"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...

"So Passes Denethor..."

 "...Son of Ecthelion."

This 28mm scale metal model of Denethor was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be purchased in a single figure blister from the company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Nowadays, the OOP (Out Of Production) sculpt has seemingly been replaced by a finely detailed resin "expert kit", so I'm grateful I actually picked my old miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago.

The Steward of Gondor was undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before having his cloak roughly shadowed using plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then base-layered his chain mail in "Vallejo" Gunmetal, splashed the meshed armour with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal to help bring out all the small metal rings linked together.

"The backwardness of Prussia was revealed by the disaster of 1806."

"A man of great will, foresight, and strength, but also overconfident", the ruler's leather belt was treated to a thin line of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, whilst I 'picked out' his belt buckle and sword hilt with "Vallejo" Gold. Both of these areas were later doused in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to help darken them down. I also carefully traced my brush tip across all of Denethor's fur lining with plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before dousing it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and finally highlighting it with a careful dry-brush of (more) Vallejo Heavy Bluegrey.

As I hoped to make the hair of "the first son and third child of Ecthelion II" stand out a little from all this grey, I covered it in "Two Thin Coats" White Star and an application of the "Citadel" Contrast paint Black Templar. I next dry-brushed it in (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats", darkened it down with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and lastly gave a a second highlight with some (extra) patiently placed "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - This Shoggoth has been primed, base-layered and shaded

Despite Denethor actually taking quite a bit longer to get tabletop ready than I had initially thought - as I had hoped he was just a predominantly black-palette project - I have completed a seventh Napoleonic Prussian soldier from the set 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.

Furthermore, whilst digging around an especially long-forgotten box of miniatures, I stumbled across a part-resin part-metal Shoggoth by "North Star Military Figures", which I thought might be good for "The Silver Bayonet" rule-set. I actually believe I bought this little set way back in 2018, when I physically visited their premises in Lenton Boulevard, Nottingham. So it's probably high time I got some paint on the brute regardless...

"The Pokalem Was Introduced In 1812..."

"...And replaced the bonnet de police."

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 Frenchman was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before his trousers and painfully numerous leather straps were patiently 'picked out' with "Two Thin Coats" White Star. These areas were subsequently shaded with some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

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

I then pigmented the soldier's greatcoat with some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and water bottle in Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The musket's butt and other wooden elements were treated to a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Before its metal parts received a line or two of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

In addition, I gave the model'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. Having scoured a few examples of the Pokalem I soon became aware that the hat was ordinarily covered in red braid-work and bore the regimental number or élite company badge. Happily, in my mind at least, none of this intricate detail was actually present on the figure itself - nor any of its comrades-in-arms - so for time and sanity's sake, I simply stuck to the forage cap being blue and finished it off with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. Lastly, I doused the man's coat in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and quite meticulously dry-brushed the garment with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Black Site Studios" WIPS - Three Soviet Cosmonauts

With my latest long-term Napoleonic project combatant completed, I've turned my attention towards pigmenting another tiny unit of French soldiers, this time using a quartet of models plucked from the Nottingham-based manufacturer's FN175 - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadiers In Greatcoat Marching blister. I still remember plucking these guys off of the rack whilst visiting "Wargames Foundry" this time last year, and smugly believing they'd prove a 'quick win' to paint as they were wearing long coats. You can therefore imagine my dismay to discover that around the back of the sculpts - which I couldn't see at the time - they are still festooned with plenty of straps, as well as the necessary leatherwork to hold their bayonet scabbard and sabre-briquet.

To help soften this blow, and provide me with something significantly simpler to put my brush-tip to, I have also dabbled a bit more with the five Soviet Cosmonauts I own by "Black Site Studios". I've now managed to get the majority of the Russian astronauts' metallics completed, and hope to have those just carrying firearms finished within a short(ish) while...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Wargames Foundry" October 2024

"The Coalition forces of the Napoleonic Wars were composed of Napoleon Bonaparte's enemies."

Ordinarily at this time of year I'd be busily setting aside some undead-themed miniatures for Zomtober. However, with my obsession for Napoleonic wargaming still going strong, I felt it would be more prudent to simply continue focusing upon my collection of 28mm early Nineteenth Century soldiers by "Wargames Foundry". Admittedly, I am finding myself increasingly distracted by some of the other figures I own, such as the "Lunar" range by "Black Site Studios". But my desire to field a significantly-sized game involving both La Grande Armée and some Coalition forces in the semi-near future is still spurring me on.

Furthermore, I am now completely falling under the spell of "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games", and the rule-set's official line of models produced by "North Star Military Figures". I've already managed to rattle off a couple of these monster hunters from the United States Unit I purchased whilst at "Colours 2024", and fully intend to finish the remaining six members of my team before I attend "Warfare 2024" in November. Indeed, one of my main reasons for travelling to the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre in the near future will be to pick up a couple more warbands, and a few of the supernatural creatures they may well encounter on their adventures.

"Napoleon's overwhelming defeat of the Prussians in the battle of Jena was followed by the rapid collapse of the state."

This interest in "Napoleonic Gothic Horror" has also caused me to dust down my "Elegoo" Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, and spend a few days meticulously adjusting all its settings so that it can once again produce many more successful models than failures. I've rather neglected this 'revolutionary' machine during the past year. So when I was recently asked to print the ('not Silver Bayonet') French Unit by "Koolkiwi Miniatures" for a friend, I thought I'd take the opportunity to additionally load up a fair few STL (Standard Triangle Language) files I fancy for my own tabletop too.

To get the ball properly rolling for this month though I have cracked on and completed a sixth Napoleonic Prussian soldier from the set PN063 Infantry in Peaked Cap Marching by "Wargames Foundry". As with all his identical comrades-in-arms, the figure was predominantly pigmented using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, Stormy Blue, Heavy Red, Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal and a selection of "Citadel" Shades.

September 2024 - "Wargames Foundry" rises on a wave on Napoleonic wargaming fervour

Rather encouragingly, the past four weeks have been the third most productive period of the year so far, and have definitely helped me edge ever closer to a game of "Black Powder" by "Warlord Games". In addition to simply completing a number of historical figures, I have also managed to get some wandering creatures for Silver Bayonet tabletop ready - in the guise of some Great Big Bellicose Bears, as well as scratched a few minor itches concerning "Planet Of The Apes" and "The Lord Of The Rings".

However, I do feel that things may well change over the coming days. Whilst I'm perfectly content to stick to "North Star Military Figures" and "Wargames Foundry" for my Silver Bayonet fix, rather than look to something like the Napoleonic Dread range of STLs found on My Mini Factory, I have once again started to look at the myriad of digital files I own for my 3D Printer. This could so very easily become a major distraction for me - especially as I'm already dipping my brush-tip into the realm of science fiction, thanks to "Black Site Studios"...

"Laika Was A Soviet Space Dog..."

"...Who was one of the first animals in space and the first to orbit the Earth."

This 32m scale resin miniature was sent to me by “Black Site Studios" as a free gift for pre-ordering their Lunar - Core Game way back in July 2021, and is nowadays seemingly only available as part of their SKU: STL0212 Space Pets - digital STL (Standard Triangle Language) file download. I therefore plonked the cute little dog onto a plastic 25mm circular base and thought I'd paint her up in honour of the poor mongrel which the Russians launched aboard Sputnik 2 spacecraft in 1957.

As I quickly decided against using the same "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet I'm using for my Soviet Cosmonaut spacesuits - as I may well use the sculpt as a neutral objective marker or random encounter, I primed the model with a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and shaded her with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then dry-brushed the figure with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before applying a combination of Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the animal's visor.

"There are four main species of bears in Canada."

I also dabbed the dog's front paws with a little "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to represent the weighted shoes she seems to be wearing. However, this has become rather lost in the 2mm tall Chilli Red flock I'm going to be using for all my Moon/Mars basing. Obviously, there's no such 'grass' on our own planet's natural satellite. But I didn't like the look of my miniatures stood/sat on a stand without something growing out of the ground around them.

In addition to 'Laika' I've manged to finish the third and final 28mm scale metal miniature from GPR019 - Great Big Bellicose Bears by “Wargames Foundry". As with the other specimens of carnivoran mammals I intend to use for "The Silver Bayonet", the model was super-glued onto a plastic 40mm "Games Workshop" circular base and undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Leather Brown and Heavy Sienna.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two Prussian Infantrymen and Two French Fusiliers

It was then treated to a double layer of (pure) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before being enthusiastically drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and treated to a lighter touch of some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. Finally, I applied some "Two Thin Coats" White Star to it's visible fangs and claws, and later shaded these areas down with plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

With a couple of reasonably straightforward paint-jobs under my belt, I have simultaneously got some good progress completed on four more of the Newark-based company's Napoleonic range - namely a pair of Prussian Infantrymen and two French Fusiliers. I was hoping to get  Frederick William III's soldiers finished by the end of the month, as they are the last of my figures from blister PN063 Infantry in Peaked Cap Marching. However, the miniatures still need a few washes and a tiny bit of dry-brushing before being ready for a "Vallejo" Matt Varnish...

"Despite Its Much Greater Accuracy At Long Range..."

 "...The rifle is still a relatively uncommon weapon."

This 28mm scale metal miniature of a Rifleman is sold by “North Star Military Figures", and is one of the eight models which can be found inside their TSB031 - United States Unit box for The Silver Bayonet. I recently picked the set up whilst at "Colours 2024" and was rather disappointed to see that the sculpt is a little large when compared to my ever-growing Napoleonic collection by "Wargames Foundry" - which happen to be a little smaller and stockier than many modern-day releases.

The crack shot was undercoated using my mainstay mixture of "Warlord Games" Pitch Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, before having his boots treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Using the 'official' paint scheme as a guide, as I simply have no idea when it comes to American uniforms of 1812, I then applied plenty of Wyvern Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the chap's heavy overcoat.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPS - This Light Cavalryman will be predominantly blue and white

I next tackled the two satchel bags sat around the marksman's wait with a couple of coverings of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a little watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before tackling the soldier's rifle using "Vallejo" Gunmetal and Heavy Sienna. The hand-weapon was later shade with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade where appropriate. I also took this opportunity to patiently trace around all the ruffled lining on the miniature, as well his Shako's cord, with a smidgeon or four of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Finally I 'picked out' the Rifleman's badge in "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as his plume with "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. I did however, stop short of tackling the model's long hair with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna - as it appears to have been pigmented brown on the "North Star Military Figures" website - as the detail was so fine on the casting that any paint on its edges repeatedly rubbed away whilst the fellow was being (man)handled. Obviously, the American was ultimately going to be varnished. But I still thought it would be far easier and quicker for any future repair jobs to just give the area a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black - plus, I rather liked the look of the guy's thin face poking out from a dark mass of hair and headwear.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - Three Russian Astronauts

With a quarter of my boxed set already 'in the bag', I have perhaps unsurprisingly moved on to another miniature from my purchase - a light cavalryman. This hand-axe waving maniac appears to be wearing a similar overcoat to my Rifleman, so I'm looking forward to tracing out all the red trim again once the time arrives. Furthermore, the horseman has caused me to return to Aly Morrison's range of 1812 figures for "Wargames Foundry", and start thinking about a small contingent of President James Madison's men fighting in Napoleonic Europe.

Lastly, I've found the time to make some progress on all five of the Soviet Cosmonauts I own by "Black Site Studios". This quintet basically just need to have any metallic parts painted and washed before receiving something of a tidy-up, so I am already itching to get the opposing NASA Astronauts assembled. I did purchase a load of different sized resin Shell Holes from "Magnetic Displays" whilst at "Colours 2024" to use as moon craters, so may well start basing them up too...

"The Russian Army Had many Characteristics Of Ancien Régime."

"Senior officers were largely recruited from aristocratic circles..."

This 28mm scale metal model is produced by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their RN021 Infantry in 1812 Shako Command set. The figure is one of seven Napoleonic Russian soldiers sculpted by Alan Perry found in the blister, and in the short-term will either lead a warband solely comprised of his fellow countrymen, or simply act as a Junior Officer for my Coalition party during some games of "The Silver Bayonet" ruleset by "Osprey Games".

The miniature was undercoated using my tried and tested mixture of "Warlord Games" Pitch Black and Vallejo Surface Primer Black, and then had his trousers (and gloves) pigmented with some "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a little watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The fellow's greatcoat was treated to plenty of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII.

"...And the Russian soldier was regularly beaten and punished to instil discipline."

At this stage I was really relying upon the colour scheme shown on the Nottinghamshire-based manufacturer's website for inspiration/historical accuracy, as I simply couldn't find any plate or illustration depicting the uniform the model was wearing. As a result I just 'picked out' the apparently fur-lined under-jacket with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and his sleeves/collar using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Finally, I applied plenty of "Two Thin Coats" White Star to the miniature's covered shako, and subsequently, having decided it looked a little too bright, gave the headgear a lick of "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand and watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The hat's peak and the figure's hair were finished off with a line or two of pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These Soviet cosmonauts have been primed, shaded & dry-brushed

With my ninth Napoleonic Russian completed, I have settled upon assembling, priming, base-coating, shading and dry-brushing the remaining four Soviet Cosmonauts I own by "Black Site Studios". I don't admittedly have any particular intention of playing the company's 32mm scale Lunar skirmish game. But did think that I might adapt The Silver Bayonet for it - maybe using some house rules for space suit tears, patch repairs and oxygen/decompression issues, etc.

The kits really are quite fiddly to put together. However, once completed I have found myself still owning a massive amount of surplus weapons, equipment, hands, and arms. This has caused me to look at the range's website to see whether it would be worth investing in the models' STL (Standard Triangle Language) files, so I could simply produce some additional single-piece head/torso/legs to use them on - especially as it means not paying shipping from the United States. In addition, its clear the range has been greatly expanded upon, with different nationalities, types of astronaut and vehicles. All of which are very tempting...