Bob Naismith is a veteran wargames miniatures sculptor and designer whose career stretches back to 1976 and his time with Wargames Publications Scotland. Following his two year stint with the Scottish wargames company, Bob moved onto Naismith Design and Navwar, before embarking on close to a decade long association with Citadel Miniatures (Games Workshop). He then briefly worked for Grenadier Models, switching to a fully freelance role in 1990; a position he has worked in for the past thirty years. As a figure designer who is highly sought after, Bob’s clients over the years have included Games Workshop, Milton Bradley, Hasbro, Waddingtons, Bluebird Toys, Corgi, Grenadier Models, ICI, White Wolf, Ares, Fireforge, Gripping Beast, Old Glory, North Star Military Figures, Victrix, Shmidtspieler, PECO, Battlefront, Wargames Atlantic and many other model figure companies. His most recent project is Overrunners, a new independent venture which is currently being supported by a Patreon campaign (full details HERE).
The Original Rogue Trader! A Talk With Bob Naismith… Part 3 (continuing from Part 2).
Released in 2001, rather than using a rules system based around dice, Cobalt-1 used a method called The Solution; opposing players noted down numbers (from a Solution ‘range’, model specific) on a piece of paper, success was then achieved when numbers matched. Going against the grain of standard wargaming, the dice-less system of Cobalt-1 pushed some gamers too far out of their comfort zones.
Bob Naismith: Bob Naismith: I made the minis first. I wanted to create a ruleset that wasn’t mechanical in the same way as other games – I thought of the game Paper Stone Scissors and developed the system from there. We (my son and I) wanted the game to be interactive and make both players feel they had a role to play rather than just being target practice for the opponent half the time! I still think it was a good system and in fact was limitless in its scope – the equivalent of rolling a 66 million sided die if you wanted to!
Bob is a highly respected miniatures sculptor and designer and as a freelancer his services are much sought after. I was interested to ask Bob about two of his recent projects, Wargame Atlantic’s Raumjager models (product review HERE) and the Oathmark Wingless Dragon for North Star Military Figures. I was keen to find out about the inspiration Bob used for the respective model sets.
Bob Naismith: The design of the Raumjager models was from the brief of the guys at Wargames Atlantic, they gave me a text brief and a rough sketch and off I went! The years of making guns and armour is just in me now I think! I really enjoyed making them.
The Oathmark Wingless Dragon for North Star Military Figures, haha, that was a load of fun! This was done digitally, of course. Originally we (Nick Eyre and I) were looking for a Wyrm type critter but when we had it digital form it looked a wee bit weedy – it’s one of the great things about working with digital design, you can go back into the file and adjust it!
Bob Naismith’s latest project is a new range of 28mm futuristic figures, Overrunners. An enthusiastic fan of Robert Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, along with works from other authors such as EE ‘Doc’ Smith, this exciting venture is centred around Bob’s love of science fiction. Making his work available as STL files, Bob’s Overrunners models are ideal for using in games such as Warhammer 40,000, Necromunda, Beyond The Gates Of Antares and Warpath. The range of models should also appeal to non gamers too, serving as new additions for model and science fiction collectors.
Bob Naismith: Patreon are offering STL files of 28mm sci-fi figures, vehicles and accessories for gaming or collecting. Normally, most figs are around 31.5mm tall.
When you sign up you will get access to the welcome pack of my Overrunners Infantry files. Each month that you are a subscriber you will also get access to that months files folder which will have more sci-fi goodies. This folder will be deleted at the end of the month.
Scout level is the basic entry level of support – you can be involved by simply supporting my design progress. Each month I shall issue a report on what designs I have been working on.
Fighter level
At Fighter level you will have all of the Scout level benefits PLUS each month I will be making a new set of files available for download that month with some new files of designs that will expand upon or complement existing files. The report will include design notes.
Command level
At Command level you will have all of the benefits of Fighter level. I will also be making exclusive figs available only for this level and above – available for one month like the others. Also I will open up a channel for feedback so you can advise and assist me in the design process.
Prolific in his creative output, I asked Bob his future plans for Overrunners and what fans can expect to see next.
Bob Naismith: I have heavy infantry, plus the Reptos are being developed and will have their own vehicles and heavy infantry. I also have a set of canine ruffian types and then there are the Skumthugs – criminal gangers. There are aliens – the Drohknai, who are bio weapons, and the Skinnies. There are also sets of ‘fleet’ crewmen and women and a set of tech guys in laborsuits. Then there are some space zombies and the guys on a set of different jetbikes – I’m just having so much fun!
Utilising his sublime skills in digital design, Bob’s Overrunners range of models are superbly detailed and dynamically posed. From humans to aliens to vehicles, each Overrunners figure holds extra fine points of detail and character; faces are full of expressions and emotion, armour and battles suits are unique in their design and coldblooded aliens hold nightmarishly menacing and brutal forms.
A true legendary figure within the hobby, this is the third and final blog piece in my feature on Bob Naismith. In addition to all of the wonderful miniatures and products he has provided throughout his illustrious career, I would like to thank Bob for his time, efforts and contributions towards this blog. Thank you, Bob!
Bob Naismith official Patreon page HERE.
Watch a video of Bob’s Patreon project HERE.
Bob Naismith official website HERE.
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