"This Immensely Large Black Wolf Seems As Big As A Horse."

"It has fiery eyes, a thick coat of fur, and spikes crowning the top of its spine."

This 28mm scale Orr'ugs Wolf is produced by "Artisan Guild" and was downloaded for free as part of a multi-piece set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" subscription service. One of four different poses, this impressive sculpt was originally 80mm from nose to tail, but has actually been reduced in scale down to 'just' 45mm in "Chitubox" Basic to see whether it would work as a Dark Wolf for "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games".  

Initially I actually 3D printed four versions of the animal, ranging from 30mm, 35mm, 40mm and 45mm for a friend, so they could see which size they wanted to fit onto a 25mm circular base. In the end they went for the 40mm miniature, whereas I liked the notion of a larger beast sitting upon a 30mm circular stand. I still have a couple more wolves from "Warlord Games" Mythic Americas range to paint - to use as Dark Wolf proxies. However, I much prefer these figures in both size and detail, so may well print out another dozen or so at some point to use instead.

"The Kingdom of Great Britain (later the United Kingdom) was the most constant of France's enemies."

Produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer, the 'wandering monster' was primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and dry-brushed with plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. It was then shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before being lightly dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. The brute's eyes, teeth and claws were patiently picked out using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Two Thin Coats" White Star, and later washed with some "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson or Agrax Earthshade as appropriate.

In addition to my horror-themed 'test piece', I have also completed a second 28mm scale metal by “Wargames Foundry". Taken from their B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms set, the Napoleonic British soldier was predominantly pigmented using a combination of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Both of these colours were subsequently sploshed with some watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to add a little shadow here and there.

"Knight Models" WIPs - Batman's base topper along with Peacemaker and Eagly

I also applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the figure's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the Redcoat's bag. Lastly, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and some Gold on his shako plate. These areas were then darkened down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade respectively.

I've also been busy working on some more of the STLs provided by "Knight Models" as part of their "Batman Miniatures Game" Gotham Lord Tribe pledge on "My Mini Factory". Some of these models come on some incredibly detailed base toppers, so currently I'm slowly working my way through one for the Dark Knight himself, along with Peacemaker and his sidekick Eagly...

"I Will Enjoy Feasting On Your Bones!"

 "Bein' a reptile man ain't pretty."

This 35mm scale miniature of Killer Croc Thug is produced by "Knight Models" for their "Batman Miniature Game", and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file was part of the company's Gotham Lord Tribe pledge in September 2025 on "My Mini Factory", and also came with a base topper and 40mm lipped base (which was created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer).

Sculpted to depict Waylon Jones' scaly alter-ego in an intimidating, no-nonsense pose, the figure was primed using a couple of layers of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and had his shoes, belt and braces 'picked out' with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The super-villain's trousers were then given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before being sploshed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade in an effort to make them look like faded blue jeans.

"Black Site Studio" WIPs - These three Soviet Cosmonauts just need some shades and a tidy up

Killer Croc's flesh was first base coated with some "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and later shaded using "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and Agrax Earthshade. His scales were subsequently carefully dry-brushed with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. I also took this opportunity to patiently dot all the buckles on his braces using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, his vest was simply 'dirtied up' with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Staying with 3D prints, I have managed to get a bit more work done on a trio of Soviet Cosmonauts recently produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on my Mars 5 3D Printer. To be honest these particular figures have taken a lot longer than anticipated after initially pigmenting them all in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, as opposed to the "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet I used on their comrades-in-arms last year.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Still quite a bit of work needed on these remaining British Grenadiers

Obviously this meant I had to repaint all three sculpts from scratch as the red hue was noticeably different from that of my other Russians. However, as my colour scheme for these communist moon men is very straightforward they shouldn't take too much longer - and as I have a handful more NASA Astronauts printed too, I'm hoping to get at least half a dozen of these "Black Site Studio" STLs tabletop ready before the end of the month.

Lastly, I'm still 'soldiering on' with a few more British Grenadiers from the "Wargames Foundry" blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms. My enthusiasm for the Newark-based manufacturer's Napoleonic range has taken a little dent due to my planned trip up to their store being cancelled at the last minute by the facility experiencing electrical issues - and therefore having no lighting. I had been hoping to pick up a few more reinforcements for Wellington's Redcoats to help strengthen my resolve to get at least four of the fiddly soldiers finished. But I'll now have to wait until I make either a journey to East Stoke next year, or they hold a Christmas sale...

"The Red Coat Has Been The Iconic Symbol Of British Soldiery For Centuries..."

"...And even to this day remains an enduring part of the ceremonial dress of many British Army units."

This 28mm scale metal model is produced by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms set. The figure is one of eight identical Napoleonic British soldiers sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry found in the blister, and ultimately proved a real time-consuming challenge for me as I slowly worked out what colours I was going to apply to its considerable detail.

The miniature was primed using a couple of licks of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, and then had his boots, helmet and equipment all base-layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. With hindsight this was a bit of a mistake, as it seemingly took forever to 'pick out' all these details, and then go back and tidy up the white trousers etc. So in future I'll probably just undercoat the remaining Redcoats with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"In 2268, an asteroid threatened to collide with the planet Amerind." 

I also made the decision to pick a British unit who had red facings to help keep my palette a little simpler, and using my limited research chose to make the Grenadier a member of the 33rd "Wellington's Own" Regiment of Foot. This allowed me to pigment the entirety of the model's jacket in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and then wash both the coat and trousers with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I next applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the figure's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the chap's bag. In addition, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and later darkened it down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three "Lunar" 3D prints just need their equipment to be 'picked out'

In addition to my latest Napoleonic test piece I have also completed the last of my medium asteroids by "Fat Dragon Games". This serious chunk of space rock is included in the company's "Battlefront Valkyrie" Starter Set, and was produced using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer before being super-glued onto a 70mm round MDF base by "Warbases". 

The piece was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, base-layered using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and gave the asteroid (and its base) a much lighter dry-brush of Heavy Bluegrey. Finally, the model's stand was washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and flocked with a little 2mm tall Chilli Red static grass so I could also use it as scatter terrain for any future Moon/Mars surface battles too...

“Warlord Games" Showcase 2025

"Our HQ deep in the heart of wargaming’s spiritual home, Nottingham."

Having missed the last couple of Open Days at "Warlord Games" Headquarters in Nottingham, I thought a basic trip up to the manufacturer's store in Finch Close, Lenton was probably a bit overdue - especially as they've recently released their (new) Konflikt '47 Starter Set and I was curious to see what this latest edition contained. Happily, there was plenty of miniatures, as well as a fantastic tabletop featuring "the tabletop wargame of heroes, horrors, monsters, and mechs" on display in the shop, so I soon busied myself looking at all the different sculpts and factions.

Some of the models on display by Paul Sawyer and Craig Butler

The first thing to catch my eye though was the late great Paul Sawyer's British Airborne force. This purely historical army for "Bolt Action" was incredibly well painted, and packed full of some great looking characters - most notably a flamethrower who was clearly not taking any prisoners whatsoever. In addition, I was rather taken with the way Paul's prone soldiers appeared, as rather than just lying flat upon their stomachs, these guys still maintained the illusion of motion by wriggling about with their heads (and in some cases hands) up.

Next up was a truly terrifying collection of Axis men and monstrosities by Craig Butler. Admittedly, I first thought these gas-mask wearing soldiers and werewolves were Soviets due to the bright red palette colour choice used on their lapels, gloves and stockings. But it quickly became clear that they were all under the thrall of the mysterious Green Vault. I've previously pigmented a pack of "West Wind Productions" Secrets Of The Reich Jager Werewolves, so was incredibly taken with the sheer bulky size of three Schreckwulfen which were surrounding Sturmbannfuhrer Grauler.

"Konflikt '47 is the tabletop wargame of heroes, horrors, monsters, and mechs, putting you in command of the nightmarish struggle for supremacy."

My attention was also drawn to how well the new sculpts for Konflikt '47 tied in with the range's older units. I'm pretty sure I own an assortment of unpainted Schwertruppen troopers and Nachtjager myself, so was delighted to see "Warlord Games" showcasing such units too. Furthermore, a trio of Spinne Light Panzermechs reminded me that my 'pile of potential' probably housed a few more old vehicle kits than I cared to recollect - which should almost certainly be either opened or dusted down before I embark on any new purchases.

Some of the Winter Campaign American Forces on show at "Warlord Games" HQ

The last couple of collections to inspire me were a pair of winter U.S. armies. Snow-covered armour and support vehicles hold a strange place in my hobby-heart, as I really enjoy seeing the stark contrast between the bright white snow and the much more drab, darker colours of the soldiers' uniforms etc. Alongside Connor Hind's historical force, was a much more bloody affair featuring some US Firefly Jump Infantry, and a truly gore-splattered Kodiak Close Assault Walker.

"Warlord Games" Konflikt '47 display table

Finally, I had a good mooch at the store's aforementioned awesome Konflikt '47 display table. I was particularly keen to examine the Firefly Airborne Infantry on show as I have recently managed to pick up a copy of "Wargames Illustrated" #454, and it came with a sprue of the fast-flying Yanks. The layout really captured my imagination, and significantly fuelled my enthusiasm for the alternative universe World War Two game. Indeed, I hope to dig out a fair few of my older models from the loft to paint with my Americans once I have assembled them from the 28mm plastic sprue...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Black Site Studios" October 2025

"The peaceful dreams of Mankind bridging the stars was short lived."

As I have recently restarted 3D printing a number of models for "Lunar" by "Black Site Studios" - having finally finished painting all the resin cast miniatures I bought from them over four years ago, I thought I'd spend this coming month getting enough spacemen tabletop ready to actually have a game using "The Silver Bayonet" ruleset and some homebrew additions. Ideally, I'd therefore like to get at least three or four NASA Astronauts and Soviet Cosmonauts completed, as well as maybe even finally start assembling/pigmenting a number of Japanese and Chinese 'rocketeers' I purchased via UK stockist "Spectre Miniatures" in November 2024.

Alongside these figures I would also like to get some more of the various sized asteroids produced by "Fat Dragon Games" done. Now admittedly, these space rocks were sculpted to float about the galaxy for the company's (not) "Star Trek" starship battle game "Battlefront Valkyrie". But having decided to 3D print a number of them out using a "Bambu Lab" A1 mini and subsequently super-glue them to some 3mm thick MDF stands by "Warbases", I thought they'd also make excellent terrain pieces for the Moon's (or at least Mars') surface too.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three Soviet Cosmonauts have been shaded with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson

Sticking with the theme of taking scenic items and repurposing them for conflicts in outer space, I've dug out three bags of Shell Holes by "Magnetic Displays". Designed to populate a battlefield, I intentionally bought them to use as impact craters on the moon, and plan to use them as difficult terrain - which will need to be jumped over entirely if the astronaut doesn't want to be slowed down - for my homebrew rules.

Lastly, I perhaps rather ambitiously aim to continue ploughing through my vast backlog of "Wargames Foundry" miniatures and get at least another four Napoleonic soldiers ready for some "Black Powder" or "The Silver Bayonet". I'm particularly keen to get a quartet of British infantrymen ready for a matt varnish, as I seem to have been 'picking away' at the contents of the Newark-based manufacturer's Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms blister for more months than I care to remember.

September 2025 - Wargames Foundry surprisingly takes to the top spot

On paper, September showed just a small improvement over my previous period's productivity, and was therefore rather disappointing in some ways. However, quite astonishingly I did manage to polish off half a dozen Napoleonic Austrians, and get another eight ready for my brush-tip when the time arrives. This really was quite a shock to be honest, as I always find the heavily detailed Perry sculpts to really eat into my limited hobby time. My (limited) success with the range though has meant that "Black Tree Design" have at long last been toppled from the top spot as my favourite company of 2025 - for now at least.

As to the future, I would have thought "Knight Models" monthly release through "My Mini Factory" for their "Batman Miniatures Game" will certainly begin to make itself felt on my hobby table. I've still got a long way to go to finish all thirty-one figures included in their opening file for Tribes, and have since received thirteen more on top of that...

"The Right Stuff..?"

 "That's what they used to be called."

This 32mm resin miniature is produced by "Black Site Studios", and forms part of the Lunar Core Game pre-order I made with the American-based manufacturer just over four years ago in July 2021. However, the model is currently available as either part of the five-figure set SKU: LNR6809BSS - NASA Astronauts, or the manufacturer's Two-Player Starter Box, and was assembled using elements taken from the numerous hands, weapons and equipment pieces which came inside my old starter box.

Prior to painting, the spaceman was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, rather than one of the bases which came with the kit, and then equipped him with a large monkey wrench, as well as what I initially thought was a storage container. As I actually plan to use this range for a homebrew version of "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games", I thought I could simply paint his box white, and 'turn him' into a Doctor - and indeed, that is still my plan for the chap. But I have since seen the game's Item Card "Explosive Charge", which suggests the device he's carrying is disconcertingly meant to be a bomb.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three Soviet Cosmonauts have been primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Red

The miniature was undercoated with a couple of licks of "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drenched in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue. I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to a piece of insulation material running along the edge of the astronaut's backpack so as to potentially break up the monotony of the rocketeer's palette a little bit. This didn't turn out half as well as I had hoped though, due to the colour's hue being a little too close to the predominant colour to stand out - especially once they'd both been sploshed with the same "Citadel" Colour Shade.

The American's hand-weapon was simply based coated with Citadel "Abaddon Black", layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and later washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. For his medical kit, I gave both the box and its straps a few applications of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, and subsequently shaded the entire area with some heavily watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I also added a Red Cross emblem onto it so as to better mark the figure out as a medic - a task easier said than done as the decal was rather old and frustratingly came in two separate parts: the plain white circle and the red cross.

"Knight Models" WIPs - Killer Croc just needs a dry-brush and some tidying up before being finished

Perhaps unsurprisingly as I'm in something of a "Lunar" mood, I have 3D printed, based and primed three (more) Soviet Cosmonauts on my "Elegoo" Mars 5 in Water Washable Resin. I managed to pick up these STL (Standard Triangle Language) files at a reduced price in December last year, and frankly don't think much of them at all due to their being no customisation options, as well as them being somewhat smaller than the company's resin cast models.

Far more impressive have been all the "Batman Miniatures Game" figures I have received from "Knight Models" as part of my Gotham Lord Tribe on "My Mini Factory". In particular, I've really been enjoying pigmenting their Killer Croc Thug sculpt, and hope to have Waylon Jones' scale-covered alter-ego tabletop ready within the next few days...

"In The Early Anglo-Saxon Period Most Of Essex Was Covered By Forests."

"So meadow lands suitable for producing good hay were rare and valuable."

This 32mm scale model of a (medium) Anglo-Saxon Haystack was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer, and is available as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file from the "Last Sword Miniatures" webstore. Measuring 100mm in height and approximately 75mm in width, the piece of scenery was super-glued onto a 80mm circular MDF base by "Warbases". I also drilled five holes into the base just in case there was still any uncured resin inside the hollow print, which could allow any lingering fumes to properly vent.

Unfortunately during the printing process (where I was printing two of the model on a single plate) a few of the supports failed around one of the haystack's timber legs and caused it to mis-print the bottom of it. Luckily, the rest of the sculpt turned out fine, so I was able to simply cut away the offending part with a modelling knife, and use some Green Stuff to build up the ground around it so as to cover over the gap.

"They wore fur caps, white uniform and white breeches, and short black gaiters."

The model was undercoated using a couple of licks of “Vallejo” Dark Yellow and enthusiastically drenched in “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. It was then heavily dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Dark Yellow and a little (lighter-coloured) Buff. The haystack's poles were simply given a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, darkened down using a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and finally highlighted back up with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

In addition to my second of several planned haystacks, I have completed another Napoleonic Austrian by "Wargames Foundry". This 28mm metal sculpt is from their AN026 German Grenadiers 1805-15 Marching blister and was undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I then applied a base layer of "Two Thin Coats" White Star to his uniform, and washed it with a little heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to bring out its details.

"Knight Models" WIPs - Killer Croc just needs his scaly hide completed

I next applied a combination of "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to the infantryman's collar, cuffs, waist-band, helmet and turnbacks, before 'picking out' his water bottle and bayonet with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The Grenadier's sabre hilt, scabbard tip, ammunition pouch and helmet plate were simply pigmented using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, I added a smidgeon of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and Wyvern Green to the miniature's head plume and later washed these areas with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade and Nuln Oil respectively.

Despite all these time-consuming details I've also made more progress on my Killer Croc Thug by "Knight Models". This "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin 3D figure has really caught my imagination, and as I'm planning on using it for my own 'homebrew' rules rather than the official "Batman Miniatures Game" - which apparently requires a phone app to play - I may well print out a couple more of the hulking bruiser for my tabletop to use as scaly minions for a 'bigger' Waylon Jones sculpt, once this one is finished...