(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Black Site Studios" November 2024

"Lunar is a skirmish game that pits rival crews of astronauts against one another."

Whilst I was extremely tempted to dedicate another month of hobby time towards my ongoing Napoleonic project using "Wargames Foundry" 28mm figures - especially when I've just received plenty of reinforcements from both "eBay" and the Newark-based manufacturer themselves - I thought it might be more prudent to focus upon my slow-burning collection of "Lunar" miniatures by "Black Site Studio" for November instead. To that end I'm planning on not only completing my force of Soviet Cosmonauts. But also assembling, pigmenting and getting tabletop ready a similarly-sized team of American Astronauts too.

In addition, I picked up plenty of resin scenery whilst visiting Colours 2024 in September, and intend to turn the various packs of unpainted Shell Holes by "Magnetic Displays" into various clusters of moon craters. This should at least give my spacemen something to fight over, as I continue to contemplate picking up some of the digital STL (Standard Triangle Language) file downloads "Black Site Studio" offer on their website - including a 110mm tall Soviet LK Lander and a crashed Lunar Roving Vehicle (LRV).

"Warbases are proud to present these simple movement trays for your troops."

Of course, that doesn't mean for a second that I'm totally dropping my interest in the Napoleonic era for the next four weeks, as I have a quartet of partially-painted British figures taken from packet B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms earmarked for completion. I've actually been a bit remiss when it comes to putting my brush-tip to any Redcoats, having always been put off by the red and white colour combination. So hopefully, this particular handful of soldiers will help me devise a method for tackling many more similarly uniformed infantrymen in the future.

Furthermore, I've started working on a number of MDF movement trays purchased from "Warbases" so I can hopefully play some games of "Black Powder" (lite) in the near future. To begin with I have only bought some four-figure (tiny unit) and eight-men (small units) stands, as I don't currently envisage having any larger units that these. But before this five-year project has concluded I'd like to think I'll be combining a few trays to make significantly larger companies for my tabletop.

October 2024 - No change in the standings for my favourite manufacturers over the past month

Somewhat disagreeably, the past month has not seen me as productive as I would have hoped. This lack of fruitfulness is an issue I lay somewhat squarely at the feet of the time-consuming, and occasionally intimidating, early Nineteenth Century historical models I'm currently obsessed with. Though I had felt that the much more straightforward "Lunar" offerings would somewhat off-set the time it takes me to finish the likes of a Dutch Grenadier - even when I omit many a brass button and baggage strap.

November should be a little different as I have several much more simpler sculpts to pigment, including a load of 3D prints by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". Indeed, I'm planning on cranking out quite a few resin creatures using my Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, including a few mutilated monsters for the currently highly popular Trench Crusade universe - such as a Lord of Tumors and gaggle of disgusting Grail Thralls...

"The Soviet Union..."

 "...Developed a proud and complex relationship with space travel."

These two 32mm resin Russian Astronauts are produced by "Black Site Studios", and form part of the Lunar Core Game pre-order I made with the American-based manufacturer way back in July 2021. These days the figures are available as either part of the five-figure set SKU: LNR6805BSS - Soviet Cosmonauts, or the manufacturer's current Two-Player Starter Box, and were painstakingly put together from an almost overwhelming number of tiny pieces which came inside the starter box.

Both spacemen were super-glued to "Citadel" 30mm circular stands, as opposed to one of the bases which came with the kit, and then armed with an assortment of equipment to best illustrate their role. I'm actually planning on using the miniatures for "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" with some homemade rules to represent fighting on a lunar surface, so opted to make one model an officer and the other a Champion of Faith.

"With the U.S.S.R. starting at a severe disadvantage due to their losses sustained during World War Two."

For the Commander I opted for an S8-Laser Pistol and piece of Ceramic Plating (to use as a makeshift shield of some kind). For the communist zealot I decided to give him a Markam S11 handgun and a (incredibly bendy) flag. These ensembles were then undercoated with plenty of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet, drenched in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet.

Due to wanting the U.S.S.R. flag to appear slightly different in hue to the Soviet suits, I applied a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Red to the actual banner, and after a "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson shade, had been planning to adorn it with a Russian star or two from a "Decal Details" transfer sheet. However, despite the decal being tremendously tiny, the folds sculpted into the actual flag made it absolutely impossible for anything, no matter how small, to stick to it. So after a few attempts I decided to leave it bare.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - One of four Austrian Jaegers getting some early attention

Luckily, the pole and pistols were much easier to complete, having first been carefully base-layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and later "Vallejo" Gunmetal. The Commander's shield, which I imagined had been pillaged from his Space Shuttle's thermal protection system, was painted in "Scale 75" Cobalt Alchemy. All these areas were subsequently treated to a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, with the high-temperature reusable surface insulation (HRSI) tiles receiving a dry-brush of (more) "Scale 75" Cobalt Alchemy to help bring out all the shield's details.

In addition to these two Soviet Cosmonauts, I have also been busy cleaning up, prepping and priming a handful of figures from the "Wargames Foundry" blister AN038 Jaegers 1805-15 Running. I actually picked ten of these identical miniatures up from "eBay" following the company's recent price rise, and plan to incorporate them into a quite significantly-sized Napoleonic Austrian project I'm quietly putting together in the background for next year...

"Its Name Means Bonnet De Courrier..."

 "...And it was used by the wagon and carriage drivers, to protect their heads and ears from rain."

This 28mm scale metal model is produced by “Wargames Foundry", and can be bought as part of their eight-figure FN137 - Late Fusiliers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoats And Assorted Headgear Marching blister. The miniatures are crafted by Michael and Alan Perry, with the majority of the sculpts shown wearing a Pokalem forage cap.

The infantryman was undercoated using a mixture of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before his numerous leather straps were slowly layered with "Two Thin Coats" White Star. These areas were later 'weathered' with some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Originally, the unit had been raised as Grenadiers of the Royal Guard of Holland in 1806."

I next applied some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to the Frenchman's greatcoat, as well as dabbed at both his water bottle and trousers with Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The musket's butt and other wooden elements were treated to a lick or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and a splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, the firearm's metal parts received a line of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Finally, I gave the weapon's bayonet a quick dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo Gunmetal to help it stand out, and carefully applied a combination of Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to the Fusilier's headwear. The hat was finished off with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. Whilst I doused the soldier's coat in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and carefully dry-brushed the garment with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three Soviet Cosmonauts' equipment is being 'picked out'

In addition to my latest Napoleonic Frenchman, I have also completed a second model taken from the blister FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching. This particular "Wargames Foundry" figure was largely pigmented using a similar palette to that of the Late Fusilier; albeit I did use my usual 'team-up' of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson on the model's epaulettes, bearskin tassel and grenadier emblem.

Furthermore, I've manage to put a brush-tip to the three remaining Soviet Cosmonauts I own by "Black Site Studios". Due to the very straightforward colour scheme I've selected for these Russian astronauts, the vast majority of the resin miniatures is actually now completed - leaving me with just their various weapons and equipment to finish off before they're tabletop ready...

"After Tracking A Launch From Deep Inside The U.S.S.R...."

 "...The United States and her allies downplayed the possibility that it was a lunar landing attempt."

This 32mm resin Russian Astronaut is produced by "Black Site Studios", and forms part of the Lunar Core Game pre-order I made with the American-based company way back in July 2021. These days the figure is available as either part of the five-figure set SKU: LNR6805BSS - Soviet Cosmonauts, or the manufacturer's current Two-Player Starter Box, and was painstakingly put together from an almost overwhelming number of tiny pieces which came inside the starter box.

Super-glued to a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, as opposed to one of the bases which came with the kit, I gave the spaceman what I believe to be a "mass shotgun", and undercoated the ensemble with lots of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. The 'official' colour scheme repeatedly used within the skirmish game's rulebook strongly suggests that the Eastern Bloc's suits are actually predominantly pinkish-brown with red trim and blue gloves/boots.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two more Dutch Grenadiers are currently on the painting table

However, as I wanted a simple palette for my 'comrades' which wouldn't be too time-consuming to get on the tabletop, as well as being readily recognisable as Russian, I just splattered the astronaut with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed him with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. I then 'picked out' the Soviet cosmonaut's helmet visor with some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and later returned to this area using a combination of Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly, the figure's firearm was given a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The illustration on the hand-weapon's item card suggested that part of it was also red. But having already used this colour on the astronaut (as well as using a red flock for my Martian/Moon basing) I thought this was probably overkill - so just left the entire shotgun metallic.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Blucher's horse has been layered in "Two Thin Coats" Carchardon Grey"

With so straightforward a second addition to my Lunar collection completed, I've found myself with more time to progress the remaining two Napoleonic figures I want to get finished before this month ends. Both identical sculpts come from the "Wargames Foundry" packet FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching, and should prove useful for both some Black Powder (lite) and Silver Bayonet.

Furthermore, now my latest (and probably last for quite some time) order from the Newwark-based company has arrived, I thought I'd also tackle a cavalry model - selecting Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher himself from the Prussian blister PN055A Field Marshall Blucher with Generals Gneisenau, Yorck and Kleist. I plan to place all my horsemen upon "Citadel" 40mm circular bases - as per The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game by "Games Workshop". This should mean that I can use the general both as an army commander, as well as simply fit him into a cavalry unit if the mood takes me...

"The Dutch Grenadiers..."

"...Were A French Imperial Guard Regiment During The Napoleonic Wars."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their identical eight-figure blister FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching. The company's Napoleonic French range was sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry, and I picked this set up in person when I was lucky enough to visit the manufacturer's store in Newark, late last year.

The "assault-specialist soldier" was originally primed using a mixture of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before trousers and various leather straps were layered with "Two Thin Coats" White Star and later 'dirtied-up' with some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to the miniature's winter-coat, as well as patiently began 'picking out' all the details around his waist - such as his drinking bottle, sword and ammunition pouch.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Three more Dutch Grenadiers at various stages of completion

Of particular note was the tassel tied around on the Dutch Grenadier's sword-hilt, which was going to be "Vallejo" Heavy Red. However, as I was simultaneously working on some Soviet Cosmonauts by "Black Site Studio" at the time, I ended up carefully tracing the detail out with a combination of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson instead.

Nonetheless I did use my usual 'team-up' of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson on the model's epaulettes, bearskin tassel and grenadier emblem. I was also planning on applying a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star to the actual grenade detail on the headpiece too. But the raised surface wasn't as clear or centrally-placed as my obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) would have liked, so I decided against tackling such a frustrating-looking extra.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Nick Fury is predominantly being painted from the base up

I had recently started plonking a few more 40mm scale plastic super-heroes by "CoolMiniOrNot" back into my painting queue in anticipation of receiving my Marvel United: Multiverse pledge (via Kickstarter). Sadly, the vast majority of my enthusiasm for such a project has been utterly obliterated by CMON's recent admission that they've inexplicably misplaced almost 400 orders - my own included - in China. So whilst the vast majority of the campaign's twenty-one thousand supporters have received their goodies, mine are still languishing on the other side of the planet in East Asia.

Ordinarily, such a massive disappointment would be the end of a painting plan, as I have plenty of other lead (or plastic, or resin) mountains to chip away at. However, on this occasion I still fancied ticking a few of Stan Lee's finest off of my list, so thought I'd give Nick Fury a lick or two of my brush-tip - albeit this particular sculpt features the reimagined leader of S.H.I.E.L.D. as created by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch for the 2002 limited series "The Ultimates", as opposed to the original, cigar-chomping Howling Commando.

"A Pie-Shaped Blue Cap With A Folding Neck-Flap..."

 "...The Pokalem could be fastened under the chin."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their eight-figure FN137 - Late Fusiliers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoats And Assorted Headgear Marching blister. The miniatures are crafted by Michael and Alan Perry, with the majority of the sculpts shown wearing a Pokalem forage cap.

The infantryman was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before his various leather straps were slowly layered with "Two Thin Coats" White Star. These areas were subsequently shaded with some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Lots of detail yet to be picked out on these Dutch Grenadiers

I next applied some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to the Frenchman's greatcoat, as well as dabbed at his water bottle with a smidgeon of Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The musket's butt and other wooden elements, as well as his pants, were treated to a brushstroke of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, the firearm's metal parts received a line or two of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Furthermore, I gave the weapon's bayonet a quick dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo Gunmetal to help it stand out, and carefully applied a combination of Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to the Fusilier's headwear. The hat was finished off with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. Whilst I doused the soldier's coat in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and carefully dry-brushed the garment with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPS - A quartet of British Late Line Infantrymen (Flank Company)

With my eyes already set upon how many more hobby hours I have remaining for this month, I have also been picking away at the tiny unit of Old Guard I want to field come October's end. This quartet will consist of figures taken from the blister FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry", and are actually proving rather time-consuming to progress despite me purposely purchasing the grognards wearing long coats.

In addition, I simply haven't been able to resist doing a little work on the four British Grenadiers I aim to get tabletop ready during November. These days I really like settling down with a miniature which has already been half-started in some manner or another, so I wanted to get some basic colours on a handful of these models from packet B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms - as well as pilot two different techniques for working my way up their white and red palette...

"On July 20, 1967 Alexei Levanov Became The First Man To Set Foot On The Moon..."

"...Securing a triumph for the CCCP and cementing Soviet Russia's place as the victor of the Space Race."

This 32mm resin Russian Astronaut is produced by "Black Site Studios", and forms part of the Lunar Core Game pre-order I made with the American-based company way back in July 2021. These days I believe the figure is available as either part of the five-figure set SKU: LNR6805BSS - Soviet Cosmonauts, or the manufacturer's current Two-Player Starter Box, and was patiently assembled from an almost overwhelming number of tiny pieces which come with the kit.

Permanently attached to a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, I equipped the fellow with what appears to be an Avtomat Kalashnikova-47 rifle, and undercoated him with plenty of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. The 'official' paint scheme appears to show the Eastern Bloc spacesuits being a pinkish-brown in colour with red trim and blue gloves/boots. However, I wanted a simple palette for my guys which wouldn't be too time-consuming to get on the tabletop and could readily be recognised as being Russian.

"The reform of the Prussian army was begun by Gerhard von Scharnhorst."

Resultantly, the astronaut was sploshed in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. I then 'picked out' the spaceman's helmet visor with some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and later returned to the area using a combination of Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally the figure's firearm was given a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I had planned on dabbing a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on some of the AK-47's wooden areas. But frankly the weapon was so tiny that I felt that leaving it well enough alone was a far saner option.

With the first of my five Soviet Cosmonaut's completed, I have found the time to push on my long-term Napoleonic project, and finish the last of the Prussian soldiers from blister PN063 Infantry in Peaked Cap Marching by "Wargames Foundry". As with all his identical comrades-in-arms, the 28mm metal figure was largely pigmented using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, Stormy Blue, Heavy Red, Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal and a selection of "Citadel" Shades.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Four Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching

Somewhat disconcertingly I was recently contacted by "the home of 28mm wargaming miniatures" to be informed that some quite considerable price rises are to be brought in later this month. Upon hearing such news I have submitted a significantly sizeable order with them and begun re-evaluating my painting plans for the next few months as I'm soon to be swamped with all sorts of French, British, Prussian, Russian and Austrian soldiers.

My revised intention is to stringently put a brush-tip to at least four Napoleonic figures per month for the foreseeable future. This might seem a small number compared to some wargamers who rattle off regiments of 24 or 32 infantrymen in a week or so. But to someone who regularly only completes 10-15 miniatures a month, that's actually quite a significant portion of my hobby time. Leading this charge, and frankly being crammed into an already rather optimistically overloaded October, will be a quartet of soldiers from FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching...