“The Reason I Beat The Austrians Is..."

"...They did not know the value of five minutes."

This quartet of 28mm scale metal models are produced by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their AN002 German Infantry Marching set. The figures are four of eight identical Napoleonic Austrian infantrymen sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry found in the blister, and proved a little bit annoying due to a few casting flaws cropping up post priming.

The models were undercoated using a couple of layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black base coat, before having their famous white jackets and trousers treated to a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The infantrymen's collars, cuffs and waist-bands were then given a fine line of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and splash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson - a uniform scheme which apparently suggests that the unit originated in either Budweis or Leitmeritz.

"If you start to take Vienna - Take Vienna."

I next decided to pigment all of their water bottle shoulder straps using a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Admittedly, according to my various pieces of reference material, this piece of leather was probably silver-grey in colour. But frankly I decided to use it for one of my many short-cuts, and simply picked it out to be the same colour as the hip-flask itself.

Lastly I applied a little "Vallejo" Gold over a Heavy Sienna base layer to the bottom of all the Austrian's sword scabbards, and their helmet plates. These areas were subsequently shaded with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. In addition, I once again contemplated applying some "Vallejo" Gold to the underside of each fusilier's plume - something I hadn't done on my previously painted soldiers. However, this still struck me as an incredibly fiddly enterprise - particularly as I'd now need to go back and do it to the others - so I figured I'd just leave well enough alone.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - This Power Armoured Trooper has been heavily converted to carry a flamer

With another four Austrian infantrymen completed, I'm delighted to say that I've already finished my Napoleonic target for the month, and given my Coalition Army for "Black Powder" the option of fielding two tiny units of Francis I of Austria's fusiliers, or a much more likely single, small (eight-figure) unit. I do also own blister AN014 Late German Infantry Marching which I would like to get tabletop ready at some point this year. So plan to employ all of the 'dodges' I learnt from this set with them too - as essentially its exactly the same figure, just wearing different headgear.

Despite recently spending many a precious hobby hour on my Napoleonic miniatures, I have still managed to convert one of my remaining upscaled 3D prints of a Power Armoured Trooper by "Big Mr Tong" for "Fallout: Factions", and slap some early base layers on the 42mm tall brute too. This chap will be the Leader/Champion of my Brotherhood of Steel squad, and has had his laser rifle upgraded to a flamer using a few plastic parts taken from some "Games Workshop" Warhammer 40k sprues...

"The Brotherhood Of Steel Is A Post-War Technology-Focused Paramilitary Order..."

"...With chapters operating across the territory of the former United States of America."

These three 28mm scale Power Armoured Troopers are sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon the Brotherhood of Steel's "high-protection Power Armour" as depicted in the "Fallout" franchise, the trio of miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer.

However, as I wanted to use these particular figures with "Fallout: Factions" by "Modiphius Entertainment", I decided to significantly upscale the sculpts using "Chitubox" Basic. Ordinarily this meant simply enlarging the models to be approximately 32mm in height by making them 108.41% bigger. Something I repeatedly refer to as 'Arnie size' - using the eye-level and dimensions of the Colonist Marine Cyborg Hero E-900 Exterminator STL by "Papsikels Miniatures" as a guide.' However, as these miniatures had slotta tabs, and should be a good head taller than normal folk, I had to be a bit more creative in my mathematics.

"It was founded by rogue U.S. Army officer Captain Roger Maxson shortly after the Great War."

Fortunately, "Modiphius Entertainment" do provide a height chart on their website for many of their "Fallout" figures, so I was easily able to ascertain the Brotherhood Of Steel should be 42mm tall. Taking into account the size of each model's slotta tab, this meant I needed to upscale each isolationist up to a total of 45.10mm or rather by 122.74%. In addition, I decided to 3D print them out using medium supports - simply to ensure they survived any suction issues my resin vat might cause - and whilst such thick supports did cause a few pockmarks on the odd miniature once removed, I figured they could easily be 'written off' as dents in their armour.

Once super-glued upon 40mm circular plastic bases, each model was undercoated in "Scale75" Thrash Metal, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Scale75" Thrash Metal. I then carefully 'picked out' all of their visible elbow, knee and shoulder joints, as well as their breathing tubes with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black. Lastly, I sporadically applied some Extreme Rust Wash by "Mig Productions" to various parts of each soldier's heavy armour to represent its weathered condition, and gave their laser rifles a good few more sploshes of "Citadel" Nuln Oil to truly darken them down.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two of the Voltigeurs in Greatcoat Marching on my painting desk

With "Fallout: Factions" in mind, these three completed miniatures will form the core of my 250-point Brotherhood Of Steel squad - as they'll be used to represent some simple Knights (Grunts) at 60 points each. However, I still need to field a Paladin (Leader/Champion) to finish the group off, so intend to convert one of my remaining 3D prints to carry a flamer using plastic parts taken from some old "Games Workshop" Warhammer 40k sprues. Currently, I only own the "Fallout: Factions - Welcome To Nuka-World!" quickstart rules. So I won't be using the full rules for my early playthroughs. But they should suffice to let me get a good feel for the flow of the game. 

Having obviously spent a fair amount of my recent hobby time focusing upon "Fallout", I am pleased to say though that I still haven't lost focus on my current Napoleonic Black Powder long-term project, and have actually begun the painstaking task of supplying my Grande Armée with some much-needed reinforcements - initially a tiny unit of four Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". This should then be followed by another quartet of Late Fusiliers In Greatcoats And Assorted Headgear Marching to make that a small unit (of eight figures), before settling down to pigment a handful of Light Infantry Carabiniers In Campaign Dress And Colpacks Marching...

"Sauron Is A Fearsome Mutated Pterodactyl."

"Look on me, ye humans, and despair!"

This 40mm scale model of Sauron is manufactured by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was unlocked during the company's highly successful April 2021 Kickstarter for "Marvel United: X-Men" when it achieved an incredible $5,988,089 in funding. "The alter ego of physician Dr. Karl Lykos", the energy vampire was created by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, and made his first appearance in the September 1969 issue of "The X-Men by "Marvel Comics".

Primed using plenty of Ethereal Green from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range, the super-villain was shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. I then 'picked out' his mouth using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before highlighting his tongue (so as to better 'mark out' it out) with some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These two Austrian infantrymen are almost finished

The notorious "enemy of the X-Men" subsequently had his mesmerising eyes dolloped with a splodge of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" White Star, and plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Violet plastered over Lykos' trousers. This garment was later shaded using "Citadel" Druchii Violet, and given a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Violet. Lastly, I applied some "Vallejo" Neutral Grey over the figure's pre-sculpted base, sploshed it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and highlighted its rocky crags with (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey.

Along with my latest addition to my roster of models I plan to use with the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, I have also been dutifully plodding away at the remaining four Austrian fusiliers I wish to add to my Coalition army for "Black Powder". These figures all come from the blister AN002 German Infantry Marching by "Wargames Foundry", and will double the strength of my current unit from tiny to small (using my home-rules for unit size).

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A trio of Beastmen in the early stages of being painted

In addition, I've also been dabbling with a quartet of Beastmen by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" which I believe I picked up when the company first released their 7TV Dracula Feature Pack. I'm not particularly planning to use them for Karl Perrotton's skirmish rule-set, but rather "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" - utilising them as either Cultists or perhaps even Ghouls.

I would though like to get quite a few of this manufacturer's backlog cleared from my drawers over the next couple of months - as I do seem to have collected quite a mountain of their metal models. So hopefully I can get this particular foursome tabletop ready "toot sweet", and then move on to several of their Alien Legionaries which I recently stumbled upon whilst searching through a wooden cabinet...

"Sam Will Give You A Ride."

"Just tell him where to go, and he'll go.”

This decidedly diminutive 28mm scale metal model of Samwise Gamgee was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be bought as part of the two figure Frodo & Sam In Orc Armour blister from the Nottingham-based company's "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually picked this miniature up from a wargaming show's second-hand stall many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to painting him ever since.

Despite the figure already having some sort of black undercoat on it, courtesy of its former owner, I decided to dust it down and give it an additional lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The "loyal companion" was then layered with Thrash Metal by "Scale 75", shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and very lightly dry-brushed with (more) "Scale 75" Thrash Metal.

"We are the Uruk-hai: we do not stop the fight for night or day, for fair weather or for storm."

I next began 'picking out' all of the sculpt's fur leggings, sword scabbard, belt and cloth under garments with either "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, Heavy Sienna, and Beasty Brown, before treating them to a splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, the heavily-disguised Hobbit's numerous leather straps, and thick gloves were simply layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Alongside Samwise the Brave, I have also finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. This metal "Games Workshop" miniature had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so I simply gave the model's armour and hand-weapon a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Austrian Infantryman is being painted from the boots up

I achieved the colour of the Orc's bare flesh by using "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a last step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and highlighted his teeth in White. Both of these areas were later washed with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

With this month's big push towards progressing my Napoleonic Black Powder forces still foremost in my mind, I have begun plugging away at the predominantly white uniforms of four Austrian infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry". I've already pigmented a quartet of these 28mm scale metal from the company's AN002 German Infantry Marching blister in the past to create a tiny unit for my Coalition army, and plan to use this miniatures to double its strength so I can field a small unit instead... 

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge” [III/IV] February 2026

Last month's output was largely dominated by "Games Workshop" and "Wargames Foundry"

Sadly there can be little doubt then when compared to some of my past January outputs, the last four weeks have proved pretty disappointing productivity wise. Indeed, I didn't manage to pigment even half of what I achieved just a couple of years ago in 2023. Having said that though, a lot of time was lost due to a slow start, and currently my enthusiasm for the hobby is so strong - especially for "Wargames Foundry" and their Napoleonic range, that I fully expect to make up some ground throughout February.

In addition, I've temporarily postponed a couple of new projects I had begun to 'scratch away' at, in favour of firmly focusing upon my Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP) and making far more in-roads towards my target tally for that. Last year I managed to finally finish 246 points worth of semi-completed figures, and was planning to better that this time round. However, having just past my personal challenge's half-way stage, I've only got 119 points tabletop ready - so have set aside my plans for Napoleonic cavalry and cannon units (some of which have literally just arrived through my letter box), and swapped them out for a sizeable selection of already-based Austrian Fusiliers, Moscow Militiamen and Frenchmen marching in greatcoats.

"In military operations, hours determine success and campaigns."

To get things off with something of a bang I have finally managed to get a coat of "Vallejo" Matt Varnish on an eighth skirmisher I have had loitering around my painting desk for quite some while. Found inside the “Wargames Foundry" blister FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing, the miniature Frenchman was undercoated using a little "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before having his uniform/cuffs layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

The soldier's various leather straps were treated to some White Star by "Two Thin Coats", before being 'weathered' with some watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Furthermore, I 'picked out' all of his extra details, using colours such as as "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green for the man's epaulettes and sabre-briquet ribbons, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on his bedroll, and "Two Thin Coats" White, Skulker Yellow, and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade for the Frenchman's helmet plume.

January 2026 - "Blood Bowl", Napoleonic Soldiers and Super-Heroes dominate the current chart

Alongside my burgeoning Black Powder collection, I am also planning on working through a number of primed "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" models I've had lurking in a drawer beside me for many a month. Whether this encourages to return to the company's skirmish ruleset "7TV" I don't know. But there's a good chance many of the figures will make an appearance on my "Silver Bayonet" tabletop as I primarily use Karl Perrotton's miniatures for any encounters my warband might have with wandering monsters, the Undead or musket-carrying bandits.

Lastly, I'm still very much in the mood for producing various items of scenery with my "Bambu Lab" A1 Mini, and am quietly working away in the background on some of the terrific terrain I received as free STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from "Steamforged Games" as part of their Warmachine 3D: Gravediggers release in April 2025. I've also got a bit of a backlog building courtesy of "Saucermen Studios" and their "Beyond The Trenches Of Despair" Kickstarter. So expect to see a fair few Whether ruined walls, trench systems, bunkers, towers and concrete barricades appearing over the coming months.

"Fickle Madame Victory Remained Firmly Out Of Reach For Everybody."

"This battle was a draw."

"Hello Blood Bowl fans, and welcome to another mind-blowing broadcast of Friday Night Football. I'm Jim Maddenberg and along with Elf playing legend-turned-commentator Thom Grassyglade, I’ll be bringing you all the biggest rumours circulating around our favourite amateur incarnation of Fantasy Football.”

“Once again, much of this programme's focus sits with Bluebeard's Bombardiers, who have forked out an impressive 140,000 copper pieces for the dynamic duo of Beggerlug Christmas and Uthaek Mudshaper - Two Dwarf Blocker Linemen who really mean business."

"Mutual exhaustion led to a truce being called, and the leaders of both sides attempted to parley."

"You're spot on there, Jim. This pair of 28mm scale second-hand metal miniatures were undercoated in “Vallejo” Heavy Blue, and subsequently had their trousers, padded shirts and helmets washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. The Dwarves' boots were then 'picked out' "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before their steel toe-caps, and other bits of armour were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Sticking with the club's colour scheme, both Christmas and Mudshaper's gloves and shoulder-pads were later pigmented with "Vallejo" Heavy Red, given a liberal splosh of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and a carefully placed highlight or two of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Lastly, Beggerlug's famous beard had a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star daubed all over his facial hair, as well as a dash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil."

"Games Workshop" WIPs - The beginnings of the Dumbledune Daisies; a Dwarf Blocker and Blitzer

"Marvellous stuff, Thom. But these welcome additions to Bruldrin Bluebeard the Third's impressive team roster isn't the only news of the hour, is it..? I understand that a third Dwarf team has announced its intention to compete locally, and they're the Dumbledune Daisies. Just before this transmission terminates, can you give our viewers any insights into this latest Blood Bowl Sevens squad..?"

"For now we just know that their manager is head-hunting as many Troll Slayers and Blitzers as the rules permit for an amateur side, and the players will apparently be sporting dark green uniforms with white helmets. Furthermore, there's a lot of gossip that they intend to plaster their faces with yellow paint just prior to kick-off..!!"

"You Haven't Got A House Anymore, Savage!"

 "A stray shell from a tank blew it apart."

This 28mm metal single-cast model is produced by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors range, and comes as part of their AS04 Survivors Set 4. Bought as part of a much larger impulse buy whilst I was wandering around the stalls at "Warfare" 2024, this assortment of four-figures are based upon the perturbing premise that Russia has suddenly invaded the United Kingdom following some great calamity - whether that be a nuclear strike, zombie incursion or some deadly extra-terrestrial attack.

The young boy was undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had his trousers pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I then layered the child's hooded jacket with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, shaded the garment with plenty of "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and very carefully dry-brushed it with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to help pick out all its truly tiny details.

"Men are moved by two levers only: fear and self interest."

The final steps consisted of me painting the figure's rather large backpack in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - which is almost the size of the nipper himself - as well as patiently applying a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshtone over his face and hands. To be honest I did consider giving the kid some gloves. But I thought the sculpt's pose better suggested he had slightly frost-bitten bare hands.

Alongside my diminutive Apocalypse Survivor I have (perhaps unsurprisingly) completed two more 28mm scale metal models made by “Wargames Foundry". Sold these days as FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing, the pair of Napoleonic Frenchman were primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and then had their uniform/cuffs covered in a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These Guard Lancers have been primed in the main colour of their horses

The soldiers' numerous (and genuinely terrifying) leather straps were treated to some White Star by "Two Thin Coats", before being 'muddied' up with a bit of watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I worked my way through all of the skirmishers' various details, using colours such as as "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on their epaulettes and sabre-briquet ribbons, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on their bedrolls, and "Two Thin Coats" White, Skulker Yellow, and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade on the miniatures' helmet plumes.

With just a final Chasseur to finish in order to create a small unit of smoothbore musket-carrying Frenchmen, I have also (finally) made a start on this year's phase of my Napoleonic "Black Powder" project by assembling (and priming) a pair of cavalrymen from the Newark-based company's old FN275 French Imperial Guard Lancers In Campaign Dress. For the next twelve months I'm aiming to get at least a handful of tiny horse (two models) units completed, alongside a handful of cannon, so plan to get the duo tabletop ready in quick order...