"Crudely Built But Capable Of Taking Quite A Beating..."

"...The tank crushes and barrels its way around a battlefield."

These two 15mm scale Space Goblins' vehicles are sold by “Alternative Armies” and can be purchased as Pack Code IAF046 Infernus Tank - Malig Ball Tank from the company’s "The Ion Age" range. Supplied as a multi-piece metal and resin kit, they are armed with both Charon Fire Projectors, Maia Guns and also come with a 50mm resin scenic base.

However, once assembled each model was actually super-glued on to a large-sized plastic "Flames Of War" stand by “Battlefront Miniatures”, and subsequently primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black. They were then base-layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I did momentarily consider using "Vallejo" Heavy Red - as that seemed more in keeping with a Goblin force. But in the end decided to stick with the 'official' colour scheme instead; at least for these first two miniatures.

"It's two hull halves spinning while the centre remains stationary."

"Often deployed in support of Malig Tesserans", the assault rollers were drowned in “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before receiving a heavy dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I next splodged some heavily watered down "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna over their 'hull halves' and later pigmented the centre portion with pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

To be honest, the most difficult part of getting these quite hefty Infernus Tanks tabletop ready was attaching the two outer parts of the vehicle to their (stationary) middle. All of these pieces were made of cast resin and without any guide-markers or slots, it was rather hard to get each ensemble properly aligned with one another before the super-glue set fast. In the end both of the models were a little wonky, so I ended up using some green-stuff on their base to help balance them up for the human eye not to notice.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - The (backwards) Runner Drone and Female Retained Veteran

In addition to these formidable additions to my evil Shia Khan Legion, I have also begun work on a much smaller stand of infantry for my Prydian Army - largely inspired by a female Inquisitor adorned in power armour from the "Warhammer 40K" universe. Resultantly I am plan to plonk a Taranis (Jammer) Runner Drone alongside a Female Retained Veteran, and use the duo as another 'hero' base for my non-canon games of 15mm Horus Heresy.

Rather embarrassingly though, I've already noticed that I have permanently affixed the drone's mechanical legs back-to-front, so the pose's two headlights are now facing to its rear. This error on my behalf is incredibly annoying; albeit I strongly doubt it'll actually be noticeable to anyone who looks at the two-figure unit once its been fully painted, glued together, flocked and had static grass applied to it...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Crooked Dice" October 2026

Science Fiction figures once again completely dominated my past month's output

Things have definitely been somewhat off-target painting-wise over the past few months, so rather than try to focus upon a somewhat ad hoc collection of Undead/Survivor themed miniatures for the annual "Zomtober" challenge during October, I thought things might be a bit more productive if I once again simply concentrated upon my backlog of a single, individual company. Of course, where I can I do plan to pigment a grisly ghoul, ghost or zombie, but considering just how badly the last four weeks' output turned out to be, I think I'd rather apply my paintbrush to some figures which inspire me to get them tabletop ready rather than aimlessly 'flit' around my lead mountain looking for something to tie in to a specific event.

Such a decision will hopefully allow me to get enough models varnished and flocked in time for some games of "Adventures in Time & Television" before the end of the year - a self-made solo/co-operative ruleset based upon my M.I.S.S. system. I've recently had to update the core of these homebrew rules to accommodate some of the 15mm figures/vehicles I have completed from "Alternative Armies" The Ion Age range, so bringing them up to speed for 28mm battles shouldn't prove too difficult.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Three of the four Alien Legionnaries I've recently found

Resultantly, I plan to predominantly work on a number of sculpts produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" in order to obtain a better understanding of what I need pick up from the manufacturer's stall whilst visiting the fairly imminent Wargames Association of Reading (WAR) annual wargames show Warfare. Initially, this'll focus upon more of Karl Perrotton's Alien Legionnaries, which will form the 'bulk' of the opposition for my game - and four of which I unexpectedly stumbled upon whilst having a bit of a rummage through my 'pile of potential'.

I have though also got my eye on some Nautican Warriors I recently purchased, which will give the 'randomly generated' villains a totally different aspect should they enter the contest. I am already working on a pilot piece for this evil underwater race, and will probably pick up their leader, Emporer Poseidus, along with a couple more packs of Nauticans when I attend the aforementioned show in the middle of November.

September 2026 - Crooked Dice Game Design Studio continues to extend their lead in my Top Five Manufacturers

By far the biggest disappointment of September was failing to even get the four Systemic Security miniatures by "Beast In The Broch" finished. Admittedly, the remaining two figures are reasonably close to completion. Yet I am now far behind working on the set's two leading characters: Alpha One (standing) and Alpha Two (advancing), and have vowed not to order the company's latest releases - along with another load of System Security units, until I have them done too.

My fingers are most definitely crossed regarding my output over the next few weeks, as not only do I already have a load more 15mm "Alternative Armies" infantry en route, including enough Retained Knights to significantly 'fill out' my (not) Dark Angels contingent. But I am also awaiting many of the latest Submarine Crew sculpts from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". However, I do feel as if I will need to get a few actual games in to help maintain my hobby mojo as the shorter days start to draw in...

“You See, Doctor, You’re My Intellectual Equal."

"Almost. I have too few worthy opponents. When they’ve gone I always miss them.”

This 28mm scale white metal model is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as MINI 2388 Modern Moriarty. Sculpted by Ian Mountain, the figure is clearly heavily inspired by the late Roger Delgado's portrayal of the Master (1971–1973) in the BBC science fiction television series "Doctor Who".

As I've always felt this particular incarnation of the "Machiavellian time traveller" wore an off-black suit, I started out by priming the dastardly villain with a couple of layers of "Vallejo" German Grey and subsequently shading him in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then gave the Doctor's arch-nemesis a heavy dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" German Grey, before carefully picking out his shirt cuffs with a combination of "Vallejo" Dead White and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Raise your hands."

I did spend a while ruminating over the model's goatee beard and slightly receding hair as Delgado's was noticeably greying during his tenure - most notably with some blatantly white areas of facial hair. However, as the miniature was seemingly stroking one side of his beard I felt it would look a little odd to have a small tuft of white sticking out, so stuck with it just being "Citadel" Abaddon Black. This Citadel base colour was also used to make the fiend's shoes and gloves also stand out from his dark grey costume. Finally, I carefully applied a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey to the edges of the figure's hairline, and blended it in with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and a smidgeon of Abaddon Black.

Alongside my latest "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" time traveller, I have also finished another model by "Beast In The Broch" too. This 32mm scale pewter cast miniature of Systemic Security 3 can be brought either individually as SKU: ALI05 or as part of the six-figure Systemic Units set SKU: PAK 07. Digitally sculpted by Carl Stoelzel, I've painted the model up to resemble one of the System's guards as seen in the 1979 television episode of "Blake's Seven" entitled "Redemption".

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - These two Infernus Tanks are close to completion

The guard was undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and later shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then used plenty of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on the chap's visor and chest area (front and back), before tackling some of his finer details - like pigmenting the communications bracelet in "Scale 75" Decayed Metal and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, his hand-weapon in "Vallejo" Dead White and Pale Grey, and the minion's front-facing tubing in "Two Thin Coats" Ethereal Green and a smidgeon of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

Furthermore, I've managed to get most of the colours finished on two of the three 15mm Infernus Tanks by "Alternative Armies" which I'm currently working on. Unlike the third and final of these Malig Ball Tanks, this pair of rotund vehicles don't have their space goblin pilot peeking out from inside the deadly contraption, so should soon be ready for the tabletop...

"The Dark Angels' Terrible Secret Is This."

"During the Horus Heresy, some of their brethren were turned to the side of Chaos."

These three 15mm metal miniatures are from "The Ion Age" range by "Alternative Armies", and come from their IAF008 Retained Knight Post Charlie multi-figure set. Super-glued upon some wooden chop-sticks for more months (if not years) than I care to remember, I recently dusted them down and decided to paint them as part of my small collection of "Rogue Trader" era Dark Angels space marines.

For openers the trio were simply undercoated with a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Dark Green and shaded using plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then gave each model a brusque dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Dark Green, before patiently picking out their Angis Rifles with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - These Infernus Tanks have been assembled, primed and shaded

As a final touch I carefully added a line of pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black to their visor slits, and also applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any pouches I could spot. Having recently used my quite sizeable collection of "The Ion Age" figures and vehicles on the tabletop, I spotted I wasn't always quite as robust at spotting these leather-made additions to my Retained Knights, so I made doubly certain on this occasion to get the ammunition pouches properly pigmented.

Perhaps understandably, as I am currently rather taken with this splendidly-sculpted range I have started work on building and priming a squadron of three Infernus Tanks. These Malig Ball Tanks will finally provide my opposition with some vehicles, and hopefully encourage me to finally build up enough enemy units to properly challenge my Retained Knights and/or Muster of the Prydian Army.

"Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - This Generator is ready for some washes and weathering

Unfortunately, my plans for this 'sudden turn to 15mm' has taken a bit of a backward step as I simply cannot find my box of unpainted miniatures by "Alternative Armies". I know inside it I have several nearly-finished figures, as well as an embarrassing truckload of models taken from several of "The Ion Age" armies. However, I have located my resin vehicle small-box - together with a plastic bag filled with a variety of the range's various special edition sculpts. So for now I have more than enough to be getting on with.

Lastly, I've got some paint on the last of my entries for Dave Stone's Season of Scenery over on his "Wargames Terrain Workshop" blog. Originally I was planning to prime both of these 3D prints from the free Fallout: Wasteland Warfare - Print at Home - STL (Standard Triangle Language) Sampler Set released by "Modiphius Entertainment" in "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue. But then felt I might as well use the "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer as an undercoat for all the areas on the two generators I want to appear "Vallejo" Gunmetal...

"Do Not Fail The Empire."

"Operative, I have apportioned some experimental Dark Troopers to Tatooine for evaluation."

This 40mm scale model of a Phase-III Dark Trooper is produced by "Atomic Mass Games", and comes as part of the company's "Star Wars: Shatterpoint You Have Something I Want Squad Pack". Based upon "the last and most powerful dark trooper exoskeleton/droid", the exasperating sixteen-piece plastic miniature was eventually assembled using the instructions found on the Minnesota-based manufacturer's website, and glued to one of the tabletop game's 40mm circular bases.

However, due to one of the halves of the machine's left shoulder-pad tearing into two parts whilst I was cutting it from the sprue, this over-complicated 'nightmare' actually ended up taking just as long to put together as the first of Moff Gideon's minions I recently got tabletop ready. Indeed, I ended up having to (plastic) glue to the two damaged pieces together and subsequently file them down as flat as I could before I could properly continue with the rest of the Dark Trooper, and even then there's a very visible dent in the robot's shoulder if you know where to look.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - The three remaining Systemic Units

The Imperial droid was originally primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and later base-layered with "Vallejo" Glossy Black - which I hoped would do much of the heavy lifting when it comes to how the shiny black killer would appear. To break the overwhelming all-black palette though, I did 'pick out' all the figure's elbow, wrist, knee and elbow joints using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as it's E-450 "Arc Hammer" heavy blaster rifle. Finally I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red, "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion for the Dark Trooper's eyes and chest computer.

In addition to this disappointingly time-consuming project, I have continued to plug away at the three remaining Systemic Security models found inside the Systemic Units set by "Beast In The Broch". Due to still being rather taken by Terry Nation's cult "Blake's 7" science fiction television show, I should still be able to get the computer-controlled lackeys completed before the month's end. Albeit, I sadly doubt I'll have the time to pigment the set's Alpha One and Alpha Two as well.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - The OOP figure of Venus Bluegenes

Despite recently listening to some of the "2000 AD" full-cast audio of "Rogue Trooper: Welcome to Nu Earth" over on "Audible", I've still been rather struggling to truly get going with my restarted Rogue Trooper project of late - and not even the chance discovery of my previously purchased five Man E-Corp Unit by "Diehard Miniatures" to use as (not) Southerners. Resultantly, I felt it prudent to set aside Tim Prow's dynamically sculpted Krupps Corp unit blister models (which I was planning to use as Norts), and look elsewhere for inspiration.

Funnily enough, such a mojo maker soon presented itself in the guise of the now long OOP (Out Of Production) figure of Venus Bluegenes by "Wargames Foundry". Now ordinarily I don't like to mix my manufacturers for projects. But when I slapped the "so-called G.I. Doll" on a lipped base besides my aforementioned "Diehard Miniatures", the sculpt appeared to be similarly proportioned overall and only a touch taller - which arguably makes sense for a one woman killing machine who was a "genetically-modified warrior". Regardless, I've found my interest in the project reignited and now hope to get the "female clone soldier created by Milli-Com" finished 'toot sweet'...

"Force Level Three."

"Take this prisoner to elimination chamber two."

This 32mm scale pewter cast miniature of Systemic Security 1 is produced by "Beast In The Broch" and can be brought either individually as SKU: ALI03 or as part of the six-figure Systemic Units set SKU: PAK 07. Digitally sculpted by Carl Stoelzel, I've painted the model up to resemble one of the System's guards as seen in the 1979 television episode of "Blake's Seven" entitled "Redemption".

One of the many foot-soldiers utilised by "a computer network which was the controlling authority of a highly advanced alien civilisation", the warden was in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and later shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out the man's visor and computerised chest plate using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - The System Security figure was painted from the inside out

I also eventually used these colours to pigment the parts of the guard's uniform which were apparently made of transparent plastic. On the small screen these elements made the cruel-hearted custodians of the System appear predominantly black. But I thought this would make the figure look rather odd-looking. In addition, I didn't think applying white to the areas - which is something I do when painting gossamer-wings etc, would work out either.

With the basics completed, I then took some time carefully 'picking out' the much smaller details on the figure - using the likes of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade for the miniature's communications bracelet, and "Vallejo" Dead White and Pale Grey on his 'cattle prod' hand-weapon. Furthermore, I tried to follow the 'official' broadcast costume by carefully tracing along the villainous minion's front-facing tubing with a little "Two Thin Coats" Ethereal Green and a smidgeon of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Nautican Warrior B, Heinous Husk, Modern Moriarty & Devil In Disguise

With the first of my Systemic Security models completed, I have finally started work on four new arrivals from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Unfortunately, the Royal Mail took quite a while to finally decide to deliver these chaps, so my enthusiasm for them took a bit of a knock by the time they did eventually turn up through the letter-box. However, having recently played a game of myco-operative homemade rule-set M.I.S.S. I suddenly found myself thinking how I could use them in an 'Adventures Through Time And Television' flavoured adaption largely just using Karl Perrotton's enormous range of miniatures.

For now though, I've simply plonked some basic undercoats and base-colours on the company's Devil In Disguise, Heinous Husk, Modern Moriarty and Nautican Warrior B - with plans to get the quartet finished before the month is out if I can. This'll allow me to figure out what heroes, minions and villains I next need to get tabletop ready in order to play a game (or three) before October is full played out...

"But This Is A Fine Time To Test..."

 "...My newly acquired weapons."

This 140mm tall Inner Core was created using some "Bambu Lab" PLA (Polylactic Acid) on my A1 Mini 3D Printer and can be downloaded for free as part of the Sturmriese Axis Walker by "Warlord Games". Designed to be just one piece of the colossal-sized "Konlikt '47" death machine, I decided it would instead look rather good as an energy pylon on my "Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game" tabletop.

However, the original 3D print did look a little too bare for my liking so I thought I'd add some textured details to the scenic piece via some of the many decals gifted to me by “N-FX Game Design Studio” several years ago. These 'stickers' were sporadically placed here and there - most notably around the transmission tower's lower base in an effort to show that the invention had been occasionally updated and required plenty of air vents for its internal cooling mechanism.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - A trio of models from inside their Systemic Units set.

The entire ensemble was subsequently undercoated using a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue, almost drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal Blue. The pylon's dome was then treated to a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and subsequently dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. In fact, I actually ended up giving the entire 3D a very light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to help better highlight all its edges and features.

I next settled down to the task of patiently colouring many of its vents and details using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I really didn't need everything to contrast as I'm big believer in scenery predominantly sitting in the background of a game, and resultantly I didn't bother varnishing the 'Inner Core' either - so it would hopefully blend in better with some of the other pre-painted pieces I own.

"Atomic Mass Games" WIPs - This Dark Trooper has been assembled, primed and base-coated

With the first of my entries completed for Dave Stone's Season of Scenery over on his "Wargames Terrain Workshop" blog, I have begun pigmenting some of the figures found in the Systemic Units set by "Beast In The Broch". I'm hoping their predominantly black and silver colour scheme will mean they're pretty straightforward to get tabletop ready, so am currently just focusing on three of alien computer network's humanoid minions first.

In addition, after battling to (plastic) glue together another 40mm scale Phase-III Dark Trooper by "Atomic Mass Games", I'm delightfully in a position where I just need to paint the "Star Wars: Shatterpoint" multi-part droid. My difficulties in assembling these monstrosities is really starting to eat away at my enthusiasm for the models. But in an effort to maintain my interest in George Lucas' galaxy (far, far away), I have now dusted off a few "Star Wars: Legion" miniatures to add to my hobby queue...