Friday 2 November 2018

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Moongrunt" November 2018

US Lunar Force Buggy WIP - The metal model has been assembled and primed "Vallejo" Dead White
This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my ever-increasing collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures will primarily focus upon a cardboard box full of 15mm "Moongrunt" miniatures I actually bought whilst at "Warfare" in Reading last year. Sold by "Ground Zero Games", this US Lunar Marines Starter Force was one of three similarly-sized sets which the Essex-based manufacturer tempted me with during a moment of weakness, and, rather embarassingly, is actually the first one I've since opened...

As 'usual' I've also used the turn of a playing card to determine just how many of these miniatures I plan to paint over the course of the next thirty days, and rather alarmingly this target will be a truly formidable ninety points; more than twice that of October's "The Ion Age" challenge. Fortunately over the past few days, I've already managed to assemble a Lunar Buggy, an awesome Rocket Sled and incredibly hefty Lunar Rover, so they should give me a somewhat straightforward six points per vehicle for starters (using the points system from the annual "Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge").
US Lunar Force Rocket Sled WIP - The metal model has been assembled and primed "Vallejo" Dead White
In addition, I have sought inspiration for the background behind my Lunar Force from the old "Action Man" adventure mini-book "Race For The Moon". Published by "Purnell" in the Late Sixties this publication tells the story of Action Man's investigation into the death of astronaut Commander Sheffield and the machinations of the Asiatic Federation. I thought a 'modern-day' version of the struggle between Cape Canaveral's Space Administration and I.N.S.E.C.T. (International Secrets Trust) to be the first to reach the moon and seize control of the natural satellite would provide plenty of tabletop opportunties, especially as "Ground Zero games" also produce a Chinese "Moongrunt" range as well...

Of course I've yet to start work on or even unwrap my US Lunar Marines Starter Force's "full platoon of infantry". But you can probably imagine that I already plan to proxy one appropriate astronaut figure as "Action Man" himself, as well as perhaps another to represent Sheffield; even if the American is surprisingly soon revealed by the murderous Chang to have been one of the traitors on the Moonship Project. 
Punchline and Roughneck WIPs - The two resin figures have been assembled and under-coated
Alongside this trip down memory lane, I also plan to paint up a couple of super-hero models from "Kitbash Games" and their upcoming "Kickstarter" for their "Supers Unlimited" range. PulpCitizen of "Eclectic Gentleman Tabletop Gamer" blog fame has very generously introduced me to the wonderfully wacky Punchline and psycho-looking Roughneck early, and resultantly I have already assembled, based and primed the resin miniatures.

There's a real old-school Silver Age of Comics feel to these characters which I absolutely adore, with the Shadow Axis' angry ex-entertainer, Punchline, owning a pair power gloves which clearly pack a mighty punch, and Roughneck proving to be a misguided back alley street fighter turned anti-heroic vigilante. Delightfully however, these "strecth goals" really are the tip of an impressively large roster of comic book characters planned for release, so I'm hoping to get them on the tabletop very soon and post a few playtests of their "Supers Miniature Gaming" rules.

20 comments:

  1. Quite the target set Simon, good luck!
    That buggy looks amazing as do the supers

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    1. Thanks Andy, I'm hoping to get a few additional models from "The Ion Age" finished this month too, so its hopefully doable. The Supers are great aren't they :-)

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  2. I just learnt something new about Action Man. He was one of my favourite toys as a kid. I have quite a large collection of 40th Aniversery sets.

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    1. Cheers Simon. I'm actually hoping to do a few projects based upon the "Purnell" mini-book series, as they really do cover an interesting range of genres.

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  3. You depth of jnowledge on fiction does astound me at t times - this is one of those times.
    Good luck getting this new (to me at least) project underway and finished - busy times ahead.

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    1. Thanks very much Joe. Hopefully they'll be a few enjoyable posts on the way for you featuring my "Action Man" inspired US Lunar Force :-)

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  4. You know I'm not a fan of 15mm scale figures but these GZG vehicles look great. If they were available in 28mm scale I'd want them for sure.
    Regarding basing your game on that old "Action Man" book, I think that's an inspired idea. I actually own that book and the others in the series. My brother and I were huge fans of "Action Man" as children.
    Those Supers Unlimited figures look very good. I'd be interested to hear your views on their rules set.

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    1. Cheers Bryan. I'm a big fan of the "Action Man" books myself, with "Race For The Moon" being my favourite of the lot. I'm hoping to have a lot of fun with this project, and wouldn't be too surprised to do something similar with some of the other mini-books too.

      The "Supers Unlimited" minis are wonderful, and I'm really looking forward to supporting this game once I can get some paint on these minis.

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  5. Action man in space! Only you could think that up! I like those moon buggies, very nice indeed. You are certainly in the 15mm zone. Those superheroes look nice. I had a sneaky look up and there are some lovely designs. I am not looking any more as I am in the midst of a serious Batman miniatures game addiction and my wallet can take any more damage!!

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. Hopefully lots of "Action Man in Space!" to come too. I was very pleased with PulpCitizen sending me my pair of minis early, and will certainly be there next year supporting the "Kickstarter"!!

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  6. All nice stuff Simon, particularly those 15mm Astronauts!!

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. Cheers Roger. The "GZG" 15mm seems to much truer to the scale than "The Ion Age" models too, so they should be a bit easier to paint - I hope!!

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  7. Butterfly attention span strikes again! Lol

    The scifi vehicles have a lovely 80s charm to them i think. Interested to see what you do with them.

    Those sups are very nice sculpts too. Lots going on mate!

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    1. Thanks Dai. Tbf I still have plenty of "The Ion Age" to finish painting, so they'll be a few more postings concerning that range to come this month too. I certainly think the "GZG" stuff has an "Action Man" vibe to it, and as you say, the Supers look awesome.

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  8. Simon, you literally had me laughing out loud with that first half of your opening sentence!! Great stuff mate!

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    1. Cheers Ivor, I'm desperately trying, mate!! LOL!!

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  9. At first glance at your Moongrunt models I had a strong Space 1999 feel, but your Action Man works just as well. The super hero models look very interesting as well and look forward to seeing what you do with both these ranges

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    1. Thanks Dave. I'm sure they'll be plenty of Moonbase Alpha opportunities when I start painting some of the astronauts orange. I'm really looking forward to the Supers stuff :-)

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  10. Yeah, those boxes of figures that we've never opened again since we bought them - I know just what you mean...

    I'm trying to sort out some of my spare models for disposal; I can tell you that even this is hard :-( .

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    1. Cheers Hugh. I need a big clear out too at some point. But it is hard to let go of minis, imho, as I’ve regretted disposing of some in the past.

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