The special Timmee indian with knife, ball and chain, makes a great conan, or barbarian figure.