Chopper & Trader - Trollgrim Spacefarers

The lack of space trolls in the 40k universe is a glaring omission when you consider that so many other fantasy ranges were ported across. Space elves rub shoulders with space orcs, while space ogres try to avoid stepping on space halflings. Of course, lack of an official model doesn't stop people from making their own amazing space trolls (Mr Papafakis, I'm looking at you!).

All that said, I hadn't given much thought to my own space trolls until a couple of months ago when I stumbled on a sextet of Newbold World Trollgrim at a wargames show. I wouldn't blame you if you were unaware of Newbold World - it was (and still is) a world-building project, involving art, poetry, fiction and miniatures. For a brief period in the early 2000s, a small range of 45mm miniatures were produced, including Trollgrim sculpted by Bob Olley. The Trollgrim comprised 8 for a pulp-type setting and 6 spacefarers - you can check these out over at the Bob Olley Wiki. Needless to say, the Newbold World miniatures range is long OOP, although you can still check out the other elements of the setting over at DeviantArt.

So when I saw these fantastic figures priced at just £1.50 each, it was a no brainer to pick them up!

Coincidentally, shortly after I bought the figures, a painting competition was launched on the Oldhammer Facebook group to paint up Bob Olley figures. It seemed the perfect opportunity to paint up a couple of my Trollgrim!

I chose to paint up Chopper and Trader - both more traditional hulking troll types with big heavy calibre guns. I decided to give them a vaguely mercenary feel, with some military equipment teamed with more individual elements.

I painted Trader with a military green knapsack and webbing, teamed with a white t-shirt and mustard coloured trousers.

I borrowed the skin colour and reddened knuckles, nose, ears and elbows very heavily from Asslessman's ogres and trolls.

With Chopper I went for an orange vest (the same colour I used on Trader's topknot) and attempted some desert camo on his trousers.

I'm really pleased with both how they came out and how pleasurable they were to paint. The details were crisp and clear and the figures are full of texture and character - just look at their faces!

Size-wise, they do tower over 28mm figures, and would probably even intimidate a Rogue Trader ogryn. But they're space trolls, so being big and scary is alright by me!

"Dere were people here a minute ago Chopper. I wonder why dey ran away?"