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Personal Data
Name: Kurt Krols. Fantasy Armies:
Dwarfs, Dark Elves, Bretonnia, Dogs of War. How I started WarhammerI have built scale models ever since I was about 12 years old. It all started with 1/72 airplane models bought in the local bookshop. Soon I explored modern jet fighters as well as World War II hunters. After a few models I wanted to have another challenge and decided to realize a dream that I had a few years before when I was playing with some toy tanks and soldier figures : I wanted to make a diorama of the battle of the Bulge ! So I got started with some tanks and soldiers also on 1/72. Soon I had a hardboard plank seized about 1,5 m x 0,80 m lying in a corner of my bedroom. And I have to admit that after a few years -richer in experience but also in the number of models on my diorama- the result looked good. I had a large number of tanks (all different types which was not really realistic but what the heck…!), a torrent with a bridge laying tank, a railway, a city ruin, some woods and a large number of soldiers fighting each other (all painted in detail as far as this was possible with 1/72 guys and a limited painting experience!). Another few years later, at the time when Thierry Boutsen was racing in formula 1, I decided to built some F1 cars on 1/35 range by Tamya and this is also the way I discovered that with this scale you could add far more details. A few tanks on 1/35 and some other racing cars followed soon after. While I “was serving my country” in my compulsory military service, another important step on the way to Warhammer-“stardom” was set : a conscript who also stayed at the base during the week only to return home in the weekend was playing hero quest and star quest. But more important : he painted all of the figures that were delivered with these boxes ! As I already had both of the games : I started painting them too ! With the Gulf War (let’s already add “one” to this concept as the second on will soon be started !) breaking news on all channels, I decided to build some tanks (on 1/35) and planes (on 1/48) and this is when I discovered all new painting techniques that I still use now… When we moved in 1996 to the house where we still live now, I met my neighbor's son and when he saw me moving my models, he was immediately enthusiast and bought his first scale model soon after our first meeting. As you might have guessed, this guy turned up to be Iano, one of the initial three money wolves. And it was in fact the “third wolf”, Stefano who initiated the final step to playing Warhammer ! I already had seen Warhammer models and the fifth edition box during a journey in Germany. I discovered a shop with the show-window filled with figures, blisters, boxes,… that was closed when we passed it at the start of our visit to that particular town. As by divine intervention, a sheer meeting with fate (or was it simply me abusing my built-in compass to persuade my wife to return on our steps?) we passed the same shop again on our way back … only to find it closed again ! A few days later, my wife and I had again a meeting with fate when we were visiting a big toy shop in another town. You have to know that my wife is a teacher in a infant school and toy shops are difficult to pass without going in … Of course, I sacrifice myself and follow her unwillingly (no, I do not hope to find a big Warhammer department !). While she was on the ground floor, I could not resist the temptation to go down in the basement where I discovered a huge offer of Warhammer figures. While my wife visited the other floors, my soul was sold to Warhammer although I did not buy anything because my wife advised me against buying something without knowing what it was. She advised me to wait until we were back in Belgium and until I was better informed. She was of course right : if not for her intervention I had bought an ugly Orc on a wyvern together and some elfish thing… Not bad for a combination, right ? A few weeks after, I met Stefano for the first time : our shared interest and sense for jokes and other stupid reactions created the right mix in the crucible for Warhammer. When we met for the second time, Stefano said “I think I saw a game that you will like” while I was saying “Hey Steven, I want to tell you about a game in a red box with yellow letters…” We had found our grail, the quest ended and the games started… And Iano ? Well, logically he discovered Warhammer soon after we had bought our 5th edition boxes, he started building an high elf army, while I expanded my Bretonnian army. Later we created the money wolves (see for the history 'How it all started') and Kaj joined our group. |
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Argentum Non Habemus, Aurum Sed Valemus
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